Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[Page14]

Originally Posted by wormraper

I have to say that I've slowly come over to the dark side. I don't ALWAYS agree with their pricing strategy, but with the more recent sales and the like I've become more and more impressed with the overall strategy of TT... Now I wont' say I LIKE paying $30 for some titles, but after they have stopped doing encore editions and giving some VERY nice titles a home recently, I have to say that I've kind of lost my animosity toward them. They are what they are. If they have a title that I like I'll grab it, if not then no biggie. I just realied I kind of having like 20 of their titles now and some of them are really well done... I guess pigs do fly

TT has become the company that's putting out more titles in my interest area, than any other. They seem to care about their product too, which goes a long way for me.

I'm not crazy about paying so much either. But then I think (as I've said before) how I can buy a concert or sporting event ticket [which usually lasts approximately 3 hours] for $100+ without thinking twice about it, sometimes forgetting which songs I just heard or what great plays I just saw (or even what the final score was) as I'm leaving the event, which makes it easier for me to justify paying so much for movies I can enjoy over and over again, for years.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The limited edition sales model irritates me and the prices of these Blu-rays bothers me, but I still enthusiastically give my support to Twilight Time, because I understand the logic behind their decisions, and, more importantly, because every single one of their releases that I own is a top-notch effort. I don't mind paying for quality as long as I'm able to do so.

Can you explain why you find them a top-notch effort? I see Criterion and Arrow releases as top-notch efforts, not TT really. I would put TT on the same level as Kino, more or less, but with booklets. I do like booklets.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Can you explain why you find them a top-notch effort? I see Criterion and Arrow releases as top-notch efforts, not TT really. I would put TT on the same level as Kino, more or less, but with booklets. I do like booklets.

Twilight Time's audio and video presentations are usually spot-on. The more recent releases all have fun commentaries as well.

[jetthead]

Has there been any recent word on the status of Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master? Was hoping we'd get one of them this year but I guess that was not to be.

[atfree]

As I've seen that so few of the TT releases sell-out quickly, I've become more patient and choosy over what I order on day one. While there are some titles I'll jump on immediately (just bought the Tony Rome/Lady in Cement disk because its 2 movies for $29.95), I'm more and more gravitating toward waiting on the annual sale and other sales TT offers during the year.

[warrian]

Broke down and bought Sleepless in Seattle, Khartoum and Major Dundee.

Khartoum and Major Dundee are blind buys from a decidedly non-Charltan Heston Fan. Hope they are worth it.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by atfree

As I've seen that so few of the TT releases sell-out quickly, I've become more patient and choosy over what I order on day one. While there are some titles I'll jump on immediately (just bought the Tony Rome/Lady in Cement disk because its 2 movies for $29.95), I'm more and more gravitating toward waiting on the annual sale and other sales TT offers during the year.

You pretty much can wait for the sales with almost all of their titles at this point. Unless they release "Panic Room" or some other film that will attract people who don't usually buy TT releases, I don't see any film in the coming months that will sell out super fast. They've really started releasing a lot of noir, New Hollywood era films, and underseen gems from the 80s and 90s, which is what they should be focused on IMO. There are so many companies releasing horror movies that TT doing it seems to be redundant. And horror is the one genre that moves fast outside of really well-known titles.

[schlock]

One thing I love about TT releases is their consistent static menu screens. I really think they are quite elegant usually just showing a poster image or static photo, no music playing, and so quick and simple to navigate. All you hear is the simple click and swish sounds when moving your cursor - nothing else. I can't stand the overly busy menu screens so many companies use, with music blasting and spoilerific clips showing in the background. Less is more.

[Lordy]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

If I wanted Sleepless in Seattle I'd buy it since Sony will probably just put it out as an on demand BD-R.

If I wanted Sleepless in Seattle I'd buy the DVD at a cut-rate budget price vs. $30.00 on a blu-ray for a movie that doesn't benefit from HD.

[JoeDeM]

Originally Posted by atfree

As I've seen that so few of the TT releases sell-out quickly, I've become more patient and choosy over what I order on day one. While there are some titles I'll jump on immediately (just bought the Tony Rome/Lady in Cement disk because its 2 movies for $29.95), I'm more and more gravitating toward waiting on the annual sale and other sales TT offers during the year.

I only pick up the must haves on day one, anything else I usually wait until I can group a few together to save on shipping or there is a sale.

[RalphoR]

I'm certainly not a Twilight Time apologist and have some issues with their business model, however, I also agree that their bd efforts are extremely good for the most part and value their isolated scores, booklets, magnets (at one time), and cover art. The new special sales are great as well (although I'm not big on the autograph ones).

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Lordy

If I wanted Sleepless in Seattle I'd buy the DVD at a cut-rate budget price vs. $30.00 on a blu-ray for a movie that doesn't benefit from HD.

I don't understand this. Why doesn't Sleepless in Seattle benefit from HD? If I like a movie, I want to see it in the highest resolution possible.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

If I wanted Sleepless in Seattle I'd buy it since Sony will probably just put it out as an on demand BD-R.

If you want Sleepless in Seattle, better to import it from Europe. Same transfer, cheaper price.

