Google or Louggle?

Being a pop culture fanatic I will always hark back to the 80’s for some real cheesy nostalgia. With the passing of John Hughes last year my nostalgia was even more heightened after I caught the movie “Hot Tub Time Machine” this week. While there were your typical Judd Apatow “gross out” scenes – all in all this could be a comedic classic. Once of those you watch over and over and pick up new things every time. What makes this film stand out in my mind is the instant cinematic nostalgia trip it provides. In fact, it’s possible to just watch this movie and play a game of spot the 80’s film reference.

My top 5 80’s movie references in the movie:

1. Back to the Future — The obvious time travel and others

2. Better Off Dead – “I want my two dollars”

3. Red Dawn – Poster in the bedroom

4. Sixteen Candles – Jake Ryan and Samantha sitting on the kitchen table

5. The Sure Thing – Trying to use a credit card to unlock a door

What struck me most were not the horrendous neon colored outfits, leg warmers, hair styles, Regan-era politics or walkmans – but the lack of technology. In a day in age where you can connect with anyone anytime – this surly has to be the biggest evolution of our time. I’m not discounting the invention of electricity, automobiles, air travel, trains, telephones, TVs, etc – but the age of the computer, email, internet, cell phone, texting, handhelds, Facebook, Google, Twitter, et al – it all makes my head hurt.

There was a classic scene in the movie when boy meets girl and he wants to see her later that night. He asks for her email or cell phone, she quips what’s an email? While he looks at her like a deer in headlights not understanding how people survive with out those means of communications he then asks “how will I get in touch with you?” She ever so simplistically says “you’ll just have to come find me.” Ah-ha…and there we have one of my biggest dilemmas in this age of technology and means of communications. We can always be found!! There is no escaping to truly embrace a work life balance. You can choose not to be found – but then that could back fire as you might not seem “committed” to your work. On the flip side – my babysitter can always reach me if there is an issue, I can always reach my family, my friends, my work, etc. There is a lot of comfort in that.

While I’ve been nostalgic this weekend from the movie – I embrace the 21^st century and feel thankful I live in a time where the world and people are changing. Change is hard – but nothing could be harder than going back to neon clothes, white wash tapered blue jeans and big puffy hair. One last thought…25 years from now there will be a time-travel movie that makes fun of life in 2010? I can just hear the “Twit-what” and “I-Pad” jokes now.

Make it simple, make it fun to read

Advertisement