Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Not the greatest transfer - though an improvement over the DVD - but a rare Michael Winner film you don't have to make apologies for:

[Show spoiler]

If nothing else, Lawman proves that there is such a thing as a script so good that not even Michael Winner could screw it up, although having an excellent cast doesn't hurt. Burt Lancaster is the lawman of the title, determined to bring in several cattlemen (Robert Duvall among them) only to find that the local boss Lee J. Cobb owns the town and its once famous, now cowardly world-weary sheriff Robert Ryan, who all but steals the film. Curiously, Ryan far preferred this film to The Wild Bunch, though that may be down to Winner's deference to his stars compared with the thoroughly miserable time he had working with Peckinpah (there's another Peckinpah connection in composer Jerry Fielding, who contributes a good, brooding score). Joseph Wiseman, Richard Jordan, Albert Salmi and Sheree North are also thrown into the mix, and surprisingly all of them have well defined characters in what becomes an increasingly complex morality play about the void between what's legal and what's practical as Lancaster begins to realize that his strict adherence to the letter of the law has left him with nothing else in his life.

At times Gerald Wilson's script is perhaps a tad overwritten - everyone gets their big scene explaining their worldview, with no-one truly bad, merely weak - but it's a forgivable weakness. Winner's not quite as overly reliant on crash zooms as usual, though his characteristic laziness does manifest itself in one scene that has characters ride up to Cobb's house in darkness and come into the room in daylight, but for someone like Winner that's almost verging on the competent by his standards.

Looks like maybe I do have one more TT order in me...

I'm an unabashed fan of Michael Winner. Not necessarily as a director, although I enjoy many of his films and I think he's not quite as bad as is sometimes made out (a string of popular films with big name stars, some of whom became friends, would surely attest to some degree of competence).

He was a brilliant raconteur and bon vivant, and a shameless self-publicist. I read his book Winner Takes All on a flight once, and it was a fun and easy read with a some great anecdotes. His second career as an outspoken restaurant critic often caused outrage, but I always found his reviews entertaining and fair-minded. He also did sterling work setting up the Police Memorial Trust to honour fallen officers. A fascinating bloke.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Another vote for Lawman. I'm not a passionate defender of Michael Winner, but that guy had something going in the 70s with a streak of interesting and well-made films.

I'm going to toot the Chato's Land trumpet one final time for anybody looking for a relatively-obscure western title to add to their haul. I think it's better than Lawman, and one can see its DNA in Death Hunt (also Bronson) and First Blood. (Ryan was Winner's first choice to play the detestable Jubal Hooker, but he graciously declined the part due to his battle with cancer.)

I found this Trailers from Hell clip featuring John Landis on Chato’s Land (he did stunt work on the film). Kinda funny.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UCO0jxd-0dU

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

I agree, there are still some problems with a lot of their work like Miami Vice and if another label were to release a Mill Creek film I own then there's a high chance I would re-buy the new release. I think as for Twilight Time, what the press release really means is that SAE has the rights to the remaining stock if all 3,000 copies haven't been printed then it means SAE can print the remaining copies and that's it.

I upgraded my Mill Creek copy of White Squall to the Kino version just as soon as the latter went up for preorder. Just as I suspected, the Kino disc was superior n every department, so the double dip was well worth it.

[Shanew800]

Originally Posted by ASAPadam

If you like gritty '70s cops-on-the-beat movies (and why wouldn't you?!), go with New Centurions and Seven-Ups — they're keepers. (Though the region-free Indicator edition of New Centurions has a 2016 making-of doc, which is why I got that release instead). I didn't like The Incident (it felt stagey and overacted to me) but I'm in the minority and it's probably worth a watch just for its concept and execution. I haven't seen the other two, but I ordered The Hospital this week -- it's the only film on your list that doesn't have a release elsewhere in the world, as far as I can tell.

Thanks! So now that I know I can get another release of New Centurions and The Chase since there are region free versions I can wait on them. So now I'm down to these, yes found two more I forgot of if anyone can add their input as well.
Seven-ups
The Incident
The Hospital
Lawman
Edge of Eternity

[Brandon K]

Having now exhausted the titles that were available to order, and having given a more careful look through the catalog as listed here on Blu-ray.com, I've added a wishlist to my original post, in case anyone has an extra sealed copy of any of these that they're willing to sell for a reasonable price...

