Book Review - Future Boy by Michael J. Fox

Title: Future Boy
Author: Michael J. Fox
Genre: Non-Fiction/ memoir
Published: 2025
 
Description: In early 1985, Michaael J. Fox was one of the biggest stars on television. His world was bout to get even bigger, but only if he could survive duty unheard of in Hollywood. Fox’s days were already dedicated to rehearsing and taping the hit sitcom “Family Ties”, but then the change of a lifetime came his way. Soon, he committed his nights to a new time-travel adventure film being directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg – “Back to the Future”. Sitcom during the day, movie at night. Day after day, for months.
 
Fox’s nightly commute from a soundstage at Paramount to the back lot at Universal Studios, from one dram job to another, would become his own space-time continuum. It was in this time portal that Alex P. Keaton handed the baton to Marty McFLy while Michael J. Fox tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. Alex’ bravado, Marty’s flair, and Fox’s comedic virtuosity all swirled together to create something truly special.
 
Review: In “Future Boy”, actor Michael J. Fox tells his story of when he filmed “Back to the Future” while also still rehearsing and taping for the sitcom he was on, “Family Ties”. Working on the show during the day, an filming for “Back to the Future” at night.
 
To start off, if you want to read this book, I highly recommend the audiobook. It’s narrated by Fox himself and also has some of the people he worked with sharing anecdotes, like Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Robert Zemeckis.
 
The book is very short, but for the fans of “Back to the Future” it’s definitely a must-read. It’s a fun, honest story, told with humor. It has a lighhearted tone that provides a lot fo insight into that period of his life. And although I really enjoyed it and it’s very inspiring, I felt like the book was too short and it does not delve deep enough. I would have liked to read more about this period in Fox’s life. The book does have a clear focus, specifically the time that he was shooting “Back to the Future” and what happened before and after that. It doesn’t go into his personal life too deep. Which doesn’t mean it’s not personal. It is. And it’s also a very positive book, it’s told with a sense of gratitude and optimism.
 
It's not a biography of Fox, it’s just one specific part of his life. A pivotal moment in his career. He has written other books, that focus on a more personal aspect of his life. If you’re looking for that, “Future Boy” is not the book for you. But if you’re a fan of “Back to the Future”, please read this. It might also give you some new insight on the movie and on the actor. I know it did for me. I for example did not know that the DeLorean was an afterthought and they initially wanted to use a refrigerator.
 
“Future Boy” is a quick non-fiction book, that gives you a glimpse into Michael J. Fox’s career during the making of “Back to the Future”, that is especially a must-read for lovers of this film. I surely enjoyed it.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

Ranking the Franchise - Back to the Future

I believe “Back to the Future” is still one of the best, for some maybe even THE best, time travel movie ever made. And the entire franchise is fun. Ranking this series was not that hard, since I knew what my favorite and least favorites were. But overall I can say it’s a solid trilogy with not one bad movie.
 

3. Back to the Future Part III
A good last part of a fun trilogy, but definitely the least of the three. This one can be seen without the knowledge of the previous films, although it is filled with references to previous evens. Marty McFly travels to the past and ends up in the Wild West. There he meets an ancestor of his arch-enemy. In the meantime, Doc Brown has become completely absorbed in it. Beautiful images of the landscapes, good special effects and a strong soundtrack. That what make this a successful adventure film.
 

2. Back to the Future Part II (1989)
The story of this second film begins seconds after part one ends. Marty McFLy has to go back to the future, says Emmett Brown, because things seem to be going completely wrong there. To solve it, he will have to jump back and forth in time. The film is more complex, because timelines cross timelines and we also revisit scenes we saw in “Back to the Future”. There are people that say this is the best time travel movie ever made, and for me it’s a close call. But it’s a strong second. And for the people who haven’t seen the films, you can’t watch “Back to the Future Part II” without seeing “Back to the Future” first.
 

1. Back to the Future (1985)
Seventeen-year-old Marty McFly travels to the past using the time machine of the remarkable Professor Emmet Brown. There he meets his clumsy father and his charming mother. He will have to pair them up, otherwise he will never be born. The brilliant, witty script by director Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale of this now classic time travel film was only approved by the Universal Studio after a long hesitation.
 

Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 7

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

21/ 100: Amélie (2001)
Truly overflowing with awards and nominations was this sugar sweet romantic comedy. Waitress Amélie decides one day to give other people a hand with happiness. Like a contemporary fairy tale character, she triumphs into the lives of someone who list a box of personal things as a child, of bar customers looking for love, and many others. Then she falls in love herself. With his film, director Jean-Pierre Jeunet paints a friendly, colorful, spotless imaginary Paris where anything is possible. A movie guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Check out my full review HERE
 

22/ 100: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont re undisputed box office magnets in the heyday of the silent film. But then Hollywood moves to sound film, and Lina turns out to have a voice like a crow. Perhaps, suggests friendly pianist and Don’t friend Cosmo, it would be an idea to have the sweet-voiced Kathy speak and sing her lines? Quite possibly the best MGM musical of all-time. In addition to the iconic title track, “Singin’ in the Rain” includes catchy songs like “Make ‘em Laugh” and “Good Morning”, which is of course combined with fantastic choreographed scenes. Another movie to always make me happy. Ready the full review HERE
 

23/ 100: Back to the Future (1985)
Seventeen-year-old Mary McFly travels to the past with the help of the time machine of his friend, Doctor Emmett Brown. There he meets his bumbling father and his charming mother. He will have to pair them up, or he will never be born. Director Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale’s brillian, witty script of this, now classic, time-tracel film was approved by the Universal studios only after long hesitation. It turned out to be a perfect film in the genre, a favorite for many, including myself! HERE is the full review.
 

24/ 100: Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray is perfect as the cynical weatherman Phil Connors, who keeps waking up on the same day in a North American town. Slowly, Phul becomes imbued with the philosophical sides of his fate and although he doesn’t lose his sarcastic edge, he begins each day, by necessity, with a new and gradually somewhat better life. One of the best comedies from the 1990s, with an otherwise standard story executed brilliantly. Check out the full review HERE
 

25/ 100: Halloween (1978)
Classic horror about an escaped psychopath who terrorizes his hometown. The film confirmed director John Carpenter’s talent for the genre and earned Jamie Lee Curtis the honorary title of Scream Queen. “Halloween” is successful because of the craftmanship of the acting, the effective lighting and use of the subjective camera, the excellent tension building and editing, and the ingenious music composed by John Carpenter himself. There were many sequels, but none of them matched the atmospheric original. You can read the full review HERE
 
Still to watch: 75

Netflix Friday - Volume 78

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Street Kings (2008)
An undercover cop (Keanu Reeves), disillusioned by the death of his wife, is implicated in the murder of an officer and must struggle to clear himself,
 

Drama: Coach Carter (2005)
Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) after he benches his entire team for breaking academic contract with him.
 

Comedy: The Lady in the Van (2015)
A man (Alex Jennings) forms an unexpected bond with a transient woman (Maggie Smith) living in her van that’s parked in his driveway.
 

Animation: Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Dracula (Adam Sandler), who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, gos into overprotective mode when a boy (Andy Samberg) discovers the resort and falls for the count’s teenaged daughter (Selena Gomez).
 

Romance: The Legend of Zorro (2005)
Despite trying to keep his swashbuckling to a minimum, a threat to California’s pending statehood causes the adventure-loving Don Alejandro de la Vega (Antonio Banderas) and his wife Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), to take action.
 

Horror: Final Destination 3 (2006)
Six years after students cheated death, another teen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has a premonition she and her friends will be involved in an accident. When the vision proves true, the student and survivors deal with the repercussions of cheating the Grim Reaper.
 

Science Fiction: District 9 (2009)
Violende ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent (Sharlto Copely) exposed to their biotechnology.
 

Crime: John Q (2002)
John Quincy Archibald (Denzel Washington) takes a hospital emergency room hostage when his insurance won’t cover his son’s heart transplant.
 

