Best DVD Commentary Tracks

[2099net]

I've just finished listening to the War of the Worlds (1953) second commentary track with Joe Dante (:D), Bob Burns and Bill Warren and it's fantastic. It's everything a commentary should be.

What we have is three friends, who are obviously enthusiastic about the film sitting down for a chat. Over the course of the commentary we get lots of information (mainly from the sci-fi geekish Dante), lots of humour and lots of discussion on the impact of the film during it's original screening in the 50's. They seem to get a bit confused when it comes to the original War of the Worlds novel though in at least one section erronously stating the Martians eat humans in the novel. (They don't, they transfuse their blood). But other than that it's a flawless commentary, touching on everything from an aborted 1925 version which was to be made by Paramount to George Pal's own religious beliefs.

Of course, Joe Dante is, in my opinion, one of the best commentators. His Gremlins I and II commentaries are just as good, if not better, though not as informative. It's a shame he doesn't do more.

In fact, its a shame he doesn't direct more

[Disney-Fan]

I enjoyed the Toy Story commentaries very much. So much insight, and at the same time it was all done in a lighthearted, fun fashion. I also enjoyed Gladiator's commentary (EE) with Russel Crowe and Riddley Scott. Those two together really have a lot to share, and they seem to be in pretty good relations which makes for an awesome commentary.

[lord-of-sith]

Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl The commentary with Keira Knightly and Jack Davenport was one of the most funny commentaries I've ever listened to, there wasn't a lot of information about making the film, but a ton of fun facts and stories about what happened after and before filming. Also, the commentary with the writers is insanley informative, I've used a lot of advice and techniques on writing that they said and gave in that commentary.

The Star Wars Saga Theses commentaries are very informative and often fun, the only thing I don't like is when Ben Burtt babbles on during duels and very pivotal scenes about what type of something he used to make a sound, but that's a minor gripe.

Beauty and the Beast/The Hunchback of Notre Dame I grouped theses two together as they are done by the same people. The Directors: Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, and the Producer Don Hahn. These commentaries are just the right amount information, fun facts (see: Beauty and the Beast tavern scene with the bear rug), and a whole lot of fun. If I had to pick a group to do more commentaries, it would be these three.

Sleeping Beauty Despite the fact that it was obviously edited together from the audio of the interview used in the making of documentary, it really is enjoyable. Everyone's comments are intriguing, especially Marc Davis'.

Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events The commentary with Brad Silberling is alright, but the commentary with him and the "real" Lemony Snicket takes the cake. It is the most funny commentary I've ever listened to, there were moments when I was cracking up! I guess it's just my kind of humor.

well, that's all for now.

[Wonderlicious]

My favourite commentaries:

The Simpsons
Amelie
Dumbo
A Symposium on Popular Songs
Peter Pan
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

[Disneykid]

The Wizard of Oz: Collector's Edition
Sleeping Beauty
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: Special Edition
Beauty and the Beast
Tarzan: Collector's Edition
The Princess Diaries (Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Keira Knightley and Jack Davenport)
The Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions (Cast)

[2099net]

If we're listing more commentaries, then the following catch me eye (ear?) too:

Doctor Who: The Complete 1st Series especially Russell T Davies and company on Rose (surprisingly critical) and Stephen Moffatt and John Barrowman on the 2 part The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances (very funny, but what would you expect from the writer of Coupling?)

Warners 'Historian' Commentaries - I'm really starting to like the academic commentaries on Warners' excellent classic film collections, such as their Contraversial Classics and Val Lewton Collections. Often film historians and/or critics can give more insight into a film than the makers or actors (see War of the Worlds in my first post). The best of these has to be Roger Ebert on the R1 Citizen Kane release.

This Is Spinal Tap in-character commentary. In-character commentaries are fun, but often don't work. But the Spinal-Tap one only shows cracks occasionally, and is very funny. In fact, its like a whole new version of the movie.

House of the Dead commentary by executive producer Mark Altman. Yes, the film is rubbish (but not as dreadful as most people claim) but this commentary is amazing, as it charts how a low budget plus over-enthusiastic director sent the production in directions never planned (or wanted).

[The Lizard King]

ANYTHING from Ridley Scott.

TLK

[BrandonH]

I love all of the Pixar commentary tracks.

It may just be because I love the movie, but all three tracks on the Contact DVD are enjoyable listens.

The Usual Suspects has a wonderful and unique commentary.

Also notable are the Star Trek Collector's Editions, Back to the Future Trilogy, and Casablanca.

[Robin Hood]

I've only listened to one whole commentary, it was for Police Academy 5. I really enjoyed the commentary because they we're able to get most of the cast members together and talk about shooting locations, etc.

[Lazario]

I've just finished listening to the War of the Worlds (1953) second commentary track with Joe Dante ...

I've heard all three of his Gremlins commentaries (cast-1, crew-1, crew-2) and his commentaries for The Howling and Piranha. If it wasn't for this nod, I wouldn't have thought of him.