[prkchopexpress]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

Funny, I haven't seen anyone (unless I missed it) saying they purchased Bob & Ted & Carol & Alice
Im not singling this one out and a stroll through what's left in the store brings up the fact that some titles are apparently not on anyone's list.

i don’t know when people first heard about it, but i jumped on the website as soon as a i saw mention of it from twitter from dawnofthediscs and went right in, but i did spend a little going through every page twice just to double check my order.

i added it to my cart, but who knows if i get most of my order. i placed mine on sunday around 7 *PM* EST and i haven’t seen any status change other than awaiting shipment.

i know that they had a ton of orders and it will take time to get through all of them. but since until

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by prkchopexpress

i don’t know when people first heard about it, but i jumped on the website as soon as a i saw mention of it from twitter from dawnofthediscs and went right in, but i did spend a little going through every page twice just to double check my order.

i added it to my cart, but who knows if i get most of my order. i placed mine on sunday around 7 EST and i haven’t seen any status change other than awaiting shipment.

i know that they had a ton of orders and it will take time to get through all of them. but since until

You know, this jumped out at me this morning when I searched the site again and was surprised to see again 8 pages of results and then I earmarked some titles for another possible final order, only to then discover that there is no add to cart button (which until now I only had when using direct links to titles that were not listed), which I realised only when jayembee posted a reply to me. That is said because I wanted Inferno in the end.
And boy had I known there was a Journey To The Center Of The Earth! I'll watch my 2003 DVD tonight if I find time.

[Shanew800]

Originally Posted by prkchopexpress

i don’t know when people first heard about it, but i jumped on the website as soon as a i saw mention of it from twitter from dawnofthediscs and went right in, but i did spend a little going through every page twice just to double check my order.

i added it to my cart, but who knows if i get most of my order. i placed mine on sunday around 7 EST and i haven’t seen any status change other than awaiting shipment.

i know that they had a ton of orders and it will take time to get through all of them. but since until

I ordered mine around 6:30 am Sunday morning and I received a shipment notification yesterday. I ordered 5 movies so unless you ordered quite a bit more I'd think yours should be shipped soon also.

[Shanew800]

Originally Posted by Brandon K

Having now exhausted the titles that were available to order, and having given a more careful look through the catalog as listed here on Blu-ray.com, here's my wishlist, in case anyone has an extra sealed copy of any of these that they're willing to sell for a reasonable price...

[Show spoiler]

I believe wild at heart got a shout factory release recently, you'd probably get it there cheaper.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

Thanks! So now that I know I can get another release of New Centurions and The Chase since there are region free versions I can wait on them. So now I'm down to these, yes found two more I forgot of if anyone can add their input as well.
Seven-ups
The Incident
The Hospital

If you're a fan of gritty-70s crime dramas then "The Seven-Ups" is right up your alley. "The Incident" is a tense crime drama with great performances from Martin Sheen and Tony Musante. "The Hospital" is a fine dark-comedy with a murder-mystery element.

Originally Posted by Brandon K

Having now exhausted the titles that were available to order, and having given a more careful look through the catalog as listed here on Blu-ray.com, here's my wishlist, in case anyone has an extra sealed copy of any of these that they're willing to sell for a reasonable price...

[Show spoiler]

"1984" received a Criterion release with a new master, the Eureka release of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" will work on any player with the top menu trick, Kino has re-released "Summer Lovers", and Shout re-released "Wild at Heart" with the deleted scenes that were missing on the Twilight Time release.

Indicator/Powerhouse also has region-free releases of "The Mad Magician", "Mysterious Island", and "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger"

[repulsed]

Originally Posted by Brandon K

Having now exhausted the titles that were available to order, and having given a more careful look through the catalog as listed here on Blu-ray.com, here's my wishlist, in case anyone has an extra sealed copy of any of these that they're willing to sell for a reasonable price...

[Show spoiler]

I don't know if you are aware of it but Indicator has many of those released on region free (all of the Sinbad, Mad Magician, Mys. Island) editions. And if you are region free you can get a few others from Arrow (Baskervilles, Fury) and 1 from Indicator (First men). And Wild at Heart is on shout select

I realize you may want The TT releases specifically. I'd understand that but I'm hoping maybe this helps


EDIT: Posted this even though I just saw a response it or two to it as I was about to post. Thanks to all that helped. Just wasn't quick enough

Also thanks for making me aware of Kino regarding Summer Lovers. Might have to grab that soon

[JasonMichael]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

I believe wild at heart got a shout factory release recently, you'd probably get it there cheaper.

Yes, it did, through Shout Select and looks good. Of course, the Shout version is lacking the isolated music track included on the Twilight Time disc.

[spawningblue]

Originally Posted by repulsed

I don't know if you are aware of it but Indicator has many of those released on region free (all of the Sinbad, Mad Magician, Mys. Island) editions. And if you are region free you can get a few others from Arrow (Baskervilles, Fury) and 1 from Indicator (First men). And Wild at Heart is on shout select

First Men is region free as well. All of their Harryhausen releases were.

[prkchopexpress]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

I ordered mine around 6:30 am Sunday morning and I received a shipment notification yesterday. I ordered 5 movies so unless you ordered quite a bit more I'd think yours should be shipped soon also.

i should have specified. i ordered mine at around 7 pm. i had fourteen titles in my cart. so if i was like one of the people who went right to the site to browse after hearing on twitter... i don’t expect it to be immediate. but i haven’t received a refund yet.... so maybe?

[HaroldnMaude]

I'm trying to fill holes in my Twilight Time collection. For me that doesn't mean owning every TT release, but only my most wanted films that I missed. For example, for myself, I have little interest in the Woody Allen films.

I am curious if anyone has purchased any of the Japanese 20th Century Fox releases of OOP Twilight Time releases? Amazon Japan is shipping to North America, very quickly via DHL (it's pricey but at least it arrives). I used it this week to get something that has never been released in North America on blu-ray: Bogdanovich's "Nickelodeon" & am happy with the results.
I was looking at the Japanese "How to Steal a Million" since I foolishly thought that would stick around as long as "Two For the Road" - which is surprising that it is still available at SAE since it is the superior Audrey Hepburn picture IMO. Anyways, found a copy of the TT version for only $50US so got that instead of the Japanese. BUT , I did order the Japanese version of "Breaking Away" as that seems to be difficult to find at a reasonable price. I expect it sometime next week.
NOW I am curious about the Japanese version of "The Egyptian?" Honestly, I'm not sure it even sounds sound like a good movie, but it seems like the craziest TT title to aquire, so just that makes me want to see it. Currently on Amazon there are 2 with 3rd party sellers for about $200US and on Amazon Canada there are 5 copies available through 3rd party sellers at prices ranging from $170US - $345US. This makes the Japanese version seem quite reasonable only $50US with shipping. I know I won't get the special features on the TT disc, but frankly I find them usually weak in that regard anyways.
Next on my list of wanted titles is "Mr Hobbs Takes A Vacation." It doesn't seem to have an official Japanese release, & I am wobbling about whether I want one of the European releases to save $10-15 over asking prices for the TT version.
For myself, I got most of the films I wanted that are now OOP TT titles when they were available during previous sales a couple years ago.. Of those titles I am most happy to have "Cat Ballou," ""Born Yesterday," & "Bonjour Tristesse."
For the longest time, my most wanted OOP title was the Bing Crosby picture "High Time," and finally getting a copy last month really gave me the bug to look for other titles I am missing - not just TT releases, thus the Bogdanovich. "High Time" is interesting as it is the picture Blake Edwards made between "Operation Petticoat" & "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The TT release is the only home video release the film has ever had. It has a few cute touches, but it feels like something Edwards made just for the paycheque. It was supposed to be a Gary Cooper picture, but when he was too sick with cancer they brought in Crosby & added a couple songs. Crosby just sort of floats through the picture - LOL that wasn't intentional for anyone who knows how the picture ends. I found this sentence on the wikipedia article about the film interesting: "Fabian later called Bing Crosby "a great artist, a great actor, and a great musical person" but "not a nice man.”" Yikes! Unfortunately, looking at the trailer for the film, Fabian was supposed to have 2 musical numbers, but in the finished film one of his scenes with the 2nd song got cut. Tuesday Weld is cute, & her character isn't as *****y as she is on " Dobie Gillis" or in many of her films.
The one OOP TT title that I recently got exceeded any expectations in regards to being just amazing quality and an incredible upgrade from its DVD release was Steeisand's "Yentl." It is a absolutely gorgeous and packed with special features. This has gone on too long, so I won't start in with all I could say about Streisand. But Amy Irving... wow always blown away by how beautiful she is in this. Gosh! Just wikipedia'd her - sooooo much I didn't know about her.

[Flapperdame16]

Does anyone think the SAE prices will drop at all? Even if it's ever the slightest drop?

[eapfan69]

Since there’s some consideration going on about Lawman, I’ll throw in a bit of info FWIW. I have the US DVD and the UK dvd. The UK version was trimmed of some violence but has the best Sheree North topless nudity ever put on film. The US version does not have that. I presume the US version is what appears on the TT blu. I thought it was good when I watched it a number of years ago but have decided that I won’t worry about missing the blu if I never get around to getting it.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by Flapperdame16

Does anyone think the SAE prices will drop at all? Even if it's ever the slightest drop?

I can see it happening, but I wouldn't run the risk of finding out.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by SonnybytheSea

I think you nailed it with "kind of films that fall through the cracks" it's the only reason I wouldn't trash them because of films that might not have a release other wise!

I agree with both you and Aclea regarding Mill Creek. They have never been ideal and probably never will be, but they serve a purpose and sometimes do a serviceable job of it. Hardly high praise, but so what? I’ve had just as good of a time watching some Mill Creek titles as I have Criterion ones. In the end, that’s what counts for me.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

Thanks! So now that I know I can get another release of New Centurions and The Chase since there are region free versions I can wait on them. So now I'm down to these, yes found two more I forgot of if anyone can add their input as well.
Seven-ups
The Incident
The Hospital
Lawman
Edge of Eternity

I hate to be THAT GUY, but someone has to say it:

GET ALL OF THEM!

Honestly, there isn’t a bad movie in the bunch. If you can find a way to manage it, don’t miss out on any of these.