Time Runner (1993) - Because You Watched Starcrash

“Christ! I’m getting tired of this guy!” This week your Distinguished Professors continue their run through time travel cinema with 1993’s Mark Hamill vehicle Time Runner! Topics discussed include the alternate title, its setting in 2022 (the future is now!!!!), why you just can’t trust a guy named Neila, ripping off both The Terminator and Star Wars, how the demand for knock-off movies was vital back in the video store ecosystem, dramatic reveals, the intense Canadian-ness of Karen Donaldson, wormhole time travel, the distinctive look of Brion James, the mystery of the disappearance of adult Raynor, Arnie’s killing spree, a fine connection to classic X-Files episode “Humbug,” why you don’t just reach into a crashed alien draft without wearing gloves, overbearing soundtracks, connections back to Yoyodyne (and Berres gets the title of The Crying of Lot 49 wrong), some musings about the mystery of being ordered to copulate with one’s self, the inexplicability of the aliens’ plot and motives, trying to identify Raynor’s generation, generic political speech of the 90s, a plug for Soylent Green, a rundown of Star Wars comparisons, pointless jump scares, randomly killing soldiers apparently doesn’t mess with the timeline, the cliché of the villain’s swivel chair reveal (with bonus steepled fingers!), and the promise of 70s ladies in sexy futurewear next time!