I admit I was skeptical, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one however. Watching this movie, I got the impression that the film makers wanted to do much more with the story but were hindered by budget limitations (we are talking about a B-movie here). Corbin Bernson did reasonably well in portraying the troubled father; however Beth Kennedy came up a little short on reflecting any emotion (no shortage of tongue in cheek humor though). The end is touching in a cliché sort of way. I was amused to see the small cameo by Zach Galligan. In the end, I believe that project had great potential but not enough financial resources or production time to flesh out shallow characters and thin story line.
13 Reviews
Better than I expected
voz7920 June 2002
Warning: Spoilers
At first I thought "Just another low-budget film" but it turned out to be not so bad at all. I like the story especially because it shows what happens to a young person being raised in a specific way (watch the movie to find out how)
What I didn't like so much, is the whole time-travel issue and especially the way they use it and not really explain it. "You can't travel back within a five-year radius" Why not? "We go back in history to change certain things for the better". If you change things in history, will that change the future? Apparently not (the old Bryon is still there when he kidnaps the young Bryon) so why do they change history if it has no effect?
If you just accept this time-travel stuff as it is, the movie will be quite enjoyable.
What I didn't like so much, is the whole time-travel issue and especially the way they use it and not really explain it. "You can't travel back within a five-year radius" Why not? "We go back in history to change certain things for the better". If you change things in history, will that change the future? Apparently not (the old Bryon is still there when he kidnaps the young Bryon) so why do they change history if it has no effect?
If you just accept this time-travel stuff as it is, the movie will be quite enjoyable.
Boo. And hoo.
capn_crusty18 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Don't you just love tough movie broads? You know, the street-talking, wise-cracking, hard-drinking cop-kind that weigh about twenty pounds--twenty SKINNY pounds, and that's with a pocket full of rocks--but can still toss around guys three times their size? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy role-reversal about as much as the next guy. Unfortunately, the "macho-man with breasts" character rarely works--especially if she doesn't really HAVE breasts. Queen Latifah would have done better that this Beth Kennedy person, and for so many reasons.
But even if you can get over the dime-store Dirty Harriet...sorry; this still isn't much of a flick. Way too heavy on the violins and melancholy piano scores, for one thing--in other words, schmaltz. And of course any science was just incidental, since all that continuum-twisting was just a device to advance the tear-jerking plot. But when the kid-grown-up-into-multiple-murderer meets same-kid-AS-a-kid, and starts acting all sensitive, like (wow!) A BETTER FATHER THAN THE ACTUAL FATHER...please.
All right, there was a little humor. Like Corbin Bernson's line: "This is the future; this is SERIOUS!" And Mom the Elder was a real hoot, for the most part; kudos to Jeanne Cooper for that.
But overall, I can't really give this bit of transparent PC misandry (look it up; but you better have a REALLY unabridged dictionary) more than four stars. And that's with a tail-wind.
But even if you can get over the dime-store Dirty Harriet...sorry; this still isn't much of a flick. Way too heavy on the violins and melancholy piano scores, for one thing--in other words, schmaltz. And of course any science was just incidental, since all that continuum-twisting was just a device to advance the tear-jerking plot. But when the kid-grown-up-into-multiple-murderer meets same-kid-AS-a-kid, and starts acting all sensitive, like (wow!) A BETTER FATHER THAN THE ACTUAL FATHER...please.
All right, there was a little humor. Like Corbin Bernson's line: "This is the future; this is SERIOUS!" And Mom the Elder was a real hoot, for the most part; kudos to Jeanne Cooper for that.
But overall, I can't really give this bit of transparent PC misandry (look it up; but you better have a REALLY unabridged dictionary) more than four stars. And that's with a tail-wind.
Damn Good up there with the best
rycar_m1 December 2003
I saw the cover on the aisle at the video store as i read it I said to myself "another cheap movie" but since i like the "genere" i took it home.
Needless to say I was surprised, it was a clever story. It had a nice atmosphere to it, maybe cause it was done by pros on a very low budget
The storyline was great, the acting was in the pro catagory the direction and production where also in the tops (hey it was not perfect and it was low budget)
What makes this film so good in my opinion is that it tells a time travel story in a new and different way. The science might not be correct (who knows?) But the storytelling is second to none.
This film is much better than Michel Crichton's Timeline" Now theres a dog.
Try to find the tomorrow man and you will love it.
Needless to say I was surprised, it was a clever story. It had a nice atmosphere to it, maybe cause it was done by pros on a very low budget
The storyline was great, the acting was in the pro catagory the direction and production where also in the tops (hey it was not perfect and it was low budget)
What makes this film so good in my opinion is that it tells a time travel story in a new and different way. The science might not be correct (who knows?) But the storytelling is second to none.
