Audio Commentaries.....

POSTED BY: TheSomnambulist
UPDATED: Thursday, May 25, 2006 02:15
VIEWED: 8639
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THESOMNAMBULIST

Saturday, May 20, 2006 8:18 PM

Ok so what do you guys like to hear in a commentary?

What works for you and what doesn't. Do you indeed bother with the commentaries?

I listen to them all avidly but I prefer the ones where some kind of film-making process is being discussed, like directing, lighting, music etc....

What about y'all ?

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

REGINAROADIE

Saturday, May 20, 2006 8:39 PM

I like for them to be a mix of the technical and the fun type of tracks. In technical, I mean as in a track that talks about not only the technical aspects of a film (how this effect was done, how they shot this particular shot), but also the creative aspects and the ideology of the script (how much of a movie was improv, what this shot signified, character representation, refrences and such.) And the fun type of tracks are the "party" tracks, where you have the filmmaker himself or the filmmaker and cast and others riffing on each other, or making Mystery Science 3000 type comments at the screen, or if not that, then at least have the speaker sound enthusiastic and glad to be there.

Joss is a good mix of both of these aspects, and Kevin Smith I think has perfected the commentary track. I've seen MALLRATS more times with the commentary track on then off. David Cronenberg and Martin Scorsese are also great commentators on their movies. Quentin's also a great commentator. On the TRUE ROMANCE DVD, his is the most lively, but he knows to shut up at the right moments, like during the Sicilian speech. It may just be me, but I also like the historian commentary tracks you hear on some of the Warner Bros. DVD's. They're incredibly informative about every aspect of the movie, plus the fact that they have some history to them makes the track more interesting than for some flick that was in theatres only months ago. But I never find them dull. If anything, they're as entertaining as the regular party tracks.

The one person who does a lot of tracks that I can't stand is Peter Bogdanovich. He has that perfect monotone voice that can put people to sleep. If you get the CITIZEN KANE DVD, there are two tracks. One with Roger Ebert, the other with Pete, since he was not only Orson Welles' biographer, but a close friend. Skip the latter and listen to the Ebert track. Ebert is a great commentator.

If I think of any other bad commentators, I'll let you know.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's only one "Return" ok, and it ain't "of the King", it's "of the Jedi."

"Maybe we should start calling your friend 'Padme' because he loves 'Mannequin Skywalker' so much, Right? (imitating robot) Danger...danger...my name is Anakin...my shitty acting is ruining saga."

Excerpt of internet teaser for CLERKS 2.

BREXAN

Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:08 AM

I prefer the less technical side of the commentaries, things like the original intentions of the scenes, tiny features that we may have missed, and generally anything that makes me think "ooh, so that's why they did that" or "ooh, so this part in *episode1* links to that part in *episode2*"

I also love when the actors get involed in commentaries, telling of their impressions of their characters, what they hoped to show, and, a real biggy for me, hearing about the off-screen interactions between the cast (moreso in the Firefly series as they all seemed to get on so well!). When it comes to DVD extras I tend to enjoy the cast interviews and outtake scenes, I like a similar thing from the commentaries.

On the technical side I don't like all the technical jargan and generally the talk about camera angles and leses when its taken into a bit too much detail. I don't mind talk about the computer generated visual effects, and the odd chat about the processes beyond the basic filming/acting which we don't really pick up on but which make all the difference (like how they used a lot of 'taboo' camaera work to fit in with the 'unpolished' nature of the show).

EMBERS

Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Ok so what do you guys like to hear in a commentary?

What works for you and what doesn't. Do you indeed bother with the commentaries?

I listen to them all avidly but I prefer the ones where some kind of film-making process is being discussed, like directing, lighting, music etc....

What about y'all ?

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

you know I'm really happy you asked this question, because I've been recently listening to some of the worst ever:
the 'commentator' sits there silently watching the film forgetting that the viewer can't hear the dialoge and is waiting for him to say something!!!

why don't these people understand the concept of commentary LOL

Anyway, my favorite ones are by Joss (although some other writers, or directors have also done well), where he gives real insight into why he wrote what he did, how this relates to his view of life, and why he framed the scene or shot the scene in the way he did.... I can never get enough of that kind of insight.

