What is Hollywood’s fascination with time travel? I’ve often been told I was born in the wrong decade. Yet, my love for running water, diet Pepsi, women’s lib and surfing the internet, makes me doubt that theory. However, if I could go back it would most likely be between the Golden age of Hollywood and the 1950s. I haven’t quite figured out why but I’m sure it has something to do with clothing styles (typical) and meeting up with my grandmother.
When googling “time travel”, over 2.6 BILLION results pop up. Suffice it to say, the general population seems to have a fascination with the topic. This year, Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will be coming out with their film Looper. The story involves a man going back in time 30 years where both past and present man share the same time.[1]
Time travel is the concept of an object or person moving from one point of time to another within different points of space.[2] One can go back or forward. Time travel has become a staple in the science fiction diet, and conversely it’s a topic most have discussed with their peers. Who has not asked or been asked, “If you could go back in time…”?
There is a plethora of literature and films based on time travel. Some modes of time travel transportation include wormholes, black holes, ghosts of spirits past/present/future, hot tubs, ham radios, DeLoreans, and phone booths. Below are five of my favorite time travel films that capture a different theme for backward or forward travel.
Peggy Sue Got Married
It’s a film that makes one wonder, when would I want to go back and what would I do while I was there? Would I say what I was really thinking in particular moments? Most likely I would invest in Coca-Cola and Microsoft or leave a note for my children to do so.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Sometimes it’s nice to know how important we really are in the lives around us.
Somewhere in Time
Would you cross time for love?
Frequency
To be able to talk to a loved one from the past (or future) would be mind tremendous…
Back to the Future
Because who wouldn’t want to travel 88 mph in a DeLorean and have your teenage mom hit on you?
What are some of your favorite time traveling films? Why do you think we as a population are so enthralled with going back in time or into the future? Are we there to change something or just a spectator? What would you do if you could wake up in another year?
Please join us for an open discussion from Monday 8/6/2012 – Wednesday 8/8/2012
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
Great topic:
Here are my additions to the list:
1. SUPERMAN THE MOVIE
I know time travel only happened in the climax, I’m sorry it should still count.
2. TERMINATOR 1. 2. & 3.
Time travel happened in all of these movies, but since it’s a type of serial, I will accept this as only one.
3. BIG
O.K. I’ll agree this is more about maturing or (d)evolving than time periods changing but I should get at least a half point.
4. 13 GOING ON 30
O.K. this movie is “Big” with a girl, I think still worth a half point
5. STAR TREK (J.J ABRAMS)
6. MEN IN BLACK 3
7. INCEPTION
8. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
9. HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
10. BILL AND TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
11. THE LAKE HOUSE
Great list!!! I actually just bought Inception for $5 at Walmart. Yay! Oh man, you gave me so much ammunition.
Uh Oh?
Bill and Ted! I loved Bill and Ted when I was younger!
OF COURSE IT COUNTS!!!! I love this because he physically makes time go back. He doesnt need a potion, magic spell, or machine. Just super powers. 🙂
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Va10X8VzLI
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KPeHFDxKUP4
Totally plausible. 😉
This is a really fun topic, so thanks for saving us all of the theory and controversy surrounding Einstein’s theory of special relativity, quantum physics, worm holes, black holes, multiverses, etc.
Hi Everyone!
LB-This is such a great topic. Both LB and CR have selected some of my all time favorites. I won’t mention which ones.
Anyway here are a couple more I really like.
12 Monkeys
Primer
CR and OB,
“If you could go back in time…” Where would you go, what would you do, and who would you want to see?
LB:
U Said:“If you could go back in time…” Where would you go, what would you do, and who would you want to see?”
Me: I would want to see my mom and take her wherever she wanted to go.
That’s very sweet. She would live that!
That is so sweet, I might cry!
Mine, might be boring. I would only go back ten to 15 years, to have conversation with myself. I would confirm for myself that I was right, but insist that I should step it up 10 times harder than I perceived (at that time).
