Tag Archives: 1980s

Marty McFly and Overcoming Stage Fright

Back to the Future is a perfect movie not only because it’s endlessly entertaining but because it also has numerous life lessons we can glean from it. I’d like to share one such lesson from Back to the Future and … Continue reading

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D.A.R.Y.L. Demonstrates Simple Solutions to Complex Problems

I love the SR-71 Blackbird sequence at the end of 1985’s D.A.R.Y.L. for many reasons. It’s the culmination of an already-good film, and it shows that it still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Plus, it contains a lesson … Continue reading

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Tron and the Difference Between Standing Out and Fitting in

Tron isn’t really known for its philosophical discussions on the meaning of life, but more for its unique visual style and music. But you know me. I like to look at movies differently than the norm. So I’d like to … Continue reading

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Unmasking Predator’s Chiasmus

Predator is one of the most iconic action movies of all time, and it’s about to be the latest trophy in my collection of Cinematic Chiasmus. Chiasmus is a storytelling style in which the first half mirrors the second half. … Continue reading

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The Final Countdown Is the Star Trek II We Never Got to See

I remember hearing that shortly after Star Trek: The Motion Picture debuted in 1979, Gene Roddenberry pitched the idea of having the U.S.S. Enterprise crew go back in time in their advanced spaceship to prevent the assassination of John F. … Continue reading

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I Love Everything About Krull

Krull is the kind of movie that makes me smile every time I watch it. It doesn’t have a single cynical bone in its body. Instead, it’s full of joy, positivity, and good old-fashioned heroics. It’s the story of an … Continue reading

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I Didn’t Realize People Thought So Poorly of Back to the Future Part III

Ah, the foibles of youth. Growing up, I used to read my local newspaper, and I especially enjoyed the section that focused on what was on TV that week. This was back when local channels and cable were big. And … Continue reading

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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Gets Better Each Time I Watch It

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is one of those movies that has always left a special taste in my mouth. The first time I saw it, I was a kid. My parents bought a VHS copy, and they … Continue reading

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Innerspace Is Appropriately the First Mini Cinematic Chiasmus

Dennis Quaid is about to make this third appearance in a Cinematic Chiasmus article. He’s previously appeared in my Dreamscape and The Parent Trap (1998) articles. And today he gets to add another feather to his cap as we explore … Continue reading

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Die Hard Isn’t Just a Christmas Movie, It’s a Chiasmus Movie

The story structure of Die Hard forms a really cool chiasmus, meaning that its first and second halves mirror each other. This is the second film I was sent by a reader named Jay. He mapped it all out for … Continue reading

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