“Spring Forward” Time Travel Movies

Time After Time (1979) dir. Nicolas Meyer

Author and time-machine inventor H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) pursues Jack the Ripper (David Warner) from 19th century London to 1970s San Francisco. High-concept historical fiction time travelogue uses the fish-out-of-water premise to spotlight character and motivation rather than indulging in sci-fi silliness.

Somewhere in Time (1980) dir. Jeannot Szwarc

At the opening night of his first play a young writer (Christopher Reeve) meets an old lady who asks him to “come back” to her. He learns she’s a famous stage actress from the early 1900s. His obsession leads to method of time-travel self-hypnosis and a liaison in the past. Narrative simplicity creates an unusual, proximate intimacy between Reeve and Jane Seymour’s young actress. Zero time-travel rigamarole leaves narrative room for a timeless romance. 

Les Visiteurs (1993) dir. Jean-Marie Poiré

Poorly remade in the U.S. as Just Visiting (2001), this French farce pits medieval knights against contemporary 20th century evils. As much a live action cartoon as a narrative film, Poiré’s film is 107 minutes of frenetic fantasy and charmingly chivalrous adventures.

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) dir. Colin Tevorrow

Magazine employees (Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson) head out to interview a guy who placed a classified ad seeking time travel companions. The time-travel device in this instance provides an excuse for eccentric characters to engage in comedic banter and stumble into earnest emotional connection.

Palm Springs (2020) dir. Max Barbakow

A ribald and disillusioned twist on the “time-loop” sub-genre of time travel movies. Nyles (Andy Samberg) engages in a tryst gone wrong with maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti), but the pair find themselves in a Kafkaesque wedding reception that just won’t end.

Jay Patrick is a Mt. Lebanon-based syndicated writer of film and fiction and the host of the Cinema Shame Podcast (formerly produced by DVD Netflix and available wherever you get your podcasts) where guests watch, for the first time, a movie they really should have seen by now.

The Denis Recommends... Holiday Films

IT HAPPENED ON FIFTH AVENUE (1947) dir. Roy Del Ruth

This sweetly sentimental film pokes fun at class striation and aligns with Frank Capra's philosophies of an idealized America where Community triumphs over societal ills.

THE REF (1994) dir. Ted Demme

Denis Leary shovels his trademark stand-up crankiness into this crass and subversively warmhearted comedy about a thief that holds a dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (2011) dir. Sarah Smith

Fast-paced, stuffed with joy and clever twists on the idea of Santa in a contemporary world, this Aardman Animations (creators of Wallace & Gromit) film puts a bow on every Christmas season.

3 Godfathers (1948) dir. John Ford

Nothing about this film explicitly says “Christmas movie” – but the spirit of Christmas lives in this “minor” John Ford Western about three bank robbers (read: wise men) who promise to shepherd a dying woman’s baby safely across the desert in order to redeem their sins.

Klaus (2019) dir. Sergio Pablos

This beautifully animated Netflix film, sets the Santa Claus mythology in remote northern Norway where the pampered postmaster’s son (Jason Schwartzman) must create a thriving post office under impossible conditions in order to preserve his inheritance. With the help of a cantankerous and reclusive woodsman (J.K. Simmons), he just might succeed.

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945) dir. Peter Godfrey

This screwball comedy features deception, frothy dialogue, good food, and Barbara Stanwyck.

THE MERRY GENTLEMAN (2008) dir. Michael Keaton

Christmas is the backdrop for an angst-plagued hitman and a lonely woman. Watch for subtle twists to traditional Christmas imagery. Stars Kelly MacDonald and Michael Keaton in his directorial debut.

DREAMING OF A JEWISH CHRISTMAS (2017) dir. Larry Weinstein

This delightful, informative documentary focuses on fresh information about the Jewish songwriters responsible for your favorite Christmas tunes. Inventive, original performances will make you want to sing along.

Frozen River (2008) dir. Courtney Hunt

This struggles of working class mother, Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo), set in upstate New York during the Christmas season. The subtle symbolism may be reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), but this tale is full of reality as Eddy smuggles immigrants across the frozen St. Lawrence River in the trunk of her Dodge Spirit.

A MIDNIGHT CLEAR (1992) dir. Keith Gordon

Starring Ethan Hawke and Gary Sinise, this tense anti-war is a parable with strong spiritual undertones. The cinematography is key to the story.