Short Time Travel Movies

[Tej]

Just discovered this very good short movie. Anyone know of more short movies with TT themes?

http://vimeo.com/41113654

[Tej]

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/d8f6...

pretty funny. Written by Damon (Lost) Linelof and has Chris Hemworth and George Segal plus some other familiar faces I dont know the names of.

[Howard]

Wow, this is pretty freaky because I have the same freezer.

[Randy]

One of my favorites is 12:01 PM:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk728E...

[Tej]

Randy wrote: "One of my favorites is 12:01 PM:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk728E..."

That was great! Thanks Randy. Certainly deserves to be categorised in one of the best ever short movies.

Dug a bit deeper at the origins of this story as it is very much like Groundhog Day but this was made a long time before it. Clearly Groundhog was strongly influenced either by this short movie or the original short story written by Richard A. Lupoff in 1973 for a Scifi/Fantasy magazine who has a cameo in this short and also in a 1993 full length feature of the short story made as a tv movie which once again someone has put up on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltj0MU...

[Howard]

Randy & Tej:

I hate to use a bad pun, if that's not a double negative, but Time Travel stories with loops are endless.

I liked the edits on this one though, more edgy as it went on, etc. & it's always good to see well-known actors before they hit it big.

They're in another Timeframe, you might say.

[Tej]

Howard, I think that was a pretty good pun, so dont knock yourself ;)

If you are referring to loops where a time traveller goes back in time and his actions in the past causes the reality he already knows...then yeah, agreed, they are, to blatantly and unimaginatively nick your pretty good pun, endless.

But this particular story isnt a that kind of loop and I am havent come across any other story with this type of theme. I am sure there are as I have read only a drop of the TT ocean of literature but are there really that many? Can you name a few titles other similar to this story and Groundhog Day etc?

Just also read that this short was Acadamy Award nominated.

[Randy]

Tej wrote: "Can you name a few titles other similar to this story and Groundhog Day etc?"

There was a another movie related to 12:01 PM, called simply 12:01:

http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/12_01...

And one with Jim Belushi:

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Ret...

Or, a good new Outer Limits episode:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/69744#x-0,v...

[Howard]

Tej, Randy's picks are indeed variations of this theme, but I've personally tried to be a little different.

In my first book, a continual loop in time is threatened, but avoided.

What happens in between is the jist of the Epic Fable.

[Tej]

Randy wrote: "Tej wrote: "Can you name a few titles other similar to this story and Groundhog Day etc?"

There was a another movie related to 12:01 PM, called simply 12:01:

http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/12_01..."

I live in UK, Randy so I cant access those links you give. What are the titles? Thanks. Is the Belushi one Retroactive?

The first link you give I think is the same 1993 film as I mentioned in my above post? ie which Richard A. Lupoff wrote both the long and short stories and cameos in each one.

Anyway, keeping with this particular theme of time travel, here's an amateur short (with amatuer acting but good pay off)

http://vimeo.com/1758225#

[Howard]

Tej, I'd never seen this & while it's on the 'loop' theme, what I like is the understated machine, not over the top.

In this vein, here's a great time machine that you wear, pretty funny I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rcXw5...

[Randy]

Yes, Retroactive was the Belushi film. The other was simply 12:01, with Jonathan Silverman and Helen Slater.

[Tej]

This is another short time travel movie, pretty good but its doing my brain in, need a third analysis from you guys to tell me what the heck is happening at the end. Its all very loopy but I'm not quite able to piece it together...is it trying to be too clever and falling over its feet? Or is it actually making perfect sense?

http://www.daazo.com/film/2e9d38be-12...

[Tej]

I just watched La Jettee (on a DVD rental) which was mentioned in the films thread. But its only a 26 minute short, so I would not class this as a feature film hence why I am posting about it here. But it is an exquisite short movie. Its very arthouse for sure as the narrative rolls in the form of photo stills with a voice over narration. The story rolls poetically, typically French! As with many French arthouse movies, its soulful and the time travel element is neatly done. On the DVD there are some interesting interviews, one in particular is of Terry Gilliam who made 12 Monkeys. Its clear now where that film's inspiration came from ;)

Definitely a must see for Time Travel aficionados.

[Randy]

I must be the only one that dislikes La Jettee. I couldn't stand it.

[Howard]

Tej wrote: "This is another short time travel movie, pretty good but its doing my brain in, need a third analysis from you guys to tell me what the heck is happening at the end. Its all very loopy but I'm no..."

Tej, I really enjoyed this short piece, thanks.

First I liked it for it uses sterotypes to instantly tell the backstory, as seeing the uniforms fully sets the scene, an effective tool to employ.

Second & more importantly, I didn't foresee what was happening, although the ashtray was a big clue.

