Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[Rory]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Film noir was never a "genre" in the first place, it was a style that evolved into one.

Not trying to be smarmy or pedantic but that's why there's so much grey area when it comes to classifying a film as "noir"; the "rules", such as they are, are incredibly lax and undefined vs. other types of films.

Anybody else been watching Noir Sunday on TCM?

Anyway, something that is a genre is the Japanese samurai film, and TT has one called The Twilight Samurai. I've never seen and the Blu-ray.com review of the transfer is not good, but it's on sale for just $9.95.

Has anyone seen it and can recommend it?

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Rory

Anybody else been watching Noir Sunday on TCM?

Anyway, something that is a genre is the Japanese samurai film, and TT has one called The Twilight Samurai. I've never seen and the Blu-ray.com review of the transfer is not good, but it's on sale for just $9.95.

Has anyone seen it and can recommend it?

I think Yoji Yamada's magnificent The Twilight Samurai is one of the best films I have seen and would rank it up near Harakiri (1962) as one of my favorite samurai films of all time. It is a drama about a samurai who has given up the warrior's life and supports his family as a teacher, training young samurai during the 19th Century Meji Restoration when the world of the samurai was coming to an end. Drawing in the audience with its fine acting, period details, and cinematography, the story slowly builds suspense through a chain of events before leaving us breathless on the edge of our seats. By the final credits, I was as moved as I have ever been by a powerful film.

The best samurai films are like the best westerns.....great stories set in a certain time and place that peel apart the layers of the human condition. Whether wielding katanas or Colts, the heroes are often noble but flawed, and we the audience are pulled in as much by character development as blazing action. Yamada's The Twilight Samurai is a standout in the genre. With a hauntingly beautiful music score from legendary musician Isao Tomita (of 1970s electronica fame), The Twilight Samurai is another in a long line of masterpieces to come out of Japan over the decades, and reminds me why I can't get enough of great movies from that country.

For the color space issue on The Twilight Samurai, from what I have read, this shift is present on some Blu-ray transfers that come out of Japan. I think the video section of the Blu-ray.com review sums it up best. I want to emphasize that the cinematography is gorgeous beyond words and no one should run away because of the color space. The film has naturally muted color so a little adjustment on your television to realign the luma will make a world of difference. Otherwise, the color will look desaturated and slightly murky. It is still watchable, but adjusting your set makes it more pleasing and improves the contrast.

Kind of a pain to have to do this for some of these Japanese blu-rays, but The Twilight Samurai is worth it. Twilight Time deserves a huge shout-out for bringing Yamada's powerful and beautiful film to Blu-ray in the U.S. I can't thank them enough. I really love this movie.


This was posted by member Eddie Larkin three years ago in the forum. I have an Oppo 103 and can confirm this works.

On Oppo players the option is found as follows: Setup-Video Setup-HDMI options-Color Space-RGB PC Level (this will typically be set to Auto, which is what 99% of discs require).
On the PS3 it can be found as follows: Settings>Display Settings> RGB Full Range (HDMI)>Full (this will typically be set to Limited, which again is correct for all your other discs).
For some reason other Sony players don't seem to have this option. I think via my old Panasonics it was: TV/Device Connection>HDMI Connection>HDMI Color Mode.

[SeanJoyce]

I purchased The Twilight Samurai as part of the sale. I went back and forth with it on previous sales but I couldn't pass it up this time for $9.95.

In the mean time, I'm set to watch Fate is the Hunter, which I picked up a couple months ago for the same price. Excited to finally watch it.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by koberulz

No, it isn't.

Yes, it is. Because "films" is the noun (which is pluralized) and "noir" is the adjective (which isn't). Turn it around. If you said "That's a noir film" you wouldn't pluralize it as "Those are noirs films", would you?

And to point out another borrowed-from-French term used earlier, the plural of "femme fatale" is "femmes fatale", not "femmes fatales".

[koberulz]

Adjectives take the same form as nouns in French. Adjectives precede nouns in English.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Yes, it is. Because "films" is the noun (which is pluralized) and "noir" is the adjective (which isn't). Turn it around. If you said "That's a noir film" you wouldn't pluralize it as "Those are noirs films", would you?

And to point out another borrowed-from-French term used earlier, the plural of "femme fatale" is "femmes fatale", not "femmes fatales".

I see where you're going with your logic, but as we are dealing with French words to begin with it's kind of awkward to shoehorn English grammatical rules into French terms.

Films noirs and femmes fatales are both the correct terms in French.

In English you wouldn't say film black, you would say black film so you're already compromising English grammatical rules in order to use a borrowed term, so it doesn't make sense to subsequently apply correct English grammar to it, even though it might look and seem like the correct thing to do.

PS - It doesn't irk me to see someone using films noir, or film noirs, etc., it's just that if people are going to debate the issue, I kind of have to side with what is "officially" correct.

[Rory]

I will get The Twilight Samurai.

Just cancelled my current order for the third time to add TTS to it. I'm getting quite a package of TT discs from SAE this sale.

[oildude]

Pre-order date: Wednesday, December 6th at 4 pm EST.

Special Features: Isolated Music Track / Audio Commentary with Film Historian Justin Humphreys / Original Theatrical Trailer

FYI - the film has a wonderful score by the incomparable Michel Legrand, one of my favorite film musicians, whose famous scores also include The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Young Girls of Rochefort, Bay of Angels, The Thomas Crown Affair, Band of Outsiders, Ice Station Zebra, The Other Side of Midnight, Summer of '42, Le Mans, Lady Sings the Blues, Brian's Song, and many more. He has also scored several films previously released as part of the Twilight Time collection - Play Dirty, The Happy Ending, and Yentl.

[benbess]

At the $15 price level there are some very good Twilight Time movies that I'd like to recommend. I paid $30 for all of these titles, and to me they were worth it! Anyway, these movies are recommended as entertaining movies, in terms of picture quality, as well as for their special features....

Bobby Deerfield, 1977
This movie stars Al Pacino, and has an insightful commentary track by director Sydney Pollack.

Broken Lance, 1954
This ground-breaking CinemaScope Western starring Spencer Tracy and Katy Jurado has the first successful interracial marriage found in a big budget Hollywood Western. Good commentary by Redman and co-star Earl Holliman on this movie.

The Chase, 1966
One of Marlon Brando's greatest roles, in an almost lost critique of America. Great commentary track by Redman, Kirgo, and the insightful Lem Dobbs.

House of Bamboo, 1955
This widescreen color film noir set in Tokyo is unusual to say the least—and quite entertaining. Insightful commentary by Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman.

Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, 1964
Wow. Good movie. Not sure how to describe this one but if you like twisted thrillers this one works. Strong commentary tracks too.

I Could Go On Singing, 1963
Judy Garland's last major movie. Insightful audio commentary, including Nick Redman.

Love and Death, 1975
One of Woody Allen's greatest. Quite funny and poignant.

Sense and Sensibility, 1995
One of the greatest feel-good movies ever made. Ang Lee directs from Emma Thompson's amazing screenplay, with Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, etc. Plus a good audio commentary. I've watched this movie more than a dozen time, and have enjoyed it each time.

The Big Heat, 1953
Essential film noir, with a great commentary by Kirgo, Redman, and the wonderful Lem Dobbs.

There are several other titles at this price point that are totally worth it as well. I'm just mentioning these because they are personal favorites....

[BixmanJ]

I placed my order last Thursday and received the package in the mail today. That's the fastest I've received any of my orders. Last year's sale order through SAE took over 4 weeks to get.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by benbess

At the $15 price level there are some very good Twilight Time movies that I'd like to recommend. I paid $30 for all of these titles, and to me they were worth it! Anyway, these movies are recommended as entertaining movies, in terms of picture quality, as well as for their special features....

Agree that many of those are great movies well-worth owning, disagree about the "special features". Isolated scores and commentary tracks are a paltry helping and do nothing for me personally.

[Midnight Rambler]

Originally Posted by BixmanJ

I placed my order last Thursday and received the package in the mail today. That's the fastest I've received any of my orders. Last year's sale order through SAE took over 4 weeks to get.

I placed my order Day 1 of the sale, soon after it went live, and still not even a shipping notice. This BS happens every time and shame on me for ordering from SAE again.

[Rory]

You guys may be interested in this... I had to call SAE to cancel my last order in order to add The Twilight Samurai and reorder all that I had ordered.

Anyway, as I was on the phone with the person I was talking to, in the background I could hear the noise of packaging tape being pulled and cut. Somebody was busy.

My order won't ship until it's supposed to because it includes the DOCTOR DOLITTLE and SAYONARA pre-orders. I think tomorrow.

