Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[captveg]

Well, finally made my order for the 4th Anniversary Sale titles.

Birdman of Alcatraz
Che!
Under Fire
When the Wind Blows


Under Fire is a blind buy, but I believe I'll like it. And if I don't I'm sure I can sell it for at least $15.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

You're right about the selection -- I doubt many people are clamoring for titles like Solomon and Sheba. The 50s are filled with other titles that TT could conceivably license that would sell better.

It's always been my impression that the bulk of the films selected for release by Twilight Time are ones that Nick and Brian happen to like a lot and feel are either lost in obscurity or treated poorly by their original studios. I don't imagine they ever thought the films would sell out quickly, but given that many have either hit their 3-year mark, or are in the final stretch, and don't seem to be in any hurry to sell out, must really bum them out. Of the three dozen or so that will have hit their 3-year mark by the end of this year, only about a third of them have sold out, with a couple of others that will likely be sold out in the foreseeable future.

A lot of people here say of films like Rapture "This is a remarkable film, and I can't believe it hasn't sold out yet" or of Leave Her to Heaven "I can't believe it took this long to sell out". I imagine that Nick & Brian are thinking that same exact thing about any number of their other releases.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by jayembee

It's always been my impression that the bulk of the films selected for release by Twilight Time are ones that Nick and Brian happen to like a lot and feel are either lost in obscurity or treated poorly by their original studios. I don't imagine they ever thought the films would sell out quickly, but given that many have either hit their 3-year mark, or are in the final stretch, and don't seem to be in any hurry to sell out, must really bum them out. Of the three dozen or so that will have hit their 3-year mark by the end of this year, only about a third of them have sold out, with a couple of others that will likely be sold out in the foreseeable future.

A lot of people here say of films like Rapture "This is a remarkable film, and I can't believe it hasn't sold out yet" or of Leave Her to Heaven "I can't believe it took this long to sell out". I imagine that Nick & Brian are thinking that same exact thing about any number of their other releases.

Well personally, I have a wishlist as long as my arm on Amazon and new titles are being announced all the time. I can only spend so much money on blu-rays so I have to prioritize. When it comes to Twilight Time titles, I usually purchase films I know and like, peppered with the occassional blind buy of a film that appeals to me. I know I'm not the only person in that boat. I suppose in order to make money they need those titles to sell out, but to be realistic people can only spend so much on obscure titles especially at $29.95. As a consumer, I'm glad that many haven't sold out, because if and when the time comes around that I have the money to spend and my "high wants" are all in hand, I might like to check out something like Rapture.

[klauswhereareyou]

I own many Twilight Time titles and the only two that have poor PQ are The Fury and Sexy Beast (which at least with Sexy Beast I got in the last birthday sale knowing the PQ wasn't great since the word was already out).

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

Well personally, I have a wishlist as long as my arm on Amazon and new titles are being announced all the time. I can only spend so much money on blu-rays so I have to prioritize. When it comes to Twilight Time titles, I usually purchase films I know and like, peppered with the occassional blind buy of a film that appeals to me. I know I'm not the only person in that boat. I suppose in order to make money they need those titles to sell out, but to be realistic people can only spend so much on obscure titles especially at $29.95. As a consumer, I'm glad that many haven't sold out, because if and when the time comes around that I have the money to spend and my "high wants" are all in hand, I might like to check out something like Rapture.

And I think that's exactly the problem. There's too much competition for consumers' dollars. For me, buying more TT titles means buying fewer Criterion or Cohen or Kino titles. I do tend to give a bit of priority to TT because of the limited nature of the press runs, but with this current sale, I'm close to the point of having the ones that I feel I must have, and have managed to secure all but one (which I don't especially want) of the low-quantity titles.

So at this point, I'm probably going to only pre-order titles that I want that I think might go quickly (like Zardoz, which is the only April title I've pre-ordered), and will order other titles on my want list when they have a signed promo that I'm interested in, or if something that I'm interested in hits the low-quantity mark.

[StLouisRibs]

Pretty happy to have, on a whim, popped my copy of Nicholas and Alexandra into my Xbox to see it suddenly works (the Xbox One had been one of the players that could not get past the menu, but it seems it was patched to be fixed). Makes me very pleased that I don't need to use a complicated set-up through my laptop to play TT discs anymore.

[MikeZ.]

Why is shipping taking longer than usual ? I ordered Friday...

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

As a consumer, I'm glad that many haven't sold out, because if and when the time comes around that I have the money to spend and my "high wants" are all in hand, I might like to check out something like Rapture.

now is as good a time as any. in fact, at 20 bucks, it's the best possible time I can think of.

speaking of Rapture, I picked up a 'like new' copy for a few pennies under $17. I don't have time to write a long post and give this film the praise it deserves, but yes - beautiful film. Patricia Gozzi's performance has to be on the short list of greatest child performances ever. I think it is a better film than Gozzi's other more well known film, Sundays and Cybele, that was released by Criterion not too long ago. (although after seeing her in Rapture, I'd like to see S&C again.)

sometimes when people get on their soapbox and praise a film, it almost has the counter effect and that is to instill doubt.. "c'mon, is this movie really that good?" well, yeah, happy to report that it is. thanks oildude and others!

