《Alexander Creed: Re-Life》Chapter 251: Reaganism I
Advertisement
$54,509,462 in the box office was pretty phenomenal… in about 17 days no less. That's got to be a record in itself!
It had to be known that Creed Pictures' initial budget for things was just a whole 50 million dollars… for the entire trilogy. How absurd was it to already be topping that with just one film?
Granted, the cost and expenditures for the entire back-to-back-to-back production had shot up due to varying factors… but everything was already going extremely well!
Back-to-back-to-back filming may just be the smart way to go.
Anyways, as much as that is something to be celebrated though… the thing that Alexander and Old Sullivan and even other interested parties were fixating on… was Reagan's involvement.
That entire expose about his reactions to Back to the Future wouldn't have gotten out as long as the powerful president wills it to not be publicized. This meant that the release was intentional and could probably be Reagan's intention.
With that said… conspiracies and a lot of second-guessing had to be done as to why Reagan had done such a thing.
------
"The president is a pretty chill guy, isn't he?" Alexander could only comment with that as he was in his usual boss-level discourse with his grandfather… and their point of interest this time around would be what Reagan had done for them.
"Chill?" Old Sullivan was confused. He saw no indication that Reagan was a rather cold man like this grandson of his. "Reagan may be an actor whose actions can be perceived as duplicitous due to his previous occupations but he is sure to be relatively normal and not as chill as you had been, Alex."
"…" Alexander was quite confused by that response as well. Still, it can be noted that the old Creed was still quite irked by that gloomy cold countenance that the young Creed had exhibited.
Advertisement
Of course, it was just a matter of time before Alexander remembered that his word usage seems to be quite displaced in time.
'Chill out' was the one that's somewhat used in this era. The 'chill' slang still hasn't been prevalent yet and it would be especially confusing when used against the established elderly like his grandfather. Granted, he wouldn't be the first elderly to be taken aback by the advancement of time.
"Don't mind that… just take it as me referring to his cool and breezy decision to help us out." He saved his slang blunder with that…
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Old Sullivan digressed. "It may seem like he's helping out but it may just be about helping himself."
"Did you have something to do about this baffling support on the film, then?" Alexander was quite curious about this. "Could it be that old actor Reagan owes you a favor or you have some dirt on him? Then, you balanced it all out with this Back to the Future backing."
Old Sullivan didn't know how to react to that. "I know you are quite a creative genius but my regretful time in the Hollywood industry isn't as colorful as that. I met stars and all that… but I'm not too chummy with them."
Alexander could only relent at that. "I really thought you were the one that pulled some strings to make this happen?"
Given the old Creed's track record so far… Alexander wouldn't discount the absurd possibility of this old British man sitting down with Reagan and all that. "I even assumed that if it isn't you… then it may be some of your friends that made it happen."
"As interesting as that may be… don't overestimate me much, Alex." Old Sullivan corrected. "I may have connections… but not at that level."
Advertisement
"Then what makes you so sure of Reagan's motive for helping us out is to help himself?" Alexander asked clearly as this was the crux that a lot of people wanted to find out.
Old Sullivan smirked at that. "The answer is simple really… and it's Reaganism!"
-----
Alexander wasn't really on board with that but he also knew where his grandfather got that idea though.
Conspiracy theorists and notable people had also come to that conclusion too. It became prevalent in newspapers these past few days that Old Sullivan may have really taken those assumptions to heart.
As for why Reaganism became tied to what Reagan had done… a lot of articles and much-articulate people had blasted news sections with their reasonings, of course with Back to the Future becoming a medium in all of it.
Critics, Justin Chang and Mark Olsen, suggest the film can be seen as promoting Reaganism—the political position of president Ronald Reagan—which endorses older values of the American dream, initiative, and technological advancement.
The Hill Valley of 1985 is depicted as run down and in decay, while in 1955 it is presented as a more simplistic and seemingly safer time, seen through a nostalgic lens.
Marty's future is bettered because he goes back to 1955 and teaches George to be more assertive and self-reliant; his initiative leads to a more prosperous future for Marty with materialistic rewards.
These critics didn't fail to add in their usual film "criticism" as well… as they pointed out that the film uses many brand names of the time, ostensibly to make the setting more realistic—such as Mountain Dew, Pepsi, and Texaco—but the filmmakers received financial compensation from the brand owners, making their inclusion promotional and commercialistic instead of artistic.
This last point was about artistic integrity and doesn't really point much to Reagan and Reaganism at all… it's just critics that had their way of creatively educating the masses on what they think is right.
-----
Then there's film studies lecturer Sorcha Ní Fhlainn that argues that many 1980s films resulted from the American public's desire for escapism from cultural anxieties and fears, including nuclear proliferation, unemployment, crime, growing inequality, and the AIDS crisis.
In her view, films like those of the Star Wars series and Back to the Future offered a childlike reassurance of safety and comfort, emphasizing idealized American values and the positive effects of instilling power in a patriarchal figure like George McFly or Darth Vader. Something that can be tied in with Reagan's former profession and current political view.
----
An English professor, Susan Jeffords, then considered Doc Brown to be an analog for Reagan, a man who embraces technological advancement, who is in conflict with Libyan terrorists and provides the means for a failing family to better themselves.
