Official Film Noir on Blu-ray Thread

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by deltatauhobbit

Lately, we've been able to get many Twilight Time titles for far less than they used to be because of the sales, not entirely difficult now to get them in the $10-20 range.

For me, supporting TT means supporting a local company which gives them the means to release more films that otherwise might never get a physical HD release; several of their releases still aren't available elsewhere (really wish The Egyptian wasn't one of those cases since I missed my chance at it long ago, yes, it does have other releases but it's not easily available or cheap either). That doesn't mean I don't ever import superior releases; extras aren't enough to encourage a double dip in most instances though, only price if the PQ/AQ are the same.

All they do is license out - correct me if I'm wrong but I haven't yet heard of them shelling out for exclusive restorations. Exactly what most other labels do....except TT sells the discs at obviously inflated pricing in the most basic of packages. Which means (to me) even if they are the only current outlet licensing a film's HD master and putting it on disc, they are still literally scalping their customers and dropping the price to realistic standards once they realize they have to (the recent trend of a $10 sale every month). I can see paying a high price for a film you must have, but that's not really what I was getting at. I don't understand why anyone would A) go out of their way to support them and B) not realize the booming UK market and pricing. I'm aware not every TT title is available, but if you look at the trends it is wise not to sink your wallet into their collection.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It pretty much set the mold for the limited edition model

I'm missing the positives in your post. The trend of limited everything is not a good one, and before TT there were limited editions -- just not every damn one. And I highly doubt that other labels wouldn't have had a crack at the Sony vaults if it weren't for them - what, is Nick Redman Indiana Jones here?

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

Who do you guys think is the best male and female Noir star? Who does Noir the best?

Richard Widmark and Lizabeth Scott for me.

[javy]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

Who do you guys think is the best male and female Noir star? Who does Noir the best?

That's a tough one for me to answer. Lot of hot babes , and a lot of studs to choose from.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

I'm missing the positives in your post. The trend of limited everything is not a good one, and before TT there were limited editions -- just not every damn one. And I highly doubt that other labels wouldn't have had a crack at the Sony vaults if it weren't for them - what, is Nick Redman Indiana Jones here?

When the possible options are limited edition or no edition, then a limited edition is a positive thing. Besides Criterion, or Sony themselves, who else would be putting out these titles here? Mill Creek? Without TT, it's pretty much certain that the bulk of their titles wouldn't have seen the light of day here. I don't think TT is really the one that should be blamed for the state of affairs. Sony are the ones that pretty much halted the release of catalog titles (save for some anniversary releases now and then).

Ideally if a label like Kino could get a partnership with Sony, then we could see these catalog titles without firm limits (albeit region locked), and reasonable prices from day one, but until that happens, TT still has a place here. And with their semi-regular sales, their pricing shouldn't really be a major talking point anymore.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

Who do you guys think is the best male and female Noir star? Who does Noir the best?

Also, would you guys consider Strangers on a Train and the original Cape Fear to be noir films? I kind of go back and forth on it. I can't decide if they're film noir's or just psychological thrillers.

Wow that's a tough one for your first question. I'll have to think about that. John Huston is pretty solid with directing film noir though.

I haven't seen Strangers on a Train or the original Cape Fear yet but even though Scorsese's remake is very strong psychological thriller (even horror) wise, it also has strong neo noir elements as well and is actually classified as a neo noir on wikipedia's list of neo noir films. I'll have to check out the original.

[JoeBuck]

I know who my favorite noir babe is

[Show spoiler]Windsor.jpg

[Herandar]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Are you swimming in cash? The UK market would save you boku bucks in the long run, and a region free player would cost less than an autographed copy of whatever release they're offering on whatever month.

Just wanted to point out that the word is 'beaucoup', and not 'boku'. As you were...

[Hoke Moseley]

I'd put Strangers on a Train in the noir category. Cape Fear not so much for me.

[Zen_Amako]

I've been on a film noir/classic movie kick lately. I recently ordered:

From the UK (Indicator/Powerhouse):
The Big Heat
Experiment in Terror
The Lady from Shanghai

From eBay:
Touch of Evil
Double Indemnity
Scarlet Street
On Dangerous Ground
Sunset Boulevard

Of these, the only ones I've seen before are The Big Heat and Double Indemnity.

I already own and enjoyed:
Laura
Leave Her to Heaven
Mildred Pierce
The Maltese Falcon
The Big Sleep
Gilda
Pale Flower

The last movie I watched at home was The Ghost and Mrs. Muir with Gene Tierney (Laura, Leave Her to Heaven). While not film noir, it's a great movie that I would definitely recommend.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

I've been on a film noir/classic movie kick lately. I recently ordered:

From the UK (Indicator/Powerhouse):
The Big Heat
Experiment in Terror
The Lady from Shanghai

From eBay:
Touch of Evil
Double Indemnity
Scarlet Street
On Dangerous Ground
Sunset Boulevard

Of these, the only ones I've seen before are The Big Heat and Double Indemnity.

