Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[Scooter1836]

I just ordered "The Big Heat" and "Roots of Heaven"

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Scooter1836

I just ordered "The Big Heat" and "Roots of Heaven"

Excellent choices, Scooter. I really like them both. TBH has incredible PQ and is one of the finest noirs ever made. Fritz Lang at the top of his game.

ROH is by probably my favorite director, John Huston. Highly under-rated film. It does have some minor PQ issues inherent to the source material. For about the first 45 minutes there are brief color fluctuations during the fade-in following a scene transition. Not a big deal, and it disappears after awhile.

If you are open to other TT suggestions, I can highly recommend what I think is the best film they have so far released, the 1965 CinemaScope "lost-in-the-vault treasure" Rapture. It has some of the finest B&W cinematography I have ever seen, and it is a stunning film to boot. It is my favorite blind-buy of the past year.

Here is what I wrote about it here early in 2012:

Rapture -

[Show spoiler]I would encourage anyone considering Twilight Time releases to pick up Rapture. It is a fantastic film. Except for occasional brief visits to network TV over the years, it has been relegated to vault status since its release in 1965. Such a shame, because the film is a real gem and deserves to be seen. It is emotionally compelling, fantastically acted, well written, with absolutely beautiful music and cinematography. I have never seen rocky beaches and coastlines look so stunning in black and white. The film is a showcase for Cinemascope in all its glory. Twilight Time has finally given it the treatment it deserves, and for me it is the standout film of the young company's catalog of releases thus far.

The story is as brooding and ominous as the storm shrouded Breton coast, almost neo-gothic in tone, building suspense because the viewer is never quite sure what is going to happen. There is redemption and sacrifice like in many great films, and scenes that are truly memorable for their tender and moving portrayal of loneliness and despair. And yet, in its heart of darkness, there is a love of life in Rapture that beats joyously loud. The actors are all superb; Patricia Gozzi shows a range of ability rarely seen in a young star. This is an unforgettable film, and it will stay with you after watching it. I can see why the director John Guillermin considers this to be his finest work.

While watching Rapture, I thought about some of the taboo elements in the movie that would make it impossible to be made today with the same level of honesty and intensity (at least in the US). The emotionally fragile teenage girl becoming aware of her sexuality, combined with the uncertainty of whether she is mentally disturbed or merely developmentally delayed and emotionally immature in a world of callous adults, makes Rapture both a dark fairy tale and a gently uplifting coming of age story.

I don’t know quite what to compare it to, it is a unique film. I think if someone likes Hitchcock and Bergman, they will like Rapture. It also reminded me of elements of early Polanski, specifically Repulsion.

[Scooter1836]

Originally Posted by oildude

Excellent choices, Scooter. I really like them both. TBH has incredible PQ and is one of the finest noirs ever made. Fritz Lang at the top of his game.

ROH is by probably my favorite director, John Huston. Highly under-rated film. It does have some minor PQ issues inherent to the source material. For about the first 45 minutes there are brief color fluctuations during the fade-in following a scene transition. Not a big deal, and it disappears after awhile.

If you are open to other TT suggestions, I can highly recommend what I think is the best film they have so far released, the 1965 CinemaScope "lost-in-the-vault treasure" Rapture. It has some of the finest B&W cinematography I have ever seen, and it is a stunning film to boot. It is my favorite blind-buy of the past year.

Here is what I wrote about it here early in 2012:

Rapture -

[Show spoiler]I would encourage anyone considering Twilight Time releases to pick up Rapture. It is a fantastic film. Except for occasional brief visits to network TV over the years, it has been relegated to vault status since its release in 1965. Such a shame, because the film is a real gem and deserves to be seen. It is emotionally compelling, fantastically acted, well written, with absolutely beautiful music and cinematography. I have never seen rocky beaches and coastlines look so stunning in black and white. The film is a showcase for Cinemascope in all its glory. Twilight Time has finally given it the treatment it deserves, and for me it is the standout film of the young company's catalog of releases thus far.

