Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[GeoffOliver]

Should’ve probably gone for The Big Heat. I haven’t seen it, but I’m huge into noir and love Fritz Lang’s films. Is the UK release from Indicator a suitable replacement?

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

Is the UK release from Indicator a suitable replacement?

Very much so.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

Should’ve probably gone for The Big Heat. I haven’t seen it, but I’m huge into noir and love Fritz Lang’s films. Is the UK release from Indicator a suitable replacement?

Yep, it's the best of the lot per the review.

Indicator/Powerhouse Films' new release is sourced from the same master that Sony Pictures prepared a few years ago and other boutique labels have already used, but it has the best selection of supplemental features. If you don't have The Big Heat in your collections yet, this is the release to own. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I upgraded my own copy from the first TT release, and can also heartily agree that Indicator's is better.

[The Great Owl]

In the small coastal English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh lives a world-famous veterinarian who possesses an honest-to-goodness ability to talk to animals. Doctor Dolittle, played by Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady, Cleopatra), was trained by his talking parrot, Polynesia, to speak fluently in the languages of hundreds of animal species, and he now makes his living treating ailing creatures all day in his home in exchange for meager payments, like eggs, milk, or horse rides, while planning an expedition to search for the legendary Great Pink Sea Snail.

After a local misunderstanding lands him in prison, the doctor is freed by his friends, Matthew, played by Anthony Newley, and Tommy, played by William Dix, and he enlists them in a scheme to raise enough money for the expedition, with the help of a circus owner played by Richard Attenborough (Jurassic Park). Their voyage to find the elusive Pink Sea Snail is complicated, however, when they are joined by a stowaway, played by Samantha Eggar (The Brood).

The 1967 adventure musical, Doctor Dolittle, based on the children's books by Hugh Lofting, is a visually stunning DeLuxe Color motion picture brought to the screen by Richard Fleischer, who also directed a diverse array of classics like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Violent Saturday, and Soylent Green. This was a hugely expensive production that far exceeded its budget due to technical difficulties, but the results of its expenditures can be appreciated in almost every still frame. The film went on to secure an Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture, and it even snagged Academy wins for Best Original Song (“Talk To The Animals”) and Best Visual Effects, despite lukewarm critical reviews.

The main draw of Doctor Dolittle, in terms of both storytelling and visuals, is the inclusion of a vast myriad of trained animals, including chimpanzees, parrots, horses, cows, seals, sea turtles, mice, a pushmi-pullyu, llamas, skunks, and a dolphin. Even when the end result, which clocks in at just over two and a half hours, slows down to, pardon the comparison, a snail's pace, the countless sequences of animal actors performing complicated stunts in perfect synchronicity with the musical performances by the humans are quite a sight.

I am inclined to think that the length and sometimes languid pace of this feature may put many present-day young viewers to sleep, but it still offers rewards aplenty for the patient moviegoer who relishes in quaintly optimistic tales. The rightfully revered Great Pink Sea Snail, which makes its grand appearance during the conclusion, is definitely well worth the wait. With a little perseverance, we the viewers can all find our own metaphorical Great Pink Sea Snails.

This Twilight Time Blu-ray is a masterwork in the video quality department, with a presentation that shows how far standard Blu-ray high definition can go. I had to rewind one early oceanside scene several times just to bask in its magnificence. A Rex Harrison documentary, a decently-engaging commentary track, and, as always, a booklet essay, are icing on this cake...this vegetarian cake, to be more specific.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This Twilight Time Blu-ray is a masterwork in the video quality department, with a presentation that shows how far standard Blu-ray high definition can go. I had to rewind one early oceanside scene several times just to bask in its magnificence.

It’s easily one of the best Fox remasters TT has released. The detail and color timing are both outstanding.

[bdgking]

Low quantity updates

Twilight time :

At close range = 7
the seven ups = 8
fortune cookie = 8

low quantity also on bandit queen

Sae :

Cowboy = 19
guess who's coming to dinner = 29
roots of heaven = 40

as listed on page 1 others on the lower end : Pony Soldier , Royal Flash , Beloved Infidel .

[oildude]

NOTE: Can someone please create a movie entry for A Man Called Peter (if one doesn't exist already) and then a datablase entry for the Blu-ray release? Much appreciated.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by oildude

NOTE: Can someone please create a movie entry for A Man Called Peter (if one doesn't exist already) and then a datablase entry for the Blu-ray release? Much appreciated.

Already submitted this morning; pending approval.

[bdgking]

Low quantity updates :

Twilight time :
At close range = 4 then sold out
the fortune cookie = 8
La bambola under 30
bound for glory under 40
zelig under 50
how to succeed in business under 50
Bandit queen under 60

SAE :

Guess who's coming to dinner = 18 then sold out
Roots of heaven = 40 then sold out

Others with low quantities are :

Beloved Infidel
Pony Soldier
Royal Flash
American buffalo

Others that are under $7 not sold at twilight time :

The vanishing
Flaming star
Fever pitch
the fortune
ressurected
alamo bay
the eddy dutchen story
rita sue & bob too
the firm
save your legs
beloved infidel
roots of heaven
pony soldier
american buffalo
the front
che
riff raff

I imagine that the following will finally sell out soon :

Twilight Samurai
Remains of the day
Stormy weather
The train
Hawaii
The Hawaiins
Miss Sadie Thompson
Cutters way
Chato's Land
Tony Rome

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by bdgking

Low quantity updates :