Nah. A few of my adventures have me talking to my younger self too. Also I have so many awesome childhood memories that I would want to revisit. Sorta like ghost of Christmas past.but with good stories. I want to relive certain days , but watch myself and know what I know now.
To be honest I had a great many good times as well, I really can’t complain
Yet I could have avoided bumping my head a few times if had bothered to duck. The Comic Relief of that time did not know what ducking was.
I honestly don’t know what I would do. I would change my past but I believe that is what made me who I am today and I’m not sure I would risk any negatives. I could turn out alot worse, lol!
First, I’d have to get all my favourite periods of time out of the way (ancient Egypt, The Tudors etc) and the distant future (not anything to do with me but events like the first manned mission to Mars!) too. Then I guess I would like to meet my Great Grandma and Great Grandpa, as my Mum speaks very fondly of them and wishes I could of met them.
I have had time travelling dreams. The travel backwards dream was beautiful. The travel forwards dreams freak me out, lol!
You make a great point Ozzie. I wouldn’t want to change anything in my past either because of who I am today. I think the only thing I would tell a younger self would be, “It’s all going to be ok. Don’t be so hard on yourself and enjoy ever single day, even the crappy ones. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
I think if time travel were really possible, changing things in our past would not be good because we ultimately alter other people’s realities. I love BttF and Frequency, but how horrible would it be to change something you think is for the better, but turns out to be detrimental for yourself or someone you know or love???
And yet the flip side is, if you had the knowledge and skill to go back to the Black Plague or other epidemics and provide cures and vaccines, that would be awesome!
Oh man, you know…this is a difficult debate I just started with myself. hahahaha!!!
LB,
I love somewhere in time. It makes me cry every time. Who’s watch was it really? Why did he not get younger when he went backwards in time?
Paris-
U Said: Why did he not get younger when he went backwards in time?”
Me: They really didn’t think that through did they? I often wondered the same thing.
Don’t ruin the illusion!!! Hahahahaha! Never even occured to me to be honest.
Sorry! It’s virtually impossible for me to watch a film without thinking about this stuff. U would not enjoy watching films with me.
Actually I’d probably love it because it would keep me from crying. 🙂
Be careful of what u ask for. lol!!
Everyone-
Has anyone seen Primer before?
No, but it seems to have an extremely complicated story line
In a good or bad way? Meaning would u want to see it?
Everyone-
Out of all the films listed here. What time travel method would u most want to experience?
For me I would choose Lake House or Inception.
I like the method in “Hot Tub Time Machine.”
Oh. That’s a good one too!! I looove hot tubs.
I’m not sure.
Oh u beat me to the punch! Mmmmm…lake house.
HAHAHA! Sorry LB. Why the Lakehouse?
I’d like to write letters to myself or loved ones from the past or future and keep them.
That’s beautiful! I like writing and getting letters too.
I liked this movie but I was always sure the wind whipping off this lake must have been sub-zero in the winter.
Here’s another fav for the visual effects.
This was a good selection, I’m glad you posted it.
LB & CR-
What would your painted world be?
Unfortunately, I would probably be in a bakery.
hahahaha! What kind of bakery?
CR this is for u!
My favorite. Unfortunatelly I’m all about the eating, not preparing.
That movie made me cry from the very beginning to the very end!
Again, I don’t know what I would paint. If I could I would paint the world (not the planet itself but places on Earth)!
I know me too Oz!
My best friends house.
What architecture style is your BF’s house?
Two story, 1980s style. I remember every room vividly. I was in San Diego yesterday visiting my friend and we were rehashing our shared memories.
Sounds lovely LB!
Well I dont know if I would describe 1980s interior design as lovely, but it was definitely fun. 🙂
See I thought u were going to say Post Modern. I think what’s lovely is the fun time spent with your friend.
Oh, well that WAS lovely. And so was the amazing weather.
My painted world would probably be The Library of Congress.
