Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[StingingVelvet]

I love cool cover art but I would never buy a disc for it. Well... never pay $30 additional for it, anyway.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I love cool cover art but I would never buy a disc for it. Well... never pay $30 additional for it, anyway.

Yes, I agree with that, but I have done the opposite.
I can't usually bring myself buying Blurays of films that I love with bad artwork, in anticipation of another release from another territory or a remaster maybe, with better one.
I know the film is what counts, but...

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by docc

Cool innovative cover design for The Big Heat but I prefer the original, classier and more noirish I think

Nah, I thought that art was someone joking around. That can't be the real thing, can it? Where's the classic window blind art?

[RalphoR]

Not sure which cover I like better but I'm just glad they aren't the same to differentiate which release is which.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by cine74

Nah, I thought that art was someone joking around. That can't be the real thing, can it? Where's the classic window blind art?

You can't use the classic window blind every time. It would lose its meaning and become too much of a cliché

[TwilightTimeMovies]

Originally Posted by jayembee

You can blame me for this one.

I ordered Mysterious Island and Nineteen Eighty-Four on Nov 20. They shipped, and I received them, but my card had not been charged for it (though the usual 24-hour pre-authorization appeared and disappeared when I ordered). I figured that they might've been crazed during the holidays, so I waited until after the New Year to see if the charge would show up. It didn't.

I'm not one to take advantage of an obvious fall through the cracks, so the other day I contacted Twilight Time about it. They looked into it, and told me that because Mysterious Island was delayed, the shipment went past the allotted authorization window, which is why my account wasn't charged.

Apparently, in looking into this, they found other instances in which the charge wasn't made. You should check your card accounts to see if your charge went through or not, and contact them as needs be.

They sent a message to my account on the site, so that I could provide the payment info without having to send it through email. The only truly secure way they could correct this would be to have people place a duplicate order in order to get the payment info, and then not ship the duplicate order, but that could be complicated and fraught with its own problems.

All,

I apologize for the confusion on this and the poor communication on our end. This was a legitimate email from Randy, however we don't want anyone to email their credit card number. For the small number of folks affected, we can send you a PayPal invoice, or phone you to process the charges.

This whole issue is unfortunately due to our credit card processor expiring several authorizations earlier than intended and not notifying us.

Just email us at support@twilighttimemovies.com if you have any questions or concerns.

[The Great Owl]

I just finished watching my Twilight Time Blu-ray of Mississippi Burning.

This movie really blew me away when I saw it in the late 1980s, by way of a VHS tape rental, and it still packs a powerful punch now. The final act has a few historical inaccuracies, but I'm inclined to think that the film nonetheless captures the sad spirit of those times. The transition to a "buddy cop movie" does not lessen the impact of the narrative, and, in fact, it calls to attention some of the likely real reasons why the FBI visited the state.

When I was a kid, I used to see the 1975 TV movie, Attack on Terror: The FBI vs. the Ku Klux Klan, which details the same historical events, but with a comparable lack of brutality. I'd love for that movie to find its way to DVD or Blu-ray.

Mississippi Burning dropped at a good time, since many issues similar to ones addressed in the film were being shoved under the rug in the 1980s, and it really woke many of us up to the true horrors of racism in an age where "polite racism" was still fairly ubiquitous. The movie was also a wake-up call to the fact that silence all too often means approval, and that, as an old quote goes, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." It's still a tough movie to watch, but it's an educational film with regard to capturing the aura of what was once sadly considered acceptable.

I think that the Blu-ray sports a really good transfer, although I'll give the standard disclaimer that I don't watch movies to hunt for compression artifacts and such. This film certainly looks better than I've ever seen it look before. The booklet essay is well-written, and it does a great job of conveying the importance of the film even in these times. The commentary track brings to light many of the challenges with the filming and the subject matter.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching my Twilight Time Blu-ray of Mississippi Burning.

This movie really blew me away when I saw it in the late 1980s, by way of a VHS tape rental, and it still packs a powerful punch now. The final act has a few historical inaccuracies, but I'm inclined to think that the film nonetheless captures the sad spirit of those times. The transition to a "buddy cop movie" does not lessen the impact of the narrative, and, in fact, it calls to attention some of the likely real reasons why the FBI visited the state.

When I was a kid, I used to see the 1975 TV movie, Attack on Terror: The FBI vs. the Ku Klux Klan, which details the same historical events, but with a comparable lack of brutality. I'd love for that movie to find its way to DVD or Blu-ray.

Mississippi Burning dropped at a good time, since many issues similar to ones addressed in the film were being shoved under the rug in the 1980s, and it really woke many of us up to the true horrors of racism in an age where "polite racism" was still fairly ubiquitous. The movie was also a wake-up call to the fact that silence all too often means approval, and that, as an old quote goes, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." It's still a tough movie to watch, but it's an educational film with regard to capturing the aura of what was once sadly considered acceptable.

