As a long-time fan of all-things-Science-Fiction, I’ve learned to appreciate both the big budget spectacles as well as the smaller, indie fare, largely because I’m looking for both interesting ideas and winning performances.
Frankly, there doesn’t have to be a lot of special effects. As I’ve grown a bit older and definitely a bit wiser (snicker snicker), I’ve realized that it’s the little theatrical moments captured well that make any project worth the price of admission. Like many SciFi fans, I’m particular fond of time travel, but I do prefer that it take a look at what such an endeavor would mean to its individuals characters: all of the world or galaxy-spanning time-travel storylines tend to fall flat on me as I generally find them devoid of personal consequence. There are a great many ideas, but they end up being wasted when they tell me so little about the journeys’ effects on the players.
Storytellers BP Cooper and Bradley King have delivered a mini-opus that’s garnered tremendous praise on the festival circuit … but does Time Lapse (2014) hold up to my simple expectations?
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the product packaging:
“… explores the possibilities of time travel via a camera that takes pictures 24 hours into the future …”
Well, right there, I had the feeling that the wheels had come off this production, definitely so far as the marketing perspective is concerned: there’s no “time travel” in a picture. Instead, what we’re properly dealing with is the explorations of the classic information paradox. Instead of people traveling through time, it’s merely an exchange of data; and it’s that data that is meant to show us something deeper or meaningful about the people. That’s the narrative core of Time Lapse, a teen-angsty-style melodrama that only flirts fantastically with the premise of “What would you do if you had knowledge from tomorrow?”
Naturally, it comes at little to no surprise that these self-absorbed individuals – Danielle Panabaker plays Callie, Matt O’Leary plays Finn, and George Finn plays Jasper – each have their own respective game plans in store for how to benefit from such foreknowledge. Jasper wants to make money; Finn wants to perfect his art; and (for those of you watching closely) Callie seemingly has no investment immediately apparent though her involvement comes clear in the final reel. Basically, the script from Bradley King and BP Cooper eeks out plenty of mileage exploring their youthful anxiety, removing any real questions about preserving time and space in their natural order while amping up their respective young lusts. It isn’t a weakness for the plot; rather, everyone embraces this tale of twentysomethings racing to prevent some small(ish) paradoxes, and – on that level – it works just fine.
Well … except that it doesn’t … at least, not entirely.
What the trio uncover is that a deceased scientist has somehow built a camera which takes photographs 24 hours into the future. Jasper – the money hungry one – launches a campaign to obtain tomorrow’s race results today so that he can build a personal fortune for the pursuit of their dreams. However, in days of old (basically when big city newspapers published morning and evening editions) I can see how this may’ve worked without a blemish; in today’s news-at-the-speed-of-computer-clicks society, I’m still having some trouble wrapping my head around how these three could’ve parlayed this scheme into a winning formula. It would seem that our society may have already surpassed the breadth of this rather puny civilization’s wants and demands; and more thought should’ve gone into the plotline in order to really sell the whole shebang.
Otherwise, Time Lapse is a slightly above average thriller that runs longer than it needed at 103 minutes. Performances are fine for what they are (actor Finn is given the lion’s share of the emotional nitty-gritty which he pulls off nicely, though Panabaker and O’Leary seem occasionally lethargic, including some surprisingly non-erotic lovemaking), and direction – framing, cinematography, editing, etc. – came across as a bit unfocused at times. IMDB.com suggests this is King’s first full-feature debut, and methinks the material may’ve meant more in the hands of a more accomplished auteur.
Time Lapse (2014) is produced by Uncooperative Pictures and Veritas Productions. DVD distribution for this release is being handled by XLRator Media. As for the technical specifications? As an independent production, the flick actually makes pretty solid use of limited settings, so kudos to all involved for delivering some great quality sights and sounds. Lastly: are you looking for special features? The disc boasts two commentary tracks – both curiously involving the same filmmakers (???) – as well as some behind-the-scenes stuff and deleted scenes. It’s a nice package for those interested in knowing a bit more.
Mildly Recommended.
