Cast Away (Erin: 3.5 Stars, Bret: 4.5 Stars)

There are very few times in a grown man’s life when the loss of a volleyball can make him weep uncontrollably; Bret has no qualms in saying that the departure of Wilson in Cast Away is very nearly one of those moments.

Cast Away is a tremendous film that is alternately about hope or about crippling loss, depending on whom you ask.

It also features one of Tom Hanks’ greatest performances, in which he nearly gets a volleyball nominated for Best Supporting Actor, settling instead for Best Volleyball in a Motion Picture.

“There are so many people I have to thank.”

Ever the optimist, Bret argues that Cast Away is about hope. That Hanks’ speech toward the end about the tide coming in is wonderfully inspirational and the ending of the film, while ambiguous, shows us a man who defied near-insurmountable odds and has the whole world in front of him.

On the flip side, the movie is exhausting for Erin and the idea of Chuck and Kelly losing each other is devastating. Even though, let’s be honest, it’s Helen Hunt and Tom can probably do better.

“Ummmm…. I think I’d like to go back to the island now.”

Let the record show that she has no concern for the poor kid who never got his volleyball, by the way.

Three-and-a-half stars from Erin for Cast Away; four-and-a-half from Bret.

P.S., great comic HERE.

P.S.S., not sure why we look like we are filming a shot-for-shot remake of the “Take On Me” video in the screenshot above.

Back to the Future III (Erin: 4 Stars, Bret: 4.5 Stars)

As the story comes full circle in Back to the Future III, so too does it in the RockMovieProject as Erin admits she wishes she would have given Back to the Future a higher grade.

As we bid adieu to Marty, Doc, Einstein and that sweet, sweet hover board, we also mull over important questions like: Doc Brown, mad-man or scientist?; To what era would we travel back to if we had a time machine?; Is the brilliance of Tom Wilson’s Biff underrated?; Why was Marty not in Doc’s wedding?; and whether or not the series feels dated (Spoiler Alert: Bret says no, Erin, in one final attack on the Back to the Future trilogy, says yes).

Also, have to appreciate the further evolution of Doc’s character:

It’s a long review, but well worth the watch if you are bored enough, and we think you are. Four stars from Erin, 4.5 from Bret.

Back to the Future II (Erin: 2.75 Stars, Bret: 3.5 Stars)

While Marty goes back to the future, then back to the present, then back to the past, Erin continues her assault on the Back to the Future trilogy with a paltry 2.75 Star review. At least she dressed up for the occasion.

Albeit the third-best of the trilogy, Back to the Future II still has some classic moments, including, but not limited to Marty getting Doc’s letter at the end. Bret gives it 3.5 Stars.

Still, we can’t help but shake the feeling that Doc’s feelings about the dangers of time travel had somewhat abated by the time the second movie came out…

Back to the Future (Erin: 3.5 Stars, Bret: 5 Stars)

Great Scott, is it true Erin only gave Back to the Future a 3.5 Star review? We’re afraid it is, Doc. To be honest, it wouldn’t shock Bret to learn that she was also responsible for the Libyans finding you. What can we say, she’s a slacker.

A complete listing of films so far that Erin considers better than Back to the Future:

• Apollo 13
• 3:10 to Yuma
• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
• 40-Year-Old Virgin
• About Schmidt
• A Christmas Story
• A Few Good Men
• Aladdin
• Away We Go

Hello? Hello? Anyone home? Think, Erin. People are going to watch this. Do you realize what would happen if people looked at our reviews and saw that you gave About Schmidt a higher score than Back to the Future?

In all seriousness, this is one of the best movies in our collection and, if she had access to a time machine, we’ll assume Erin would go back and give it a higher rating.

Now, make like a tree and watch our review.