Cinematical Seven: My Favorite Director Commentaries

by Scott Weinberg Mar 6th 2007 // 8:02PM

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Cinematical Seven





I'm well aware that it's a thoroughly nerdly hobby, but I'm a sucker for a good commentary track. Not those dry and painful ones or the self-adoring love-fests in which everyone was "awesome" and "like, so talented." Nope, I dig the laid-back tracks from the directors who are cool enough to relax, but informed and passionate enough to share some illuminating insights -- but mainly I just like the fun ones. As you scan through my admittedly fluffy list, it's important to remember that, while I do listen to a lot of "grown-up" commentaries, I generally tend to remember the more "entertaining" ones. (Then again, a good film noir with a historian talk-track ... fun stuff! And I'm not kidding!) But since most of my DVD collection consists of action, comedy, sci-fi and (lots of) horror, my selections will run towards that direction. My apologies to the Criterion junkies, but you already know those commentaries are high-end stuff.


1. John Carpenter and Kurt Russell on Escape from New York, The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China -- Yakking away like the two old pals they obviously are, Carpenter and Russell chit-chat non-stop through all three of the geek-beloved genre collaborations. Whether they're chuckling about embarrassing moments, enjoying the old movie memories or asking one another about their kids, this pair makes for an exceedingly entertaining audio experience. And yes, they pay attention to the movies, too. (Also recommended: Russell, Bob Gale and Robert Zemckis on Used Cars or Carpenter on Halloween and The Fog.)


2. Terry Gilliam on Brazil -- One of the best audio commentaries I've ever heard. Brutally honest and endlessly fascinating, Mr. Gilliam goes on about the troubled production, the screenplay, the studio interference, the critical reaction, the uproar, and on and on. The fact that Gilliam's a naturally fantastic storyteller certainly doesn't hurt. And get this: The audio commentary isn't even the best supplement included in this stellar three-disc set. (OK, so I had to get one Criterion disc in here. Also recommended: Gilliam and Terry Jones on Monty Python and the Holy Grail or Gilliam on 12 Monkeys and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.)


3. Ridley Scott on Alien -- It might just my lifelong admiration for (most of) Scott's work, but I dig the way he does his commentaries. Jam-packed with production information, practical explanations and insightful anecdotes, plus he's always very gracious towards his collaborators without being ass-kissy. Plus Ridley Scott's an opinionated guy who doesn't seem to mince words, and that always adds some color to a commentary track. (Also recommended: Ridley Scott on Gladiator, Black Hawk Down and (especially!) Legend. Still waiting on that Blade Runner mega-set!)


4. Paul Verhoeven on Starship Troopers -- Nothing's funnier than hearing a director complain about how people "didn't understand" his movie ... even when you happen to agree with the guy! Time's been pretty kind to Troopers, but it got a lot of flack when it first hit the scene. Verhoeven's a natural chatterbox when it comes to his movies, and he offers as many insights as he does arcane digressions. Informative and amusing. (Also recommended: Verhoeven on Flesh + Blood or Robocop.)


5. Richard Donner and the whole gang on The Goonies -- If the movie was like babysitting without getting paid, then this colorful chat-track is like a high school reunion without the high school. Plus there's something inherently amusing about listening to actors as they watch themselves during that really gawky stage of adolescence. Suffice to say it's a fun and funny track. And yes, Donner gets a word in edge-wise. (Also recommended: Donner on Superman and his own version of Superman 2.)


6. Cameron Crowe and his mom on Almost Famous -- Hey, it's a semi-autobiographical movie, and the mom plays a very important role in the story ... so why not invite mom to sit in on the commentary track? Available only on the "Untitled" Special Edition release, it's a very sweet, insightful and informative track. Funny, too! (Also recommended: Crowe and friends on Say Anything.)


7. Kevin Smith & Company on just about anything -- Provided you're a fan of Smith, his posse and his potty-mouthed Jersey flicks (as I am), then there's no logical reason you shouldn't enjoy the babble-tracks found on Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. (In the case of Mallrats, I honestly think the commentary is more amusing than the flick.) Expect the typical raunchy irreverence from Smith, Mewes, Affleck, etc., but (thanks in large part to Scott Mosier) they also focus on the movies at hand ... in between all the insults, digressions and blue banter. (Also recommended: Smith and Mosier on the Road House DVD. Yep, Road House. Plus I bet the Clerks 2 commentary is good for some laughs. I just haven't added it to my collection just yet.)



Bonus!! Doesn't officially count because (obviously) he's not the director, but if you've yet to hear Roger Ebert's audio commentary on the Dark City DVD, stop what you're doing and sit down with it for 95 minutes. Even if you already love the movie, Mr. Ebert may help you to appreciate it even more. Thank me later.

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Tags: cameron crowe, CameronCrowe, cinematical, cinematical seven, CinematicalSeven, favorite director commentaries, FavoriteDirectorCommentaries, john carpenter, JohnCarpenter, kevin smith, KevinSmith, kurt russell, KurtRussell, paul verhoeven, PaulVerhoeven, richard donner, RichardDonner, ridley scott, RidleyScott, scott weinberg, ScottWeinberg, terry gilliam, TerryGilliam

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