The chief problem that I had with Time Lapse is that if you think about any measure of the logic these characters use to reach their decisions, then it’s pretty clear that the central premise doesn’t quite hold up to even modest scrutiny. (I.E. Tomorrow’s newspaper would detail yesterday’s race winners; and if you don’t get it until 8 pm the day in advance then odds are all of those races are well over with … so you wouldn’t be going to the bank much less to the track to make a winning bet to become rich.) Still, overlook that small conceit, focus on the mild drama amongst three self-absorbed friends, and you’re likely to have mild fun with this potboiler.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at XLRator Media provided me with a DVD copy of Time Lapse (2014) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
-- EZ
Frankly, there doesn’t have to be a lot of special effects. As I’ve grown a bit older and definitely a bit wiser (snicker snicker), I’ve realized that it’s the little theatrical moments captured well that make any project worth the price of admission. Like many SciFi fans, I’m particular fond of time travel, but I do prefer that it take a look at what such an endeavor would mean to its individuals characters: all of the world or galaxy-spanning time-travel storylines tend to fall flat on me as I generally find them devoid of personal consequence. There are a great many ideas, but they end up being wasted when they tell me so little about the journeys’ effects on the players.
Storytellers BP Cooper and Bradley King have delivered a mini-opus that’s garnered tremendous praise on the festival circuit … but does Time Lapse (2014) hold up to my simple expectations?
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the product packaging:
“… explores the possibilities of time travel via a camera that takes pictures 24 hours into the future …”
Well, right there, I had the feeling that the wheels had come off this production, definitely so far as the marketing perspective is concerned: there’s no “time travel” in a picture. Instead, what we’re properly dealing with is the explorations of the classic information paradox. Instead of people traveling through time, it’s merely an exchange of data; and it’s that data that is meant to show us something deeper or meaningful about the people. That’s the narrative core of Time Lapse, a teen-angsty-style melodrama that only flirts fantastically with the premise of “What would you do if you had knowledge from tomorrow?”
Naturally, it comes at little to no surprise that these self-absorbed individuals – Danielle Panabaker plays Callie, Matt O’Leary plays Finn, and George Finn plays Jasper – each have their own respective game plans in store for how to benefit from such foreknowledge. Jasper wants to make money; Finn wants to perfect his art; and (for those of you watching closely) Callie seemingly has no investment immediately apparent though her involvement comes clear in the final reel. Basically, the script from Bradley King and BP Cooper eeks out plenty of mileage exploring their youthful anxiety, removing any real questions about preserving time and space in their natural order while amping up their respective young lusts. It isn’t a weakness for the plot; rather, everyone embraces this tale of twentysomethings racing to prevent some small(ish) paradoxes, and – on that level – it works just fine.
Well … except that it doesn’t … at least, not entirely.
What the trio uncover is that a deceased scientist has somehow built a camera which takes photographs 24 hours into the future. Jasper – the money hungry one – launches a campaign to obtain tomorrow’s race results today so that he can build a personal fortune for the pursuit of their dreams. However, in days of old (basically when big city newspapers published morning and evening editions) I can see how this may’ve worked without a blemish; in today’s news-at-the-speed-of-computer-clicks society, I’m still having some trouble wrapping my head around how these three could’ve parlayed this scheme into a winning formula. It would seem that our society may have already surpassed the breadth of this rather puny civilization’s wants and demands; and more thought should’ve gone into the plotline in order to really sell the whole shebang.
Otherwise, Time Lapse is a slightly above average thriller that runs longer than it needed at 103 minutes. Performances are fine for what they are (actor Finn is given the lion’s share of the emotional nitty-gritty which he pulls off nicely, though Panabaker and O’Leary seem occasionally lethargic, including some surprisingly non-erotic lovemaking), and direction – framing, cinematography, editing, etc. – came across as a bit unfocused at times. IMDB.com suggests this is King’s first full-feature debut, and methinks the material may’ve meant more in the hands of a more accomplished auteur.
Time Lapse (2014) is produced by Uncooperative Pictures and Veritas Productions. DVD distribution for this release is being handled by XLRator Media. As for the technical specifications? As an independent production, the flick actually makes pretty solid use of limited settings, so kudos to all involved for delivering some great quality sights and sounds. Lastly: are you looking for special features? The disc boasts two commentary tracks – both curiously involving the same filmmakers (???) – as well as some behind-the-scenes stuff and deleted scenes. It’s a nice package for those interested in knowing a bit more.
Mildly Recommended.
The chief problem that I had with Time Lapse is that if you think about any measure of the logic these characters use to reach their decisions, then it’s pretty clear that the central premise doesn’t quite hold up to even modest scrutiny. (I.E. Tomorrow’s newspaper would detail yesterday’s race winners; and if you don’t get it until 8 pm the day in advance then odds are all of those races are well over with … so you wouldn’t be going to the bank much less to the track to make a winning bet to become rich.) Still, overlook that small conceit, focus on the mild drama amongst three self-absorbed friends, and you’re likely to have mild fun with this potboiler.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at XLRator Media provided me with a DVD copy of Time Lapse (2014) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
-- EZ
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