'Back to the Future' bully Biff Tannen comes clean



"I’m famous, I’m too famous, and I‘m not famous enough ... all at the same time.”

This is the dilemma of actor Tom Wilson, best known for playing bully Biff Tannen in the "Back to the Future" trilogy. It's a dilemma he explores in his entertaining documentary "Humbly Super Famous," available to watch for free on YouTube.

Fame is a double-edged sword. It can promise you money and success, but in your most private moments, your humanity is stripped away, as you are unable to escape the fact that the world sees you as nothing more than a celebrity. The world sees a character embedded into fans’ memories and pop culture, but what is behind the character? Who is the person underneath?

"Humbly Super Famous" is Wilson's comical yet moving attempt to answer these questions. The film features footage shot by him of his convention appearances, interviews with his family, and candid moments of him interacting with his "Back to the Future" co-stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson.

The film acts as a memoir of sorts for the actor reflecting on his career, his fame, his family, and his fans. Some of his interactions with the fans can be disturbing. When Wilson's mother dies at the hospital, for example, a nurse bombards him with comments and questions about "Back to the Future" as he tries to pray over his mother’s body.

Another anecdote from his career is too good to spoil here — suffice it to say you don't want to miss his "Batman" story.

Those who are already Wilson fans surely know his song "Stop Asking Me the Questions," in which he hilariously pokes fun at the well-intended but annoying questions he gets asked by fans on a regular basis.

Not that Wilson isn't grateful for his life-changing role, and the joy his performance brings to millions of people is not lost on him. Whether you’ve seen him at cons or had real interactions in person with him, which I’m grateful to say I have, it’s clear that the fandom that made him a household name, or "too famous," means a lot to him.

It is, however, understandable that he longs for people to see that there is more to him than the character of Biff Tannen. That role made Wilson famous, but it also made the man who made the role invisible to the public eye. It is evident that Wilson is a much more thoughtful person than the character who tormented two generations of McFlys.

This is what he means by "not famous enough," as comes across in a touching moment he shares with his daughter Emily. She and the rest of his family are highlighted throughout the movie; it's clear how much Wilson values their love and affection.The love they in turn feel for Wilson comes through as they share the personal impact his career had on them. It's clear that Wilson's Catholic faith has kept him grounded.

"Humbly Super Famous" is the epitome of a labor of love; Wilson alone shot, edited, produced, and directed it. It's a tribute to his fans, his family, and the career "Back to the Future" has given him, for better or for worse.

One theme emerges over the course of the almost 60-minute film: Whether you are famous, too famous, or not famous enough, what you do matters and how you treat people matters. The way Wilson makes time for people (no matter how inconvenient it may be) speaks volumes abour his character and his kindness, making him the rare Hollywood celebrity worth emulating.

I highly recommend checking out "Humbly Super Famous"; it’s easily one of the best films of the year.

Mortifying 'Minecraft' trailer has fans reliving 'Sonic' snafu



Is the trailer for "A Minecraft Movie" the worst abomination inflicted on gamers since the horrifically "realistic" Sonic the Hedgehog character design?

I don't think so. But then, I'm not much of a Minecraft fan; those who are do seem pretty upset. Let's look at what the big deal is.

"A Minecraft Movie" stars Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, and Emma Myers as four misfits who find themselves pulled into the game's Overworld, where they must battle zombies, piglins, and creepers. There to guide them on their quest to return to reality is iconic Minecraft character Steve (Jack Black).

In its title alone, the adaptation expresses a worrying lack of confidence. So ... this isn't good enough to be "The Minecraft Movie"? The reaction to the trailer — which got over 1 million downvotes on YouTube — certainly hasn't helped matters.

Viewers criticized nearly every aspect of the just under 90-second clip, including the costume choices, the uncanny-valley-esque creature design, the clichéd dialogue, and the casting of Jack Black. One wag sarcastically lauded Warner Bros.’ bravery for not turning off commenting, a regular practice for fandom punching bags like Lucasfilm and Disney.

The good news is that this seems less of a "get woke, go broke" scenario (unless you count the feminine costume/makeup choices for Jason Momoa), and more a case of Hollywood trying to please fans and embarrassingly missing the mark.

It's likely the filmmakers wanted to avoid another Sonic debacle. If so, they may have stayed too faithful to the source material: Those square-shaped goats and llamas with square eyes and square pupils really are the stuff of nightmares.

If Hollywood has learned anything in this age of unprecedented fan empowerment, it's this: The audience is always right. The good news for "A Minecraft Movie" is that — as with "Sonic" — the backlash has come early enough to do something about it.

