Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[ROclockCK]

Since Bell, Book, and Candle (in April), all TT Blu-rays have been $29.95, and presumably will remain at that price point until Major Dundee, which will be $34.95 because it's a 2-Disc SE.

[Member-222782]

I'm hoping TT gets a hold of 1988's THE SEVENTH SIGN. Such an underrated film, beautifully shot. Excellent candidate for Blu-ray treatment IMO.

[Arkadin]

Dex--well The Egyptian had its own higher price point, but as a general rule the initial Sony titles were 5 dollars more--Pal Joey, Picnic, Bite the Bullet, etc. etc.
it looks like that starting with The Big Heat they went down to $29.95.

[BrianS]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

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.

.

My Cousin Rachel and The Kremlin Letter are the best titles, IMO. Well worth getting, especially if for free.

[SpartanIre]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

[Show spoiler]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.

Thank you for taking the time to describe the free DVDs offered by SAE/TT, Rock. Very much appreciated. I had planned on going with The Kremlin Letter but after reading your synopsis of each film I decided to go with The Left Hand of God... cannot go wrong with Bogie, right?

[Show spoiler]Free of course - picked up a couple of CDs to reach the $100 price point...

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by SpartanIre

Thank you for taking the time to describe the free DVDs offered by SAE/TT, Rock. Very much appreciated. I had planned on going with The Kremlin Letter but after reading your synopsis of each film I decided to go with The Left Hand of God... cannot go wrong with Bogie, right?

They're both good SpartanIre. I just preferred Bogie playing simultaneously against type and also in his 'zone' in TLHOG. It was just another lost 'Scope oddity I'd never seen, so this DVD was a very entertaining surprise. You can't go wrong with either of them though.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

Dex--well The Egyptian had its own higher price point, but as a general rule the initial Sony titles were 5 dollars more--Pal Joey, Picnic, Bite the Bullet, etc. etc.
it looks like that starting with The Big Heat they went down to $29.95.

The Big Heat deserves to sell out...a great movie with a spectacular transfer. Good value @$29.99, no complaints from me.

[HyperRealist]

Originally Posted by SpartanIre

[Show spoiler]Free of course - picked up a couple of CDs to reach the $100 price point...

I thought the offer was if you bought $100 worth of Twilight Time product.

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.

[P@t_Mtl]

$40 total for a single movie, I have to be nuts! Still I really wanted it and I just can't see it ever getting a wide release, it's mostly popular for me. I don't even think anyone else here as ordered it

[oildude]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

$40 total for a single movie, I have to be nuts! Still I really wanted it and I just can't see it ever getting a wide release, it's mostly popular for me. I don't even think anyone else here as ordered it

Are you talking about TT's release of Lost Horizon? I seem to recall you mentioning how much you wanted the 1970s version. You are not alone. I ordered it also.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by oildude

Are you talking about TT's release of Lost Horizon? I seem to recall you mentioning how much you wanted the 1970s version. You are not alone. I ordered it also.

I was intriged by this movie until I learned it was a musical. Nothing against musicals, but they are not one of my preferred genres...my understanding is that this particular musical was not highly regarded?

[ROclockCK]

...the morning after rankings on SAE's weekly chart seem to confirm what I predicted a few pages back...that the TT title drawing the most pre-order action this month is The Blue Lagoon (#1), followed by Lost Horizon (#3), and then further back, Beloved Infidel (#8). This is the exact opposite order of my own interest in these titles, but no surprise there.

So far, it's not clear how strong the actual numbers are for any of these titles...all of them are still totally non-com in the SAE cart. Have you had any luck getting the new batch to display remaining totals yet rdodolak? BTW, after 4 weeks of The Rains of Ranchipur and Bonjour Tristesse showing no action at all, now suddenly the counts for both titles have become active, displaying 1696 and 1695 remaining respectively.

Accurate? Who knows? I take it all with a grain now...

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by oildude

Are you talking about TT's release of Lost Horizon? I seem to recall you mentioning how much you wanted the 1970s version. You are not alone. I ordered it also.

Curious to see how well it will do, it's quite an obscur release to say the least

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

I was intriged by this movie until I learned it was a musical. Nothing against musicals, but they are not one of my preferred genres...my understanding is that this particular musical was not highly regarded?