One truly legendary solo audio commentary was Bruce Campbell's for The Evil Dead (1982). And I have to second that nomination. It's been almost a decade (1998) since he sat down to record it and no one's ever been more fun to listen to about 1 movie.

Then, I have to go with James Woods/Deborah Harry on Videodrome (1982), because it's amazing to see any actors so passionate and articulate about such a strange film, which Videodrome surely is. Though I can't find any record of it, people say James Woods is a member of Mensa (or was at one point). And he is in great form talking about this movie. Though more than anything, I really got a kick out of hearing Deborah talk about the movie and her comments are definitely both valid and add a real element that the film didn't completely have. She could have easily just felt her way through shooting this scene and that, but she has a real idea of what the movie was and what the material meant. She's really worth listening to on this. It's probably better that Criterion melded their separate commentaries together.

And my vote for #1 best audio commentary to date, certainly that I've heard - John Waters on his 1998 film Pecker. Here's a guy who prides himself on bad taste and has made some of the most cinematically reprehensible films of all-time, and he's smart, well-spoken, knowledged on much of the history of art / film / culture, and no-holds-barred hilarious. Nothing seems to make this man uncomfortable, and that can only be a good thing when it comes to filmmaking.

Also : Heathers (1989) - director Michael Lehman (Meet the Applegates), producer Denise Di Novi (Batman Returns), writer Daniel Waters (Batman Returns). With a film this important, there's no way the filmmakers could put us to sleep. And their insights about the film are a real lesson on the conceptual side of filmmaking.


I wonder if we'll see a Worst Commentary tracks post anytime soon...

[Lazario]

Oh - forget 2!

Vamp (1986) - director & cast. This is the funniest commentary I've ever heard. I laughed-out-loud at least a dozen times. And it's great to hear the beautiful Dedee Pfeiffer (yes, Michelle's sister) talk about this sleazy a movie in such high regard.

Bride of Chucky (1998) - I do love my funny-sexy ladies. Jennifer Tilly rules this cast/writer commentary and she is wonderful to listen to, so ephervescant and pleasant, and funny and talkative.

[creid]

I listened too few audio tracks but some of favorites are Leonard Matlin (esp Night At The Opera), Peter Boganvich (Citizen Kane), Roger Corman (House Of Usher), and the Empire Strikes Back (Interesting the thoughts of Irving & Lucas.) Marty Scoresce does a good commentary even though he sometimes spends all his time talking about the movies that influenced him.

I find some of the poorest by Richard Sckreck (msp., The Time Magazine critic) because does the the commentary on Once Upon In America without ever reading the original source material. The worst is whoever did the Kino version of Metropolis. That one the commentator has to expain every single action on screen. It is incredibly tedious and I turned it off even though it is a silent movie.

But my favorite two are:

Henry Hill and the FBI agent who made the deal with Henry on Goodfellas. I always loved Goodfellas but I love more knowing it was 99% true! Some of the scenes did not actually happen (the famous "Am I clown scene?") but it was true of the real man.

Francias Coppola on The Godfather III. He spends the whole time:
1) Rationalizing why he made the movie. (still not sure)
2) Defending the choice of Sophia in the movie (I am still not convinced.)
3) Trying coming to terms of the decisions he made in his life and his fear that he did spend enough time with his family. He often compares his life to the Don. (I felt like Freud on this one.

[BATBfan1]

The only one I have heard through is Beauty And The Beast.

I can't get into them. I got to admit, it did share a lot of secrets but that is what the special features are for. They are most of the boring to me.

[Alan]

The only one I have heard through is Beauty And The Beast.

I can't get into them. I got to admit, it did share a lot of secrets but that is what the special features are for. They are most of the boring to me.

yeah, I would have to agree with you. I do not like listening to commentaries because they are really long, and quite boring. The only ones I've listened to thoroughly are "princess bride" and "drunken master". The princess bride was actually quite interesting, but I didn't watch the whole commentary in one sitting, since its way too boring! The drunken master commentary was boring, it talked about stuff not related to the movie (like movies by bolo yeung and sammo hung and the shaw brothers...)

[Evil Genie Jafar]

All of the Disney and Pixar DVDs ones. Why? Becaue since they are animated you get to know very specific and important things regarding animation.

I really liked the way they used to give each animator a frontal speaker. That way you knew who was who and actually felt like they were right there with you.


PS

The worst one EVER have been the one of "Wes Craven's New Nightmare". He's the only one speakiing, nothing interesting and the whole track goes -------------- .

[Escapay]

My favorite commentaries are:

The Ten Commandments - Katherine Orrison talks practically nonstop during the entire movie, and she shares a WEALTH of information not only about the production of the movie, but of CB DeMille himself, and of his stock of actors and backstage personnel that he often used, namely Henry Wilcoxen. It's a worthy listen, especially for someone who's seen The Ten Commandments enough times that he can recite whole scenes, so a different audio is welcoming!

Final Destination - I've only listened to the cast commentary, and I haven't listened to it in awhile (haven't played the movie in awhile either), but I remember it was always a very easygoing though somewhat hard to hear everyone commentary, and seemed very conversational as opposed to informational.