----
Then there's the point about the African-American character Goldie Wilson who is seemingly inspired to work towards becoming mayor by Marty's intervention, inspiring a Reagan-style initiative and self-reliance.
----
Even though it really isn't apparent at Back to the Future's face value… a lot of things do point to Reaganism and Reagan must have read on that as well. It may have ultimately been what had led him to do what he'd done for the film.
Maybe the American president had just appreciated the film for its plot… but with what all these "experts" had drawn out… his simple gesture may have already ballooned to full support!
Alexander did know that all this Reagan drama would happen but he didn't expect that it would be as dramatic and effective as this.
Back to the Future benefited quite well from it… but it has also become a cesspool of something a bit too political for his tastes!
Advertisement
- In Serial22 Chapters
The Loyal Ones [Dark Biopunk Fantasy]
TLDR; A slave monster survives horror, war and servitude, while trying to live with himself. Thralls are a race of monstrous slave soldiers, in a universe where biological magic takes the place of technology. Centuries ago, their ancestors were desperate humans, who volunteered to be transformed for the Poison War. Today their unfortunate descendants are still soldiers and laborers. In contract law they are 'corporate wards'; slaves owned largely by arms dealers. Dally Harper starts this story as a champion cage fighter. He is one of the 'lucky' ones. It's all downhill from there. Content Warning: Explicit violence and gore, slavery, implied sexual assault. None of these are framed as positive or glorified, however they do have a strong impact on the plot and main characters.
8 183 - In Serial170 Chapters
Lovely kNight: My kiss will save the world!
“Beyond the armor and the scars, a hero has a heart ablaze with a passion to protect. A hero throws himself into danger for the sake of others.” Khiron had lived his entire life dreaming of being the hero of his kingdom. To be the knight given the honor of rescuing all of Celestia from the horrific threat of the monstrous Eclipse. Having trained tirelessly with his great friend and fellow knight and confidant, Juna, the day of realizing his dreams has arrived. As victor of the Celestia Hero's Tournament, he is dubbed the chosen knight. His new life as the hero has dawned at long last. Yet there's a secret task given to the hero which is kept heavily under wraps. Khiron arrives at his initiation only to be shocked with the revelation that the chosen knight must gain his powers by kissing 7 maidens of the heavens. To make the situation even more unbelievable, Juna is in that number! How will our chivalrous knight fare as the kingdom’s hope? Featuring art by AnankeKeirin! Logo created by YuukiPudding! Season One complete! On hiatus for Season Two!
8 205 - In Serial101 Chapters
god of wealth
Woke up in a world all bright and shiny What comes to his head first is that ‘could that be a diamond shining over there’. The thought of seeing a diamond jolts him up from where he was laying only to feel a long splitting pain in his head His name was Andrew, a commoner whom worked his ass out on earth. Was 22years old, had no parents, had to fend for himself all through his life just to make money but ends up falling in love with a pretty girl whom stays in the same neighborhood with him. Had a pretty awesome time with her, thought he could find absolute peace with her by his side but was unexpectedly betrayed by her when she broke up with him to get married to the son of Rudy, the president of a well established and famous company. Got heartbroken, drunk to stupor and got hit by a truck and died. His only regret in this world was not making lots and lots of money, live his life according to his wishes, be powerful and great. “Seems like I got transmigrated, a typical background encounter I did guess. Since I was given a second chance I would become so rich, powerful and famous that the whole world would bow at the mention of my name. Muahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.” Coughs hardly cause of laughing too evilly This is the story of Andrew a man whom transmigrates to a different dimension and dreams of making it big without knowing how deep the ocean is and if he did live long enough to achieve his dreams.
8 196 - In Serial49 Chapters
Summoned to Another World with My Truck
Some days start out great , early morning drive with your dog, hitting the range. That all changes when your summoned to a diffrent world. Now there's a whole kingdom chasing after me, wanting me either dead or enslaved to fight for them. I mean I know I'm a "Hero" that they summoned, but I'm not interested in fighting a war they started. I do have a couple advantages though, one is my truck that was pulled to the world with me. The other is my dog and funny enough, I was at the range when it happened. So as long as my ammo holds out I should be alright........right? Slow building with litrpg and dungen diving in the future chapters Also sexy elves and beastkin are incoming in the later chapters
8 151 - In Serial27 Chapters
The Invitation
The Armeshire manor has been known for its extravagant yearly revels. But, it is all a cover. When five complete strangers are invited for a once in a lifetime opportunity, things begin to unravel. From beach-side parties to mysterious deaths, they are thrust into a world of glamour and mystery and we know that all things perfect don't always stay that way.
8 210 - In Serial7 Chapters
Shots in the Dark
Just a place to collect short stories and oddities that don't fit in anywhere else.The Dark Abyss - Sneak peek at the prologue to The 10th Circle Part IIWitness - SciFi short story about the gruesome incident on Ticotan station (set in the extended 'New Elysium' universe but written for a contest, so with a strict word limit)clockwork girl - something like poetry I supposeSandra - SciFi short story about a man in search for his daughter, written for a contestCurse of the Black Sun - The story of a pair of thieves stumbling upon a dangerous treasureHunting - A story about a dangerous predator stalking the night in search for a victim...
8 215