The story is as brooding and ominous as the storm shrouded Breton coast, almost neo-gothic in tone, building suspense because the viewer is never quite sure what is going to happen. There is redemption and sacrifice like in many great films, and scenes that are truly memorable for their tender and moving portrayal of loneliness and despair. And yet, in its heart of darkness, there is a love of life in Rapture that beats joyously loud. The actors are all superb; Patricia Gozzi shows a range of ability rarely seen in a young star. This is an unforgettable film, and it will stay with you after watching it. I can see why the director John Guillermin considers this to be his finest work.

While watching Rapture, I thought about some of the taboo elements in the movie that would make it impossible to be made today with the same level of honesty and intensity (at least in the US). The emotionally fragile teenage girl becoming aware of her sexuality, combined with the uncertainty of whether she is mentally disturbed or merely developmentally delayed and emotionally immature in a world of callous adults, makes Rapture both a dark fairy tale and a gently uplifting coming of age story.

I don’t know quite what to compare it to, it is a unique film. I think if someone likes Hitchcock and Bergman, they will like Rapture. It also reminded me of elements of early Polanski, specifically Repulsion.

Rapture is actually on my wish list. I should get to it soon. Based on what I have read in this thread it does look like a lost treasure. Although it would be a blind buy and I am a big Hitchkock and Bergman fan and you note that if you like those directors you will like "Rapture".

I follow this thread although I don't post in it often so I have seen many discussions on "Rapture" and it does sound like a film I would like.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by oildude

ROH is by probably my favorite director, John Huston. Highly under-rated film.

Huston's The Roots of Heaven appears to be TT's 'red-haired stepchild'. Not a lot of discussion, and apparently even pokier sales. I never understood precisely why, because this was a formerly 'lost' John Huston film with a delightfully funky cast...decades ahead of its time in terms of environmental themes and politics...and shot mostly on location, which was always a boon with 'Scope pictures. Of its many unconventional pleasures, I particularly enjoyed Orson Welles' full bombast supporting role, and Juliette Gréco's haunted, world-weary 'glow' throughout. In many respects this is actually her story.

TROH also has an odd 'corrupted' colour palette, with unusual juxtapositions of hues, especially noticeable in the interiors, giving this film a very distinctive look. Unfortunately, the following pic doesn't really do that justice but it still suggests the unconventional, locale-centric art direction here:



I enjoyed this film immensely when I saw it at the beginning of this year, and watched it again just last month. Nice to see Scooter taking a chance on this one; it's woefully undervalued in the collection. Hopefully, one day it will find more fans for its exotic, sombre, 'tarnished' beauty.

Originally Posted by oildude

It does have some minor PQ issues inherent to the source material. For about the first 45 minutes there are brief color fluctuations during the fade-in following a scene transition. Not a big deal, and it disappears after awhile.

Unfortunately, never totally oildude, because that was just the nature of CinemaScope scene dissolves. Unlike Technicolor, 'Scope transitions weren't A & B rolled...every dissolve was an optical, which meant the shot(s) immediately before and after were photo-chemically degraded by a separate pass through the optical printer. On some 'Scope pictures this visual cue that a dissolve was coming was more noticeable than others, but almost all late 50s/early 60s Fox 'Scope pictures looked like this...I've seen so many of these now that I guess I'm just used to them, and don't really notice them anymore. To modern audiences they must seem more jarring because in the digital age such visual aberrations are non-existent. However, during the 'Scope era these optical dissolves were the rule rather than the exception.

[PuppetMasterBlu]

Originally Posted by Scooter1836

I just ordered "The Big Heat" and "Roots of Heaven"

Wow so your the guy who ordered Roots of Heaven.

[HyperRealist]

Bonjour Tristesse review
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Bonjo.../52515/#Review

[BobbyMcGee]

Originally Posted by HyperRealist

Bonjour Tristesse review
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Bonjo.../52515/#Review

Really enjoyed this film when I saw it earlier this year. Is there any place cheaper than SAE to order this from?

