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Best Time Travel Films ever made (20+1list)

Best Time Travel Films ever made

written by Souranath Banerjee

 

Time-Travel-Films

Best Time Travel Films ever made – We, the mortals have been fascinated with the idea of Time Travel probably ever since the time we have grasped the concept of ‘Time’ itself.

Keeping in mind H. G. Wells‘s epic science fiction novel The Time Machine, numerous books and films have been conceptualized on time travelers who seems to have the magical ability to effortlessly leap through their past, present and future; an unclenched human desire unfortunately impossible in reality (yet).

Be it the recent Christopher Nolan movie Interstellar or the blockbuster Matrix trilogy directed by The Wachowski Time-Travel-FilmsBrothers; though these movies are more focused on the metaphysical angle but somehow the inherent philosophy of time traveling is very much embedded in them. 

And so many other films have taken this concept of jumping in time to such unique levels of imagination!

Basically, we are desperately in search of a world where time machine exists, time travel is possible, and time travelers no longer has to be those mysterious characters of some SiFi cinema.

Well, best of luck but till that time comes, lets enjoy some of the Best Time Travel Films ever made!

20. Donnie Darko (2001)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPeGaos7DB4

Time-Travel-FilmsDonnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), the troubled unpopular teenager whose imaginary friend (an oversized bunny named Frank) tells him a unique secret – ’28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds. That is when the world will end.’

Now what does Donnie do?

Directed by Richard Kelly, an amazing concept; one of the most popular and brilliant Time Travel Film of all time!

19. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_ULXRMvU7k

Time-Travel-FilmsA school girl learns the unique secret to time travel, and her new ability though at first seems pretty awesome, but later becomes difficult for her to handle.

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, this artistic young Japanese anime flick tells a well crafted emotional story that points out the few ingenious problems faced only by those who have learnt to travel through time.

18. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_8WZxHScMk

Time-Travel-FilmsA particular gene causes a man to time travel involuntarily but though it seems fun and magical in the beginning it eventually takes a toll on his married life!

Directed by Robert Schwentke, this is one of the few successful time-travel romantic movies that actually involves you emotionally.

Starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams a film worth your time!

17. Source Code (2011)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiBVUulE_wo

Time-Travel-FilmsA soldier is set on an experimental government program where his consciousness is being inserted into another human to alter the reality but then he has very less time for his mission – he lives only eight minutes before it restarts!

Directed by Duncan Jones, this is a super-cool time travel flick starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga.

16. Primer (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nj5MMURCm8

Time-Travel-FilmsFour budding entrepreneurs built some device that they soon realize can be also used as a time-machine!

But this film is much more philosophical than any other so called time-travel flicks.

Shane Carruth‘s debut film, he being the lead-actor, writer, director and also the producer of this amazing movie redefines the very concept of independent cinema.

15. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010)

Suzumiya Haruhi no shôshitsu (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFvd94LPU4U

Time-Travel-FilmsOne morning you make up and your world has changed – one of your friend goes missing and the others don’t seem to recognize you at all!

The main characters and the plot of this movie originates from the popular anime TV Series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006). But even if you haven’t seen the series the film directed by Tatsuya Ishihara and Yasuhiro Takemoto is a great watch!

14. Mr. Nobody (2009) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpi0qsp3v_w

Time-Travel-Films‘You have to make the right choice. As long as you don’t choose, everything remains possible.’

Year 2092, a one hundred eighteen year old man is recounting his strange life story – the choices he made or could have made.

Jared Leto at his best, written and directed by Jaco Van Dormael, a brilliantly executed concept that portrays the illusions of life involving the past, the present and the future!

13. Looper (2012)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iQuhsmtfHw

Time-Travel-FilmsA professional “looper” is a hired henchman who use time travel to terminate his targets, men who are sent from the future to the past to be killed by him! But what if his future self becomes the target of his own past?

Directed by Rian Johnson, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily BluntPaul DanoJeff Daniels – a cool action-packed time-travel drama.

12. The Thirteenth Floor (1999)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF6etkcJp_c

Time-Travel-FilmsA computer generated parallel world has been created by a group of scientists but then the unexpected murder of the elderly member of this company automatically turns his colleague into a potential suspect!

An underrated time-travel mystery with an innovative story line, directed by Josef Rusnak and starring Craig Bierko, Gretchen Mol, Armin Mueller-Stahl.

11. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_yJBUaNnpY

Time-Travel-FilmsFrom 1912 to Arthurian Britain, 528 A.D, a mechanic is teleported back in time – a splendid comedy and one of first movie that popularized the idea of time-travel!

Adopted from Mark Twain‘s popular SiFi novel by the same name, actually there are multiple films based on this novel but this one directed by Tay Garnett and starring Bing Crosby is the most successful one!

10. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_dgqfPXFg

Time-Travel-Films

Some people want to forget their past but some people want to change it. But at what cost?

This film is one insane back and forth ride between the past and the present, with some super cool plot twists and thrilling sequences.

With two sequels to follow, this was a well-crafted film directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber

The other two sequels though not as popular as the first one: The Butterfly Effect 2 (2006)The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009).

