Comments on: Commentary Tracks: The Ubiquity and Devaluation of Director/Writer Commentary http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/2009/11/17/commentary-tracks-the-ubiquity-and-devaluation-of-directorwriter-commentary/ A chronicle of a man and his quest to be creative. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:16:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Merrel Davis http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/2009/11/17/commentary-tracks-the-ubiquity-and-devaluation-of-directorwriter-commentary/comment-page-1/#comment-5371 Merrel Davis Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:31:35 +0000 http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/?p=967#comment-5371 Sometimes, I'll watch directory commentary on terrible films. When the discussion focuses on production and writing, you can get a window into what went wrong. Sometimes, I’ll watch directory commentary on terrible films. When the discussion focuses on production and writing, you can get a window into what went wrong.

]]> By: Shortbus http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/2009/11/17/commentary-tracks-the-ubiquity-and-devaluation-of-directorwriter-commentary/comment-page-1/#comment-5370 Shortbus Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:19:50 +0000 http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/?p=967#comment-5370 The only directors commentary that I have bothered to listen to in the past have been those on the Blade Runner Final Cut and Star Trek II DVD's respectively. Usually I'm not interested in these types of features, but both of these films are favorites of mine and I found the directors commentary was a nice way for me to see into the mind of the directors and how they planned and executed the films. The only directors commentary that I have bothered to listen to in the past have been those on the Blade Runner Final Cut and Star Trek II DVD’s respectively. Usually I’m not interested in these types of features, but both of these films are favorites of mine and I found the directors commentary was a nice way for me to see into the mind of the directors and how they planned and executed the films.

]]> By: Merrel Davis http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/2009/11/17/commentary-tracks-the-ubiquity-and-devaluation-of-directorwriter-commentary/comment-page-1/#comment-5369 Merrel Davis Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:13:52 +0000 http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/?p=967#comment-5369 Did you know the very first commentary was in 1984 on the Laser Disc edition of the original king kong? I enjoy a good commentary. I enjoy the commentary of Shaun of the Dead very much Did you know the very first commentary was in 1984 on the Laser Disc edition of the original king kong?

I enjoy a good commentary. I enjoy the commentary of Shaun of the Dead very much

]]> By: daveed http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/2009/11/17/commentary-tracks-the-ubiquity-and-devaluation-of-directorwriter-commentary/comment-page-1/#comment-5368 daveed Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:13:52 +0000 http://www.merreldavis.com/blog/?p=967#comment-5368 Great topic since I'm a big fan of (good) commentaries; the best I've heard is Roger Ebert's on <em>Citizen Kane</em>. I find the best ones are from the director and/or the screenwriters. Actor commentaries, unless these are thoughtful, craft-focused ones, are just so much bullshit banter. But I think it really comes down to the quality of the film, as well as the talent. For instance, the Stiller, Downey, Black commentary on <em>Tropic Thunder</em>, while occasionally silly, is great fun. (There's also a more production-focused one with Stiller and co-writer Justin Theroux.) On the other side of the coin, the one you mentioned, <em>Euro Trip</em>. I'd be surprised if the commentary from a movie like that was actually insightful. I too like commentary from those outside the production (or at least not totally immersed). By far the best I've heard is the track on <em>Black Hawk Down</em> by some of the soldiers who actually participated and/or conducted the battle. It puts it in a much more real context. Great topic since I’m a big fan of (good) commentaries; the best I’ve heard is Roger Ebert’s on Citizen Kane.

I find the best ones are from the director and/or the screenwriters. Actor commentaries, unless these are thoughtful, craft-focused ones, are just so much bullshit banter.

But I think it really comes down to the quality of the film, as well as the talent. For instance, the Stiller, Downey, Black commentary on Tropic Thunder, while occasionally silly, is great fun. (There’s also a more production-focused one with Stiller and co-writer Justin Theroux.)

On the other side of the coin, the one you mentioned, Euro Trip. I’d be surprised if the commentary from a movie like that was actually insightful.

I too like commentary from those outside the production (or at least not totally immersed). By far the best I’ve heard is the track on Black Hawk Down by some of the soldiers who actually participated and/or conducted the battle. It puts it in a much more real context.

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