Back in 2020, Paramount listened to criticism and delayed the film to redesign the character according to his iconic look. The studio's reward was a hit movie, two sequels, and a spin-off series to boot.

The team behind "A Minecraft Movie" should follow the same playbook, trusting that when you treat your audience with respect, the audience responds in kind. Let's hope the next trailer we see offers character design more worthy of this iconic game. Worthy enough, at least, that we can overlook Momoa's weird bangs and hideous pink motorcycle jacket.

D23 2024: Is Disney primed for a comeback?



Can Disney return to its former glory?

That was the biggest question in the air last weekend as fans gathered in Anaheim for the studio's annual D23 showcase. The studio has suffered in recent years thanks its penchant for inserting leftist propaganda in its films and TV shows, especially those geared toward kids.

While it's heartening to see familiar favorites among the sequels and remakes, Disney needs to show that this return to form is more than skin-deep.

If rumors that the recent company-wide layoffs are just the beginning prove true, the Mouse House may have finally decided to wake up from its woke trance once and for all.

At the very least, the slate of exciting new projects Disney unveiled for fans offers some much-needed hope.

Some of the most talked-about include:

'Toy Story 5'

While a fifth installment of the beloved series hasn't been at the top of anyone's wish list, 2019's "Toy Story 4" proved that audiences still aren't ready to consign these old faves to the attic. While the last movie ended with Woody riding off into the sunset to start a new life with Bo Peep, this film reunites him with Buzz and the gang just in time to face their biggest rival for their kid's affection yet: electronics. Can they stop a 50-strong army commemorative Buzz Lightyear toys stuck in play mode? Here's hoping Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton can deliver another near-perfect "Toy Story."

'Moana 2'

The sequel to the 2016 hit animated film was only announced in February of THIS YEAR, and rumors suggest the studio is working overtime to turn this former Disney+ show into a theater-ready feature. It sounds rushed, but "Moana 2" starring Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson allayed any fears about corner-cutting with an epic new trailer that did a lot to show just how big this film is going to be. Joining the original duo are a new crew, a little sister, and a threat it will take all of them to defeat.

'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew'

Yes, "Star Wars" is a dead brand fighting for relevance with its own fanbase. Yes, Kathleen Kennedy continues her streak of indifferent incompetence with the latest D+ series "The Acolyte." And yet, the newly announced show "Skeleton Crew" may just prove that the best days of the franchise aren't nearly as far, far away as we thought. The series features a group of kids who accidentally stowaway on a spaceship and team up with a rogue Jedi (Jude Law) to find their way home. The influence of "The Goonies" and other and 1980s Spielbergian touchstones is readily apparent (maybe too apparent), with some suburban neighborhood settings that seem a little too close to home for this universe. Still, it has an undeniable charm that might be just what the once-great Lucasfilm needs.

'Daredevil: Born Again'

Among Marvel's more pedestrian offerings this year, one project really had fans seeing red — as in the costume of a certain beloved, blind, street-level hero. After appearances in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and "She-Hulk," ol' Hornhead finally gets a full re-entry into the MCU with the new series "Daredevil: Born Again." The show will continue from where the canceled Netflix series left off, welcoming back not just DD but Karen Page, Foggy Nelson, Kingpin, and the Punisher.

'Tron: Ares'

The biggest surprise was an expansive look at "Tron: Ares," the long-awaited third installment in the cult classic "Tron" series. Jeff Bridges (reprising the role of Kevin Flynn) took the stage to introduce Jared Leto, Evan Peters, and Greta Lee and show exclusive footage from the film. He also shared the news that Nine Inch Nails will handle music duties, a good sign that we may get a soundtrack every bit as excellent as what Daft Punk composed for 2010's "Tron: Legacy."

'Snow White'

Then there was ... this: The perfect encapsulation of every poor choice Disney's made over the last few years. It's that not lead Rachel Zegler doesn't quite have the iconic Snow White look — ok, it is that. But it's also that she seems to have no respect for the character, sneering that her version is "not going to be saved by the prince." Hoping to avoid avoid offending real-life dwarves with retrograde stereotypes like Grumpy, Dopey, and the rest of the seven, the filmmakers made things worse by "casting" garish CGI versions — angering dwarf actors who were hoping for a shot at a part. For a "live-action" movie, this trainwreck-in-the-making sure looks fake.