9. Triangle (2009)

Time-Travel-Films

A deserted ship seems to be the best rescue plan for a group of passengers stranded in the ocean. Or is it?

A dangerous outcome of repetitive events that seem to occur no matter what you do to stop it.

Directed by Christopher Smith, a real cool concept where a never ending cycle of events keep haunting you till the end.

8. About Time (2013)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7A810duHvw

Time-Travel-FilmsAt the age 21, a young boy’s father reveals to him that the men in their family can actually time-travel whenever they wish and change their lives accordingly!

And with the help of this unique ability the young boy goes out to fall in love and make his life a better place, but it isn’t as easy as it seems.

Directed by Richard Curtis, a beautiful love story with a time-travel angle.

7. Timecrimes (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvlTcH4KCWk

Time-Travel-Films

Traveling in time can be fun for most people but in this Spanish thriller, things get real messy when a man goes back in time and finds his own life to be in danger!

With several plot twists and intense paranoia, the innovative screenplay keeps you hooked till the very end.

A clever, very well crafted time-travel film by director Nacho Vigalondo

6. The Jacket (2005)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCxQ83Pg1Ko

Time-Travel-Films

A Gulf war veteran wrongly accused of murder ends up in a mental asylum, put in a straight jacket and tortured.

But this gives him the unique ability to visit into his future and see things that will happen and this unusual power changes his life for ever.

Directed by John Maybury, an interesting take on taking a peep into the future.

5. Predestination (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayAt1BZmJH0

Time-Travel-FilmsDirected by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig (as The Spierig Brothers), this is surprisingly one of the most underrated time-travel films in spite of being highly entertaining and a very innovative storyline!

A tale of a time-traveling agent who is set on his final assignment to capture an elusive criminal but there is a unique surprise that awaits him at the end!

4. Twelve Monkeys (1995)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuggl3cZD8A

Time-Travel-FilmsTime machine does exist and a man is sent back to the past to find the cause of an epidemic man-made virus that has wiped out most of the human population.

Can he find the maker of the virus and save the planet?

Directed by Terry Gilliam, this is one unique Si Fi tale that is both thrilling and unpredictable, brilliant performances and great script.  

3. Groundhog Day (1993)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSVeDx9fk60

Time-Travel-Films

A pompous weatherman is stuck in a time loop and he is forced to relive a particular day again and again!

Directed by Harold Ramis, this is a brilliantly unusual twist that turns the general time-travel film’s pattern upside down. 

My all time favorite, a classic time-travel comedy that guarantees you a good time and enough laughs for weeks!

2. The Terminator (1984)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHz95RYUbik

Time-Travel-FilmsDirected by none other than James Cameron, the first installment of the remarkable idea where a machine is sent from the future to kill one particular girl in the present world who holds the key to the epic man Vs machine future battle!

An indestructible cyborg in the human form who seems to be unstoppable and determined to terminate his victim. A revolutionary film of the time!

The other installments that followed the original: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)Terminator Salvation (2009)Terminator Genisys (2015).

1. Back to the Future (1985)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsgGtivCgs

Time-Travel-FilmsA time machine has been invented by a mad scientist and a teenager is accidentally sent back thirty years to the past.

Now the teenager must make sure that his parents should fall for each other so that he can eventually come into existence!

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, probably the most popular time-travel drama ever made.

The other two installments that followed the original one: Back to the Future Part II (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990).

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Les visiteurs (1993)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h23J5YC98FM

Time-Travel-FilmsAn accidental time-travel – a senile sorcerer who teleports a medieval knight and his sidekick from 1123 to the modern-day France – a perfect French comedy, quirky and hilarious!

Underrated and yet a cult classic, directed by Jean-Marie Poiré, with Jean Reno and Christian Clavier in the lead, this is one of the funniest time-travel movies made till date.

A few other films that are not included in the list but are almost as entertaining as any others: The Time Machine (1960)Sleeper (1973), Time After Time (1979), Somewhere in Time (1980), Time Bandits (1981), Blackadder Back & Forth (1999), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Time Lapse (2014). 

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.comwww.impawards.com

Best Lesbian Films ever made (10+1list)

Best Lesbian Films ever made

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Lesbian Films ever made: In the year 2013 a brilliantly artistic film called Blue Is the Warmest Color won the Palme d’Or, the highest honor awarded at the Cannes Film Festival.

Lesbian-filmsDirected by Abdellatif Kechiche, it is (according to me) the most sexually graphic and emotionally potent cinema essentially based on a lesbian relationship.

Now, the word ‘lesbian’ refers to women who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to other women; a female homosexual.

And in spite of homosexuality being a taboo for years, excellent queer films have been made on lesbianism (even on gay or bisexual relationships) throughout the history of world cinema that respects and honestly portrays the love between two human beings regardless of their gender.

So, here are some of the Best Lesbian Films ever made that successfully represents lesbian relationships on celluloid.

10. Bound (1996) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kA0K66yQxo

Lesbian-filmsBefore venturing into the world of The Matrix, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers) debuted in filmmaking with this gritty lesbian sex crime drama!

