Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[HyperRealist]

Just a heads-up that also on Nov 16th, 4 pm EST, we will be bringing back our popular DVD giveaway offer which will be in place for three weeks, concluding on Friday Dec 7th.

Those aficionados spending $100 or more on TT product will have their choice of a free TT DVD from:

THE KREMLIN LETTER
VIOLENT SATURDAY
WOMAN OBSESSED
THE EGYPTIAN
MY COUSIN RACHEL
STAGECOACH
THE LEFT HAND OF GOD

Offer in effect from Nov 16th, 4 pm EST to Dec 7th, 4 pm EST.

http://www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies

[NoirFan]

I really wish they'd start including Blu-rays in these promotions, as I have no interest in any DVD, free or otherwise.

[HyperRealist]

I think they just suckered me into buying a DVD since I'll already be at $90 with the December pre-orders.

[EddieLarkin]

Dang, I really only want Flim Flam Man and Fate is the Hunter. Presumably they are selling well enough to not merit inclusion.

[JoeDeM]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Dang, I really only want Flim Flam Man and Fate is the Hunter. Presumably they are selling well enough to not merit inclusion.

I would definitely go for Flim Flam Man, if it was released on Blu.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

I really wish they'd start including Blu-rays in these promotions, as I have no interest in any DVD, free or otherwise.

I felt the same Noir Fan until their previous free DVD offer. At some point though, I said "What the hell, I'm ordering these Blu-rays anyway, and if that means getting a free DVD of something I might not have a chance of seeing any other way...well...even if I only watch the durn thing once, and don't want to keep it, I can find some other equally curious buyer, or heck, just swap it for a $5.00 credit on a Best Buy Trade and Save deal.

To my surprise, I ended up not only enjoying those DVDs but also keeping very single one of them, and since then actually buying most of TT's other DVD-only titles too. Why? Well, the thing is, as DVDs go, TT's really aren't a shuck...you get the same basic treatment they give their Blu-rays: a nicely authored and pressed DVD (except for Woman Obsessed which was a MOD-DVD-R), anamorphic transfers of widescreen titles (except for Violent Saturday which was letterboxed), with the same IST treatment for the scores (which sound great even off a DVD), plus an entertaining and informative production background booklet with reproduction of the original poster art on the last page. Like the rest of their catalogue, most of these titles have never been released on DVD before or even available in widescreen form.

FWIW, here's how they stack up for me as movies and discs:

1. My Cousin Rachel - wonderful gothic Daphne du Maurier story with impeccable B&W production values, plus memorable performances by a very young Richard Burton paired up with Olivia de Havilland in her prime. I'd never seen it, so I had no idea what to expect, but I was thrilled to discover that even upscaled from DVD, this disc looked and sounded gorgeous. Classiest art of the bunch too.
2. The Left Hand of God - a previously unseen Humphrey Bogart and Gene Tierney picture with a previously unheard Victor Young score. Really interesting 2.55:1 'Scope gem from Edward Dmytryk, which looked surprisingly good upscaled to 1080p. The gift here is you end up just liking the odd 'vibe' of it despite some wonky choices (like Lee J. Cobb as a Chinese warlord...which must be seen to be disbelieved). Worth it alone for Bogart in one of his least likely, and most affecting performances.
3. The Kremlin Letter - TT's very first release, and a terrific John Huston Cold War espionage thriller with a fascinating, rather creepy performance by Max Von Sydow. Had TT been doing Blu-rays at the time, this one could also have easily gone HD because it looked and sounded really clean and snappy throughout.
4. Stagecoach - Strange, kinda schizo 'tone' to this movie, but I warmed to it considerably as it unfolded. Again, the 60s 'Scope master TT was working from was pretty solid throughout so you won't often feel like you're just watching (or listening to) a second rate DVD. Besides, it's great to see Ann-Margret in anything, and you can never go wrong with a Jerry Goldsmith score.
5. Violent Saturday - Noirish, brutal, and a hoot, with Lee Marvin pretty much stealing the show with the same kind of thug moves on display in The Big Heat. Zooming its 4:3 letterboxed 'Scope transfer does neatly get rid of the windowboxing, but the penalty is detail. Enjoyed this movie immensely though, but it's strictly for completists and diehards in this compromised form.
6. Woman Obsessed - I will finally pick it up on this free DVD deal just to finally see the movie and complete my TT collection. But some of you already know how I feel about MOD DVD-Rs (I think I own only 6 of them total). Expectations are rather low, so it might offer a surprise or two.

As for The Egyptian DVD, I wouldn't bother as long as TT's sumptuous Blu-ray is still available.

So the good news is, there are at least 3 unqualified collector gems among these free DVDs, even if they are in SD. The rest rise or fall depending on your regard for the movie, or just plain curosity. Personally, I'm glad I took a chance on some of these the last time around because, like I said, they are limited to 3000 too, and are better than average quality DVDs, so they'll likely retain some after market value, even on a trade or flip.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

I really wish they'd start including Blu-rays in these promotions, as I have no interest in any DVD, free or otherwise.

Fright Night blu-ray was free.

I'm not too interested in DVD's either. But I took advantage of the deal last time (didn't they do this just a couple of months ago?) because I had 4 or 5 titles I was definitely getting, and I usually order in groups of 3 or 4 anyway to save on shipping. So getting the DVD was a neat little extra. Of course now that I have those titles I wanted, I doubt i could spend another $100 with them for at least a few more months. I haven't been as interested in as many of their most recent announcements.