I already own and enjoyed:
Laura
Leave Her to Heaven
Mildred Pierce
The Maltese Falcon
The Big Sleep
Gilda
Pale Flower

The last movie I watched at home was The Ghost and Mrs. Muir with Gene Tierney (Laura, Leave Her to Heaven). While not film noir, it's a great movie that I would definitely recommend.

Experiment in Terror is Phenomenal

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Do you mind if I ask.......why? Are you swimming in cash? The UK market would save you boku bucks in the long run, and a region free player would cost less than an autographed copy of whatever release they're offering on whatever month. Beyond that, they license their extras to the UK market and the UK releases have been without question superior editions. They also come at a fraction of the price, which brings up another question - if Indicator gives us a superior release for ~$18 shipped on release date, why is TT still getting away with their "business model" other than blind support?

I'm not swimming in cash, but I'm not drowning in debt either, so I guess that I'm about average.

Twilight Time has brought several great movies to Blu-ray on these shores, and their recent releases have been loaded to the brim with some fine special features. Kiss of Death, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Violent Saturday, and such are all excellent titles with near-perfect presentations. I'd rather order less expensive non-limited-edition titles that have comparable presentations for a lower price, of course (as I plan to do with The Stone Killer), but the majority of Twilight Time titles are the best available versions of the respective films.

[javy]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Without TT, there would be no Indicator, not in its current form at least. It pretty much set the mold for the limited edition model, and the dealings they've done with Sony. Indicator/Powerhouse are basically carrying that model over to the UK, and are even using many of the same extras that were made exclusively for TT's releases.

Just because there is another label now in the UK doesn't mean that the one who got them there should be abandoned now. I think TT deserves support too, and are putting out a lot of titles that will likely never be put out by Indicator.

I know it's not noir but i would like to see The Valachi Papers get a Indicator release.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

Wow that's a tough one for your first question. I'll have to think about that. John Huston is pretty solid with directing film noir though.

I haven't seen Strangers on a Train or the original Cape Fear yet but even though Scorsese's remake is very strong psychological thriller (even horror) wise, it also has strong neo noir elements as well and is actually classified as a neo noir on wikipedia's list of neo noir films. I'll have to check out the original.

I sort of think that Peck's character and his family is just too clean cut for the film to work as noir totally. It's too much pure innocent vs. pure evil I think. Sometimes a film from that era seems to have many of the elements, but you're just left with a feeling that something is keeping it from being a noir. Mitchum's character is very fitting. His cynical attitude and sexual aggressiveness fit's. But Peck's Bowden is simply lacking in complexity. His character isn't even a bit interesting.

[javy]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

I sort of think that Peck's character and his family is just too clean cut for the film to work as noir totally. It's too much pure innocent vs. pure evil I think. Sometimes a film from that era seems to have many of the elements, but you're just left with a feeling that something is keeping it from being a noir. Mitchum's character is very fitting. His cynical attitude and sexual aggressiveness fit's. But Peck's Bowden is simply lacking in complexity. His character isn't even a bit interesting.

I've never seen the original but I don't know how it could come close to Scorses's direction and De Niro's psychotic acting skills. I've actually never had a desire to watch the original.But maybe someday.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by javy

I've never seen the original but I don't know how it could come close to Scorses's direction and De Niro's psychotic acting skills. I've actually never had a desire to watch the original.

It's worth watching for Mitchum. De Niro's Cady is far too over the top. If the characters in the original were a little more complex it would easily best the remake. But at the end of the day, I find both the original and the remake to be good but flawed films.

[javy]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

It's worth watching for Mitchum. De Niro's Cady is far too over the top. If the characters in the original were a little more complex it would easily best the remake. But at the end of the day, I find both the original and the remake to be good but flawed films.

Right, Mithcun is exactly why I would watch it. And De Niro, absolutely love his character. All the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth, a true psycho. But that's me.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

Who do you guys think is the best male and female Noir star? Who does Noir the best?

She has to be bad, bad, bad - so it's Gloria Grahame for me



Only in a couple of noirs, and nowhere near the best star, but worth a picture anyway - Barbara Payton



Male - probably someone people don't immediately think of, Dan Duryea. He was in so many films noir as a sleazy, greasy, bad guy and he was always fantastic at it.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by javy

Right, Mithcun is exactly why I would watch it. And De Niro, absolutely love his character. All the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth, a true psycho. But that's me.

Yeah I'm in complete agreement. De Niro is excellent and I love his character. I also love the rest of the cast as well. All are very complex and flawed. I really enjoy the private detective played by Joe Don Baker in Scorsese's version too. I also love how well Scorsese uses the ins, outs and loopholes of the law to create a brilliant thriller aspect. Its Florida locations are perfect as well. One of Scorsese's best.

[javy]

Originally Posted by lemonski

She has to be bad, bad, bad - so it's Gloria Grahame for me



Only in a couple of noirs, and nowhere near the best star, but worth a picture anyway - Barbara Payton



Male - probably someone people don't immediately think of, Dan Duryea. He was in so many films noir as a sleazy, greasy, bad guy and he was always fantastic at it.

Which films are the bottom two pics from?