I Came Here in a Time Machine That You Invented
I saw something this morning that struck a younger part of me. The part that thought "Spin City" was a vastly underrated show. The part that saw all three Back to the Future's in succession, and used to think the second was the best. But only because the 2015 Hill Valley was really cool. Now, as a more mature film viewer, I am partial to Back to the Future III, where Doc and Marty are in the Old West and have to escape by driving a train off a cliff that is now named for Clint Eastwood.
What I saw were snippets of political ads featuring Michael J. Fox. They were for candidates in Missouri and Maryland (two of the states I've called home), and he's done ads for Illinois and Wisconsin. I don't care what these ads say, for the most part. He's saying something about stem cell research and the Democrats want it and how Republicans feed salt water to kitty cats and that sort of blah blah blah. Also, I have a deep loathing for campaign ads, in general, since 8 out of the approximately 500,000 campaign ads out there actually say what said candidate wants to do if elected. I don't care what you did that might be construed as good, nor do I care what your opponent did that you make sure is construed as bad. Also, it's a little strange seeing Alex P. Keaton support the Dems, but I digress.
What struck me was Fox himself. We all know he has Parkinson's, but it did not hit until seeing these ads: Marty McFly is really sick. He's got that same old face, only his body is shrivelling and he is shaking uncontrollably, like the most obvious character choice an actor playing sick could make. Only it's real.
When Brando died, he was old. He was old, he was large, it felt right. He's had his legacy and then some, even going so far as to being a famous hack in Hollywood, asking for outrageous sums to appear in a movie for 5 minutes, having gratuitous sex for 2 hours (never again will I watch that movie), and even selling himself to a Michael Jackson video. Even more so for Christopher Reeves. Who am I to rant about the underqualifications of Christopher Reeves, Maddox? The point is, he was such an insignificant film star (though significant enough to own and race chariots), that people accepted it. Michael J. Fox never had that. Michael J. Fox was an 80's icon, and in the good sense. He made a few lame movies in the early 90's, but really, who didn't? He also was a voice in Homeward Bound, and only 2 other actors can claim that. Well, one. Don Ameche is dead. After that, Fox headlined a widely acclaimed sitcom. It was after this that he left show business.
Seeing Michael J. Fox that uncontrollably sick was wrenching. Also, he pronounced Missouri "Miz-ur-ah," which makes me want to choke a bitch.
What I saw were snippets of political ads featuring Michael J. Fox. They were for candidates in Missouri and Maryland (two of the states I've called home), and he's done ads for Illinois and Wisconsin. I don't care what these ads say, for the most part. He's saying something about stem cell research and the Democrats want it and how Republicans feed salt water to kitty cats and that sort of blah blah blah. Also, I have a deep loathing for campaign ads, in general, since 8 out of the approximately 500,000 campaign ads out there actually say what said candidate wants to do if elected. I don't care what you did that might be construed as good, nor do I care what your opponent did that you make sure is construed as bad. Also, it's a little strange seeing Alex P. Keaton support the Dems, but I digress.
What struck me was Fox himself. We all know he has Parkinson's, but it did not hit until seeing these ads: Marty McFly is really sick. He's got that same old face, only his body is shrivelling and he is shaking uncontrollably, like the most obvious character choice an actor playing sick could make. Only it's real.
When Brando died, he was old. He was old, he was large, it felt right. He's had his legacy and then some, even going so far as to being a famous hack in Hollywood, asking for outrageous sums to appear in a movie for 5 minutes, having gratuitous sex for 2 hours (never again will I watch that movie), and even selling himself to a Michael Jackson video. Even more so for Christopher Reeves. Who am I to rant about the underqualifications of Christopher Reeves, Maddox? The point is, he was such an insignificant film star (though significant enough to own and race chariots), that people accepted it. Michael J. Fox never had that. Michael J. Fox was an 80's icon, and in the good sense. He made a few lame movies in the early 90's, but really, who didn't? He also was a voice in Homeward Bound, and only 2 other actors can claim that. Well, one. Don Ameche is dead. After that, Fox headlined a widely acclaimed sitcom. It was after this that he left show business.
Seeing Michael J. Fox that uncontrollably sick was wrenching. Also, he pronounced Missouri "Miz-ur-ah," which makes me want to choke a bitch.