The plotline is recurring loops in time, a common TT reference, not however, used in my books.

The ending is derived by the fact that each time you go back you can change things in order to plan ahead for the next time.

As things became more complicated, with a waiting truck outside, etc. then it obviously has happened a lot, therefore the ashes, again which I should have seen coming.

This was the same device used in the funny kid thing (the one w/ the deadpan George Seigel) & the first one I saw you mention, the most excellent one that had the young actor that became the dad on 'that 70's show' or whatever, the one w/ Ashton Cuncher or however you spell his name.

By the way, the same guy that played the dad was on a Star Trec (I'm not sure which franchise) where he was a ship captain that was trying to correct a flaw that had occured in the past.

He & his crew had tried many times & each time they got closer to a 100% correction, but they never could get that final bit needed to reach the 100%.

This is the same plot twist as above & I meant to mention it before but somehow failed there myself.

Keep 'em coming, great selection w/ a good cast & script.

Thanks.

[Tej]

Randy wrote: "I must be the only one that dislikes La Jettee. I couldn't stand it."

On no, you would be far from being the only one, its understandable. La Jettee would certainly have a devisive appeal as its extremely arthouse style would be an acquired taste.

[Tej]

2012 Oscars saw 5 shorts nominated. One of them was a quirky time travel short called Time Freak. Its only available on Itunes and costs £1.50 ($1.99) to watch. £1.99 for the HD version. Sounds steep for just an 11 minute feature. But its time travel, its Oscar nominated, I must see it! So I paid the asking price, watched it and absolutely love it.

Its really a sweet quirky comedy about a neurotic scientist who builds a time machine. He has great plans for it but what he ends up using it for is hilarious. Its a polished production and very witty. A must see for TT fans, I know $1.99 (or $2.99 for HD) is not great value for an 11 minute feature but it is TT and it is fun from start to finish.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/time...

The director aims to make a full length feature film based on this short. I can see great potential for it to be a sleeper hit. The ingredients, plot device and charm is all there for it to work if they write a great script.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movie...

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Well, I finally got caught up and watched all of the videos that have been posted (with the exception of the Jim Belushi movie "Retroactive"), and they are all great. I had seen the "Outer Limits" episode before, but the rest were all new to me. Keep them coming, Tej.

[Tej]

This is delightful :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...

Love the soundtrack which if you listen carefully, you can hear hints of Back to the Future and also the time travel segment of Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkhaban.

[Howard]

Tej, another great find, thanks.

As we've discussed, another varation on loops, but well done, the deits superb.

I also like the Rube Goldburg mechamism, another thing we've talked about but I still prefer Buster Keaton's Time Traveling head gear.

A wonderful call on the music too, something I would have missed no matter how many times I went back in time to review the scene.

Keep 'en coming, I'm impressed with your record in this regard, thanks again.

[Howard]

Woops, edits not deits.

[Randy]

A very short time travel video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA_gwz...

[Howard]

Randy this was a fine find, not just funny but quickly funny, always a good thing.

I wonder what Amazon thought of it.

Any recognition is a great thing business wise, I guess, just spell the name right, as the old saying goes.

As I've said before, keep em coming.

[Andy]

Has anyone mentioned a short time travel movie called Hirsute?

It's available online, but I can't link to it from work.

I liked it a lot when I first saw it. Clever film making as well as an interesting take on the subject.

I'll dig up the link later and repost here.

[Tej]

Andy wrote: "Has anyone mentioned a short time travel movie called Hirsute?

It's available online, but I can't link to it from work.

I liked it a lot when I first saw it. Clever film making as well as an inte..."

I dont think we have Andy, I look forward to you posting the link! My search for quality time travel shorts had dried up.

[Tej]

Randy wrote: "A very short time travel video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA_gwz..."

I completely missed this one, that was hilarious. Good one.

[Tej]

OK not a movie short but I find this guy wryly funny. Quite a coincident I stumbled upon this as I was only posting the other day about my Android phone app, Google Sky Map which has a time travel feature on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbX7Ox...

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Very funny. However, if you listen close, you can hear someone breathing while he is gone. I have this problem when using a hand-held video camera because I happen to be loud breather. He should have worked harder to eliminate all background noises while he was away.

[Howard]

I hear breathing also but something like wet footsteps (scuba flippers?), as well.

This guy must travel in time for he's unconcerned that his pace is so slow, almost like grass growing, while getting to the point.

Good idea though.

[Tej]

John wrote: "Very funny. However, if you listen close, you can hear someone breathing while he is gone. I have this problem when using a hand-held video camera because I happen to be loud breather. He should..."

Well if i was to defend the authenticity of his time travel, I would argue that maybe his wife is filming his demonstration ;)

[Howard]

You mean his wife the heavy breather, you know, the one who's walking around in scuba fins?

