Twilight Time and Screenarchives.com Present 2 Limited Edition Blu-ray Releases
Steel Magnolias (1989)
&
The Sound and the Fury (1959)
Greetings,
Twilight Time is a boutique brand that produces high quality, limited edition transfers of mainstream and lost Hollywood Classics.They only produce 3000 copies per title and are available exclusively through Screeenarchives.com. I was interested in the company and their releases when they put out 1985s Fright Night in a limited run of which I didn't get a copy (so if you are interested in a release, act quick!). I am happy to report that their transfers are superb and the utmost care has gone into their releases.
Lee
Steel Magnolias
Overview:
Adapted by Robert Harling from his own long-running play and directed by Herbert Ross, Steel Magnolias is a lively comedy laced with tragedy, featuring a gallery of superb performances from the likes of Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah. All are small-town Louisiana Southern belles who regularly gather in a haven-like beauty salon to let down their hair both literally and figuratively, offering each other warm moral support along with plenty of sass-and-tease. Featuring a gorgeous Georges Delerue score, available here as an isolated track.
Quick Specs:
Run Time: 118 mins, Audio Format: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, Region FREE, Blu-ray Disc release Date: September 11th, 2012
Quick Thoughts:
OK I wasn't ready for that this morning. Maybe I live a sheltered life, maybe in 1989 when a freshman in High School I was to into Carpenter, Lynch, B horror flicks...but a chick flick with old ladies had no appeal to me. Starting off as a quirky family film set around a bunch of gossip hounds that chat the paint off Truvy's (Dolly Parton) Beauty Parlor, Steel Magnolias turned into an emotion roller coaster that had me smiling, laughing, balling my eyes out and sometimes doing all of that at the same moment. Amazing performances by the woman, especially the stand out of Shirley MacLaine, whom I am stunned was not nominated for best supporting actress here, are the integral glue this film has, as their bond through life, death, religion and hair is always fun, real and extremely enjoyable to watch. It can be said that the film is one perfect sonata of emotional manipulation, concocted to illicit the tears that it so easily took from me, and I knew it was trying...I fought it but I lost. I am glad to have finally seen Steel Magnolias and glad that after 23 years it still has the impact of humor and emotions it did to audiences back in 89.
This is not a revelatory video presentation, but it sure is nice. Fine details seem to be the culprit of any negativity as all else fine. Don t let that dissuade you as still is a very capable high def worthy release. The audio track, being primarily a talkie with a lush score and wind soaked, bird chirping ambiance, comes across very well, thought not super big or dynamic.
Special Features:
· Audio Commentary with Filmmaker Herbert Ross
· Isolated Song and Music/Effect Track
· Julie Kirgo liner notes
The Sound and the Fury
Overview:
Directed by Martin Ritt from a screen adaptation by Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank, Jr., The Sound and the Fury (1959) is a bold, intensely realized version of William Faulkner’s masterpiece about the disintegration of a once-proud Southern family, the Compsons. Compressing Faulkner’s decade-spanning, stream-of-consciousness narrative into a few highly colored and decisive days, the film focuses on the rebellious teenage Quentin (Joanne Woodward), squirming under the repressive thumb of her stern and cynical step-uncle Jason (Yul Brynner). Their power struggle is knocked off-kilter by the unexpected return of the wayward mother (Margaret Leighton) who abandoned Quentin at birth. Featuring a superlative score by Alex North, available here as an isolated track.
Quick Specs:
Run Time: 115 mins, Audio Format: English 2.0 DTS-HD MA, Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1, Region FREE, Blu-ray Disc release Date: September 11th, 2012
Quick Thoughts:
Based on William Faulkner’s novel, The Sound and the Fury, this 1959 film had some controversy surrounding some major story-line changes and awkward casting choices. For example, the novel spans decades, the film spans a few days. Casting-wise, choosing Yul Brynnerr to play a southern white man was a bit strange as is choosing an almost 30 year old Joanne Woodward to play the films lead, a teenage girl. Not having read the source I did find this strange slice of cinema rewarding, if not just plain weird. It's a southern soap-opera from the 50s that is unlike anything before or after...it is worth a viewing for how strange it all feels. The A/V quality is decent but nothing that will blow you away. Colors, blacks are strong, but fine details are lacking. Still, I assume this is the best The Sound and The Fury has looked in years. The Audio is OK, but without a complete look-at, the source elements are a bit confined, and even the score seems a bit week
Special Features:
· Isolated Score Track
· Extensive Julie Kirgo liner notes
Lee Weber
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS45 3D 1080p 3D High Definition Front Projector
Screen Innovations Solar HD 1.3 120" 2.40:1 CinemaScope Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 Pre/Pro
Sunfire Theater Grand 7201 Amplifier
Sony PS3 Slim Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
M&K S-150MKII LCR
Steel Magnolias (1989)
&
The Sound and the Fury (1959)
Greetings,
Twilight Time is a boutique brand that produces high quality, limited edition transfers of mainstream and lost Hollywood Classics.They only produce 3000 copies per title and are available exclusively through Screeenarchives.com. I was interested in the company and their releases when they put out 1985s Fright Night in a limited run of which I didn't get a copy (so if you are interested in a release, act quick!). I am happy to report that their transfers are superb and the utmost care has gone into their releases.
Lee
Steel Magnolias
Overview:
Adapted by Robert Harling from his own long-running play and directed by Herbert Ross, Steel Magnolias is a lively comedy laced with tragedy, featuring a gallery of superb performances from the likes of Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah. All are small-town Louisiana Southern belles who regularly gather in a haven-like beauty salon to let down their hair both literally and figuratively, offering each other warm moral support along with plenty of sass-and-tease. Featuring a gorgeous Georges Delerue score, available here as an isolated track.
Quick Specs:
Run Time: 118 mins, Audio Format: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, Region FREE, Blu-ray Disc release Date: September 11th, 2012
Quick Thoughts:
OK I wasn't ready for that this morning. Maybe I live a sheltered life, maybe in 1989 when a freshman in High School I was to into Carpenter, Lynch, B horror flicks...but a chick flick with old ladies had no appeal to me. Starting off as a quirky family film set around a bunch of gossip hounds that chat the paint off Truvy's (Dolly Parton) Beauty Parlor, Steel Magnolias turned into an emotion roller coaster that had me smiling, laughing, balling my eyes out and sometimes doing all of that at the same moment. Amazing performances by the woman, especially the stand out of Shirley MacLaine, whom I am stunned was not nominated for best supporting actress here, are the integral glue this film has, as their bond through life, death, religion and hair is always fun, real and extremely enjoyable to watch. It can be said that the film is one perfect sonata of emotional manipulation, concocted to illicit the tears that it so easily took from me, and I knew it was trying...I fought it but I lost. I am glad to have finally seen Steel Magnolias and glad that after 23 years it still has the impact of humor and emotions it did to audiences back in 89.
This is not a revelatory video presentation, but it sure is nice. Fine details seem to be the culprit of any negativity as all else fine. Don t let that dissuade you as still is a very capable high def worthy release. The audio track, being primarily a talkie with a lush score and wind soaked, bird chirping ambiance, comes across very well, thought not super big or dynamic.
Special Features:
· Audio Commentary with Filmmaker Herbert Ross
· Isolated Song and Music/Effect Track
· Julie Kirgo liner notes
The Sound and the Fury
Overview:
Directed by Martin Ritt from a screen adaptation by Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank, Jr., The Sound and the Fury (1959) is a bold, intensely realized version of William Faulkner’s masterpiece about the disintegration of a once-proud Southern family, the Compsons. Compressing Faulkner’s decade-spanning, stream-of-consciousness narrative into a few highly colored and decisive days, the film focuses on the rebellious teenage Quentin (Joanne Woodward), squirming under the repressive thumb of her stern and cynical step-uncle Jason (Yul Brynner). Their power struggle is knocked off-kilter by the unexpected return of the wayward mother (Margaret Leighton) who abandoned Quentin at birth. Featuring a superlative score by Alex North, available here as an isolated track.
Quick Specs:
Run Time: 115 mins, Audio Format: English 2.0 DTS-HD MA, Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1, Region FREE, Blu-ray Disc release Date: September 11th, 2012
Quick Thoughts:
Based on William Faulkner’s novel, The Sound and the Fury, this 1959 film had some controversy surrounding some major story-line changes and awkward casting choices. For example, the novel spans decades, the film spans a few days. Casting-wise, choosing Yul Brynnerr to play a southern white man was a bit strange as is choosing an almost 30 year old Joanne Woodward to play the films lead, a teenage girl. Not having read the source I did find this strange slice of cinema rewarding, if not just plain weird. It's a southern soap-opera from the 50s that is unlike anything before or after...it is worth a viewing for how strange it all feels. The A/V quality is decent but nothing that will blow you away. Colors, blacks are strong, but fine details are lacking. Still, I assume this is the best The Sound and The Fury has looked in years. The Audio is OK, but without a complete look-at, the source elements are a bit confined, and even the score seems a bit week
Special Features:
· Isolated Score Track
· Extensive Julie Kirgo liner notes
Lee Weber
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS45 3D 1080p 3D High Definition Front Projector
Screen Innovations Solar HD 1.3 120" 2.40:1 CinemaScope Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 Pre/Pro
Sunfire Theater Grand 7201 Amplifier
Sony PS3 Slim Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
M&K S-150MKII LCR