[Blu-Velvet]

I got VIOLENT SATURDAY on the last free DVD promotion, and as I'll likely be ordering four Blu-rays on the upcoming pre-order date I'll certainly try another, most likely MY COUSIN RACHEL, as the cast looks great and the trailer looked intriguing. VIOLENT SATURDAY was really a great movie all around -- story, cinematography, acting, and sound -- but it was really frustrating to blow up that non-anamorphic transfer to 10 feet wide. It should look just fine on a regular TV set, however, as it's obviously from original elements in excellent condition. I hope it eventually gets a good HD transfer and Blu-ray release.

The other free DVD titles also sound interesting, although of course I already have THE EGYPTIAN in the Blu-ray version (my first order from TT, and the perfect title, along with THE LOVES OF PHARAOH and the "Mummy" movies for viewing in my basement theatre environment - see screenshots in my home theatre gallery).

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Fright Night blu-ray was free.

Yes indeed AgentOrange, and signed by Tom Holland too. I doubt they'll ever do that again. I happened to have an order ready just as that deal was announced, and could hardly believe it.

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I'm not too interested in DVD's either. But I took advantage of the deal last time (didn't they do this just a couple of months ago?) because I had 4 or 5 titles I was definitely getting, and I usually order in groups of 3 or 4 anyway to save on shipping. So getting the DVD was a neat little extra. Of course now that I have those titles I wanted, I doubt i could spend another $100 with them for at least a few more months. I haven't been as interested in as many of their most recent announcements.

Believe it or not that was last April...a full 7 months ago! Actually, TT's first free DVD offer was one of the compounding factors in SAE's server woes when Journey to the Center of the Earth and The Big Heat went up...the biggie of course being those 100 Pat Boone signed copies of Journey.

The 100 dollar question is, "Would they ever do something like this with their softer selling Blu-ray titles?" Probably not while they still have stock of legacy DVDs...it's pretty obvious they're just clearing those out. Also, it's worth noting that most of TT Blu-rays have been in the market for less than a year, so they're nowhere near the close of their 3 year window. But I have seen similar offers from SAE for limited run soundtracks, so I wouldn't bet against that never happening with at least a handful of TT's pokiest selling Blu-rays.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

I got VIOLENT SATURDAY on the last free DVD promotion, and as I'll likely be ordering four Blu-rays on the upcoming pre-order date I'll certainly try another, most likely MY COUSIN RACHEL, as the cast looks great and the trailer looked intriguing. VIOLENT SATURDAY was really a great movie all around -- story, cinematography, acting, and sound -- but it was really frustrating to blow up that non-anamorphic transfer to 10 feet wide. It should look just fine on a regular TV set, however, as it's obviously from original elements in excellent condition. I hope it eventually gets a good HD transfer and Blu-ray release.

Agree Blu-Velvet. It wasn't a miserable experience watching Violent Saturday this way, just nowhere near ideal given the quality of the movie and source. Had it not been for the 4:3 letterboxing, I would have ranked this title much higher because the movie was good, as was the film element used. I grabbed it anyway because this is likely one of those deep vault Fox titles that will never receive a proper HD showcase. Of course, I've been wrong about that before, so who knows...?

You really can't go astray with My Cousin Rachel or The Left Hand of God, especially the former. If you've seen any of those Fox Studio Classics or Cinema Classics DVDs of vintage B&W titles, you have some idea what they had to work with and how this DVD will look upscaled. Heck, I've seen Blu-rays that didn't look as good as this DVD...the source film and transfer were that strong.

[HyperRealist]

Was SAE's post office affected by the hurricane? My package hasn't moved since it was accepted in Linden, VA on the 9th.

[Arkadin]

if it's being sent via the post office it does not get updated as it travels. It just arrives and then you will see the date of the delivery. I've noticed this with tracking over the past year. If it goes by UPS, on the other hand, you will see updates as it makes its way across the country.
btw: I haven't gotten my SAE order either and my friend got his 2 days ago.
so who knows what the deal is.

[SpartanIre]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

if it's being sent via the post office it does not get updated as it travels. It just arrives and then you will see the date of the delivery. I've noticed this with tracking over the past year. If it goes by UPS, on the other hand, you will see updates as it makes its way across the country.
btw: I haven't gotten my SAE order either and my friend got his 2 days ago.
so who knows what the deal is.

Mine arrived yesterday. It was normally quite common for me to receive packages from SAE on the Friday of release. Hang in there...

[HyperRealist]

Out for delivery

[HyperRealist]

which 2 DVDS should I get?

[Whirlygig]

Forgive my ignorance, hardcore TTers. Has Pal Joey always been $34.95, and if so, why is it higher than most others?

[EddieLarkin]

Did we ever find out what the quality is like on the German release of Rains of Ranchipur? It's been available for a month now.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by Whirlygig

Forgive my ignorance, hardcore TTers. Has Pal Joey always been $34.95, and if so, why is it higher than most others?

Always $34.95? : Yes

Why? : Don't know

However, it wasn't uncommon to see a few $34.95 titles among TT's earlier releases. I recall MYSTERIOUS ISLAND being that price.

[Arkadin]

Ooo forgot about the pre-orders going live today at 4 pm.
gotta go order Beloved Infidel.
as far as the pricing--at first all Sony titles were 5 dollars more than the Fox titles for whatever reason. TT has subsequently lowered many titles to $29.99, but a few are still higher for unknown reasons.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

-at first all Sony titles were 5 dollars more than the Fox titles for whatever reason...

Well...I'd take issue with that. Early TT releases THE EGYPTIAN from Fox came out at $39.95 and FRIGHT NIGHT from Sony was $29.95. I think Nick Redman said in an interview words to the effect that they were sort of experimenting with prices on the earlier releases.

And, for the sake of a semantic argument, TT has never actually "lowered" the price on anything. However, most recent Blu-rays have been issued at a price that's lower than the earliest releases. THE EGYPTIAN is still $39.95 and there are still a number of $34.95 titles in the stable.