Would LOVE to also own In The French Style on blu-ray.

[JoeDeM]

Originally Posted by BobbyMcGee

Really enjoyed this film when I saw it earlier this year. Is there any place cheaper than SAE to order this from?

Would LOVE to also own In The French Style on blu-ray.

Only SAE.

[Scooter1836]

Originally Posted by Scooter1836

I just ordered "The Big Heat" and "Roots of Heaven"

Well these just now came in the mail...suprisingly I got magnets....1 magnet for "Pal Joey" and another for "Désirée" ...Doesn't quite make sense, but whatever LOL. I do own "Désirée" at least .

I will be watching these over the next few days. These were blind buys, but clearly types of movies that Ilike so I am sure I won't be disapointed. Especially in what has been said about these in previous posts.

[Arkadin]

they are just trying to get rid of all the magnets now.
they are done with magnets unfortunately.
oh well.

[HyperRealist]

woah. SAE is selling tons of Blu-rays now from other studios like Kino and Shout Factory.

[ROclockCK]

...discovered while searching for clips from Beloved Infidel. With the pre-order for that Blu going up next Friday, and Bonjour Tristesse now shipping, I just thought the time might be right to share this retrospective tribute:

Kerr Tribute

So beautiful. So talented. Although best known for her romantic pictures, was there a genre* she never tackled?

* other than science fiction and maybe the 'classic' western, it looks like she did at least one of each!

[blue rice 2012]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

...discovered while searching for clips from Beloved Infidel. With the pre-order for that Blu going up next Friday, and Bonjour Tristesse now shipping, I just thought the time might be right to share this retrospective tribute:

Thanks for sharing the clip. I'm fond of the music. Great to hear on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Any idea of the tittle or artist, composer ?

Thanks in advance.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by blue rice 2012

Thanks for sharing the clip. I'm fond of the music. Great to hear on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Any idea of the tittle or artist, composer ?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry blue rice 2012, but I was wondering that myself.

We have some music mavens here...anyone else recognize it?

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

...discovered while searching for clips from Beloved Infidel. With the pre-order for that Blu going up next Friday, and Bonjour Tristesse now shipping, I just thought the time might be right to share this retrospective tribute:

Kerr Tribute

So beautiful. So talented. Although best known for her romantic pictures, was there a genre* she never tackled?

* other than science fiction and maybe the 'classic' western, it looks like she did at least one of each!

May I ask how you find out that the preorder is going up next Friday, or how anyone finds out which titles are going up for pre-order , just curious ?

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by deepblonde

May I ask how you find out that the preorder is going up next Friday, or how anyone finds out which titles are going up for pre-order , just curious ?

It was posted on TT's Facebook page several weeks ago, and reposted here several times since deepblonde.

As a general rule though, TT's pre-orders will go up on SAE on a Friday at 4pm EST, wherever that falls around the mid-month mark...as early as the 12th, and as late as the 19th.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by blue rice 2012

Any idea of the tittle or artist, composer?

Okay, I found it blue rice 2012. The piece is called "A Simple Life" (or maybe that's the CD title?) by a musician named Brian Crain.

"A Simple Life" is kind of fitting for Kerr, isn't it?

[blue rice 2012]

You are spot on, that's the one.
Thanks for the effort.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by blue rice 2012

You are spot on, that's the one.
Thanks for the effort.

Slightly off topic, but here's another sample of Crain's work blue rice 2012:

Brian Crain

That is very nice 'piii-annna'. Dude should be scoring films!

[cavesailor]

Originally Posted by blue rice 2012

Thanks for sharing the clip. I'm fond of the music. Great to hear on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

a big +1. Now Roc, Just when I thought I might be near done wih my collecting, You have given me two names to go after. I had not realized how many great movies Deborah Kerr had been in. I'll have to get her movies.

I also liked the music of Brian Cain. It was beautiful and relaxing to listen to. I will have to buy some of his CDs.

I am going to go broke if I keep reading everyones posts.