Excellent Adventures: The Time Travel Movie Podcast

It's time to relax & take in the mountain air with Paul, Ellen & James as they enjoy watching the same 2 minutes repeat over & over for the staff of a winter ryokan and restaurant in Kibune, Kyoto. A Japanese comedy film directed by Junta Yamaguchi, written by Makoto Ueda, and starring Riko Fujitani. 

1993 was the year not of one but two dinosaur movies from Steven Spielberg. The first was Jurassic Park (in a sense  maybe the DNA was a time travel device…) and the second movie is a much lesser-known title in Spielberg’s filmography as producer; namely We’re Back! A Dinosaur Story. Adapted from a book by Hudson Talbot, this animated movie (produced by the Amblimation studio that was established in London in 1989) tells the story of time travelling dinosaurs who find themselves transported to late 20th century New York. Comic adventures ensue as does a slightly more menacing scenario involving a circus. A playful and bright cel-animated movie, We’re Back! deserves discovery if animated time travel movies are your particular interest and if you’re a completist in relation to Spielberg’s dino-movie productions. 

Field of Dreams is a landmark fantasy / sports movie that was released in spring of 1989 across the US. It arrived in the UK late that same year. An adaptation of W.P.Kinsella’s novel Shoeless Joe, the movie proved to be very popular in America and found an appreciative audience overseas.  Amidst the story’s richly expressed Americana, and its strain of fantasy and whimsy, the overarching character stories are convincingly explored and presented. Whatever else the film might be, it’s an affecting family drama.  Elegantly filmed, with appealing performances from its cast, Field of Dreams continues to enjoy recognition and popularity as a piece of Americana with international appeal.  As a fantasy movie, Field of Dreams offers up a satisfying time-travel story element that feeds into the emotional, and perhaps even melodramatic, quality of the movie. 

Paul invites longest-serving chum & model builder extraordinare Matt Peerless to chat about the time machine of Back to the Future: the DMC DeLorean sports car. They discuss its history as a collectible, the versions across the trilogy & what makes the car the Star!

A somewhat forgotten, lavishly produced science fiction road trip movie, Tomorrowland (2015) owes much to the folklore around Walt Disney and Disneyland. An adventure story about a trek to reach Tomorrowland, the movie has its time travel / time warping element to it as protagonists Frank, Casey and Athena embark on a journey that explores the value of pursuing dreams, the dynamic between humans and technology, past / present and future and the ever-appealing idea of rocketeering through the skies by virtue of a rocket backpack. Directed by Brad Bird, Tomorrowland is a heartening movie that sits well with Bird's earlier films Ratatouille and The Iron Giant

In this mini excellent adventure, Ellen and her mum Joy dive into Samurai in Time, a film that blends some of their favourite cinematic flavours: slick swordplay, time-travel twists, and a peek behind the curtain of the film industry. Recorded on the drive home from Chichester Cinema at New Park, after a screening presented by the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme in 2025. Links: https://www.jpf-film.org.uk/  https://chichestercinema.org/ 

Join Ellen, Paul and James in a wide-ranging discussion that begins with Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name.   What starts as an exploration of the film’s narrative - two strangers connected across time and space - expands into a conversation about memory, identity and the human desire for connection.   They consider how films like Your Name reflect deeper cultural questions about fate, loss, and longing and why stories of chance encounters continue to resonate.

Celebrating a whopping 50 episodes of Excellence. Ellen, James & Paul reflect on highlights of 2 years Podcasting together, lessons learned & what the Future still holds. Tune in & celebrate along with them!

This episode, Paul Hosts & invites Ellen & James to a mini quiz on the cinema of the Summer of 1989. With the picture painted, it’s a race against Time to stop a devil of a scheme to undo creation itself.   Discussing the performances of Richard E Grant, Julian Sands & Lori Singer, there’s also much praise for Jerry Goldsmith’s score.   Oh & Paul was really pleased to finally suggest something Time Travelly that Ellen hadn’t already seen!

Robert Zemeckis, co-writer  and director of Back to the Future (1985), returns to the world of the time travel movie with this lively and very faithful adaptation of the Charles Dickens story.  Produced as a performance capture movie, and released in 2009, the film has a visual dynamism and invention to it that makes it an especially effective version of the source material.  Jim Carrey’s performance across several roles is fascinating and the sense of atmosphere and place, and of menace and of whimsy, are beautifully realised.    Amidst the visual spectacle of the movie, the core ideas that Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey articulate are not overshadowed.    For James, this adaptation of A Christmas Carol is one of the very best there has ever been. The movie also works as an excellent double-bill with Zemeckis’s other Christmas movie, The Polar Express (2004).   BONUS: Stay tuned at the end for a short report from Alexandra Palace by Ellen & Paul of the stage adaptation by Mark Gatiss, showing to 4th January 2026.