Originally Posted by mja345

You pretty much can wait for the sales with almost all of their titles at this point. Unless they release "Panic Room" or some other film that will attract people who don't usually buy TT releases, I don't see any film in the coming months that will sell out super fast. They've really started releasing a lot of noir, New Hollywood era films, and underseen gems from the 80s and 90s, which is what they should be focused on IMO. There are so many companies releasing horror movies that TT doing it seems to be redundant. And horror is the one genre that moves fast outside of really well-known titles.

Twilight Time offers plenty of opportunity for a bit of a discount. I have tons of their releases and almost all have been purchased through the signed promo route or during sales.

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Can you explain why you find them a top-notch effort? I see Criterion and Arrow releases as top-notch efforts, not TT really. I would put TT on the same level as Kino, more or less, but with booklets. I do like booklets.

Twilight Time are definitely a notch below Criterion or Arrow in terms of the package they put together. But they do seem to put in a bit of effort and they are apparently a bit more choosy about the transfers they release, which is more than can be said for Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I don't understand this. Why doesn't Sleepless in Seattle benefit from HD? If I like a movie, I want to see it in the highest resolution possible.

Not to mention lossless audio (which doesn't benefit only loud blockbusters, contrary to popular belief).

[oildude]

MORE LOW QUANTITY UPDATES FROM SAE

Screen Archives has just sent out a low quantity update email (actually, the first one I have seen from them in awhile). I will update the first post with these new numbers.

CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS - fewer than 10 copies remaining (note: Possibly sold out - waiting on confirmation)
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE - fewer than 20 copies remaining
JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG - fewer than 20 copies remaining
FIRST MEN IN THE MOON - fewer than 20 copies remaining (out of 5,000)
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO/THUNDERBIRD 6 - fewer than 150 copies remaining
HIGH TIME - fewer than 150 copies remaining
THE SONG OF BERNADETTE - fewer than 200 copies remaining
IN LIKE FLINT - fewer than 200 copies remaining
THE BLUE LAGOON - fewer than 220 copies remaining
MAJOR DUNDEE - fewer than 300 copies remaining
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - fewer than 300 copies remaining
DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS - fewer than 450 copies remaining
THE MECHANIC - fewer than 350 copies remaining
KHARTOUM - fewer than 300 copies remaining


NOTE: There is a big discrepancy in the numbers for a couple of titles between what SAE just emailed and what TT announced on their Facebook site yesterday.
I think the SAE email has a typo by adding an extra zero to the actual total and I have corrected it in the update numbers above.

JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG - fewer than 40 copies remaining (TT Facebook yesterday) / fewer than 200 copies remaining (SAE email tonight)
FIRST MEN IN THE MOON - fewer than 40 copies remaining (TT Facebook yesterday) / fewer than 200 copies remaining (SAE email tonight)

[schlock]

Looks like CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS is now SOLD OUT as it's no longer showing up at SAE.

[oildude]

I'm doing some tinkering to the first post. Someone please check my memory:


1) Almost all of Twilight Time's titles are limited editions of 3000 copies

Exceptions to the 3000 limit:

The Blob (5000 copies - sold out)
First Men in the Moon (5000 copies)
Zardoz (5000 copies)
John Carpenter's Vampires (5000 copies)
Harlock: Space Pirate (3500 copies)


Didn't the sold out encore edition of Journey to the Center of the Earth also have 5000 copies?

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by oildude

Didn't the sold out encore edition of Journey to the Center of the Earth also have 5000 copies?

Yes, it did along with the Fright Night Anniversary Edition

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by oildude

MORE LOW QUANTITY UPDATES FROM SAE

Screen Archives has just sent out a low quantity update email (actually, the first one I have seen from them in awhile). I will update the first post with these new numbers.

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE - fewer than 20 copies remaining (note: Possibly sold out - waiting on confirmation)
CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS - fewer than 10 copies remaining
JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG - fewer than 20 copies remaining
FIRST MEN IN THE MOON - fewer than 20 copies remaining (out of 5,000)
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO/THUNDERBIRD 6 - fewer than 150 copies remaining
IN LIKE FLINT - fewer than 200 copies remaining
THE BLUE LAGOON - fewer than 220 copies remaining
MAJOR DUNDEE - fewer than 300 copies remaining
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - fewer than 300 copies remaining
DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS - fewer than 450 copies remaining
THE MECHANIC - fewer than 350 copies remaining
KHARTOUM - fewer than 300 copies remaining


NOTE: There is a big discrepancy in the numbers for a couple of titles between what SAE just emailed and what TT announced on their Facebook site yesterday.
I think the SAE email has a typo by adding an extra zero to the actual total and I have corrected it in the update numbers above.

JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG - fewer than 40 copies remaining (TT Facebook yesterday) / fewer than 200 copies remaining (SAE email tonight)
FIRST MEN IN THE MOON - fewer than 40 copies remaining (TT Facebook yesterday) / fewer than 200 copies remaining (SAE email tonight)

They also show HIGH TIME fewer than 150 copies and SONG OF BERNADETTE fewer than 200 units.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

They also show HIGH TIME fewer than 150 copies and SONG OF BERNADETTE fewer than 200 units.

Thanks, I didn't even notice since it wasn't under the low quantity alert heading and I was viewing on my iPhone. Scrolled right past it.

Updated the post above and the OP.