I remember when DVDs came in and started taking over from Videos. At the time I thought it was amazing that you got lots of extras - deleted scenes, 'making of' films, photo galleries, interviews, commentaries etc.
Well, in all these years I haven't indulged in ANY of that stuff!
My wife wanted to look at deleted scenes once, I think it was for Bridget Jones Diary. I saw one and thought what a waste of time, if it's not good enough to be in the film why bother with it.
I saw the first few minutes of a 'making of' documentary once, and it felt like it was spoiling the (sci-fi) movie by deconstructing it, so I never went there again
Commentaries, I put the School of Rock one on once, but about 5 minutes in I thought I really can't watch a whole movie with people talking over it! So that was it for commentaries.
so ....... any of you like this stuff? And anyone got a recommendation for a great film commentary?
Comments
I love all the extras and commentaries on the Alien(s) box set I have. All the set/art design stuff.
Likewise the Peter Jackson LOTR trilogy gave a great insight into such a massive project.
There's also a funny commentary for This is Spinal Tap with the cast still in character.
Just a few that spring to mind.
When I did watch DVD I don't think I ever watched any 'Extras'. Most of the time when I have watched the 'Director's Cut' versions of films, I've usually found them over-long and flabby and ended up preferring the cinematic release anyway. Notable exceptions being Apocalypse Now and especially Blade Runner.
The 2004 version of The Ladykillers had all the instruments made by Danny Ferrington who is a well known luthier and there is an extra on the DVD about him and the instruments although I haven't watched it for over ten years so I don't remember it in detail.
I know that quite often the versions of concerts shown on BBC$ or Sky Arts are shorter than the full versions on DVD ( David Bowie at Glastonbury for example) so I might buy a DVD for that.
*Ooh, The Road to Perdition from a charity shop last year whilst on holiday.
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Most of the other stuff, they all say the same thing.
A lot of it takes itself far too seriously.
I'd still rather have DVDs/Blurays than streaming.
The appendices on the extended Lord of the Rings movies are as entertaining as the movies themselves.
And I particularly enjoy Ridley Scott's commentaries on his movies.
The film has received critical acclaim. Variety called it a "mind-blowing cult movie" and said that director Pavich "happens upon a compelling theory: that even in its still-born form, the film manifested the sort of collective [consciousness] that Jodorowsky was trying to peddle through its plot, trickling down to influence other sci-fi films that followed".[11] The Hollywood Reporter declared the "entertaining documentary makes the case for this overblown epic as a legendary lost masterpiece".[12] Entertainment Weekly named Jodorowsky's Dune as one of its 10 Best Movies of 2014.[5]
Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave Jodorowsky's Dune a 98% "Certified Fresh" rating based on reviews from 108 critics. The site's consensus states: "Part thoughtful tribute, part bittersweet reminder of a missed opportunity, Jodorowsky's Dune offers a fascinating look at a lost sci-fi legend."
I'm intrigued to see it now!
the character commentary for anchorman is utterly hilarious, surreal and class
also notable shout for "a weekend with chopper" from Chopper -bizarre insight into the persona of the actual mark chopper reid (complete with his diy sawn off ears)
They do the commentary in character and get increasingly cross with how DiBergi portrays the band. It's wonderful.
There's nearly an hour of cut footage that's often as good as the stuff that made it into the main movie. It's like having an extra Spinal Tap film. Much of it was cut due to drug and sex references that would have got the film a higher rating.
The best extras are on older films - they're not afraid to look back and be critical of what worked and what didn't. On most new films the extras all just say how marvellous everything is.
They're all basically people patting themselves on the back and saying how wonderful everyone on set was and how brilliantly their vision has succeeded.
I've only occasionally bothered with commentaries and "making of" stuff- I really enjoyed the commentary on "Almost Famous" by Cameron Crowe and his mum (and odd but appropriate pairing for reasons that will be clear to anyone who’s seen the film.)
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