Could be.

[John, Moderator in Memory]

LOL @ Howard.

[Howard]

Tej & John, seen this?

Pretty dopey but endearing in a 'grows on you' kind of way.

Be sure to see the outtakes past the ending.

School project or just goofing around?

Only you can decide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilbRVL...

[Howard]

This is the same guy.

Shorter (that's good) but more predictable (not so good).

At least he's trying:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L-Jli...

[Howard]

Ok guys, here's my last one tonight.

This one's pretty funny in a deadpan sort of way.

I like the roommate's explanation though & the effects are believable.

Over all, pretty good, yes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq0irg...

[Paul]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrRiFZ... Jay Kensinger's 2002 short ... now being re-edited, with new, extended ending, for November 2012 release ...

the lead character also appears in The Silk Code



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091W43JW/r...

[Howard]

Paul, thanks for this, very thought provoking.

I checked out the book's reviews & found a good mix from glowing to disappointment & I can relate.

I think this is the link to the story the film was baised on though, one of several with the same hero:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25...

I enjoyed it but some editing would help the pace.

[Paul]

Thanks, Howard - and I agree with you about the editing. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to the new cut, which should be available in November.

Also - thanks for finding the link to The Chronology Protection Case story!

-Paul

[Paul]

PS - Forgot to say to Howard - yeah, most of my books get good mixes from glowing to disappointment. The Silk Code, in particular, is a complex novel with a very unorthodox structure :) ...

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Howard wrote: "Tej & John, seen this?

Pretty dopey but endearing in a 'grows on you' kind of way...."

Okay, Howard. Here it goes. The first one was just plain silly, which you sort of acknowledged. The second one was better, but still silly. I actually liked the third one. Thanks for sharing.

[Tej]

Howard wrote: "This is the same guy.

Shorter (that's good) but more predictable (not so good).

At least he's trying:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L-Jli..."

I had seen that first one already (during my scouting phase for time travel stuff on youtube) and never posted it here because I thought it was so awful! I was desperate for a time machine to give me my ten minutes back.

The second one I had not seen but I actually like it more. As John says, its way too predictable but I quite like the actor, there is a goofy charm to his persona. He should do well if he tends to graduate as a film maker because regardless of what I think of his short movies, he is shining with confidence both with his acting and film making :)

[Tej]

Paul wrote: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrRiFZ... Jay Kensinger's 2002 short ... now being re-edited, with new, extended ending, for November 2012 release ...

the lead character also appears in The Silk ..."

Thanks for this. I am going to be patient and wait for the re-edit, November is not too far away!

[Paul]

It's worth waiting for! (I suggested the new extended ending to Jay, and he wrote it).

[Tej]

This one is interesting. The fact that I include this in here kinda gives away the mystery of this short but nevertheless worth a watch. Its in Japanese with English subtitles. Its purely a strange conversation between two young people but done well, its meaning becomes clearer as it progresses. I have no idea what to make out of the erratic soundtrack though but I get the idea of its deliberation, its just a little too jarring that drowns the effect of the on screen drama imo.

http://vimeo.com/44707969

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Wow. Intense. I love it. Since I knew there was going to be subtitles, I watched it with the sound off. That may have helped.

[Howard]

Tej, I concur with John, the subtitled piece was very good, the pace nice & it worked for me, thanks.

Here's something I found, doesn't really fit the thread but it's an interesting take on some UK guys talking Time Travel.

You'll be glad to know that all cases discussed are covered in B's ever growing Taxonomy Thread.

It's short & made me laugh so, even if it doesn't fit, as I said, I'm still throwing it out:

v=cHZHFNNx08E&feature=related

[Howard]

Tej, et al:

Whoops, don't know where that last one came from.

Try again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHZHFN...

[Tej]

They are always funny, but great pick Howard. Actually, i think this will have more effect if you post it in the "where would you time travel to" thread. Go ahead and post it in there, dont worry about duplication, Ill make an excepyion :)

Karl Pinkington is awesome, he has such a refreshing and hilarious perspective of the world around us. I dont actually watch this cartoon but i do listen to many of their podcasts.

[Howard]

Tej, just thought it was funny, but here's a REAL FIND.

As you know I like UK TV, but I'm into early stuff from the US too & am always tracing the Timestream for interesting stuff.

This one's good for several reasons, the biggest one is obvious but also the machine & the close-up’s of you know who.

It may be a morality tale, but it's way bad PC wise & they even litter at the end.

The theme ties in well to the 'Loopers' thread but, AS I'VE YET to see the flick, I'm not going there.

You share this one if you wish.

In this case, you control the FUTURE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIFSy...