Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by #Darren

Interestingly, the reviews for Cover Girl on DVD were quite positive.

Bluray.com has a review of the DVD ?

Where's a good facepalm pic when you need one.

[Dex Robinson]

I was shocked and delighted to receive my copy of COVER GIRL in the mail this morning. That's the fastest service yet to Canada.

I was doubly fortunate that bad weather kept me indoors for a few hours so that I could watch the Blu-ray. I fired up the 60" Sharp Quattron early.

Be prepared for a positive review.

By way of background, after criticizing mediocre transfers of JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH and AS GOOD AS IT GETS, I fell into great disfavour among the Twilight Time fans who think everything they do is "beautiful". I've asked for simple honest opinion. Every company does good work and less-than-good work. I've grown bored of the shouting down that happens when somebody criticizes a disc from Twilight Time. I buy almost nothing but catalogue titles with a heavy preference for old classics. In fact, my copy of the 1953 British colour movie GENEVIEVE is "out for delivery" from UPS and should be here within the hour. And I recently imported the 1940's Technicolor ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES so I think I come to this with an eye that understands the era.

I'm going to give my honest opinion now...just as I gave it for the TT discs that I didn't like.

I LIKED this disc and I'll address some concerns point-by-point.

IS THIS TRANSFER TOO DARK? This has been a popular opinion posted in reviews over the last few days. It my opinion, it is most certainly NOT too dark...not at all. After suffering through generations of overly bright transfers befitting the 25" CRTs that we used to watch in our brightly lit living rooms, COVER GIRL is a properly exposed home theater transfer. As I alluded to in an earlier post after viewing screen caps, COVER GIRL has been properly keyed to highlight preservation. High dynamic range is wonderful IF the source material allows it. But when you get generations away from the original source and contrast builds up, you should transfer to protect the highlights. COVER GIRL does that.

IS THE CONTRAST TOO GREAT? Yes. This is a contrasty presentation and that does cost us shadow detail. But this also begs the question of WHERE the excess contrast entered the image chain. If the source material is several generations removed from the original camera negative, that contrast may have built up before this print even got the transfer process. I don't know.

IS THE GRAIN EXCESSIVE? In my opinion, no. There surely is significant grain which makes itself especially apparent in broad areas devoid of detail (like interior walls). But, generally, I didn't find it particularly noticeable or remotley distracting. Again, as I said in an earlier post, the "fix" would be to use Digital Noise Reduction...and that cure would be worse than the disease. I consider the grain perfectly tolerable and wasn't bothered by it.

THE COLOR? Very good in my opinion. I was simply unaware of any unusual color shifts. There were very minor shifts as is common in any color film of the era. Unless you are looking for them, I don't think you'd find a problem here. I give the color here above average marks.

Any edge enhancement was below the level of detection except in a very small number of high contrast scenes. I give high marks for that. I was pleased with a good level of natural detail.

The sound was perfectly serviceable mono right out of the center speaker. Nothing to write home about but no problems either.

The disk loaded and played glitch free without issue.

So we all have opinions. That's a good thing. This is a case where I've actually got a higher opinion of this disc than most of the regular Twilight Time chorus. I honestly think that they did a better job with COVER GIRL than they did with JTTCOTE (a view likely to stir considerable consternation).

[PeterTHX]

Now that Twilight Time is doing stuff like Journey To The Center of The Earth, Mysterious Island, and soon Enemy Mine here's a title that I think would be perfect for them:



One Million Years B.C.

A Fox title. Sci-Fi. Ray Harryhausen VFX. A pinup on the cover.

My hope would be a branched version with both the domestic USA cut and the longer international cut (with more dino FX!).

Am I dreaming?

[Tns49]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Now that Twilight Time is doing stuff like Journey To The Center of The Earth, Mysterious Island, and soon Enemy Mine here's a title that I think would be perfect for them:



One Million Years B.C.

A Fox title. Sci-Fi. Ray Harryhausen VFX. A pinup on the cover.

My hope would be a branched version with both the domestic USA cut and the longer international cut (with more dino FX!).

Am I dreaming?

Originally an Associated British-Pathé title. Previous DVD's released by Warner Brothers. I would think no.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by Tns49

Originally an Associated British-Pathé title. Previous DVD's released by Warner Brothers. I would think no.

Warner in the UK, but Fox in the US. So it's possible.

Update: the latest UK DVD was released by Optimum (StudioCanal) in 2006, so it looks like Warner does not own it anymore at all.