Thriller: Hypnotic (2021)
A young woman (Kate Siegel) seeking self-improvement enlists the help of a renowned hypnotherapist (Jason O’Mara). But after a handful of intense sessions, she discovers unexpected and deadly consequences.
 

Documentary: Found (2021)
The story of three American teenage girls, each adopted from China, who discover they are blood-related cousins. Their online meeting inspires the young women to confront the burning questions they have about their lost history.
 

Family: Back to the Future (1985)
Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Unrealistic Movie Stereoptypes

Movies are the perfect way to escape reality. And although it IS a movie, it still bothers me that sometimes very unrealistic things happen in a movie. And there are examples that return over and over again and are now stereotypical moments in movies. I decided to list the most unrealistic movie stereotypes we just keep seeing in movies and that would definitely not happen in real life.
 
Hanging up the phone without saying goodbye
First of all, it’s rude. And second of all, nobody hangs up the phone and ends a phone conversation without saying goodbye. Unless you’re mad off course, but still. In movies they always do it.
 
Easily hacking a computer
Movies make it seem like anyone can hack into a computer, phone or security system with ease. You don’t even have to be a professional hacker or an IT-guy. Just click one button and “I’m in!” And also: the people being hacked in movies always seem to have very easy-to-guess passwords.
 

Male scientist Vs. female scientist
The stereotypical scientist is a mad scientist like Doc Brown in “Back to the Future”. Messy hair, babbling about theories, they look nerdy, often wear glasses. But whenever a woman is portrayed as a scientist, they look like gorgeous fashion models. And I’m not saying that female scientist in real-life are ugly, but the contrast in movies is just too big.
 
The ‘ugly’ girl is actually really hot
This is something your most often see in teen movies. A girl that is considered ugly, nerdy or unpopular, is mostly only wearing glasses and baggy clothes. Once they change this, all of a sudden everyone think she is hot. When all they did is take away the glasses and change her wardrobe. Talking about superficial.
 
Parking spot
When you live in the city, you know how hard it is to find a good parking spot. Well, not in movies. They always seem to find the perfect spot to park their car, in a big city, right in front of the building they need to be.
 
Waking up fresh-faced
I don’t know about you, but when I wake up I don’t look like I just came home from the salon. My hair is messy, I have pillow marks all over my face and eye boogers. The people in movies always look perfect. And also, many just jump into their clothes unwashed and without changing their underwear. That’s not just unrealistic, that’s gross.
 
Untouched breakfast
I only have a smoothy and some crackers for breakfast. I don’t wake up to a table with a large breakfast on it. In the movies those breakfast tables always make me jealous and they hardly touch any of the food on there. Why? It makes me mad.
 

Running/ walking towards the mysterious noise
In scary movies people always tend to walk or run towards a mysterious noise they just heard, whether they are in their own house, outside or in some other location. That makes no sense, especially when most of the time the people are alone and aware of all the horrific shit going on in their town. And to make it worse, they yell “hello”. If there were an actual killer, he would not respond with: Hi, it’s me, the killer”. Me, I would get the hell out of there, find a safe place and call the cops.
 
Agreeing to meet, without an actual place or time
“You want to go out tonight? Yes? See you then”. Said no one ever in real-life. When I set up a meeting, I want to know the exact date, place and time. In movies this is mostly all they say. And the silly thing, they never miss each other. They always meet at the right time and place. This is just stupid.
 

Walking away from an explosion
An action movie cliché that we see a lot is the explosion (always over-the-top). And the hero always walks away from the explosion in a very calm manner. I know you’re tough and everything, but surely that’s not how a normal person would respond to an explosion. We would probably just die.
 
Stopping a wedding
This is a typical thing to happen in a romcom. Someone tries to stop the marriage of the person he or she loves, in order for the love interest to leave with them. First of all, you’re interrupting a wedding. That’s something you just don’t do. And then when the bride or groom leaves the other at the altar and kisses the one who stopped the wedding, the whole crowd starts cheering. Everybody in the audience was there to see the couple they know and love get married, and then some stranger comes in and breaks it up and you have no issue with it?
 