[Show spoiler]Twilight time :
At close range = 4 then sold out
the fortune cookie = 8
La bambola under 30
bound for glory under 40
zelig under 50
how to succeed in business under 50
Bandit queen under 60

SAE :

Guess who's coming to dinner = 18 then sold out
Roots of heaven = 40 then sold out

Others with low quantities are :

Beloved Infidel
Pony Soldier
Royal Flash
American buffalo

Others that are under $7 not sold at twilight time :

The vanishing
Flaming star
Fever pitch
the fortune
ressurected
alamo bay
the eddy dutchen story
rita sue & bob too
the firm
save your legs
beloved infidel
roots of heaven
pony soldier
american buffalo
the front
che
riff raff

I imagine that the following will finally sell out soon :

Twilight Samurai
Remains of the day
Stormy weather
The train
Hawaii
The Hawaiins
Miss Sadie Thompson
Cutters way
Chato's Land
Tony Rome

Didn't you learn your lesson with this the last time? I'm not trying to backseat moderate but again, unless something has a finite number posted that hasn't been shared we really don't need these long "updates" with you speculating what will imminently sell out.

Thanks.

[Widescreenfilmguy]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Didn't you learn your lesson with this the last time? I'm not trying to backseat moderate but again, unless something has a finite number posted that hasn't been shared we really don't need these long "updates" with you repeating information we know or speculating about what will sell out.

Thanks.

Thank you, I was thinking the same thing

[CineSicko]

I'm tempted to go after AT CLOSE RANGE, but the last time I watched my MGM DVD I really didn't think I needed to upgrade... or even watch it ever again. Not sure why that is, as it's not a bad film by any means. Anyone care to share their thoughts on that film?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CineSicko

I'm tempted to go after AT CLOSE RANGE, but the last time I watched my MGM DVD I really didn't think I needed to upgrade... or even watch it ever again. Not sure why that is, as it's not a bad film by any means. Anyone care to share their thoughts on that film?

Retrieving my take on this movie from my Letterboxd account...

Brad Jr., a small-town Pennsylvania teenager played by Sean Penn, decides to connect with his estranged father, played by Christopher Walken. Brad Whitewood Sr., the leader of an organized theft ring, eventually draws his son into the fold and into a life of crime, but their lifestyles catch up with them when Brad Jr. and his friends take the trade into their own hands.

The 1986 film, At Close Range, is probably best remembered because its music score revolves around the incredible Madonna song, “Live to Tell”, which is still one of my favorites from her career. On its own terms, however, it is a riveting crime drama that deserves more recognition. I love this kind of backwoods thriller that has "This will not end well." written all over it. 1980s cinema did not exactly shy away from violence, but the brutality of this film really took me by surprise.

Walken is at his menacing best. Penn was already an accomplished actor at this point, but he shows off a lot of the capabilities that helped him to move on to big things later on. Mary Stuart Masterson (Some Kind of Wonderful) delivers one of her most memorable performances. Candy Clark, whom I love in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Q (1982), Blue Thunder (1983), Amityville 3-D (1983), and The Blob (1988), commands attention in a small role. Finally, Kiefer Sutherland is a real trip in an early appearance.

The video looks pretty great on the Twilight Time disc, especially during the nighttime scenes with the neon lights. The audio is top-notch, and I quite enjoy the isolated score.

[Gacivory]

I’d second At Close Range. I really like it, but young Sean Penn and youngish Walker have some great chemistry and makes for a movie I find myself going back to rewatch.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by CineSicko

I'm tempted to go after AT CLOSE RANGE, but the last time I watched my MGM DVD I really didn't think I needed to upgrade... or even watch it ever again. Not sure why that is, as it's not a bad film by any means. Anyone care to share their thoughts on that film?

I remember seeing At Close Range back in the VHS days. I thought it was a powerful, superbly acted film, but it goes to dark places that I'm not sure that I ever want to visit again. Maybe I should revisit it. It's got a great cast, including a fine dramatic performance by the late Chris Penn.

Speaking of Penn (and Walken), someone should release The Funeral.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by CineSicko

I'm tempted to go after AT CLOSE RANGE, but the last time I watched my MGM DVD I really didn't think I needed to upgrade... or even watch it ever again. Not sure why that is, as it's not a bad film by any means. Anyone care to share their thoughts on that film?

It's one of my favorite films. I think it's Christopher Walken's best performance as well. He plays one of the top 5 most frightening villains in film history only matched by Dennis Hopper's performance in Blue Velvet IMHO. A superb drama. Definitely gets my highest recommendation.

[BenOswald]

Originally Posted by CineSicko

I'm tempted to go after AT CLOSE RANGE, but the last time I watched my MGM DVD I really didn't think I needed to upgrade... or even watch it ever again. Not sure why that is, as it's not a bad film by any means. Anyone care to share their thoughts on that film?

Didn't care for it too much upon first viewing, but it sticks with me.

Directors commentary is pretty good, if you're into that.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I remember seeing At Close Range back in the VHS days. I thought it was a powerful, superbly acted film, but it goes to dark places that I'm not sure that I ever want to visit again. Maybe I should revisit it. It's got a great cast, including a fine dramatic performance by the late Chris Penn.

Speaking of Penn (and Walken), someone should release The Funeral.

I came very very close to picking this up. I've read that the actor's performances are great ... which is normally a big reason I might bite on a movie. But like you, I'm not sure I want to go too dark anymore. Maybe it has something to do with my age.

[solovoyager]

Appears there are no more copies of At Close Range available, thus making it sold out.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Already submitted this morning; pending approval.

For some reason, it's taking longer than normal for these submissions to be approved.