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Time After Time (1979)
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen, David Warner
Genre: Sci Fi Adventure, Drama, Romance
Length: 112 minutes
Premise: In London 1893 inventor H.G. Wells has gathered together a group of his friends to tell them of his latest invention, a time machine. Elsewhere, Jack the Ripper has struck again. Fleeing the police he manages to steal the time machine, escaping into the future, 1979. Wells then pursues the Ripper to San Francisco in attempt to stop him.
Review: The art direction of Victorian era London was well done. One could almost feel like you were there. We see cobble stone streets, covered in eerie fog, with puddles of water afoot. The lamps are gas lamps, you can see them flicker.
The opening shot starts with a first person perspective from behind a low, wrought iron fence. Then as a prostitute walks down the street, the camera approaches her, as if it was the eyes of her unknown stalker. We even see the hands of this first person come into the frame. Reminiscent of the film noir Lady in the Lake (1947).
When the mystery man finally speaks to the prostitute she seemed to recognize him which cleverly throws the audience of guard. Another good touch was the Rippers musical pocket watch that the camera cuts to as he 'rips' her.
Cheers to Malcom McDowell who pulled off playing the intelligent free thinker, Victorian gentlemen H.G. Welles...he played him to a tee.
This was Mary Steenburgen second major film and she does have a weird way of talking in this film. She spoke very slowly, almost like she was dazed or dimwitted. But her character was supposedly a smart, self made woman. I liked her in this film anyway. Her and Malcom had good chemistry. In fact they married shortly after this film.
Perennial bad guy character actor, David Warner plays the infamous Jack the Ripper. A man of taste and intelligence but lacking a conscious. Warner is a strong point in this film and the perfect juxtaposition to McDowells H.G. Wells character.
The time machine looked good too. It was different than the time machine used in the The Time Machine (1960). The special time travel effects were pretty bad even by 1979 standards. Oh well, the movie isn't about effects, it's about romance and about ideas and adventure too.
The film had an underlying theme...in the beginning of the film Wells tells his house guest that the future will be a peaceful utopian society. This then sets the stage as the idealistic dreamer Wells, meets the fast pace, aggressive late 20th century.
There were a few plot holes that bugged me as Wells goes about matching wits with Jack the Ripper. Overall it was an enjoyable ride.
Time After Time (1979)
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen, David Warner
Genre: Sci Fi Adventure, Drama, Romance
Length: 112 minutes
Premise: In London 1893 inventor H.G. Wells has gathered together a group of his friends to tell them of his latest invention, a time machine. Elsewhere, Jack the Ripper has struck again. Fleeing the police he manages to steal the time machine, escaping into the future, 1979. Wells then pursues the Ripper to San Francisco in attempt to stop him.
Review: The art direction of Victorian era London was well done. One could almost feel like you were there. We see cobble stone streets, covered in eerie fog, with puddles of water afoot. The lamps are gas lamps, you can see them flicker.
The opening shot starts with a first person perspective from behind a low, wrought iron fence. Then as a prostitute walks down the street, the camera approaches her, as if it was the eyes of her unknown stalker. We even see the hands of this first person come into the frame. Reminiscent of the film noir Lady in the Lake (1947).
When the mystery man finally speaks to the prostitute she seemed to recognize him which cleverly throws the audience of guard. Another good touch was the Rippers musical pocket watch that the camera cuts to as he 'rips' her.
Cheers to Malcom McDowell who pulled off playing the intelligent free thinker, Victorian gentlemen H.G. Welles...he played him to a tee.
This was Mary Steenburgen second major film and she does have a weird way of talking in this film. She spoke very slowly, almost like she was dazed or dimwitted. But her character was supposedly a smart, self made woman. I liked her in this film anyway. Her and Malcom had good chemistry. In fact they married shortly after this film.
Perennial bad guy character actor, David Warner plays the infamous Jack the Ripper. A man of taste and intelligence but lacking a conscious. Warner is a strong point in this film and the perfect juxtaposition to McDowells H.G. Wells character.
The time machine looked good too. It was different than the time machine used in the The Time Machine (1960). The special time travel effects were pretty bad even by 1979 standards. Oh well, the movie isn't about effects, it's about romance and about ideas and adventure too.
The film had an underlying theme...in the beginning of the film Wells tells his house guest that the future will be a peaceful utopian society. This then sets the stage as the idealistic dreamer Wells, meets the fast pace, aggressive late 20th century.
There were a few plot holes that bugged me as Wells goes about matching wits with Jack the Ripper. Overall it was an enjoyable ride.