Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[octobercountry]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

LOL it didn't work so well that most of the small boutique labels now also do limited runs. It worked perfectly and allowed them to make a profit without getting saddled with tons of overstock no one wanted.

Actually, I believe Kino Lorber sells through Amazon, don't they? If so, that's quite different than TT's model. I've always thought that TT would have been much more successful---had much higher sales---if they had offered their wares through Amazon. Yes, Amazon would have taken a cut, but it seems to me that the discs would have sold better, and more quickly, too.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by jw007

If they were a success I guess they wouldn't have had an overstock of titles nobody wanted that they are almost giving away via Screen Archives for $5 a pop.

You mean like Kino's while stocks last sale?

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by octobercountry

Actually, I believe Kino Lorber sells through Amazon, don't they? If so, that's quite different than TT's model. I've always thought that TT would have been much more successful---had much higher sales---if they had offered their wares through Amazon. Yes, Amazon would have taken a cut, but it seems to me that the discs would have sold better, and more quickly, too.

The trouble is Amazon takes a masssive cut, especially for small companies with no leverage, and can dictate really draconian terms. I'd wager at least two thirds of TT's titles would have sold no better, and the lower revenue would have meant TT putting up the shutters several years and a couple of hundred titles ago.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

If they were a success I guess they wouldn't have had an overstock of titles nobody wanted that they are almost giving away via Screen Archives for $5 a pop.

Define "success".

If "success" means rolling in simoleons, then no, they aren't a success. If "success" means getting films released on Blu-ray that the major studios seem uninterested in releasing themselves, and creating a consumer base that has expanded their appreciation for such films and their filmmakers, and managing to keep at it for a decade, then I'd say, yes, they were a success.

[Bugg]

Originally Posted by jw007

If they were a success I guess they wouldn't have had an overstock of titles nobody wanted that they are almost giving away via Screen Archives for $5 a pop.

Not every title is going to be a hit regardless of the label.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Define "success".

If "success" means rolling in simoleons, then no, they aren't a success. If "success" means getting films released on Blu-ray that the major studios seem uninterested in releasing themselves, and creating a consumer base that has expanded their appreciation for such films and their filmmakers, and managing to keep at it for a decade, then I'd say, yes, they were a success.

A commercial success is what I was implying.

They were an amazing company, so don't assume I'm dissing them.

It's super difficult being commercially successful as a boutique video distributor.

Criterion however is an excellent example of how its done right in that niche market.

I for one am grateful that Twilight Time even existed, much less lasted 9 years. I bought at least half a dozen titles from them and 4 more are arriving hopefully within the next week.

[octobercountry]

This sale prompted me to search out a title I missed out on while it was still on offer: "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing." And woohoo, I snagged a used copy tonight. The price ($38.50 including shipping and taxes) isn't exactly a bargain, but I didn't think it likely that I'd find it for much less than that, after a quick glance on eBay showed that it usually sells for more, so....

[Flapperdame16]

When I first saw Love is a many splendored thing- I wasnt into it. I didn't and still really don't like Jennifer Jones. Mr Bill Holden was wonderful, even more so when you think about he way he was treated by Jennifer Jones. I told my Mom, "Bill deserves my support on this film! Plus the gorgeous cinematography." It wasnt enough to convince her of it- but now I like it.
Sadly now I missed out on my chance to get it.
Someone needs to put out THE World of Suzie Wong- I adore that movie!!!

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Flapperdame16

Someone needs to put out THE World of Suzie Wong- I adore that movie!!!

I believe that one is with Paramount. So who knows about that one. Maybe as a part of Paramount's new Presents line. Hopefully, Paramount doesn't limit it to its crappy BD-R line.

[ShellBeacher]

Well, like many others in this thread...I thought I was done.

But...I took some of your good advice and picked up the following three from SAE...and used that excuse to also pick up Mickey Rourke that got pulled from my purchase from TT...



I received one order already from SAE, but still waiting for two from TT to ship...but that's understandable!

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I ordered 7 titles, 2 have sold out. Number 75xXx. Ordered on Monday. Been charged the whole amount but heard nothing about shipping.

I just got my shipping notice today. I ordered last Sunday (#707xx) and it looks like I'm getting all 6 which includes Gun Fury & Peyton Place, so hopefully most of us who ordered on Sunday and Monday will get them delivered this week...

[ShellBeacher]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I ordered 7 titles, 2 have sold out. Number 75xXx. Ordered on Monday. Been charged the whole amount but heard nothing about shipping.

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

I just got my shipping notice today. I ordered last Sunday (#707xx) and it looks like I'm getting all 6 which includes Gun Fury & Peyton Place, so hopefully most of us who ordered on Sunday and Monday will get them delivered this week...

So my two orders last Sunday eve were in the 72xxx and 73xxx, right in between you both. If yours went out, Rzzzz, yeah, ours should be on the way this week. And from my first order...one was clipped already as Sold Out (Prayer for the Dying, which I just picked up at SAE). Already got the refund for that one. Hoping the rest of the titles stick!