Our Christmas special two-parter takes a festive leap through time (and film history) as we each pick our favourite Christmas Carol adaptation. Obviously, the correct choice is The Muppet Christmas Carol - which I selected, of course! Michael Caine delivers a perfectly straight-faced Scrooge performance amid singing frogs and bantering ghosts, but it’s Gonzo (as Charles Dickens) who truly steals the show. Narrating the story with unexpected heart and a fair bit of slapstick help from Rizzo, he brings both the comedy and the classic text to life. It’s that rare adaptation that’s both hilarious and genuinely moving - and proof that the Muppets really can improve any classic.   Oh, & Paul's pick - the 1951 Scrooge starring Alastair Sim. That's not too shabby either. Bring a bag of humbugs. Put your feet up in front of the fire. Enjoy Part One...

This week, Ellen is joined by Jen Francis - a freelance TV producer and writer whose work spans original scripts, television development and sharp-eyed film criticism. Jen is also the author of Steve McQueen: In The Scene (2025), a new non-fiction study of the director’s craft. https://www.aurorametro.com/product/steve-mcqueen-book/   Together, Ellen and Jen dive into the irresistible world of time-traveling Jane Austen adaptations: Love & Jane (Hallmark, 2024), An American in Austen (Hallmark, 2024), and ITV’s cult miniseries Lost in Austen (2008).   Why do these stories of portals, swaps and “out-of-time” heroines keep captivating a udiences? And what do they reveal about the enduring appeal of Austen herself?   They also celebrate their joint contribution to Encounters with Jane Austen — a brand-new anthology of short stories, essays, and poetry marking the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth in 2025 (Supernova Books). A thoughtful, celebratory collection — and an ideal Christmas gift for Austen fans everywhere. https://www.aurorametro.com/product/encounters-with-jane-austen/

A visually arresting adaptation of the poem ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ , David Lowery’s film is fascinating. It’s a Christmas movie , for sure, and it includes a time travel thread in the tapestry of its tale. What more could you ask for? Inventive, and imbued with a tangible sense of magic, the film prompts an enthusiastic conversation between James and Ellen for this episode.

James and Paul are MIA, but Ellen is forging ahead solo into the wonderfully absurd world of Hallmark Time Travel Movies. From pocket watches that open wormholes to Victorian men horrified by toasters, she breaks down the rules, the romance, and the time-bending tropes that make this subgenre so irresistibly unhinged. Buckle up—time travel waits for no one!

Time travel, medieval mayhem, and a crooning Yankee - what more could you want? Ellen, Paul, and James dive into A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949) and its literary origins in Mark Twain’s groundbreaking novel.   Join them as they explore the surprising legacy of this fantastical fish-out-of-water story - complete with an eclipse, a sneaky almanac, and Bing Crosby bringing swing to Camelot.

Recorded over a 13 month period - the Excellent Adventurers are proud to present a chat with possibly the only person left on the planet who had not seen the Back to the Future trilogy - Ellen's Mum! Paul captures the initial & eventual reactions to Parts I & III, while Ellen gets the complicated one in the middle with II! 

The Time Travelling Trio return to the third in the trilogy for the second time. Huh? Episode 14 was a Mini Excellent Adventure with guest Nigel Smith, who pipped for this as a favourite to chat about. James & Paul felt left out, so promised Ellen she could do an episode about Hallmark movies, & so this grand revisit came about. In so many ways, the romance with Christopher Lloyd & Mary Steenbergen is just a big tease for Ellen & Paul, who promise to get to Time After Time one of these days!

Paul's been wanting to explore David Lynch's twisty Noir nightmare with a like-minded admirer for ages. Is it Time Travel or Not? Paul asked this at a screening of the movie in 2024 at the Worthing Connaught - & is here joined by Film Manager of the cinema James Tully, to definitively put to bed & answer all mysteries of the film. I mean, how hard can it be? Find the Worthing Connaught here: https://wtm.uk/  And here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connaughtcinema/?igsh=c3VwbnVkbzJ3Mmw2   

Ellen, James & Paul explore "the Feels" within this charming Time Loop Romedy. Kyle Allen & Kathryn Newton are living the same day over & are actually pretty happy about it. Then they start to question if there is a reason, & what would happen if they made a map of their findings.  Sweet. Uplifting. Great to look at. But enough about us - you should see the movie too. 