A suitcase stashed with money ready to be stolen, a master plan that needs to be executed to perfection and two girls who seem to be madly in love – but can they trust each other till the end?

9. My Summer of Love (2004) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1L45nP7FOo

Lesbian-filmsFrom the Oscar Winning director Pawel Pawlikowski, this is the tale of two young women who over the summer season gives company to each other and soon starts a passionate lesbian love affair!

A delicately shot film that tip toes on the trust factor of the relationship, and explores so many facets of women. Though the ending is not exactly what you expect it to be!

8. Margarita, with a Straw (2014)  

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zy3F0WVDK0

Lesbian-filmsDirected by Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar, a film that largely revolves around a lesbian relationship of a young girl with cerebral palsy.

(Click for review)

Finally, an Indian film that dares to explore the sexual urges of a disabled person and also makes us realize that their attractions and infatuations are in no ways different from any of us.

7. Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ2yZjnPwQc

Lesbian-filmsOne of Peter Jackson‘s earlier films, this is a biographical account of two young girls, deeply attached to each other and living in their own fantasy world.

But things turn unfortunate as their parents sensing their friendship to be too intimate than desired, tried to separate them.

The debut film of Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey.

6. Show Me Love (1998)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtpXpFylSn0

Lesbian-filmsTwo cute teenage girls in a small town and their love story – well the film is exactly that and fortunately much more.

Directed by Lukas Moodysson, this is a film that touches the depths of so many emotions and depicts love, friendship and teenage infatuations from a very simple yet realistic point of view.

A film that makes you laugh and cry at the same time.

5. Aimee & Jaguar (1999)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DdmtmVvCBg

Lesbian-filmsDirected by Max Färberböck, the film is about the courageous lesbian relationship between a Jewish girl (disguised under a German name) and a German housewife during the time when Jews were being mercilessly hunted down from all around Europe.

Historically significant as well since it’s a biographical account and it’s captured on screen with such brilliance.

4. Carol (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4z7Px68ywk

Lesbian-filmsA young girl attracted to a married older woman who openly seduces her, an impulsive spark of romance that makes their lives both volatile and euphoric.

(Click for review)

Directed by Todd Haynes, a perfect lesbian love affair beautifully put on screen, a liaison between two people most unexpected of falling in love!

3. The Killing of Sister George (1968)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clqfsd7sYJU

Lesbian-filmsA superb black comedy and a somewhat unusual way of portraying a lesbian relationship.

Brilliantly directed by Robert Aldrich, this film is all about elderly Sister George and her young girlfriend and then the various twists and turns in their relationship.

Excellent characterizations and superlative performances that ensures the film’s brilliance.

2. Fire (1996)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnshN0wqiCo

Lesbian-filmsDirected by Deepa Mehta, this is one powerful Indian film that tells the story of two wives from a middle class family who being frustrated by their loneliness and dissatisfied sex-life ignites a lesbian relationship among themselves.

Bold and thought provoking – though globally appreciated and well received but was predictably banned in India right after its release!

  1. Persona (1966) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amxvetvKfho

Lesbian-filmsA nurse is assigned to take care of an actress who doesn’t want to speak anymore, and soon the two women find themselves curiously attached, and their personas seem to mysteriously coincide with each other.

Though any direct lesbian relationship is never implied in this Swedish classic, but then acclaimed director Ingmar Bergman masterfully plays with the complexity of the women’s psychology and their instincts. A treat to watch for Cinema lovers!

Even in the films like David Lynch‘s Mulholland Drive and Darren Aronofsky‘s Black Swan, the lesbian theme is only a layered part of the main plot.

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most unique one. A must watch).

+1. Mädchen in Uniform (1931)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnlAS-hMtic

Lesbian-filmsA classic lesbian drama (probably the first of its kind), and not surprisingly the film achieved a cult status.

Directed by Leontine Sagan and Carl Froelich, this is the story of a young girl falling in love with her (lady) teacher within the strict restrictions of a boarding school.

The German film though initially had great success was later banned and prints destroyed during the Hitler regime.

A few other Lesbian films which didn’t make the list are:

Club de femmes (1936), The Children’s Hour (1961), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Another Way (1982), The Kids Are All RightLesbian-films (2010), Saving Face (2004), I Can’t Think Straight (2008), Room in Rome (2010), High Art (1998), Desert Hearts (1985), The Fox (1967), The Secrets (2007), The Duke of Burgundy (2014), Monster (2003), Dyketactics (1974) (Short), The Runaways (2010), and The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972).

A few TV Movies that explore lesbian relationships:

If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000), Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (1995), The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010), Daphne (2007), The Truth About Jane (2000) and Gia (1998).

A few TV Series that are essentially developed with lesbian themes:

FingersmithLesbian-films (2005), Tipping the Velvet (2002), Portrait of a Marriage (1990), Sugar Rush (2005), The L Word (2004), Anyone But Me (2008) and South of Nowhere (2005).   

And finally, a few documentaries that explore lesbianism:

Paris Was a Woman (1996), Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement (2009), Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives (1992) and Word Is Out (1977).

Similar Interest: Best Transgender Movies ever made

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