A Trip Back In Time

The post-movie shenanigans.
It was July or August of 1985 when I last saw "Back to the Future" on the big screen. The movie premiered in July and was a huge hit of what was a blockbuster year at the box office. Consider some of the other long-standing flicks (that I like) which debuted that year: "Fletch," "Rocky IV," "Spies Like Us," "Jewel of the Nile" and "Witness."

Having seen "Back to the Future" countless times since that summer – but always on a small screen – I jumped at the chance to see it in a movie theater. The timing was perfect, too, as the girls would be with me on the 25th anniversary of the date Doc and Marty went back to 1955 (Nov. 5). The only questionable part was the showing time: 11 p.m.

I laid out a plan that would involve the girls taking a nap from 7:30-9:30 p.m. and even bought the tickets in advance (it ended up being a sellout). Bridget (pictured at left) and Jon also got tickets – and I ended up selling the extras to five UNO students who were waiting outside and not thinking they would get in.

Only Lauren and Emily didn't take naps. Julia told me taking a nap "was fun" and only Veronica had a hard time waking up. But once we were out the door and headed to Midtown Crossing, they were all wide awake and ready for the flick. Midtown Crossing has "CineDine" - which is a great way to eat "real" food while you watch a movie.

Olivia and Julia ordered funnel cake sticks while Lauren opted for a small popcorn (which looked more like a large). Veronica had cookie dough candy and pop. The 45 minutes we waited for the movie to start went by quickly and soon the ticking clocks that open the movie were up on the silver screen.

I noticed quite a bit of things and sounds that I didn't catch on to when watching the DVD (or, in my case the VHS) copy of the movie on my TV. The girls loved it – and all five of the girls stayed awake the entire movie.

On the way home, we drove by "Brite Ideas" – which has a very colorful showroom that's lit up with tons of Christmas lights and decorations. All the girls thought it was cool that they were awake at 1:15 in the morning. When we got back to my apartment, they popped in "Back to the Future II." But only Olivia made it to the end. She said she went to bed after 3 a.m.

Getting Veronica to bed afterward was easier said than done.

Lauren said she was getting tired toward the end.