Hair
Women don’t seem to grow any hair on their legs or armpits whenever they are in a desperate survival situation. And also they don’t have periods. I’d like to have that superpower.
 
Fancy apartments and houses
I really would like to know how they do it, but the protagonist in movies always seem to live in a fancy apartment or house they shouldn’t be able to afford in the first place.
 
Unlimited ammo
No matter how many bullets they fire, they never seem to run out of ammunition. But of course only at the most crucial moment. Also illogical: the bad guy always misses. A lot!
 

Attacking on by one
When being attacked by a large number of people, be prepared to get beat up and lose. But not when you’re in a movie. Each villain just waits their turn and they all get they asses kidded by the protagonist one at a time.
 
Unlocked cars
It’s really easy to steal a car in movies, since no one ever locks them. But you don’t have the car keys to start the card I hear you say. They are most likely hidden behind the sun visor. Who keeps their car keys IN the car?
 
Breaking through windows without consequences
I don’t know about you, but whenever you pick up a piece of broken glass you will most likely cut yourself. How is it then that whenever they jump through a window in movies, they walk away from it without any scratches. And how thin is that glass?
 
Fluid dialogue
Whenever an actor stumbles up on their words, they cut and restart shooting the scene. But you never see people mumble, pause or hesitate when they talk. It would be more realistic if the conversations were more realistic.
 
Teenagers looking like 30
It’s well-know that most teenagers cast in movies are not teens anymore. But at least cast someone that actually looks like someone who is still in high school.

What's in a Movie Year - 1985

Taking a look at the year 1985, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.

Back to the Future
Seventeen-year-old Marty McFly travels to the past using the time machine of the remarkable Professor Emmett Brown. There he meets his clumsy father and his charming mother. He will have to pair them up, otherwise he will never be born. The brilliant, witty script by director Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale of this classic time travel film was only approved by the Universal studio after a long hesitation. Can you imagine a world without “Back to the Future”?

The Goonies
This Steven Spielberg produced action/ adventure film for (big) children has all the ingredients to be a wild and unforgettable ride. A group of children search along the coast in their own hometown for the remains of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate One-Eyed Willie. When they discover an underground lake, they find the pirate’s ship.

Clue
Six guests are anonymously invited to a strange mansion for dinner, but after their host is killed, they must cooperate with the staff to identify the murderer as the bodies pile up. It’s a crazy and humorous whodunit, loosely based on the popular boardgame.

The Breakfast Club
Five teenagers, who are very different from each other and don’t know each other well, serve detention on Saturday in a locked room of the school. They open up to one another and discover that they have more in common than they ever suspected. This humorous film stood out because of its poignant and sharply observed situations and characters.

The Color Purple
Alice Walker’s critically acclaimed novel about the young black Celie who grows up in a cruel, unjust world in the American South at the beginning of the twentieth century, was skillfully filmed by Steven Spielberg. He gave Whoopi Goldberg her breakthrough role. The excellent acting, including Oprah Winfrey in her debut film, provide powerful and poignant scenes. Eleven Oscar nomination, none of them were wins.

The Jewel of the Nile
In “Romancing the Stone” (1984), novelist Joan engaged in a beautiful romance with adventurer Jack and has sailed around the world with him ever since. This film begins six months later, when the honeymoon is over. Joan receives an invitation from a charming and mysterious Egyptian sheikh to write his biography. Shortly after Joan leaves, Jack’s boat is attacked by unknown thugs. It’s an old-fashioned adventure movie and a guarantee for an entertaining movie night.

Cat’s Eye
A cat is the red thread in this film with three different stories by Stephen King. The first revolves around a man who enters a smoker’s rehab clinic where unconventional and somewhat shocking methods are used. In the second episode, a man makes a terrifying bet with his wife’s lover. King wrote the third story with young Drew Barrymore (a few years before “E.T.”) in mind. She plays a girl who is sure there is a strange creature behind her bedroom wall. Excellent special effects and of course very exciting.