This film is much better than Michel Crichton's Timeline" Now theres a dog.
Try to find the tomorrow man and you will love it.
Horrible
Lebrocq1727 July 2004
I am not sure if I was more shocked by how bad the movie was or by how many good reviews in the commentary area of IMDB this film has been given.
Yes it is a low budget film - and yes certainly one can live with a decent story that has really basic cheesy effects - but I must disagree with many of the reviews I have read because the acting and the dialogue in this film are absolutely horrible.
I kind of got the impression Corbin Bernsen was doing a friend a favour by spending what looked like two days of his time shooting the film.
My recommondation for anyone who is thinking of renting or buying this DVD - don't! Find something else, anything else - because no matter what other film you chose it can't be any worse this film.
Yes it is a low budget film - and yes certainly one can live with a decent story that has really basic cheesy effects - but I must disagree with many of the reviews I have read because the acting and the dialogue in this film are absolutely horrible.
I kind of got the impression Corbin Bernsen was doing a friend a favour by spending what looked like two days of his time shooting the film.
My recommondation for anyone who is thinking of renting or buying this DVD - don't! Find something else, anything else - because no matter what other film you chose it can't be any worse this film.
Very Disappointing!
jhd11 November 2004
I really like Science Fiction, and time-travel stories in particular. Therefore I had high expectations when I saw Tomorrow Man in the video store. I was VERY disappointed!
The plot was transparently obvious and the writing was wooden at best! Most of the characters were so two-dimensional they could have been cardboard cutouts.
The "time patrol" (or whatever it was called) has lots of potential as a plot device. Unfortunately, none of it was realized in this movie.
Don't waste your time or money!
The plot was transparently obvious and the writing was wooden at best! Most of the characters were so two-dimensional they could have been cardboard cutouts.
The "time patrol" (or whatever it was called) has lots of potential as a plot device. Unfortunately, none of it was realized in this movie.
Don't waste your time or money!
Corbin Benson Does Dickens
tripwire6578 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
First I have to admit to being a fan of B-Movies (Battle Beyond The Stars, Primal Species, Hollow Point). Mostly because they rarely cost $20.00 and also because, once in a while, you come across something like this movie.
It's never going to be a contender for Cannes or The Oscars and, given todays penchant for eye candy, will unlikely make the top 10 at Blockbusters but for all that it delivers a good dose of entertainment. Interesting, if a little rickety sci/fi action, workmanlike acting and a well paced narrative all add to either a nights rental or, if you are like me, probably $6.
The best way to go into this movie is to see it as a modern take on that classic Dicken's yarn A Christmas Carol. Wherein a man who is absolutely convinced of his convictions is given a chance to see the consequences of his unyielding view of the world.
Forget the bargain bucket S/FX and plot holes (only one really) as well as the fact that you can pretty much guess the ending about 35 minutes into the plot. Just pop a soda, open a bag of chips and watch Corbin's character slowly get more and more confused and frustrated.
It's also worth watching even if you are not a fan of S/F as you could take out those elements at it would be still a reasonably engaging story about a man facing the truth about his character.
If you liked A Long Kiss Goodnight then I suggest you give this a try (though Geena Davies has better legs).
It's never going to be a contender for Cannes or The Oscars and, given todays penchant for eye candy, will unlikely make the top 10 at Blockbusters but for all that it delivers a good dose of entertainment. Interesting, if a little rickety sci/fi action, workmanlike acting and a well paced narrative all add to either a nights rental or, if you are like me, probably $6.
The best way to go into this movie is to see it as a modern take on that classic Dicken's yarn A Christmas Carol. Wherein a man who is absolutely convinced of his convictions is given a chance to see the consequences of his unyielding view of the world.
Forget the bargain bucket S/FX and plot holes (only one really) as well as the fact that you can pretty much guess the ending about 35 minutes into the plot. Just pop a soda, open a bag of chips and watch Corbin's character slowly get more and more confused and frustrated.
It's also worth watching even if you are not a fan of S/F as you could take out those elements at it would be still a reasonably engaging story about a man facing the truth about his character.
If you liked A Long Kiss Goodnight then I suggest you give this a try (though Geena Davies has better legs).
I Liked It
katyzone11 May 2008
Give it a chance. It is watchable. If you are 12 don't even start it, it is the type of camp that absolutely repels 12 year old's of all ages. You kinda have to buy into the drama heart strings thing, ignore some of the really campy acting- not real bad, just a competent high schoolish type of acting.
Very low budget but quite an attempt at a complicated script back when it cost actual imagination and film technique instead of todays fair to slick computer fx key punching.
