the plot: The year is 1893 and in London, notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper is on the loose. Meanwhile, author H.G. Wells (McDowell) unveils to his dinner guests his latest work—an actual time machine, similar to the one he created for his fantastic novel. Wells’ friends are understandably skeptical, and the dinner party is thrown into disarray when the police show up in pursuit of Jack the Ripper. Their prime suspect is Dr. John Leslie Stevenson (Warner), a well-known surgeon and one of Wells’ confidants. During the confusion, Stevenson hijacks the time machine and travels to the future. However, a built-in safeguard in the device returns the time machine—but not Stevenson—to 1893. Determined to stop the mad ripper, Wells hops in the time machine and transports himself to San Francisco in 1979. With the help of banker Amy Robbins (Steenburgen), Wells navigates the future and attempts to bring Stevenson back. But the Ripper is already hard at work on a new killing spree, and Wells’ efforts to inform a grouchy police lieutenant (Cioffi) are dismissed as crazy talk. Soon, Wells finds himself pushed to the limit as he tries to defend Amy and safeguard his time machine from Stevenson’s machinations.

why it’s good: Director Nicholas Meyer is perhaps best known for his involvement in the “Star Trek” films, but before he pitted Kirk against Khan in “The Wrath of Khan,” Meyer helmed “Time After Time.” It’s ostensibly a sci-fi thriller, full of time traveling shenanigans and a cat-and-mouse game between a classic science fiction author and the prototypical 20th century serial killer. The rivalry between Wells and Stevenson is certainly compelling, and while there’s plenty of chases and some fisticuffs, the most interesting bits occur when the two time-displaced men debate their ultimate visions for society. Ever an optimist, Wells expects to land in a futuristic utopia; instead, he’s treated to a world where people are rude at best and shockingly violent at worst. Meanwhile, Stevenson is right at home in the late 20th century, when violence and depravity are at such a high level that his own special barbarism marks him as “an amateur.” McDowell and Stevenson are both great here, though McDowell has the edge. It’s also McDowell’s performance that helps sell what may be the movie’s strongest thread—the love story between Wells and Robbins. It’s a sweet, convincing romance, aided in part by McDowell and Steenburgen’s real-life on-set romance, no doubt. When the two are out to lunch at a restaurant atop a skyscraper, Wells subtly charms the pants right off her, proving that smooth moves remain universal no matter what century.

why you should own it: Whether you’re in the mood for a good time travel flick or something more romantic, “Time After Time” is a worthy addition to your home library. Warner Bros.’ DVD is light on features, apart from commentary from Meyer and McDowell.