[EddieLarkin]

Fox never released anything but the short US cut, which may be due to them only having rights to that version. No doubt if Twilight Time got it they'd be restricted to the shorter cut. There is a big Hammer restoration going on right now though so a UK release from StudioCanal/Optimum could be forthcoming. They've already put out Quatermass, Plague of the Zombies and The Reptile.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Fox never released anything but the short US cut, which may be due to them only having rights to that version. No doubt if Twilight Time got it they'd be restricted to the shorter cut. There is a big Hammer restoration going on right now though so a UK release from StudioCanal/Optimum could be forthcoming. They've already put out Quatermass, Plague of the Zombies and The Reptile.

The Fox USA widescreen LaserDisc (which I still have) was the full cut.

[whitesheik]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

I was shocked and delighted to receive my copy of COVER GIRL in the mail this morning. That's the fastest service yet to Canada.

I was doubly fortunate that bad weather kept me indoors for a few hours so that I could watch the Blu-ray. I fired up the 60" Sharp Quattron early.

Be prepared for a positive review.

By way of background, after criticizing mediocre transfers of JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH and AS GOOD AS IT GETS, I fell into great disfavour among the Twilight Time fans who think everything they do is "beautiful". I've asked for simple honest opinion. Every company does good work and less-than-good work. I've grown bored of the shouting down that happens when somebody criticizes a disc from Twilight Time. I buy almost nothing but catalogue titles with a heavy preference for old classics. In fact, my copy of the 1953 British colour movie GENEVIEVE is "out for delivery" from UPS and should be here within the hour. And I recently imported the 1940's Technicolor ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES so I think I come to this with an eye that understands the era.

I'm going to give my honest opinion now...just as I gave it for the TT discs that I didn't like.

I LIKED this disc and I'll address some concerns point-by-point.

IS THIS TRANSFER TOO DARK? This has been a popular opinion posted in reviews over the last few days. It my opinion, it is most certainly NOT too dark...not at all. After suffering through generations of overly bright transfers befitting the 25" CRTs that we used to watch in our brightly lit living rooms, COVER GIRL is a properly exposed home theater transfer. As I alluded to in an earlier post after viewing screen caps, COVER GIRL has been properly keyed to highlight preservation. High dynamic range is wonderful IF the source material allows it. But when you get generations away from the original source and contrast builds up, you should transfer to protect the highlights. COVER GIRL does that.

IS THE CONTRAST TOO GREAT? Yes. This is a contrasty presentation and that does cost us shadow detail. But this also begs the question of WHERE the excess contrast entered the image chain. If the source material is several generations removed from the original camera negative, that contrast may have built up before this print even got the transfer process. I don't know.

IS THE GRAIN EXCESSIVE? In my opinion, no. There surely is significant grain which makes itself especially apparent in broad areas devoid of detail (like interior walls). But, generally, I didn't find it particularly noticeable or remotley distracting. Again, as I said in an earlier post, the "fix" would be to use Digital Noise Reduction...and that cure would be worse than the disease. I consider the grain perfectly tolerable and wasn't bothered by it.

THE COLOR? Very good in my opinion. I was simply unaware of any unusual color shifts. There were very minor shifts as is common in any color film of the era. Unless you are looking for them, I don't think you'd find a problem here. I give the color here above average marks.

Any edge enhancement was below the level of detection except in a very small number of high contrast scenes. I give high marks for that. I was pleased with a good level of natural detail.

The sound was perfectly serviceable mono right out of the center speaker. Nothing to write home about but no problems either.

The disk loaded and played glitch free without issue.

So we all have opinions. That's a good thing. This is a case where I've actually got a higher opinion of this disc than most of the regular Twilight Time chorus. I honestly think that they did a better job with COVER GIRL than they did with JTTCOTE (a view likely to stir considerable consternation).

THEY didn't do a better job with either title - THEY put out the masters that were given them and the authoring company did their usual stellar job in authoring them. Just to keep it all straight

[Page14]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Now that Twilight Time is doing stuff like Journey To The Center of The Earth, Mysterious Island, and soon Enemy Mine here's a title that I think would be perfect for them:

[Show spoiler]

One Million Years B.C.

A Fox title. Sci-Fi. Ray Harryhausen VFX. A pinup on the cover.

My hope would be a branched version with both the domestic USA cut and the longer international cut (with more dino FX!).

Am I dreaming?

Thank you! That's the one I want too!!! Glad I'm not alone.

[deltasun]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Now that Twilight Time is doing stuff like Journey To The Center of The Earth, Mysterious Island, and soon Enemy Mine here's a title that I think would be perfect for them:

[Show spoiler]

One Million Years B.C.

A Fox title. Sci-Fi. Ray Harryhausen VFX. A pinup on the cover.

My hope would be a branched version with both the domestic USA cut and the longer international cut (with more dino FX!).

Am I dreaming?

I'm dreaming right there with ya, pal.

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by dsman71

Interestingly you didnt read the review right here at BluRay.com

-

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

The Fox USA widescreen LaserDisc (which I still have) was the full cut.