It is a story of redemption with a saccharine sweet ending but not for the kids due to over the top killings (though "clean", like back in the days of 'BANG' and people fall down with some fx, but not overly gory like a real shooting is).
Almost a silly movie in some aspects, think TV show with this one. I gave it a 7 because it is a 4.something and deserves at least a 5.
Very low budget but quite an attempt at a complicated script back when it cost actual imagination and film technique instead of todays fair to slick computer fx key punching.
It is a story of redemption with a saccharine sweet ending but not for the kids due to over the top killings (though "clean", like back in the days of 'BANG' and people fall down with some fx, but not overly gory like a real shooting is).
Almost a silly movie in some aspects, think TV show with this one. I gave it a 7 because it is a 4.something and deserves at least a 5.
A Real Gem !
Forever Damned8 June 2002
Available on DVD in the UK.
A complete surprise this one. I buy quite a few cheap DVD's and this was one of a few that I've had a couple of months and only just got round to watching. The cover and plot write up make this film sound like a low grade B-movie that should be consigned to movie hell BUT....
Give it a go and you'll have a really entertaining 90 minutes. A good storyline with basic special effects but the undercurrents of 'how life can be' really make this movie.
It does make you think and movies that do that are no bad thing.
A complete surprise this one. I buy quite a few cheap DVD's and this was one of a few that I've had a couple of months and only just got round to watching. The cover and plot write up make this film sound like a low grade B-movie that should be consigned to movie hell BUT....
Give it a go and you'll have a really entertaining 90 minutes. A good storyline with basic special effects but the undercurrents of 'how life can be' really make this movie.
It does make you think and movies that do that are no bad thing.
Better than its plot
gimhoff24 August 2002
The Tomorrow Man has the same problem as most time travel movies -- explaining how time travel works, how changing the past alters the present and future, which version of the future will actually be the reality, how past and future versions of an individual can coexist and interact with each other. But it has virtues other than its plot -- it gives its actors, particularly Corbin Bernsen and Morgan Rusler, characters more varied and nuanced than usually exist in low-budget action movies. Rusler's mad dog killer has nice moments of tenderness and caring that elevate the movie, and Bernsen's performance is much better than his usual standard in the quickie movies he has specialized in since LA Law.
*spoilers* Proves a big effects budget is irrelevant
rdbake3 October 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Wow. Not your usual time-travel flick, for sure. From some rather giddy heights induced by Beth Kennedy's hilariously wise-ass, acerbic character to a heart-wrenching scene of a beating, this is something of a roller-coaster - tending to the highs rather than the lows.
I think all the actors do 'very good' on up to 'excellent' - unfortunately, Stevie Johnson (Griffin) is hung with a somewhat lame (and wholly unnecessary) plot device intended to lend urgency to an already urgent situation. However, his mysterious dislike for his good friend from 30 years in the past does serve to pique our curiosity - Larry (Corbin Bernsen)was one of the _good_ guys; how did he go wrong?
We're propelled along this journey by an engrossing story, not special effects - the "effect" for time travel here is simple, cheap, inobtrusive...and oddly effective. And the problem of explaining how time travel is possible is disposed of by the simple expedient of ignoring it. It's possible, so there. (Which is what Kennedy's little bit of exposition on the subject amounts to.)
Definitely worth a look.
I think all the actors do 'very good' on up to 'excellent' - unfortunately, Stevie Johnson (Griffin) is hung with a somewhat lame (and wholly unnecessary) plot device intended to lend urgency to an already urgent situation. However, his mysterious dislike for his good friend from 30 years in the past does serve to pique our curiosity - Larry (Corbin Bernsen)was one of the _good_ guys; how did he go wrong?
We're propelled along this journey by an engrossing story, not special effects - the "effect" for time travel here is simple, cheap, inobtrusive...and oddly effective. And the problem of explaining how time travel is possible is disposed of by the simple expedient of ignoring it. It's possible, so there. (Which is what Kennedy's little bit of exposition on the subject amounts to.)
Definitely worth a look.
Much better than expected
hbangelicat29 December 2003
I happened to catch this little B-flick on cable and was caught up from the first scenes - angry father, sensitive son, ineffectual mom - and when the time-travel plot got going, I was in it for the long haul. Good acting all around, with Beth Kennedy my favorite as a wise-cracking agent from the future. Give it a chance; you'll be surprised!
A movie you're gonna like
fateswarm28 January 2002
I liked this movie, it had a great plot and an average direction. Maybe the direction was not that bad, it was a low budget film, therefore maybe that had turned down the chances to be a big hit. Fantasy/Sci-fi friends go for it, others, you're gonna spend a nice evening with it. In overall, 7/10.
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