[oildude]

Pre-order date: Wednesday, December 6th at 4 pm EST.

Special Features: Isolated Music & Effects Track / Original Theatrical Trailer

[BixmanJ]

Originally Posted by Midnight Rambler

I placed my order Day 1 of the sale, soon after it went live, and still not even a shipping notice. This BS happens every time and shame on me for ordering from SAE again.

I should have mentioned that my order this year was through the Twilight Time website.

[mja345]

I got my sale order in from TT and sat down and watched "Baby Boom" last night with my girlfriend. I will gladly give in to sentimental films if they hit the right notes and this film does just that. I have to say, Diane Keaton is absurdly good in this role. Honestly, it's one of the best performances I've seen in a while. You could not find another actress who could nail this role any more than she did; she hits every note perfectly. It is a film that resists cliches for the most part and stays away from being cloyingly sentimental. I have to say that I'm also glad that it's a film that I can watch with my mom over Thanksgiving because she loves Diane Keaton. So, fellas, if you're looking for a film to watch with your girlfriend or wife or mom or any important woman in your life, I highly recommend you check out "Baby Boom" because you will probably enjoy it as well.

[Sinbad75]

Originally Posted by Midnight Rambler

I placed my order Day 1 of the sale, soon after it went live, and still not even a shipping notice. This BS happens every time and shame on me for ordering from SAE again.

I ordered from SAE on day one too. Both Blu-rays arrived today in perfect shape. Have never had a problem with either condition of discs through shipping or SAE's timeliness, and I have been a customer through SAE since TT's inception. Sorry to hear some have had issues.

[BwayJ]

I just received this Low Quantity alert for TwilightTimeMovies.com

Fewer Than 200 Copies Remaining:

$9.99
BANDIT QUEEN

$14.95
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
ROLLERBALL (ENCORE EDITION)
MURPHY'S LAW
REMAINS OF THE DAY
HAWAII
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF / SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER

Fewer Than 100 Copies Remaining:

$9.95
FLAMING STAR
THE FANTASTICS
APRIL LOVE

$14.95
CAT BALLOU
I COULD GO ON SINGING
THEATRE OF BLOOD
HUSH...HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE
THE TRAIN (ENCORE EDITION)
HOMBRE
LA BAMBOLA DI SATANA (THE DOLL OF SATAN)
THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT

$19.95
MISSISSIPPI BURNING

Fewer Than 50 Copies Remaining:

$9.95
CHE!
SAVE YOUR LEGS
SOLOMON AND SHEBA
THE FORTUNE
TWILIGHT SAMURAI

$14.95
U-TURN
STORMY WEATHER
THE HAWAIIANS
9 TO 5

$24.95
GUN FURY

[Jobla]

The email I received today from TT mentions that the November titles (GIDGET, BANANAS, DR. DOOLITTLE, et al) are expected to arrive there today, and should begin to be shipped out this Thursday. Hope it happens!

[senseabove]

Originally Posted by BwayJ

I just received this Low Quantity alert for TwilightTimeMovies.com

Fewer Than 200 Copies Remaining:

$9.99
BANDIT QUEEN

$14.95
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
ROLLERBALL (ENCORE EDITION)
MURPHY'S LAW
REMAINS OF THE DAY
HAWAII
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF / SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER

Fewer Than 100 Copies Remaining:

$9.95
FLAMING STAR
THE FANTASTICS
APRIL LOVE

$14.95
CAT BALLOU
I COULD GO ON SINGING
THEATRE OF BLOOD
HUSH...HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE
THE TRAIN (ENCORE EDITION)
HOMBRE
LA BAMBOLA DI SATANA (THE DOLL OF SATAN)
THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT

$19.95
MISSISSIPPI BURNING

Fewer Than 50 Copies Remaining:

$9.95
CHE!
SAVE YOUR LEGS
SOLOMON AND SHEBA
THE FORTUNE
TWILIGHT SAMURAI

$14.95
U-TURN
STORMY WEATHER
THE HAWAIIANS
9 TO 5

$24.95
GUN FURY

*sigh* That suckered me into ordering The Train, and I went for The Best of Everything while I was at it. Looking forward to seeing Negulesco and Crawford reunited, since I loved Humoresque.

EDIT: Though I'm thoroughly surprised Gun Fury is so low... Hasn't that only been out a few months, and weren't the reviews of both the scan and the film middling at best?