Join Ellen and special guest Jamie Dyer, founder of Old Time Review and host of The Quo-Cast and Vintage Animation Millennial, as they embark on a mini excellent adventure through the classic 1960 film The Time Machine, directed by George Pal. In this episode, Ellen and Jamie delve into a broad discussion of the film’s enduring appeal, from its imaginative take on time travel to Pal’s pioneering stop-frame animation. They also take a closer look at three key scenes: the mesmerising first journey through time, the unsettling arrival in 1966, and the poignant discovery of crumbling books in the far future. Blending thoughtful analysis with personal memories, this episode is a must-listen for fans of classic cinema and sci-fi storytelling.

This Czech comedy-drama by Director Jindřich Polák had Ellen & Paul in giggling fits, what with a parrot squawking "Heil Hitler," a funky score & a tight script that really knew how to play with the fun of looping over & over your own Timeline.   Join them to find out what the Nazi plan involving a nuclear bomb was all about & how a circus family with a trampoline & skeleton-eating washing-up liquid get involved!

Paul finally gets off his chest a decades-long theory about Kubrick's classic, & finds all new aspects of the film to (maybe) support it. This kicks off a l'il sideline of episodes in which he poses the question: Is it Time Travel or Not? There will be more. As with all such things, it's just a matter of making the time!

James & Paul storm the beach with Tom Cruise & Emily Blunt for this fantastic sci-fi action movie. It features one of the most intriguing reasons for Time Travel as plot device, which Paul traces back to the the Japanese light novel All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. It's an unusual role for Cruise, scripted by multiple-movie collaborator Christopher McQuarrie.  11 years later. Where have movies like this gone? 

Paul puts his trainers back on for this Indian Hindi-language comedy-thriller film directed by Aakash Bhatia. It's an official adaptation of the award-winning German film Run Lola Run by Tom Tykwer, and stars Taapsee Pannu and Tahir Raj Bhasin in the lead roles.

The gang learn some choice German words from this dazzling - & surprisingly short - fast-paced drama from director Tom Tykwer. The movie put Franke Potente on the movie map & made everyone wanna go jogging.*   *Last part may not be true.

For this mini adventure episode, James has a conversation with director Chris Reading about his new movie, Time Travel Is Dangerous. Their conversation takes in the delights of the time travel genre, the ways in which the movie developed and the challenges involved in bringing it to the screen. Time Travel Is Dangerous had its big screen release in the UK and Ireland in March 2025 and is scheduled for screenings in America this spring. The movie’s website can be reached here: https://www.timetravelisdangerous.com  

The trio all know a good Sandra Bullock Time Travel movie when they see it. Which raises some discussion about this tragic tale of a wife living a week of days out of chronological order. The real tragedy being that one day her husband is alive. The next he's not. Then he is again. And so on. Sort of.    Featuring Ellen's all-time favourite trope of the surprise-house-gift, this was a fun one to record!    

Paul dissects another in the teen-girl-sent-back-in-time-to-stop-serial-killer sub-genre, linking back to episode 24, about It's a Wonderful Knife. The pitch of Scream meets Back to the Future is already feeling a little tired, but these aren't likely to disappear any time soon. 

The trio travel to a hilltop in radiant Italian countryside to a Lab where a portal is playing havoc on a Father/ son relationship & who did what first - & when.  The film by writer/ director Ciro Sorrentino is also known as Time Perspectives.         

Ellen chats with filmmaker Mat Braddy about his award-winning short film Deus Otiosus, which explores themes similar to time travel, and discusses one of his favourite time manipulation films, Arrival.   Formerly the Global CMO of Just Eat, Mat has since completed a Master’s in Film at Raindance, earned acclaim at international festivals, and is currently developing an audio drama about the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin.   @matbraddy.bsky.social https://frenzyfilms.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alMS8VfK1SY

The time-travelling trio delve into the chaos and charm of Cinderella III: A Twist in Time. Amidst the magical mishaps and fractured fairy tales, they uncover the heartfelt themes of love, resilience and second chances. Despite the twists and turns, the discussion highlights the humour and heart of this underrated gem in Disney's sequel canon.

In October 2023, Ellen and Paul recorded their impressions of The Time Traveller's Wife: The Musical, performed at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. The musical featured music by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame) and lyrics by Joss Stone. Despite its high-profile contributors, the show received mixed-to-poor reviews and ran for only a limited number of weeks.   Listen to one of the songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dtkFQKLszY

Ellen & Paul discuss the film in comparison to the book, & allude to the TV show. 'cos this idea's been around a wee bit! Do they think Eric Bana & Rachel McAdams make the perfect couple to deal with the oddity of time travel with remarkable ease? Tune in to find out!

Paul goes solo for a bit of a worried whinge about a spate of Horror/ Comedy/ Time Travel films forming their own little sub-genre.

