Back to the Future

TV and Cinema
January 28, 2025

The 'Back to the Future' movies, directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, are beloved science fiction comedies that have captivated audiences since the first film's release in 1985. Starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown, the trilogy follows their time-traveling adventures in a DeLorean car, exploring different eras and altering the course of history. The series is known for its clever humor, memorable characters, and iconic moments that have left a lasting impact on pop culture. Here are 15 fun facts about the 'Back to the Future' movies. These fun facts provide a deeper insight into the making of this timeless film series.

Michael J. Fox was the first choice to play Marty McFly, but he was initially unavailable due to his commitment to the TV show Family Ties.

The filmmakers chose the DeLorean time machine for its futuristic look. Its gull-wing doors made it resemble a spaceship. This detail was key to the plot when Marty arrives in 1955.

The phrase '1.21 gigawatts,' which Doc Brown says is needed to power the DeLorean, became famous even though it was a mispronunciation of 'gigawatts.' The correct pronunciation is 'jigawatts,' but the film's creative team decided to keep it as is.

The 'Back to the Future' trilogy was one of the first film series to be planned as a complete story arc, with the second and third films being shot back-to-back and released less than a year apart.

The idea for the film came from co-writer Bob Gale, who wondered what it would be like to go to school with his parents.

The famous clock tower scene, where lightning strikes to send Marty back to the future, was filmed on the Universal Studios backlot. The set has since become a popular tourist attraction.

Huey Lewis, who wrote and performed the hit song 'The Power of Love' for the film, made a cameo appearance as a teacher who rejects Marty's band during the audition scene.

The role of Doc Brown was written with Christopher Lloyd in mind, and he based his portrayal of the eccentric inventor on Albert Einstein and conductor Leopold Stokowski.

The filmmakers originally considered using a refrigerator as the time machine, but they changed it to the DeLorean to avoid encouraging children to climb into refrigerators.

In 'Back to the Future Part II,' the futuristic year 2015 features hoverboards, flying cars, and self-lacing shoes. While these technologies are still in development, the film's vision of the future remains iconic.

The Johnny B. Goode scene, where Marty plays the guitar at the school dance, was filmed with Michael J. Fox learning to mimic the guitar playing, but the actual music was performed by musician Mark Campbell.

The 'Back to the Future' trilogy has influenced many other films and TV shows, with numerous references and homages appearing in popular culture over the years.

Crispin Glover, who played George McFly in the first film, did not return for the sequels due to a dispute over his salary. The filmmakers used old footage and a look-alike actor to portray George in the later films.

The series' memorable catchphrase 'Great Scott!' was improvised by Christopher Lloyd and became a trademark of the Doc Brown character.

The 'Back to the Future' trilogy was preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2007 for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

Scarlett Johansson

TV and Cinema
November 19, 2024

Scarlett Johansson, born on November 22, 1984, in New York City, is one of Hollywood's most successful and versatile actresses. Known for her roles in both independent films and blockbuster franchises, Johansson has become a global superstar, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards. She is best known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as her performances in films like 'Lost in Translation' and 'Marriage Story.' Here are 15 fun facts that you might not know about Scarlett Johansson. These fun facts provide a deeper insight into the life of a true Hollywood icon.

Scarlett Johansson was born to an architect father and a producer mother, and she has a twin brother named Hunter.

She made her film debut at the age of 9 in the 1994 film 'North,' and quickly gained recognition for her roles in films like 'Manny & Lo' and 'The Horse Whisperer.'

Johansson's breakthrough role came in 2003 with 'Lost in Translation,' where she starred opposite Bill Murray and received widespread critical acclaim.

She is the highest-grossing actress of all time, largely due to her role as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Johansson has been nominated for two Academy Awards, both in 2020, for her performances in 'Marriage Story' and 'Jojo Rabbit.'

She is also a talented singer and has released two albums, 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' (2008) and 'Break Up' (2009), the latter in collaboration with singer Pete Yorn.

Johansson was named Esquire magazine's 'Sexiest Woman Alive' twice, in 2006 and 2013, the first woman to receive the title twice.