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by MikeZ.

Why is shipping taking longer than usual ? I ordered Friday...

I think there might be some kind of surge in interest for some reason. No idea what it could be.

[solovoyager]

Anyone with an opinion on The Kremlin Letter? I see only 27 forum members list it in their collections. It's only available on DVD from TT. It's only $9.95 in this sale. I do enjoy Cold War era spy movies.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

now is as good a time as any. in fact, at 20 bucks, it's the best possible time I can think of.

speaking of Rapture, I picked up a 'like new' copy for a few pennies under $17. I don't have time to write a long post and give this film the praise it deserves, but yes - beautiful film. Patricia Gozzi's performance has to be on the short list of greatest child performances ever. I think it is a better film than Gozzi's other more well known film, Sundays and Cybele, that was released by Criterion not too long ago. (although after seeing her in Rapture, I'd like to see S&C again.)

sometimes when people get on their soapbox and praise a film, it almost has the counter effect and that is to instill doubt.. "c'mon, is this movie really that good?" well, yeah, happy to report that it is. thanks oildude and others!

No it's not. I've already put in my sale order and I have too many other must-haves on the horizon. I don't doubt it's a great film and I'll get around to it eventually. If the Twilight Time release does sell out, I can always get the British release from Eureka.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by solovoyager

Anyone with an opinion on The Kremlin Letter? I see only 27 forum members list it in their collections. It's only available on DVD from TT. It's only $9.95 in this sale. I do enjoy Cold War era spy movies.

It's not bad. It's a little muddled and slightly disappointing considering the cast. There's an odd quirk where characters speaking in foreign languages have their first few lines spoken aloud as if in voiceover before seguing into the characters actually speaking English and it's quite disorienting at first. If you enjoy cold war spy thrillers along the lines of John le Carre, etc. though then I'd say check it out but temper your expectations. Btw, there is a region free blu-ray release available from France.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by solovoyager

Anyone with an opinion on The Kremlin Letter? I see only 27 forum members list it in their collections. It's only available on DVD from TT. It's only $9.95 in this sale. I do enjoy Cold War era spy movies.

I haven't seen it myself, but if you want to check it out without purchasing it outright it's available on Amazon Prime Instant as a $3 streaming rental.

[MikeZ.]

I had no idea it was a one man operation. Thanks.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by jayembee

And I think that's exactly the problem. There's too much competition for consumers' dollars. For me, buying more TT titles means buying fewer Criterion or Cohen or Kino titles. I do tend to give a bit of priority to TT because of the limited nature of the press runs, but with this current sale, I'm close to the point of having the ones that I feel I must have, and have managed to secure all but one (which I don't especially want) of the low-quantity titles.

So at this point, I'm probably going to only pre-order titles that I want that I think might go quickly (like Zardoz, which is the only April title I've pre-ordered), and will order other titles on my want list when they have a signed promo that I'm interested in, or if something that I'm interested in hits the low-quantity mark.

I'm at a position now where I need to step back and just start enjoying what I bought. I gave TT priority because of the limited status, but enough is enough. I probably have enough unwatched movies to last me for 3 years.

[solovoyager]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

It's not bad. It's a little muddled and slightly disappointing considering the cast. There's an odd quirk where characters speaking in foreign languages have their first few lines spoken aloud as if in voiceover before seguing into the characters actually speaking English and it's quite disorienting at first. If you enjoy cold war spy thrillers along the lines of John le Carre, etc. though then I'd say check it out but temper your expectations. Btw, there is a region free blu-ray release available from France.

I love the Alec Guinness Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Smiley's People so this seems right up my alley.

[nycomet]

Not that I'm impatient

[Show spoiler]okay, I admit it: I'm impatient!

but does TT have only one 90-year-old shipping clerk to fill the orders? Amazon Prime has spoiled me.

This is ridiculous. My morning flush has already made it half way to Japan but my TT order for Journey Center Earth and First Men In Moon has been pending for three days even though my payment went through with lightning speed. What's the hold up here?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by MikeZ.

Why is shipping taking longer than usual ? I ordered Friday...

Because they're swamped with orders because of the sale? Just a guess...

[docc]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

It takes a while for Ed to individually pack and label a couple thousand packages particularly when I'm sure he doesn't work weekends.

I often don't get shipping notice until a day or 2 after the label is created even on routine orders. The Wednesday orders just started shipping yesterday afternoon.

Sounds about right, my order from Thursday shipped today

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by solovoyager

Anyone with an opinion on The Kremlin Letter? I see only 27 forum members list it in their collections. It's only available on DVD from TT. It's only $9.95 in this sale. I do enjoy Cold War era spy movies.

It's a John Huston film that I've yet to catch up with. I was on the fence about adding it to my sale purchases, but from what I understand, TT's DVD releases aren't anamorphic, and I'm already hesitant enough about buying DVDs these days.