I think that the Blu-ray sports a really good transfer, although I'll give the standard disclaimer that I don't watch movies to hunt for compression artifacts and such. This film certainly looks better than I've ever seen it look before. The booklet essay is well-written, and it does a great job of conveying the importance of the film even in these times. The commentary track brings to light many of the challenges with the filming and the subject matter.

Detail was good, but man the print was dirty. I hear Second Sight may have cleaned up the print for their region B release.

Still my second favorite film of 1988 after Last Temptation of Christ.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

Detail was good, but man the print was dirty. I hear Second Sight may have cleaned up the print for their region B release.

Still my second favorite film of 1988 after Last Temptation of Christ.

I need to give you a very high five for also making that film your favorite of '88.

[jw007]

And oh god, I now recall David Bowie was in that film too. Jesus, the irony... I posted that last message before I found out he just passed away. Unreal.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching my Twilight Time Blu-ray of Mississippi Burning.

Picked up a copy recently but have not watched it yet. One of my favourite films with a dream cast; the depth of talent is simply amazing. Gene Hackman in particular is outstanding. So many great scenes, but of course everyone remembers the barber shop - for good reason. Just a shame he ran into Dustin Hoffman at the '89 Oscars, who was never going to be denied for his turn in Rain Man.

Was also reminded that Mississippi Burning did pick up the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, with well-deserved nominations for the excellent Frances McDormand, and director Alan Parker.

I always hoped for a Criterion release, but very happy to have it on BD from TT.

[The Great Owl]

I just finished watching my Twilight Time Blu-ray of Absolute Beginners.

Absolute Beginners jumped to the top of my still-unwatched Blu-ray stack today for the obvious reason of David Bowie's passing. The title song and "That's Motivation" are both standout Bowie tracks on the soundtrack, and the scenes in the film that feature these songs are energetic and riveting, but I was also entranced by the Sade number, "Killer Blow", and the wonderful Ray Davies song, "Quiet Life." A song from The Style Council also brought a smile to my face.

In fact, this whole movie brought a smile to my face. Absolute Beginners kicks off with an amazing extended camera take, and continues to command attention by way of colorful sets that are often incredibly complex, such as the Ray Davies sequence referenced above. Patsy Kensit is gorgeous, as she always was back in the day, and she is matched by a diverse cast of talent, including Steven Berkoff at his menacing best.

The somewhat whimsical story of teenagers getting over their heads in the corrupt world of adult moneymaking carries us along in bliss until the story throws us a provocative curveball by way of 1958 street riots that are based on actual events. I think that the film holds its tone quite well across the board, though.

David Bowie's mid-to-late 1980s work is oft-maligned, but I grew up listening to the title song and the soundtrack to Labyrinth, as well as the music from his albums, Tonight and Never Let Me Down. I loved this time period in David Bowie's career, because, although it does not match his late-1970s phase, I think that it exudes, in a colorful fashion, the notion that anything is possible. The film, Absolute Beginners, reflects this vibe quite well.

I also think that the Blu-ray looks and sounds stunning.


EDIT: I managed to snag an inexpensive "Used - Like New" copy of the CD soundtrack to Absolute Beginners from Amazon a few minutes ago. The stock of this CD seems to be dwindling and most copies are way overpriced right now.

[StingingVelvet]

Mississippi Burning isn't normally a movie I would own, just rent, but you guys have me wanting it.

[lesco]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching my Twilight Time Blu-ray of Absolute Beginners.

It's funny, I watched this last year as soon as it arrived in the post, and yesterday I was thinking that I'd like to watch it again later that evening - and then the news breaks about Bowie. I'm just too stunned to watch it now ... it's like I never thought he would actually "die" like mortal human beings, just disappear somehow.

[oildude]

I am on work travel the next few days and unable to post the latest TT covers, but I just have to say that Where the Sidewalk Ends has one of the best yet. Dangerous and very cool....I love good cover art and this one really sells it. Film noir and Dana Andrews FTW!

Someone has loaded the cover into the database so it is showing up in the OP now if anyone is interested in checking it out. You can also click on the TT Facebook link in the OP to see a larger image.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by oildude

I am on work travel the next few days and unable to post the latest TT covers, but I just have to say that Where the Sidewalk Ends has one of the best yet. Dangerous and very cool....I love good cover art and this one really sells it. Film noir and Dana Andrews FTW!

Someone has loaded the cover into the database so it is showing up in the OP now if anyone is interested in checking it out. You can also click on the TT Facebook link in the OP to see a larger image.

BTW, just a small correction. You have the releases that are available for pre-order on Feb 3rd down as being released on Feb 9th. It's actually Feb 16th.

[rdodolak]

Special Features: Isolated Score Track / Audio Commentary with Film Historians Paul Seydor, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman / Original Theatrical Trailer

[rdodolak]

Special Features: Isolated Score Track / Original Theatrical Trailer

[rdodolak]

Special Features: Isolated Music & Effects Track / Audio Commentary with Film Historians David Del Valle and Derek Botelho

[rdodolak]

Special Features: Isolated Score Track / Audio Commentary with Film Historian Eddie Muller / Original Theatrical Trailer