The Outsiders - Listened to both the Coppola commentary and the Cast commentary, and the cast commentary is superior, as they share more insights into the making of the movie as opposed to Coppola.

Laura - Rudy Behlmer's commentary is far more interesting that the other one (don't remember their names), and while there are a few noticeable pauses, he has a lot to say about the movie.

Monsters Inc: Mike's New Car - Very fun commentary to listen to, it's not actually the Pixar people, but two kids of the directors! Granted, it's pretty short, but still fun to listen to.

St. Elmo's Fire - Joel Schumacher's commentary isn't exactly a goldmine, but it's probably a better in-depth look at the film as opposed to the 8 1/2 minute EPK featurette on the DVD!

Sin City - The Live Audience commentary doesn't exactly create a theatrical feel (at least, not for me and my 13 inch tv), but it's great to have other people laugh and clap with you.

Pixar Films - Their commentaries are a joy as they're both conversational and informational, since the makers of the film often like to tell the audience production stuff while at the same time having a fun time watching the movie.

Star Trek - I can't really get into the audio commentaries, but their textual commentaries are well-put and very informative. I preferred the regular text for them, though, as opposed to those fancy graphics they started using with Generations.

Legend - Ridley Scott's commentary is very lively and he touches upon a lot about the production of this movie, along with where he got inspiration from other movies (Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast, several DAC's, etc.)

The Goonies - The cast commentary + Richard Donner is fun in that it actually alternates between the audio of the cast over the actual movie to video of the cast commenting, with the movie in the corner. Sean Astin leaves abruptly a little before the halfway point, probably had a previous engagement. It's really like watching a movie with them, as opposed to watching the movie and hearing them say "This scene took such and such days to shoot...blah blah blah".

I also have to give a shout out to Spielberg for his wonderful contribution to commentaries. Every film he's directed has a wonderful commentary, very informative, and very easy to listen to. If only every director could give commentaries the way he does. I especially enjoyed all the extra tidbits he had to share on E.T. and the Indiana Jones trilogy!

(For those not in the know, Spielberg has never done commentaries for any of his movies, so my shout out is sarcastic...)

Escapay

[MadonnasManOne]

I really enjoy listening to commentaries on DVD's.

My favorites are:

The Star Wars saga: George Lucas may be dry (sometimes), and his voice annoys me (sometimes), but I do enjoy his commentary, and the fact that he stands behind his decisions, whether the audience likes it, or not.

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy: I've listened to every commentary on the extended editions of each film, and I truly enjoyed every single one. The amount of information that those who worked on these brilliant films provides is tremendous. These commentaries make you feel that you were along for the ride.

The Disney/Pixar films. Although I enjoy the commentaries of each of these films, my favorite is for The Incredibles. Brad Bird is brilliant, and I hope he will go on to do many more wonderful films.

Other favorites: Beauty And The Beast, Bambi, and King Kong (1933).

I could think of many more, but I am tired, and need to get to bed.

[MadonnasManOne]

I also have to give a shout out to Spielberg for his wonderful contribution to commentaries. Every film he's directed has a wonderful commentary, very informative, and very easy to listen to. If only every director could give commentaries the way he does. I especially enjoyed all the extra tidbits he had to share on E.T. and the Indiana Jones trilogy!

(For those not in the know, Spielberg has never done commentaries for any of his movies, so my shout out is sarcastic...)

Escapay

I know, it's quite sad. I don't understand it. Has he ever said why he doesn't do commentaries? I would LOVE to have had one for The Color Purple.

[magicalwands]

I also have to give a shout out to Spielberg for his wonderful contribution to commentaries. Every film he's directed has a wonderful commentary, very informative, and very easy to listen to. If only every director could give commentaries the way he does. I especially enjoyed all the extra tidbits he had to share on E.T. and the Indiana Jones trilogy!

(For those not in the know, Spielberg has never done commentaries for any of his movies, so my shout out is sarcastic...)

Escapay

I know, it's quite sad. I don't understand it. Has he ever said why he doesn't do commentaries? I would LOVE to have had one for The Color Purple.

I'm probably way off on this guess: Maybe he thinks making commentaries will be rubbing his genius onto other people?

I was hoping Animaniacs would get some commentary.

[Lazario]

I also have to give a shout out to Spielberg for his wonderful contribution to commentaries. Every film he's directed has a wonderful commentary, very informative, and very easy to listen to. If only every director could give commentaries the way he does. I especially enjoyed all the extra tidbits he had to share on E.T. and the Indiana Jones trilogy!

I can give you 2 potential reasons for why he doesn't do audio commentaries. 1) He's always working. Seriously, how many movies is this guy making within a year, usually 2. Whether they get released within the same year or not, he's usually right back-to-back on movie projects. 2) His movies are just so darn long that he doesn't have the patience or time to sit through them and comment. And maybe both those reasons contribute to the fact that he doesn't really stop to look back on his work that often... Maybe he's thought about trying and it bores him.