Time travel has always been a cinematic obsession. Whether a smart and devilishly fun destiny-altering device in the Back To The Future franchise, or a method of critiquing the barbarism of modern society in The Planet Of The Apes, or a simple yet classic science-fiction trope in The Time Machine, the art and adventure of rocketing through time proves to be prime movie fodder in a spectrum of fascinating ways.

This month, The Egyptian will offer a weekend series of time-travel films, which will include screenings of Star Trek: First Contact, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Escape From The Planet Of The Apes and Beyond The Time Barrier.

Thursday, April 29 – 7:30 PM

Planet Of The Apes, 1968, 20th Century Fox, 119 min. Dir. Franklin Schaffner. One of the greatest modern sci-fi films, a combination of apocalyptic action and evolutionary parable. Astronaut Charlton Heston finds himself stranded on a strangely familiar world dominated by a race of highly intelligent gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans.

Escape From The Planet Of The Apes, 1971, 20th Century Fox, 98 min. Dir. Don Taylor. When chimpanzees Cornelius and Zira (Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter) mysteriously arrive on earth in a spaceship, they are greeted with wonder and quickly become a media sensation. But this initial excitement turns to suspicion, and the chimp couple find themselves victims of a high-level conspiracy. Art Director Bill Creber will appear for discussion between films.

Friday, April 30 – 7:30 PM

Star Trek: First Contact, 1996, Paramount Pictures, 111 min. Dir. Jonathan Frakes. A terrific installment in the Star Trek franchise in which Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his trusty Enterprise-E reel through time in hot pursuit of rogue Borgs intent on having Earth initiate first contact with alien life.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991, Sony Repertory, 136 min. Dir. James Cameron. Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger is an obsolete killer, sent back as guardian to Linda Hamilton and her teenage son (Edward Furlong).

Saturday, May 1 – 5:00 PM

Back To The Future, 1985, Universal, 117 min. Dir. Robert Zemeckis. Michael J. Fox plays teenager Marty McFly, whose mentor Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) invents a time-traveling Delorean that takes the slacker back to the 1950s. When he inadvertently gets in the way of his teenage parents’ relationship, Fox has to figure out how to get them back together to ensure his own eventual existence.

Back To The Future Part Ii, 1989, Universal, 108 min. Dir. Robert Zemeckis. A series of complex time-travel complications send hero Marty McFly and partner Doc Brown back to the 1955 of the first film after a mishap in 2015 generates a parallel universe.

Back To The Future Part Iii, Universal, 1990, 118 min. Dir. Robert Zemeckis. The final installment starts off with McFly receiving a 100-year-old letter from Doc Brown, who is now happily living in the Wild West. Some historical snooping reveals that Brown was killed a mere week after writing his missive! Time to reignite the Delorean, save his partner and get back to the future. Guests to be announced!

Sunday, May 2 – 7:30 PM

The Time Machine, 1960, Warner Bros., 103 min. Dir. George Pal. The classic adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel, this sci-fi gem follows Rod Taylor as he rockets through space-time to discover a humanity that has divided into two violently warring sects. Winner of Best Special Effects at the 1960 Oscars.

Beyond The Time Barrier, 1960, MGM/UA, 75 min. Dir. Edgar G. Ulmer. High-testosterone pilot Robert Clarke pushes his jet past 5,000 mph – and finds himself catapulted into a crumbling, plague-ridden Utopia of Tomorrow. Shot at a futuristic exhibit at the Texas State Fairgrounds (along with The Amazing Transparent Man), Time Barrier co-stars Ulmer’s daughter, Arianne Ulmer, as the villainous Markova.

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