Yes it's a musical and yes it did not do well at all back when it came out, it came out before Grease help re-launch the musical. I think that the movie was just too "cheerful" for the time that it was release in. In my case you can put it all on pure nostalgia as to why I enjoy this movie. Saw it as a kid and just enjoyed the songs and settings so I am total biase when I talk about it. I try no to praise it too much cause I don't want someone going to buy it at this price and then be blood mad at me

[SpartanIre]

Originally Posted by HyperRealist

I thought the offer was if you bought $100 worth of Twilight Time product.

Oops...

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by SpartanIre

Oops...

If an order hasn't shipped yet, and it naturally wouldn't with any pre-orders in it, then SAE will amend the order if you contact them soon after placing it. I did this with one of the previous freebie offers, adding another title to push me over the threshold. The extra title didn't show on my online invoice, but SAE did send an e-mail confirming my amendment. The eventual shipment was fine.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I think that the movie was just too "cheerful" for the time that it was release in...

That's one way to look at it.

Another way to look at it is that it was a musical filled with bad music and actors who couldn't sing or dance .

I love musicals and I think that LOST HORIZON is truly awful as a musical. Really, it's bad. That being said, while a hideously bad musical, I do enjoy it as a curiosity from the early 70's...much like I view myself as a curiosity from the early 70's . So I really do want to make room in the budget for this movie. And the cast is full of "A" list acting talent...just not "A" list singing or dancing talent.

There is an undeniable attraction about movies that fail on a grand scale. LOST HORIZON is the HEAVEN'S GATE of musicals...and HEAVEN'S GATE has a Criterion release.

I think LOST HORIZON will probably look pretty spectacular on the big Blu-ray screen. It's really these kinds of curiosities that I WANT in my collection. As I've said many times, "If it's on TV every week, I don't need to buy it". I look forward to it in all of it's cringe-worthy glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0PZ1...ature=youtu.be

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

That's one way to look at it.

Another way to look at it is that it was a musical filled with bad music and actors who couldn't sing or dance .

I love musicals and I think that LOST HORIZON is truly awful as a musical. Really, it's bad. That being said, while a hideously bad musical, I do enjoy it as a curiosity from the early 70's...much like I view myself as a curiosity from the early 70's . So I really do want to make room in the budget for this movie. And the cast is full of "A" list acting talent...just not "A" list singing or dancing talent.

There is an undeniable attraction about movies that fail on a grand scale. LOST HORIZON is the HEAVEN'S GATE of musicals...and HEAVEN'S GATE has a Criterion release.

I think LOST HORIZON will probably look pretty spectacular on the big Blu-ray screen. It's really these kinds of curiosities that I WANT in my collection. As I've said many times, "If it's on TV every week, I don't need to buy it". I look forward to it in all of it's cringe-worthy glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0PZ1...ature=youtu.be

So are you saying you secretly want The Apple on blu?

[Show spoiler]because I wouldn't say no...

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

I love musicals and I think that LOST HORIZON is truly awful as a musical. Really, it's bad. That being said, while a hideously bad musical, I do enjoy it as a curiosity from the early 70's...much like I view myself as a curiosity from the early 70's . So I really do want to make room in the budget for this movie. And the cast is full of "A" list acting talent...just not "A" list singing or dancing talent.

Exhibit A:

LH73

But that crazy quilt International cast does have an impossible to describe appeal - at least in the dramatic scenes. I suspect there are two movies here: "non-singing" (pretty good), and "singing" (pretty bad).

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

There is an undeniable attraction about movies that fail on a grand scale. LOST HORIZON is the HEAVEN'S GATE of musicals...and HEAVEN'S GATE has a Criterion release.

The "Heaven's Gate of musicals" [sic] honour is probably still held by Darling Lili. Then again, I haven't seen Lost Horizon '73 yet, only clips.

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

I think LOST HORIZON will probably look pretty spectacular on the big Blu-ray screen. It's really these kinds of curiosities that I WANT in my collection. As I've said many times, "If it's on TV every week, I don't need to buy it". I look forward to it in all of it's cringe-worthy glory.

Wild horses couldn't keep me away from this thing. It will probably be my guiltiest-of-guilty-pleasures this holiday season.

[Drudge]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

...the TT title drawing the most pre-order action this month is The Blue Lagoon (#1), followed by Lost Horizon (#3), and then further back, Beloved Infidel (#8).

And I thought I was in the minority in liking The Blue Lagoon.