Fright Night
Teenager Charley is convinced that their new neighbor, Jerry, is a vampire, but everyone makes fun of him. At the end of the day, he asks TV horror presenter Peter Vincent for help. When Jerry claims a victim, Charley sees himself forced to battle him. Great vampire satire with excellent effects. The legendary myth isn’t ridiculed, but it does have a different take on the theme. In 2011 it even got a remake, which was surprisingly good.

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
This third part in the original “Mad Max” trilogy is not the best (that’s the second) and also not the most violent (that’s the first), but the most beautiful looking thanks to the generous budget. Director George Miller took full advantage of it and created a film with great attention to detail the post-apocalyptic Bartertown. For people who don’t know it, this is the “Mad Max” movie with Tina Turner in it.

Out of Africa
This film screams Hollywood: it’s compelling, big, melodramatic and has great actors. Robert Redford plays the British hunter Hatton, with whom Danish writer Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) starts a difficult extramarital relationship in Kenya. “Out of Africa” is a beautiful piece of work.

Netflix Friday - Volume 10

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.

Action: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

Drama: Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Four African American Vietnam veterans battle forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.

Comedy: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.

Animation: Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Dracula (Adam Sandler), who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy (Andy Samberg) discovers the resort and falls for the count’s teenage daughter (Selena Gomez).

Romance: The Half of It (2020)
When smart but cash-strapped teen Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) agrees to write a love letter for a jock (Daniel Diemer), she doesn’t expect to become his friend or fall for his crush (Alexxis Lemire).

Horror: Red Dragon (2002)
A retired FBI agent (Edward Norton) with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down ‘The Tooth Fairy’, a mysterious serial killer. Aiding him is imprisoned forensic psychiatrist Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).

Science Fiction: Back to the Future (1985)
Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Crime: Scarface (1983)
In 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant (Al Pacino) takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.

Thriller: Donnie Brasco (1997)
An FBI undercover agent (Johnny Depp) infiltrates the mob an finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one.

Documentary: Dancing with the Birds (2019)
From ruffling their majestic feathers to nailing im-peck-able courtship routines, birds in paradise flaunt their best moves in hopes of landing a mate.

Family: Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
A college professor (Richard Gere) bonds with an abandoned dog he takes into his home.

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 14

Harry Potter (“Harry Potter”-series), Samwise Gamgee (“Lord of the Rings”-series) and Marty McFly (“Back to the Future”)

Marry: Marty McFly is one of the coolest movie characters and so loveable. And the guy has a time machine, come on, who can resist that? 1.21 gigawatts!

Kiss: A bit nerdy, but I would kiss Harry Potter. But the one at the end of the story, else it would get me in trouble.

Cliff: Sorry Sam, but he’s just so small. I love a guy who’s tall and I really don’t want to bend over for a kiss (that sounded really bad in my head).

Video of the Week (13)

Watchmojo.com does what I love to do. Create lists. They mostly make top tens about movies or TV, but also music and videogames. I watch their channel on youtube all the time, because I just LOVE lists. I decided to share an interesting one with you. Theories that movie fans have about their favorite films. Some really weird ones, but loads of fun to know about.

 

 

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 1985

This is a tough year, because not a lot of my all-time favourites were made in 1985. I did manage to make a list.

5. The Jewel of the Nile

It’s the sequel to “Romancing the Stone”, which I prefer, but it’s such a fun and adventurous comedy. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner form a great duo.

 

4. The Goonies

I think every kid wants to go on a treasure hunt and in “The Goonies” that really happens. I only saw it recently for the first time. It’s kinda sad that I never saw it as a kid, but I really like it!

 

3. Clue

I always loved the board game and this movie is based on that. I just love this whodunit story, it always makes me a bit nervous. It’s just such a fun film.

 

 

2. The Breakfast Club

When you think 80’s, you think “The Breakfast Club”. Five very different teens are in detention, how can that be interesting? Well, it’s one of the most beloved movies from this era.

 

1. Back to the Future

Nowadays we have a large list of movies about time travel, but none of them can top “Back to the Future”. It’s unique and still very enjoyable. And also two of the most beloved movie characters were created.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: St. Elmo’s Fire, The Color Purple, Cocoon, Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment, Rocky IV