You may recall CEO Bob Iger narrowly avoided losing a proxy war against Nelson Peltz, who warned he'd take another shot at it should Iger not turn things around. If Iger has proven one thing, it's that he still has a lot to prove. While it's heartening to see familiar favorites among the sequels and remakes, Disney needs to show that this return to form is more than skin-deep. Credit to Iger for blockbusters like "Inside Out 2" and "Deadpool & Wolverine," both big wins for entertainment over sinister political and social agendas. But if he wants to keep the keys to the Kingdom, he best have a lot more of that Disney magic up his sleeve.

Complete list of projects announced at D3 2024

Walt Disney Pictures

• "Monster Jam" (film)

• "Avatar 3: Fire and Ash"

• "Percy Jackson & The Olympians" — Season 2

• "Freakier Friday" (Freaky Friday 2)

• "Lilo & Stitch" (live action remake)

• "Snow White" (live action remake)

• "Tron: Ares" (Tron 3)

• "Mufasa: The Lion King"

PIXAR Animation Studios

• "Dream Productions" ("Inside Out" spinoff)

• "Win or Lose" (series)

• "Toy Story 5"

• "Hoppers" (film)

• "Elio" (film)

• "Incredibles 3"

Walt Disney Animation Studios

• "Moana 2"

• "Zootopia 2"

• "Frozen III"

Lucasfilm

• "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" (series)

• "Star Wars: Andor" — Season 2

• "The Mandalorian & Grogu" (film)

Marvel Studios

• "Captain America: Brave New World"

• "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"

• "Ironheart" (series)

• "Daredevil: Born Again" (series)

• "Agatha All Along" (series)

'Deadpool & Wolverine' makes the MCU fun again



"Welcome to the MCU. By the way, you're joining at a bit of a low point," says Deadpool at one point in his much-anticipated (by him, at least) team-up with Wolverine.

Turns out, admitting you have a problem is more than half the battle.

It’s satisfying to see a director of Levy's talents play in the Marvel universe for the first time, nailing the requisite epic scale while keeping things fun.

After years of declining audience interest, Marvel Studios has delivered a much needed win in the form of "Deadpool & Wolverine," the third installment in the Deadpool trilogy and the first proper inclusion of the X-Men into the MCU.

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is living a peaceful existence retired from superhero-ing and struggling to find meaning in his life. Enter the TVA (short for Time Variance Authority, an organization introduced in the streaming series "Loki"). Turns out, the TVA could use a man like Deadpool to fix the timeline.

When the Merc with a Mouth realizes he'll have to destroy his universe in the process, he pivots to saving it instead. To do so, he recruits a disgraced, alternate-universe Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). As the two unlikely friends maneuver through the multiverse, the chaos that always surrounds Deadpool follows them.

At the heart of this ultra-violent, ultra-irreverent film are surprisingly sincere themes of friendship and redemption. In their shared struggle to find new meaning in their lives, these two heroes end up saving not only the entire universe in a bloody, action-packed climax, but each other.

It's one of the best bromances ever captured on film, with both Reynolds and Jackman giving career-best performances. It is one of the most earnest and emotionally satisfying stories we have seen from Marvel Studios since "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

WARNING: SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON

The film also lovingly pays tribute to the 20th Century Fox era of Marvel with cameos from Blade (Wesley Snipes), the Human Torch (Chris Evans), Elektra (Jennifer Garner), Pyro (Aaron Stanford), and Gambit (Channing Tatum, who finally gets to play the character after many failed attempts at a solo film).

Even Laura/X-23 (Dafne Keen), from what was supposed to be Jackman's final bow as Wolverine, makes an appearance. She confirms that the Wolverine of "Logan" is indeed dead while inspiring this version of Wolverine to become the hero he's always been capable of being.

While these throwbacks are fun, they do sometimes make the film's pacing suffer. Still, it's hard to fault "Deadpool & Wolverine" for its commitment to maximum fan enjoyment.

I must also single out director Shawn Levy, a filmmaker with great family films like "Cheaper by the Dozen," "Night at the Museum," and the Reynolds-starring "Free Guy" under his belt. It’s satisfying to see a director of his talents play in the Marvel universe for the first time, nailing the requisite epic scale while keeping things fun.

It's safe to say that with "Deadpool & Wolverine," the MCU has officially bounced back from the wokeness-fueled nadir of "The Marvels." Will the studio build on the momentum and good will?

Only time will tell, but the recent Comic-Con bombshell that Robert Downey Jr. will play Dr. Doom in both "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars" is certainly a hopeful sign. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the party is just getting started.