Lou, Gimmie a Milk. Chocolate.

“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” -Marty McFly

Pals. This week my emotions have been on a roller coaster. The inner voice in my head that loves to channel all my self doubt was alive and kicking. Fortunately, I did not allow it to pull me too far down a rabbit hole, but there was just the right amount of angst to cause me grief.

When I enacted the escape, something I was not expecting to learn was that I suffer from what is known as: The George McFly complex.

For those unaware, George McFly is a character in one of my favorite motion pictures, Back to The Future (1985). The film tells the tale of teenager Marty McFly in 1985, who accidentally sends himself back in time thirty years to 1955. The only person that can help him get back to the future is his best friend and radical scientist Doc Brown. While attempting to do so, Marty has a run-in with his parents as teens, George and Lorraine, and almost causes a rupture in the space-time continuum. It is heavy stuff.

There is a scene between Marty and George that I replay in my head often. While in 1955, Marty attends his dad’s high school and when they are sitting down for lunch, Marty discovers that his father writes sci-fi stories. He remarks, “I didn’t know you did anything creative!” George is very guarded and insecure about his creativity due to the fear of rejection. He even remarks that the reason he does not share his work is, “What if they told me that I was no good?”

What is interesting about this scene is that back in 1985, Marty had a similar moment. A moment in which he was afraid to share his musical endeavors with the outside world simply because what if they don’t like it. What if someone were to tell him he doesn’t have what it takes. “Get out of here, kid. You got no future!”

I have similar ridiculous ramblings racing through my head, as I am sure many writers do. However, I was not aware how scared I was of sharing my work with others until I put in my two weeks notice at my nine to five job. Once I enacted the escape, the mask was off. I have always conducted my work and experiments in the shadows, unbeknownst to those at my day job. Now they knew. They saw the real me and my imposter syndrome kicked in. What if everything I create is slop? Am I even a writer? Am I cut out to make it on my own? Do I have what it takes?

The George McFly complex is real. However there are ways to overcome it. Even though at times feedback can be scary, it can also be helpful. I’ve seen other artists say, “If you like someone’s work, you should tell them!” I agree. Let me know if you like something I share or write… that little sprinkle of sweetness may arrive on a day just when I need it. More importantly though, the key is to keep trying. Every little step is one closer to my dreams. Because as Doc told Marty and later Marty told his dad (in 1955), who would eventually tell Marty in 1985, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” It’s good advice and something I need to remember.

On Thursday, June 6 my fellow Cinematic Classic Coroner, esteemed Dracula scholar and radical musician, Dr. Ashley Jane Carruthers and I have embarked on a grand film watching adventure. An expedition we have deemed: Summer of Lugosi.

Summer of Lugosi is an examination of Bela Lugosi’s filmography to the extent possible, in chronological order. Your friendly neighborhood Cinematic Classic Coroners kicked things off with the earliest Lugosi flick we could track down*, the 1920 silent picture, Daughter of The Night.

Being dedicated scientists and academics, as we view each film we are carefully documenting our dissection and recording all significant findings. As shown below, I created a special autopsy report for this purpose.

I will continue to keep you abreast of this journey. Our hope is to one day publish a collection of our learnings to share with fans of Cinematic Crypt. Who knows, we may even take our teachings on a road show of sorts, like traveling magicians, or open a Cinematic Church, where all would be welcome to pay their respects to the illustrious Bela Lugosi.

*shout out to my partner in crime, Ben Leonard for his sophisticated and skillful navigation of the world wide web to help us find the long lost treasures of Lugosi

This week I am proud of the review I wrote about my film pal, Alonso Duralde’s book, “Hollywood Pride”. Available now where ever books are sold.

This week I recommend listening to: Shannon & The Clams

Ben and I were fortunate enough to see them when they rolled through Philadelphia a couple Fridays ago. Their show was electric! Their new album “The Moon is In The Wrong Place” is truly magical and I can’t stop listening to it.

I love the entire album, but I can’t stop listening to “Real or Magic”. Check out the music video, it is aces and features Shannon’s doggo, Spanky Joe. I believe that my pup, Li’l Foxie would have had a crush on Spanky Joe and would have also enjoyed these tunes. Let me know what you think.

Happy you are here. xx. goodbye.

Tell a friend or fellow Lugosi Enthusiast.