Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Celebrating a Movie the Critics Hated: The Bizarre Cult of "Somewhere in Time"
American Thinker ^ | 10/6/2013 | David Paulin

Posted on 11/15/2013 3:42:28 PM PST by SeekAndFind

Message to high-brow movie critics and cultural elites: Stay away from the Grand Hotel on Michigan's Mackinac Island this weekend. No cynicism allowed! Not among the nearly 800 "time travelers" who arrived on Friday at the historic Grand Hotel -- the start of a three-day gathering during which they'll dress up in period garb and (in their minds) transport themselves back to 1912.

The fanciful journey has been an annual ritual for 23 years now, bringing together incurable romantics from all over the country, and even abroad. It's a celebration of the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time"-- a bittersweet love story involving time travel and shot mostly in and around the majestic 126-year-old Grand Hotel.

The film's message: love is eternal.

Critics hated "Somewhere in Time." Vincent Canby wrote in The New York Times that the film had the year's highest "giggle content," and "does for time-travel what the Hindenburg did for dirigibles." Deriding the film's "romantic idealism," Roger Ebert asked in the Chicago Sun-Times whether it wasn't "a little futile to travel 68 years backward into time for a one-night stand."

Yet "Somewhere in Time" is now a beloved cult classic -- all of which underscores the amusing perception gap that often exists between ordinary movie audiences and cultural elites (and especially movie critics). But that's not news to Jo Addie, an antiques dealer in the Chicago area, who is president of the "Somewhere in Time" fan club and editor of its quarterly magazine. "You could hardly imagine a critic putting words to paper saying they truly love a movie like "Somewhere in Time," she wrote in an e-mail message. "It would have them losing their 'credibility' or their 'edge'. "Somewhere in Time" is not for the jaded or cynical."

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: History; Society; TV/Movies; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: christpherreeves; janeseymour; movie; somewhereintime
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121 next last
To: untwist

Wait. Set in 1912? I thought it was 1905. I retract half my post to you.


81 posted on 11/15/2013 6:37:10 PM PST by null and void (I'm betting on an Obama Trifecta: A Nobel Peace Prize, an Impeachment, AND a War Crimes Trial...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: savagesusie
I think Jane Seymour is a much better actor than Reeves-—but Reeves was absolutely perfect in Superman. (Sexy wasn’t necessary although he was very cute). I don’t think I liked any of his other movies very much.

Superman is fine with a Robocop personality. Joe Friday from Krypton.

Jane Seymour has one of the combinations of beauty and talent I've ever seen. Right up there with Audrey Hepburn. Lee Remick might be in that category too.

82 posted on 11/15/2013 6:38:14 PM PST by Steely Tom (If the Constitution can be a living document, I guess a corporation can be a person.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg; SeekAndFind

Lovely movie...Planning a trip to Mackinac Island next year.


83 posted on 11/15/2013 6:49:03 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: null and void

In my system, you could travel to any time but its NOT your timeline, its not the same “world” you came from. The farther back you the farther the time line is off from the one you left.


84 posted on 11/15/2013 6:57:12 PM PST by GeronL (Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: GeronL
I think I saw it. Thought it was weird and moved on.

Not even sure you saw the movie but remember it as weird and then moved on? Fiction.

85 posted on 11/15/2013 7:12:07 PM PST by Misterioso
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Though it’s been a very long time, think I rather liked the movie.

Of course critics would hate it, if it has a message that isn’t destructive.

Mark


86 posted on 11/15/2013 7:14:44 PM PST by MarkL (Do I really look like a guy with a plan?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

To appreciate Rachmaninoff’s composition, you must hear it performed by a symphony orchestra.


87 posted on 11/15/2013 7:19:25 PM PST by Misterioso
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: lulu16
It is so passionate and stirring. The only thing is the original is not long enough for me. I wanted more variations on the theme.

If by 'the original' you mean the Rachmaninoff Variations on a Theme of Paganini, one can't fault the composition for not being long enough. Repeated playing works for me. You might like more variations but a different composer: Johannes Brahms.

http://tinyurl.com/lhslosp

88 posted on 11/15/2013 7:29:58 PM PST by Misterioso
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

One of my favorites from back in day. Didn’t know this event took place.


89 posted on 11/15/2013 7:51:34 PM PST by day10 (Integrity has no need of rules.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
After he broke his neck, it was considered impolite to note that Christopher Reeves was not a very good actor.

Seriously, he was a wooden plank.

90 posted on 11/15/2013 7:56:24 PM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Great score here. I also love Barry’s music for BODY HEAT - perfection.


91 posted on 11/15/2013 7:57:58 PM PST by Argus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
Going to have to scrape up the money to take DH to one of those weekends.

He likes the movie.

92 posted on 11/15/2013 8:04:34 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Okay after hearing about this film for years, we finally watched it. What a load. Okay. granted, the premise was fine, but the execution was horrible.

The film looked like a made for TV two camera type production. What’s his name way over acted. Scenes were run over and over to hit us over the head like we aren’t intelligent enough to make the connections.

Horrible movie. Poor execution. But could have been an interesting plot.

We don’t get it, but then again, lots of folks still gather for midnight screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Each to his own I guess.


93 posted on 11/15/2013 8:32:23 PM PST by abigkahuna (I have achieved the goal of semi-literacy through public schooling.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: null and void

I wasn’t focused on the details of the penny beyond the significance of its creation in the 70’s in light of his ability to will himself to create a 1912 state of mind and being. This was his story, and he had to create the environment to support his state of being to move his consciousness. The painstaking steps he did to create this 1912 state of being excites the imagination of the viewer. I liked it because of his extreme faith in the focus of mind and heart - very akin to praying and meditation. In life we often pray to God to alter our conditions or attitudes toward the conditions of our lives - we ask for miracles. Chris Reeves’ character has strong enough faith and belief to achieve that consciousness and fulfill the miracle of his dream. It is fascinating and thrilling.

The point I saw in it was that his faith in his love with Elise was deep but yet fragile. The crushing find of the penny broke his faith and stripped away his trust in the miracle of his extraordinary experience. Really the story was very spiritual as it reminds us about the power of faith and trust. It was very painful but at its core resembles a lot of what we experience in real life and the choices we have to make.


94 posted on 11/15/2013 9:13:36 PM PST by untwist (One Bad-Assed Mistake, America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: lulu16

I understand. This story hits your heart and soul because it reminds you about faith and your ability to fulfill your dreams. It was a great story.


95 posted on 11/15/2013 9:16:08 PM PST by untwist (One Bad-Assed Mistake, America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Argus

I have a nice collection of 80’s movies soundtracks and I don’t have any except Somewhere in Time. This has been a great thread for me. I’m buying albums on ebay this week...


96 posted on 11/15/2013 10:30:49 PM PST by lulu16 (May the Good Lord take a liking to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: Misterioso

I do play it over and over, too. I also remember this movie in a black and white English film about possible marital infidelity.


97 posted on 11/15/2013 10:32:18 PM PST by lulu16 (May the Good Lord take a liking to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: untwist

Thank-you for the reminder of prayer and faith. We have God’s power available, we just have to trust with all our heart and soul. I will think of the story with your interpretation in mind.


98 posted on 11/15/2013 10:34:52 PM PST by lulu16 (May the Good Lord take a liking to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

To: untwist

I “loved” the penny part, too. It’s a good movie and have enjoyed the music from it for years. Even have the main theme on my homepage.


99 posted on 11/15/2013 10:44:19 PM PST by beaversmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: untwist

Nice post in 94.


100 posted on 11/15/2013 10:46:36 PM PST by beaversmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson