Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[JupiterMission]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I’m not saying this to stir the pot but what’s the problem with discussing alternate versions of TT releases that AREN’T sold out? I mean if someone came on here who was interested in buying Suddenly Last Summer and we discussed the pros and cons of the Twilight Time release versus the Powerhouse release (or at least made each other aware of the existence of other versions) and did so without label bashing, why would that be an issue?

My guess is that it would be an appropriate discussion for a particular film's thread, but not for a label thread. Otherwise the label thread's discussion could become unwieldy. Not a mod. Just guessin'.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by JupiterMission

My guess is that it would be an appropriate discussion for a particular film's thread, but not for a label thread. Otherwise the label thread's discussion could become unwieldy. Not a mod. Just guessin'.

We’re not discussing the film though, we’re discussing bluray releases. Isn’t that the purpose of threads like this?

[Hellhound]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

We’re not discussing the film though, we’re discussing bluray releases. Isn’t that the purpose of threads like this?

There's threads on these boards devoted to the the blu-ray releases of specific films, not just the films themselves. That would probably be the best place for in depth discussion of the merits of various releases for a specific film.

I don't think a brief impromptu discussion of two releases would be out of line in a thread for a specific label, but some people were literally just going into those types of threads just to crap on the quality of that label's releases and tout other labels releases as being superior. I think that's more of the behavior the mods were trying to eliminate.

[Caseyscott]

Originally Posted by Hellhound

There's threads on these boards devoted to the the blu-ray releases of specific films, not just the films themselves. That would probably be the best place for in depth discussion of the merits of various releases for a specific film.

I don't think a brief impromptu discussion of two releases would be out of line in a thread for a specific label, but some people were literally just going into those types of threads just to crap on the quality of that label's releases and tout other labels releases as being superior. I think that's more of the behavior the mods were trying to eliminate.

It is unfortunate that the behavior of posters is so intolerable, practical functions of the forum are compromised. One aspect of criterionforum.org that I find very useful is comparisons of overlapping products wherever the natural discussion deems appropriate.

[oildude]

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I’m not saying this to stir the pot but what’s the problem with discussing alternate versions of TT releases that AREN’T sold out? I mean if someone came on here who was interested in buying Suddenly Last Summer and we discussed the pros and cons of the Twilight Time release versus the Powerhouse release (or at least made each other aware of the existence of other versions) and did so without label bashing, why would that be an issue?

If you take a step back and think about it, there is no "need" for label-based threads at all. When a label announces a new release, it can get its own thread, which is more likely to get seen by people who are excited to own the movie than an announcement in a label thread. The label threads exist not as a place to discuss the "best release" of a movie, but to discuss the label itself, including (in several cases) directly talking to representatives of the label. With that in mind, I can see why people think it's bad manners to have conversations like that in label threads; it would be like going to somebody's mom-and-pop shop and complaining loudly that the prices are lower on Amazon.

On a practical level, there is a greater than 50% chance that any post that says "Why not import this superior version?" will lead to a conversation about preferring not to import or not being region free, and then the thread gets derailed for at least half a page in a recurring circular argument. The more they can do to get rid of that, the better off we readers are.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Hellhound

There's threads on these boards devoted to the the blu-ray releases of specific films, not just the films themselves. That would probably be the best place for in depth discussion of the merits of various releases for a specific film.

I don't think a brief impromptu discussion of two releases would be out of line in a thread for a specific label, but some people were literally just going into those types of threads just to crap on the quality of that label's releases and tout other labels releases as being superior. I think that's more of the behavior the mods were trying to eliminate.

In recent years on this forum, I've been increasingly annoyed at people who jump into threads here in the North America Blu-ray sub-forum mainly to berate those of us who buy Region A discs from the likes of Scream Factory or Kino instead of buying Region B counterparts that have marginally better picture quality.

I'm grateful that people are around to keep us informed of the best possible high definition transfers of our favorite movies, of course, but some of that gets out of hand.

With Twilight Time, it's usually a non-issue, since this label generally brings us stellar transfers across the board. I'm a fan of Powerhouse/Indicator's Region A output as much as the next person, but the differences with their corresponding releases of Twilight Time titles thus far seem negligible at best. I own The Big Heat from both labels, and I cannot tell the difference between the transfers in motion. Both discs have their respective perks, and I'm keeping both of them forever.

[mja345]

I watched the BD of Woody Allen's brilliant "Husbands and Wives" last night. What better way to kick off the Fourth of July festivities, right? This is one of Woody's best films and, IMO, his best film post-1990. It's one of the most bitter, acidic comedies you will ever see. The plot is fairly basic, as Gabe and Judy Roth (Allen and Mia Farrow) have a boring, but seemingly stable relationship while their friends Sally and Jack Simmons (Judy Davis and Sydney Pollack) are getting a divorce.

"Husbands and Wives" is one of the best films of the 90s IMO. I hadn't watched it in a couple years and it struck me how difficult it is to pull off a film like this. Most of the characters are completely unlikable and the film is essentially a play on-screen, completely dialogue-based. Woody Allen is a polarizing figure obviously, but, goddamn, there will never be another filmmaker who can pull off a film like this so effortlessly.

The standout performance belongs to the great Judy Davis, who is a bundle of anxiety, repression, and anger. Close behind is the performance of Pollack, playing a man who, in middle age, is searching for something, but has no idea what it is. The scene with Pollack and his younger girlfriend (Lysette Anthony) outside of the party will make you squirm in discomfort.