The trio had to make the trip to Bedford Falls at some point to discuss all things Jimmy Stewart in this Christmas classic.

Paul travels back to the height of Jean Claude van Damme's career to chat with special guest, author James Swallow. James is a British author. A BAFTA nominee and a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 best-seller, he is the author of several original books and tie-in novels, as well as short fiction, numerous audio dramas and video games. From the 18th onwards through December, he’s releasing MOSCOW RULES, a free 10-part serial novella from his Marc Dane thriller series, available first through his Reader’s Club mailing list  https://mailchi.mp/2d6bae5d4c9d/jswallowreadersclubsignup). His Space: 1999 and UFO novellas are out now (https://shop.gerryanderson.com/products/space-1999-the-armageddon-engine-signed-limited-edition-hardcover-novel and https://shop.gerryanderson.com/products/ufo-shadow-play-hardcover-novel) and he’s got a new Star Trek: Strange New Worlds novel up for pre-order, releasing in April (https://mybook.to/stsnwttn).

The trio explore the meaning & mysteries of Ingmar Bergman's classic old man journey. For all the bittersweet & tragedy of the piece, the chat manages to find the happy & the humorous in what often features upon lists of Greatest Films of All Time.

Recorded in November 2022, Ellen & Paul enthuse over the Laurence Olivier Award-winning show at London's Adelphi Theatre.

Of course the gang would get here eventually, but there's just so much to talk about. This is therefore Part One of Ellen, James & Paul discussing the first part of the trilogy. Paul Hosts - with a susprise in format for the others...

Paul is joined by Karen McCreedy, author of the Unreachable Skies sci-fi trilogy. Both are keen Star Trek fans - which may just show... For Ellen's benefit: it's the one about whales!    

The trio of time travel chatters put their minds to making some start & end to Jacques Rivette's amazing tale set in the lesser know streets of Paris of the early 70s. Allusions to Alice's wonderland, boiled sweets, cats & murder all swirl into something any fan of David Lynch ought to find great affinity with.

Ellen & Paul throw around some immediate thoughts, immediately following a joint viewing. It's a mini excellent adventure, but an enthusiastic one: both having been pleasantly surprised by everything about this Australian production.

Back to the 1990s - where Paul loves to lurk for Time Travel that splurged onto the scene in the wake of Back to the Future. This stars Jeff Daniels with a young Ariana Richards (Jurassic Park) as his daughter - hosts to a strange busload of tourists... Released on video under the name "Grand Tour: Disaster in Time" - it packs in some great Time Travel twists & a super central couple (!) of performances by Daniels.

In this week’s mini excellent adventure, Ellen Cheshire is joined by special guest Nigel Smith of Nigel Smith Walking Tours. Together, they step back in time to the nostalgic memories of "Back to the Future Part III," the film that ignited Nigel's lifelong passion for movies, cinemas, and classic Westerns. Walk with us as we explore how this cinematic journey set Nigel on a unique path, blending his love for the silver screen with the rich, historical landscapes of London. Book a walking tour... https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/nigel-smith-guided-walking-tours-51402283783 Nigel's socials... https://linktr.ee/nigelsmithwalks

The trio nip across The Channel to La Belle France with a box of tissues, to get rather misty eyed with the very, very sweet & wonderful feature film by Céline Sciamma. A complete surprise for Paul & James; this tale of the friendship between 2 small girls tests the chaps, while Ellen nods knowingly.

Ellen & Extra Special Guest Joy Cheshire (Mum) watch & discuss this Derek Jarman cult classic & debate the Time Travel framing device. Adam Ant! Toyah! Richard O'Brien! Little Nell! It's back to the Seventies for a dose of Punk!

The most non-heinous origin of the Podcast's charm, mini-Golf scores & the name above the door. The Time Travel Trio do their research for a History Report for your listening pleasure. How do you get so many personages of historical significance into one phone booth? What is a Geek? Who stole Ted's Dad's keys? Listen in & find out.*   *Listening in not guaranteed to provide answers.   We acknowledge that our logo is AI-generated. Currently, we are not making any money from this podcast; in fact, the costs are adding up for us! However, if we do start making money from this podcast, we will commission a new logo from an artist or graphic designer. 

The chums chat about the franchise world-setter, Schwarzenegger, 80s hair, the FX & the tight script that created the most iconic Arnie character of all Time.

A solo adventure for James, enjoying the penmanship of Chalie Kaufman for this Dreamworks Animation movie, with a Time Travel twist.

Adventurers Ellen & Paul take in the show in London, giggling at the tomfoolery & gasping at the stage tricks for Phil Connors living his day over & over.   Posted in advance of The Olivier Awards, for which it was Nominated for Best Musical Revival.