[drownsoda]

Got my copy of Peyton Place from SAE today (Sunday delivery, unexpectedly). Now just for the others from TT.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by jw007

Criterion however is an excellent example of how its done right in that niche market.

Depending on your POV. Criterion release a large catalog, but they are also *primarily* known for releasing the 'big names' and 'safe bets' in arthouse cinema, which is also the bulk of their audience, regardless of how open-minded it likes to think it is. If I wanted to say niche, I'd pick something like Second Run, whose catalog digs deeper into less heralded gems of East European cinema.

Anyway, the point is that there is no absolute right here. You need all kinds of labels, the ones that play it safe for longevity and resources, and the heroes that take a proportionally greater number of risks and fill in the lacunae of the safer labels, even if it means a smaller catalog / shorter life-span.

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Anyway, the point is that there is no absolute right here. You need all kinds of labels, the ones that play it safe for longevity and resources, and the heroes that take a proportionally greater number of risks and fill in the lacunae of the safer labels, even if it means a smaller catalog / shorter life-span.

Thankgod for variety and that it's a big world with different taste and needs and desires. And thankgod for Twilight Time and its creators! I believe TT gave me more titles I liked than Criterion.

Also Criterion has generally prices 25% higher than TT, although they always get sold for less, not sure what that actually results in for the seller and Criterion.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Depending on your POV. Criterion release a large catalog, but they are also *primarily* known for releasing the 'big names' and 'safe bets' in arthouse cinema, which is also the bulk of their audience, regardless of how open-minded it likes to think it is. If I wanted to say niche, I'd pick something like Second Run, whose catalog digs deeper into less heralded gems of East European cinema.

Anyway, the point is that there is no absolute right here. You need all kinds of labels, the ones that play it safe for longevity and resources, and the heroes that take a proportionally greater number of risks and fill in the lacunae of the safer labels, even if it means a smaller catalog / shorter life-span.

It's great Criterion isn't a monopoly in the niche video market.

If Criterion were a monopoly, it would be terrible for smaller labels like TT to survive.

I can even go out on a limb and say Criterion is part of the bigger market in terms of being a video distributor. I mean, look at their relationship with Barnes & Noble. Twice a year they offer a 50% off sale. I don't recall any other single video distributor getting special treatment like that, can you? Companies like Kino, Arrow, and Shout! Factory never had 50% off sales with any big box retailer. Criterion is in a league of their own.

No comparisons whatsoever, but we need more companies like Twilight Time even if their catalogs aren't as vast.

After all, even Mahatma Gandhi himself said: "Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."

Here's a full list of home video distributors I found: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ideo_companies

[nitin]

Francois Truffaut’s The Story Of Adele H is an oddity in his career, a much more controlled film than most of his output which is a lot more freewheeling style wise.

It’s an autobiographical period love story, but with one person. Charting the continuous worsening of the schizophrenic madness of Victor Hugo’s youngest daughter during her time (primarily) in Halifax, Nova Scotia as she stalks the object of her destructive obsession, a lieutenant in the French army, Truffaut’s approach is non-judgemental and quite humanist. He does not want you to feel sympathy for Adele Hugo and her actions but he does want you to empathise with her.

Towering above all else is Isabelle Adjani’s unforgettable performance, one of the best of all time and rendering the titular character’s inner turmoil with subtlety and intelligence and a fierce fire that eventually burns out. Adjani is famous for her intense performances (La Reine Margot, Camille Claudel and Possession also spring to mind) but this one is probably her most emotionally shattering.

Twilight Time’s blu is from an old MGM master that looks to have been cleaned up and/or stabilised. It has decently clarity and definition but I am fairly sure a new scan/restoration would yield noticeably better results, especially colour wise. But, outside of a new French release, I cannot see anyone else apart from maybe Criterion trying that and, even if they did, I would imagine it would not be anytime soon.

[Coatchief]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

I just got my shipping notice today. I ordered last Sunday (#707xx) and it looks like I'm getting all 6 which includes Gun Fury & Peyton Place, so hopefully most of us who ordered on Sunday and Monday will get them delivered this week...

Really starting to think I ordered too many titles. I wonder how off their stock was and how they decided who got what.

[Show spoiler]

[UnionJackMix]

I had a semi-scare like yours too Coatchief, when wanting to place yet another order I checked my previous ones, but I think that that warning is only if you want to re-order it, I really hope it's not an indication that it won't be included in your order!
I mean, it doesn't say "refunded" under any of mine. Sorry for you but fingers crossed it's not my fate too

[Coatchief]

Another one of the five I was supposedly refunded for that was confirmed as shipped in an order in the 708s, 200 order numbers later!


I went and ordered this one at SAE but since I got the email late Tuesday night about refunds I missed Gun Fury.

Maybe it's a screw up. Maybe they refunded the wrong titles. Maybe I'll actually get all 45 that I ordered. I won't know anything for sure until they get here. And they'd need to be shipped in order to arrive.