I think that is an obvious lie. Here’s my correction for you, you would be at an amusement park.
CR-OMG! hahahahahaha! I’m afraid this is true.
Why am I not surprised. 🙂
Amusement park popcorn vapors come out of her pores.
CR- U are impossible! U are going on one of these rides with me. No sitting on the side lines if u keep it up. LOL!!
hahaha! The two of u know me too well.
Oh CR! If I was in a bakery, I would come back to.the present time 20 pounds heavier. :).
Why do u think HW and society in general is so fascinated by time travel?
What is it about the films u picked u like?
Would u ever want to go back and watch a historical event and if so, what?
“Why do u think HW and society in general is so fascinated by time travel?”
Regular people like time travel because it gives ordinary folks the ability to travel happier, interesting, joyous, etc. pasts and futures whether they belong to themselves or others.
Believe me, geeks and scientists over complicate time travel to the degree that you may not want to go. Honestly if you get to the end of this video you may reconsider most of your time travel fantasies. You have been warned!!!!! I am really serious, save yourself the grief!!!!!!
LB,
Wish I could feel sorry for you regarding the weight gain.
I can put on a pound on only thinking about a bakery.
Put on about 5 on hanging out down the street from a bakery.
Yet I would probably choose a bakery all the same.
“Would u ever want to go back and watch a historical event and if so, what?”
I couldn’t see it on my phone but now I can. hahahaha!!!! I knew you would pick this! Fantastic !
I have often wanted to go back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and talk with the forefathers about what the US is like by 2012 and get their thoughts
That’s great. What would u say about what the US is like today?
Let me put this in a nice, delicate way: they would not recognize their “vision” and we need a.LOT of help.
Yeah if I said what really think, I would not be seen as patriotic.
wow! I’m impressed by your reserve and class. I thought there is NO way she could keep her cool. hahahaha!
Thanks OB. I really had to think about a kind way to say, “We are in the crapper.” Oh wait, I just said it! hahahahahaha!!!! 🙂
hahahaha! Love it!
I’m here, I’m finally here! 🙂
Sorry, I’m so late. Had to finish my writing!
Hi Ozzie!
Hi Ozzie. Can’t wait to read your article.
Hi OB & CR! You might regret that CR. The first part left me cross eyed trying to keep up with all the terms, lol!
What is it about the films u picked u like?
Let’s see CR picked two of my films. But Inception I like because it really allows u to participate in other peoples dreams and be the designer of that world.
Everyone-
I have to go. I will come back later.
Night OB! i will be back to! I still have quotes and youtubes to post but I haven’t been able to use my laptop yet. i will tonight. 🙂
I’m so glad this is an open discussion. I won’t miss anyone and be talking to myself, lol!
Brilliant article, LB! It brought a smile to my face while reminiscing about old films!
“Duuuuuuude!” I love Bill and Ted too. Honestly, one of Keanu’s best roles and I’m not knocking the guy.
I’m so glad you like the article Ozzie! Please feel free to answer all the questions! 🙂
Lol! I’ll have a think about the ones I don’t know what I’d choose and come back to post them later on!
Still can’t decide!
Name these time travel movies:
(ok, this is super easy)
1)
X: Calvin? Wh… Why do you keep calling me Calvin?
Y: Well, that is your name, isn’t it? Calvin Klein? It’s written all over your underwear.
2)
Q: I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters.
*That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn’t I get *that* day over, and over, and over…
3)
J: K! Don’t treat him that way!
K: Why not?
J: It’s humiliating!
K: The way you humiliated me? All of you? YOU led me around on a LEASH!
M: That was different. We thought you were inferior.
K: Now you know better.
1. Back to the Future
2. Groundhog Day (this is another favorite of mine)
3. Planet of the Apes
What do I get?
Let me think…you need some super duper special! Let me go check my treasure chest.
LB-
That’s o.k. I already got my gift. I had a lots of fun thanks to u. Great article and discussion!