It's Oct. 21, 2015 - Anyone up for a "joke fax"?

We've arrived.

Today is Wednesday, October 21, 2015 - the day that Marty McFly and Doc Brown arrive in the future via the time-traveling Delorean.  2015 has some amazing technology to be sure, but no hoverboards...no flying cars powered by trash...no self-lacing Nike's...not even a Cafe 80's.

I'd give anything to for a good "joke fax" today (does anyone in 2015 still use fax machines?).

Back to the Future, Part II is copyright (c) and trademark Universal Studios; photos used for illustrative purposes only.

"Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming" Trailer (1999) and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Trailer (2015)

In 1999, actor Richard Hatch (Captain Apollo on "Battlestar Galactica") created a very well-received Trailer called "Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming".  This Trailer picked up the story of the Colonial fleet some 20 years later with the Galactica being menaced by a new and more evolved Cylon threat.  This trailer is very well-put together (and remember this was created YEARS before YouTube made fan-made Trailers all the rage).  The classic BSG characters are reintroduced...and new "next generation" warriors are seen as well.  This Trailer is concise and to the point.  It tells a "story" in 4 minutes.  It works!

Watch this Trailer on YouTube HERE:

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015).  A bit of the classic characters....and the "next generation" characters as well.  This Trailer works!  December 18th can't come fast enough!  :-)

Battlestar Galactica - created by Glen A. Larson; copyright (c) NBC / Universal.
Star Wars - created by George Lucas; copyright Lucasfilm / Disney.

1976 - 1982: Hollywood's Haunted House Obsession

Hollywood was definitely on a "haunted house" kick for about 6 years, starting in 1976 with "Burnt Offerings", "The Amityville Horror" (1979), "The Shining" (1980) and "Poltergeist" (1982).  For a fun (sometimes totally surreal) viewing experience, I recommend watching all 4 of these classic horror films back-to-back - on the same day if you can manage it(!)

I won't go so far as to say that these movies are identical -  far from it - but they definitely all draw from the same general idea: a typical American family moves into an old house / hotel / new house built on an ancient Indian burial ground - one (or more) family members seemingly become "possessed" by unseen forces within the house - seemingly going crazy - and of course total chaos and carnage eventually ensues. It's a kick seeing these 'like' horror movies from the same era tackle similar plot points from different angles...

"Burnt Offerings" (1976); directed by Dan Curtis

"The Amityville Horror" (1979);
directed by Stuart Rosenberg

"The Shining" (1980); directed by Stanley Kubrick

"Poltergeist" (1982); directed by Tobe Hooper

Time Travelers...on Trial! ("Voyagers!" and "Doctor Who")

Voyagers! - ("The Trial of Phineas Bogg") - 1983

Doctor Who - ("The Trial of a Time Lord") - 1986

For some fun, back-to-back viewing, don't miss Voyagers! ("The Trial of Phineas Bogg") and Doctor Who ("The Trial of a Time Lord").  The time-travelers in both productions are accused of violating the laws of time and put on trial for their (alleged) transgressions...!

Check out the Trailers for both of these epic adventures on YouTube HERE:

One fan's quest to RECREATE the Cylon voices from "Battlestar Galactica"!

Cy and Starbuck -
Galactica: 1980 ("The Return of Starbuck")

One unforgettable aspect of Battlestar Galactica are the souless computerized voices of the Cylon Centurians.  Don't miss this fantastic 16 minute video featuring one fan's quest to recreate Gary Owens' Cylon voice-over from the Galactica: 1980 episode "The Return of Starbuck" using 1970's audio equipment!

Things really start to happen at the 12:30 mark!  View this amazing video HERE:

"The Fugitive" - NuVentures VHS promo! ("It's a hard habit to break!")

Check out this absolutely amazing 5 minute promo for the 1990's NuVentures VHS release of The Fugitive ("It's a hard habit to break!").

View this promo on YouTube HERE:

My 3 all-time favorite "Muppet Show" musical moments! :-)

Ah...The Muppet Show - a classic TV series from a long-ago era...here are my 3 all-time favorite musical segments from this wonderful series... 

Kenny Rogers sings "The Gambler"!

Crystal Gayle sings "We Must Believe in Magic"!

Crystal Gayle sings "River Road"!