I find most of DVD commentaries (at least in
mainstream films) extremely self-indulgent. They have
not changed my opinion about a particular film, it
rather confirms my opinion that the film is more hype
than content (example: Enemy at the Gates).
However, it is understandable that the commentaries on
DVDs are always tailored to marketing the film
(obviously) and especially the DVD. My film theory
tutor advised us never to use DVD extras as sources of
information. Last year we were writing an essay,
examining a film according to its contemporary social
and cultural issues. Several people chose DVD extras
as resources, as they gave a lot of background
information on the filmmaking itself, which, of
course, were not critical at all. For example, crew or
cast members usually comment the unique and pleasant
experiences regarding relationships among them, which
in many cases is just a marketing hoax.
Catalin
--- Anthony Cox <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Again, caveat emptor: film is not my living, just
> part of my life.
>
> I just wondered what people here thought about DVD
> commentaries.
>
> Is it felt they add anything to the meaning of some
> films? Have people
> developed a different opinion on a film because of a
> directors
> commentary?
>
> I have to say many of them do not seem particularly
> enlightening and are
> more technical than 'philosophical' or even worse
> forums for mutual
> admiration.
>
> I quite enjoyed the commentary on 'Insomnia' (one of
> the better
> Hollywood films this year) which is unusual in that
> the film runs in the
> order scenes were shot, rather than the film
> chronology.
>
> Not that Malick would ever do it, but would a
> commentary on 'The Thin
> Red Line' do more harm than good?
>
> --
> Anthony Cox
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