Time-travel movies

Steve Conway · #16 05-23-2006, 09:50 AM

Somewhere in Time was a great movie, and from my favorite time period. But it was based on the book by Richard Matheson who wrote many episodes for Twilight Zone. Finney, Matheson, and Ray Bradbury are probably my favorite authors of time travel stories.

Finney's book Time and Again is really a good one. And there was a sequel also.

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hephaestos

Somewhere in Time (1980) with Christopher Reeve is a cute time travel movie. What I enjoyed more, though, is the book on which it's loosely based, Time and Again by Jack Finney. One of my favorite books. I doubt it's still in print but I bet it would turn up on Amazon.

Steve Conway · #17 05-23-2006, 10:43 AM

Wow! Time travel. You just pushed one of my buttons to a favorite topic.

Here are some recommendations for movies: "For All Time" made for tv, not sure if it is out on DVD or not. Of course "Somewhere in Time." "Peggy Sue Got Married." I'll Never Forget You" with Tyrone Power. A remake of Berkeley Square" that starred Leslie Howard...(Ashley of "Gone With The Wind.) "Frequency" with Dennis Quaid. And "Timeline" from the book by Michael Crichton.

Some of the best stuff was on Twilight Zone...."A Stop At Willoughby"..."Walking Distance"..."Of Late I Think Of Cliffordville"..."No Time Like The Past"...A Hundred Yards Over The Rim"..."Once Upon A Time"...Static"...and "Back There." There are others in the series, but these are some I have watched over & over, especially "Willoughby" and "Walking Distance."

Steve

dkcoats · #18 05-23-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hephaestos

Somewhere in Time (1980) with Christopher Reeve is a cute time travel movie. What I enjoyed more, though, is the book on which it's loosely based, Time and Again by Jack Finney...

You're absolutely spot on, Hephaestos, about "Time and Again." A great read - I've read it at least twice but sadly don't know what became of my copy and I fear you're right about it being out of print. For anybody who hasn't read it, if you can find a copy on eBay or wherever, buy it.

The movie, however, is another deal altogether. Having been to Mackinac Island several times, I had fun recognizing familiar places. Other than that, I found it loathesome in every respect. "Loosely based" is putting it mildly.

dc

emarts · #19 05-23-2006, 01:14 PM

Don't forget the Terminator movies.

goose443 · #20 05-23-2006, 01:20 PM

You should check out La Jette. It's really quite beautiful and simple in it's story telling while being deep in content. 12 Monkeys is partially based on it.

Steve Conway · #21 05-24-2006, 11:21 AM

You're confusing the book "Bid Time Return" with Finney's "Time & Again." I don't believe it was ever made into a movie. If it was I would sure like to know, as it is a fantastic book. It was available at Barnes & Noble not too long ago. Not sure about "Bid Time Return."

Matheson's book "Bid Time Return" was made into the movie "Somewhere In Time." Not the best time travel movie I have seen, but with the great scenery and music, it held it's own for me.

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkcoats

You're absolutely spot on, Hephaestos, about "Time and Again." A great read - I've read it at least twice but sadly don't know what became of my copy and I fear you're right about it being out of print. For anybody who hasn't read it, if you can find a copy on eBay or wherever, buy it.

The movie, however, is another deal altogether. Having been to Mackinac Island several times, I had fun recognizing familiar places. Other than that, I found it loathesome in every respect. "Loosely based" is putting it mildly.

dc

dkcoats · #22 05-24-2006, 11:59 AM

I guess I was taking Hephaestos's word on the relationship between "Time and Again" and "Somewhere in Time." I've largely repressed my memories of the movie but I recall there were enough similarities at the conceptual level to make such a supposition at least somewhat reasonable.

I'd forgotten about the sequel to "Time and Again." I know I've read it but don't remember anything about it. Then again, I don't remember much about a lot of things these days.

I just Googled Finney and learned that he wrote other stories and novels that explored time-travel related themes. He also wrote the book on which "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" was based, among other things.

dc

Steve Conway · #23 05-24-2006, 12:25 PM

"Time After Time" was the name of the sequel to "Time & Again." It was a continuation of the first one...going back in time to 1800's New York City to complete a government project he started in the first story. Actual vintage photos of the places in NY that he includes in his story are all throughout the books.

I have a book of his short stories which are mostly time related. Believe it's called "It's About Time."

Go here to locate his out-of-print stuff if you can't find it in a local book store.

http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/...ry?errorcode=1

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkcoats

I guess I was taking Hephaestos's word on the relationship between "Time and Again" and "Somewhere in Time." I've largely repressed my memories of the movie but I recall there were enough similarities at the conceptual level to make such a supposition at least somewhat reasonable.

I'd forgotten about the sequel to "Time and Again." I know I've read it but don't remember anything about it. Then again, I don't remember much about a lot of things these days.

I just Googled Finney and learned that he wrote other stories and novels that explored time-travel related themes. He also wrote the book on which "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" was based, among other things.

dc

Steve Conway · #24 05-24-2006, 12:39 PM

Just double checked my books and altho I no longer have the it, I believe I remember the title as "From Time to Time" as the sequel. Finney did write "Time After Time" also.

Steve

Kraellin · #25 05-24-2006, 02:11 PM

ok, you guys are covering the bases quite nicely, so let's veer just a bit. is time travel possible and how would you deal with the various paradoxes?

craig

Doug Nelson · #26 05-24-2006, 02:16 PM

Yes, time travel is possible. It's paradoxes that are impossible. Therefore, while possible, no one will ever time travel

Kraellin · #27 05-24-2006, 02:20 PM

hehe, doug. now you're sounding like my old sig: the only absolute is that there are no absolutes

craig

Doug Nelson · #28 05-24-2006, 02:23 PM

I do dig recursive logic. My old sig was "moderation in all things, including moderation".

Kraellin · #29 05-24-2006, 02:32 PM

hehe, good one.

craig

Steve Conway · #30 05-24-2006, 03:22 PM

Einstein said it is. Never tried it myself.

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraellin

ok, you guys are covering the bases quite nicely, so let's veer just a bit. is time travel possible and how would you deal with the various paradoxes?

craig