Heh, I didn't even think to consider pre-DVD releases. Will be doubly disappointing then if Fox or TT put this out on Blu-ray and it's the US cut only

[dsman71]

Is there one for a triple facepalm ???

[whitesheik]

I've just spent a completely captivating and entertaining evening watching High Time and Bye Bye Birdie. When Nick told me about the Fox deal way back when, I begged him to think about High Time and happily there was a new hi-def transfer done and he said yes. I saw High Time at a sneak preview in June of 1960, several months before it opened, at the Village Theater in Westwood, with several of the film's cast in attendance as well as Mr. Blake Edwards. Back then it seemed like one of the funniest movies ever and the audience belly-laughed so loud throughout you could barely hear the dialogue. I saw it several more times when it finally came out, and the audiences laughed like that each time.

Sitting at home, no, it's not laugh-out-loud funny (it probably would be with a big audience - comedy being the shared experience it is), but what it is is charming, adorable, sweet, and colorful, and one can see Mr. Edwards beginning to try out the kind of visual gags he would become famous for. Crosby is wonderful as the new college "kid" and the rest of the cast is great, and Tuesday Weld at that age is breathtakingly cute. The last time I saw High Time (I don't believe it's ever been available on home video) was on FMC letterboxed in 4x3. The color was all brown and ugly and the image not terribly pleasing. I'm happy to report that this new transfer is really quite splendid. I'm sure the reviewers will all point out (pointlessly) the occasional white speck or line, but really, who gives a flying Wallenda. The color is perfect, it's sharp, and very pleasing. I suppose on these sorts of sites, one must always give the caveat that there are a LOT of opticals in the film and yes they are obviously less sharp, as it should be. Given the Fox Cinemascope films of that era, this looks just terrific (sounds terrific, too, in stereo). Fox did a very nice job on this transfer, and the authoring is up to the usual great standards of that particular authoring house.

And then there's Bye Bye Birdie. I attended a screening a couple of years ago (maybe not quite that long ago) at the Academy of the hi-def new digital transfer. I actually didn't love it - maybe it was the projection (I really don't like digital projection) but it looked flat and not colorful enough and a little hazy on their huge screen. On the Blu-ray, however, it is absolute perfection and one of the best Blu-ray transfers of a film of that era that I've ever seen. It is spectacular - amazing color, amazing sharpness, and the opticals have been handled extremely well and look better than opticals like that have any right to look - Universal should look at this transfer and adjust their practices accordingly. I cannot imagine people not being bowled over by this, although I'm sure the screen cap brigade will judge solely on those, but I think we all know by now how accurate they are - not.

Grover Crisp is the man, and the authoring is fantastic. Put on a happy face indeed.

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by dsman71

Is there one for a triple facepalm ???

Does a bear sh1t in the woods?

[dsman71]

DOH !!
Thats awesome !
I wouldnt want to witness a bear shitting in the woods..im sure they do...

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by dsman71

I was glad to read the review of Cover Girl , showing that they are not bulletproof...

I don't know whether they are bulletproof or not, but this is one release where the harsh criticism is most definitely not justified. While color saturation could have been better, the presentation is in fact quite good. I would not place it next to an impressive presentation such as, say, French Cancan, which underwent a full blown up restoration, but this release is very, very far from being the disaster some are making it out to be on other forums. Now, As Good As It Gets is an entirely different matter...

Pro-B

[rdodolak]

Looks like Mysterious Island may have sold out.

[tellybox]

Originally Posted by whitesheik

And then there's Bye Bye Birdie. I attended a screening a couple of years ago (maybe not quite that long ago) at the Academy of the hi-def new digital transfer. I actually didn't love it - maybe it was the projection (I really don't like digital projection) but it looked flat and not colorful enough and a little hazy on their huge screen. On the Blu-ray, however, it is absolute perfection and one of the best Blu-ray transfers of a film of that era that I've ever seen. It is spectacular - amazing color, amazing sharpness, and the opticals have been handled extremely well and look better than opticals like that have any right to look - Universal should look at this transfer and adjust their practices accordingly. I cannot imagine people not being bowled over by this, although I'm sure the screen cap brigade will judge solely on those, but I think we all know by now how accurate they are - not.

Grover Crisp is the man, and the authoring is fantastic. Put on a happy face indeed.

VERY relieved to hear this. After years of having the crappy DVD, I put on the movie after I noticed it was on Netflix in HD.

The transfer was terrible; muddy and dull. I was worried this transfer wouldn't be up to par with the movie.

Good news indeed!

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Looks like Mysterious Island may have sold out.

Yep. It's disappeared from both their Blu-ray and Twilight Time lists, and no longer shows in their weekly sales recap.

Another one bites the dust.