She made her Broadway debut in 2010 in the revival of 'A View from the Bridge,' for which she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

Johansson has a passion for philanthropy and has supported various causes, including cancer research, women's rights, and disaster relief efforts.

She is fluent in Danish, a language she learned from her father, who was originally from Denmark.

Johansson was married to actor Ryan Reynolds from 2008 to 2011 and later married French journalist Romain Dauriac, with whom she has a daughter. She is currently married to comedian Colin Jost.

She is known for her work in both independent films, such as 'Under the Skin' and 'Her,' and major blockbusters, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

Johansson has lent her voice to several animated films, including 'The Jungle Book' (2016) and 'Sing' (2016), where she voiced the character Ash, a punk rock porcupine.

She is a dedicated supporter of the arts and has been involved in various theater productions, both as an actress and a producer.

Scarlett Johansson was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012, recognizing her contributions to the film industry.

Sin City

TV and Cinema
January 20, 2025

The 'Sin City' movies, directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, are visually stunning adaptations of Miller's graphic novel series. Known for their unique black-and-white aesthetic with splashes of color, the films bring the gritty, noir-inspired world of Sin City to life, filled with antiheroes, corruption, and violence. The series features an ensemble cast, including Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and Jessica Alba, and has been praised for its faithfulness to the source material. Here are 15 fun facts about the 'Sin City' movies. These fun facts provide a deeper insight into the making of this dark and stylish film series.

The first 'Sin City' movie, released in 2005, was one of the first films to be shot entirely on a digital backlot, with the actors performing in front of green screens. The backgrounds were added in post-production to mimic the look of Frank Miller's original comic books.

Robert Rodriguez insisted that Frank Miller be credited as a co-director for the first film, believing that the movie was as much Miller's creation as his own. This decision led to Rodriguez resigning from the Directors Guild of America, as the DGA does not allow co-directing credits unless the directors are an established team.

The visual style of 'Sin City' was heavily inspired by film noir, with high contrast lighting, deep shadows, and the selective use of color to highlight specific elements, such as blood or a character's eyes.

Mickey Rourke, who played Marv, wore extensive prosthetic makeup to achieve the character's distinctive look. The makeup process took several hours each day before filming.

Jessica Alba, who portrayed Nancy Callahan, did not perform any of her own nude scenes, despite the character being depicted nude in the comics. Instead, her scenes were altered to fit Alba's comfort level.

Quentin Tarantino directed a scene in the first 'Sin City' film as a guest director. He directed the sequence where Dwight (Clive Owen) talks to the corpse of Jackie Boy (Benicio Del Toro) in the car.

The first 'Sin City' film was shot in color and later converted to black-and-white in post-production. The selective use of color, such as the red of blood or the blue of Miho's (Devon Aoki) eyes, was added digitally.

The film's cast includes several actors known for their roles in other comic book adaptations, including Benicio Del Toro (The Collector in the Marvel Cinematic Universe), Mickey Rourke (Whiplash in 'Iron Man 2'), and Jessica Alba (Sue Storm in 'Fantastic Four').

To maintain the graphic novel's visual style, the filmmakers used the original comic panels as storyboards, closely matching the camera angles, lighting, and compositions to Miller's artwork.

The character of Marv, played by Mickey Rourke, became one of the most iconic figures in the 'Sin City' series. Rourke's portrayal was widely praised, and the character's catchphrase, 'This is for the big guy,' became a memorable line from the film.

The sequel, 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,' was released in 2014, nearly a decade after the first film. The long gap between the two films was due to scheduling conflicts and the lengthy post-production process required to achieve the film's unique visual style.

Rosario Dawson, who played Gail, wore a wig for her role, and her costume design was directly inspired by her character's look in the comic books. Dawson's performance was praised for capturing Gail's fierce and fearless personality.

The films' narrative structure is non-linear, with multiple intersecting storylines that explore different characters and events in the corrupt and crime-ridden world of Sin City.

Robert Rodriguez composed the score for the first 'Sin City' film himself, with contributions from John Debney and Graeme Revell. The music plays a significant role in establishing the film's dark, moody atmosphere.

The 'Sin City' movies were groundbreaking in their use of digital technology to replicate the look and feel of comic books on screen, influencing later adaptations of graphic novels and comic books in film.