I also really enjoy it when there are technical commentaries, about special effects, camera work, and lighting....

I find the silly commentaries (talking about who kept messing up their lines or who would pull pranks) to be a little pointless; fun, if you like everyone...but basically unnecessary.

Did you ever listen to the LotR commentaries by the actors? Ian McKellan complimenting everyone else's acting, Christopher Lee droning on about stories of his past successes on stage, everyone else giggling like children... Really really boring and dumb stuff!

Gosford Park had two, one from the writer's POV and the other from the director, Robert Altman's...both were wonderfully entertaining and both had polar opposite ways of viewing the film.

Anyway...thanks again for the question...

Have you listened to Joss' commentary on The Body (Buffy season 5) or on Restless (Buffy Season 4) both are almost as good as the one he did on 'Objects in Space' (which I think is the best commentary ever)

GEEKUSA

Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:35 AM

My favorite commentary of all time is The Simpsons commentary with Matt Groening and Co. It has the right blend of anecdotes and technical issues about each episode for me. Most importantly it's entertaining. I'm sure that'll change once they start heading into later seasons, but for now I love it.

"Knew it...probably...saw them cops...and...turned...tail..."

"Can't...sentence...properly."

JOSSISAGOD

Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:43 AM

I like a little less technical stuff on the commentaries. I like it, don't miss-read, But I also like anecdotes and personal stories from the actors and crew. I wanna hear about who screwed up, who had too much lunch before his shirt off scene,(straight guy here so more with the funny shirt off thing than the other.) that kind of stuff, I wanna hear funny stories with some tech-y stuff.

I also, like hearing about what the people where going through in that point of their lives and how it influenced the scenes.

JOSSIS(Most Definitely)AGOD

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:47 AM

Oh, that reminds me. The FUTURAMA commentary tracks are also really enjoyable and funny. Actor tracks are all right, but voice over actor tracks are insane.

I know it's probably taboo to mention anything positive about Ben Affleck, but when he's rocking the mike with Kevin Smith for the tracks for MALLRATS, AMY, DOGMA and JERSEY GIRL, he's incredibly self-depricating and incredibly funny.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's only one "Return" ok, and it ain't "of the King", it's "of the Jedi."

"Maybe we should start calling your friend 'Padme' because he loves 'Mannequin Skywalker' so much, Right? (imitating robot) Danger...danger...my name is Anakin...my shitty acting is ruining saga."

Excerpt of internet teaser for CLERKS 2.

MALAYNADREAMS

Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:03 AM

Y'know what--I never even listened to any other commentaries besides Firefly. I never had a true interest for them--I just enjoyed the movie and that was it. Have never been connected to actors or movies enough (even my favorite ones) to try them, despite enjoying the movies tremendously

But Firefly, oh....I couldn't get enough. I wanted to see more! So I decided, "Y'know--I think I'll watch 'em again, but with the commentaries now!" which was special because I had never cared for them & here I was, making a choice to watch them. Watched Serenity, the pilot, with commentaries & I was rolling ^_^ ...now I just wish there were MORE commentaries to fix my apetite

Still don't think I'll have any interest in any other commentaries besides Firefly & Serenity

--------------------
One day.
One mission.
One army of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

COPILOT

Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:13 AM

I absolutely hate technical commentary. I honestly don't care about the lighting effects. For some really entertaining commentary the award has to go to Kevin Smith and company. A little Smith on Affleck action is the best. Honestly I've listened to the Chasing Amy commentary about 17 times. It's insainly hilarious (the movie isn't bad either).
I put on a clinic and my clinics are free.
Dancing dancing like a minstral in my film. Kills me every time.

An I carried such a torch

GEEKUSA

Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:38 AM

I forgot to mention one other commentary I enjoy... The This is Spinal Tap is an absolute riot for me because it goes along with the mockumentary joke of the film. Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer all remain in character and they comment on the film like it's an actual documentary of David, Nigel and Derek. Cracks me up every time.

"Knew it...probably...saw them cops...and...turned...tail..."

"Can't...sentence...properly."

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