Time-travel movies

[Doug Nelson]

I find myself in a mood for a good time-travel movie. I've seen all the popular ones, and I have Primer on order at Netflix. But I'd be greatful if anyone could point me to a good one (that's the trick, most of them suck) I haven't already seen.

[Stroker]

One that comes to mind is Just Visiting with Applegate. I actually liked this one, mainly for the comedy. I found it kind of sappy, but the comedy made up for it, IMHO.

Army of Darkness is a fun romp through time. "Listen up, you primitive screwheads. This is my boom-stick!"

Trying to think of a non-comedy time travel flick that I enjoyed, but coming up mostly empty.
Hmmm...

edit:
Ah, Donny Darko.
While I did like it, I feel it could have been much better.
I liked the ending, but it lacked certain amount of impact.
Also, not very big on the time travel element.
It's there, but not much.

edit2:
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
One of the best. Might have to watch this later.

[Doug Nelson]

Seen 'em all (Just Visiting in two versions)

[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.

[Doug Nelson]

Agreed, but I've seen that one, too

[G. Couch]

Just rent a bunch of Dr. Who DVDs...

[Doug Nelson]

I hated the old Dr. Who's, but I'm enjoying the new series with Eccleston.

[Doug Nelson]

I just saw Primer, and it's interesting, but not particularly entertaining. I like the concept more than the execution. It wants to be a "realistic" movie about time-travel, with the assumption that the human mind cannot handle the concept of time-travel. To illustrate this, the director made a movie that the human mind cannot handle (rumor has it that this is deliberate, so it possibly excuses him from being a bad filmmaker).

[chris h]

Originally Posted by Doug Nelson

I hated the old Dr. Who's, but I'm enjoying the new series with Eccleston.

That's soon crossed the pond!

[Bujo]

12 Monkeys
Back to the Future series
Contact
Time Machine
Planet of the Apes series
The Final Countdown
Bill & Ted series
Black Knight (never seen it)
Blast from the Past


That's all I can think of right now...

[Kraellin]

the television series Stargate SG1 has dabbled a bit in time travel, though i couldnt tell you the exact episodes. and Stargate Atlantis has done one also. i believe that one was late last season.

and the british tv series Red Dwarf from a few years ago did a couple also. Red Dwarf was an interesting romp in space, comedy, which found its way into my video library.

havent seen any recent movies dealing with the subject, however. didnt Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy do a bit? that shld be out on dvd soon.

i used to read a lot of Robert Heinlein's stuff. in his later years he seemed obsessed with the subject. Asimov got into it also, though not as much.

there was also that tv series that starred scott baccula. that's still in syndication.

sorry, no real movies of late i can think of.

Craig

[Racc Iria]

Don't forget TIMELINE, by Michael Criton.

A team of American archeologists working in France find a note from the middle ages written by their professor pleading for help. The team visits the corporation sponsoring them only to discover their professor is missing and was sent back to the middle ages. So, they all go back to rescue him.

The movie wasn't bad (could've been better). The book was probably one of the best time travel stories I've read. Just watch out for those transcription errors.

--Racc

[Steve Conway]

Here are a few:

"For all time", 2000 TV movie starring Mark Harmon

"House in The Square"

"Frequency"

As for time travel reading, Anything by Jack Finney and Richard Matheson.

Steve

[Steve Conway]

I believe "Somewhere in Time" was based on Richard Matheson's "Bid Time Return." Was pretty faithful to the book.

You are certainly right about Finney's "Time & Again", it was great. He also wrote a sequel, "Time After Time."

Steve

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.

[Drix]

I really loved the original theatrical cut of Donnie Darko , but think he ruined parts of the film in the Directors Cut really. So if you have the chance, see the original cut! That is one great movie.

Another that came to mind is The Butterfly Effect . It's with Aston Kutcher, i know, but it's actually good anyway. Kutchers only good film in my opinion, I don't like the guy. But the story in this one is great, and deal with a differen type of timetravel. Reccomended.

As said earlier, 12 monkeys is another good one.

[Steve Conway]

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

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]

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]

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]

Don't forget the Terminator movies.

[goose443]

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]

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

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]

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]

"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

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]

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]

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]

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

[Kraellin]

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

craig

[Doug Nelson]

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

[Kraellin]

hehe, good one.

craig

[Steve Conway]

Einstein said it is. Never tried it myself.

Steve

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