Liam Neeson plays the only decent human being in the film, yet Davis' character, insufferably self-absorbed, can't fully embrace him. Juliette Lewis plays Allen's student who provides him with fleeting inspiration, but it disappears quickly.

This is not a film that will change the opinion of anyone who doesn't like Woody Allen's work. This is a movie that, if you dislike Allen's films, will probably only cement that opinion further. It's a pissed-off, dark look at self-absorbed people. It's the anti-"Midnight in Paris", where people who hate Allen go, "Well, I kind of liked that one." But, as I said, it's one of the best films of the 90s IMO and the kind of film, sadly, we rarely see in American cinema now.

[thatguamguy]

I believe that Kubrick cast Sydney Pollack based off of that film (possibly that specific scene).

[Dailyan]

Just a reminder, the Fox Blowout Sale ends tomorrow. For titles I highly recommend Peyton Place, Two For the Road, Pretty Poison, The Seven-Ups, and Keys of the Kingdom.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

If you take a step back and think about it, there is no "need" for label-based threads at all. When a label announces a new release, it can get its own thread, which is more likely to get seen by people who are excited to own the movie than an announcement in a label thread. The label threads exist not as a place to discuss the "best release" of a movie, but to discuss the label itself, including (in several cases) directly talking to representatives of the label. With that in mind, I can see why people think it's bad manners to have conversations like that in label threads; it would be like going to somebody's mom-and-pop shop and complaining loudly that the prices are lower on Amazon..

On a practical level, there is a greater than 50% chance that any post that says "Why not import this superior version?" will lead to a conversation about preferring not to import or not being region free, and then the thread gets derailed for at least half a page in a recurring circular argument. The more they can do to get rid of that, the better off we readers are.

I can definitely see your point there. Like I said, I'm not trying to stir the pot. I know when it comes to Twilight Time, certain people get their backs up when it comes to either criticizing or defending them and things can denigrate quickly. I just don't see any real harm in mentioning, if the situation arises, that there might be alternate versions of a particular title if someone asks.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

In recent years on this forum, I've been increasingly annoyed at people who jump into threads here in the North America Blu-ray sub-forum mainly to berate those of us who buy Region A discs from the likes of Scream Factory or Kino instead of buying Region B counterparts that have marginally better picture quality.

I'm grateful that people are around to keep us informed of the best possible high definition transfers of our favorite movies, of course, but some of that gets out of hand.

With Twilight Time, it's usually a non-issue, since this label generally brings us stellar transfers across the board. I'm a fan of Powerhouse/Indicator's Region A output as much as the next person, but the differences with their corresponding releases of Twilight Time titles thus far seem negligible at best. I own The Big Heat from both labels, and I cannot tell the difference between the transfers in motion. Both discs have their respective perks, and I'm keeping both of them forever.

I hear you. I remember asking on one thread if a particular import title was Region Free or Region B locked, and the first response I got was someone chiming in with the usual "Get a region free player, your life will be so much better". Uhm, thanks, I already have a region free player, do you want to try answering the question I had? It's amazing that there are people who think that your buying / collecting / viewing habits have to match theirs. The funniest is the thread asking how you organize your collection and people seem to get really indignant that others don't arrange their movies on the shelf the same way that they do!

[koberulz]

That's only because alphabetical is the only sensible option though.


*ducks*

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by koberulz

That's only because alphabetical is the only sensible option though.


*ducks*

If only there were any sensible people around here.

[krasnoludek]

Originally Posted by koberulz

That's only because alphabetical is the only sensible option though.


*ducks*

Alphabetical by Cinematographer, right? Or do you prefer arranging by Best Boy or Dolly Grip?

Actually, I had been arranging my collection for years by distributor so that I could have all my TT titles in one nice block of black backgrounds and white titles. The Criterions also had a nice look to them. But this drove my husband batty because he could never find the movies he wanted to watch. So I finally caved in and we rearranged the entire collection alphabetically by title.

[koberulz]

Precisely, that's why I don't understand people who categorise. And then if it's not by something as clean as label, what do you do with films that fit multiple categories?

[Dailyan]

I try my best to keep my collection alphabetized but I do organize my boutique labels because the uniform of TT, Criterion and Kino do look nice; mostly also because I have spread out shelves instead of one big one. I use to post in "Rate the collection of the poster above you" but I got annoyed how users were like "it would be a lot better if it was categorized" and/or "if you owned a video store, wouldn't you not categorized it?".

[mja345]

If you have a pretty large collection, then you have to come up with a way of categorizing them. If I did it completely alphabetically, and were that anal about it, my girlfriend would probably leave me. Labels are by far the easiest way to categorize a collection IMO. You have all your TTs on one shelf, your Criterions on another, and other labels in other spots. Only way I've ever been able to sort a fairly large collection.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by mja345

Honestly, if you have a pretty large collection, then you have to come up with a way of categorizing them. If I did it completely alphabetically, and were that anal about it, my girlfriend would probably leave me. Labels are by far the easiest way to categorize a collection IMO.

I also categorize digibooks, steelbooks, box sets, TV shows, and Region B releases. Since my collection isn't that huge I'm not hugely worried with categorizing by genres and all that. With your collection...I don't blame ya.

[RCRochester]

Uh-oh, what have I started?

[Caseyscott]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Uh-oh, what have I started?

Right, but comparing releases, is bad.