So I was wondering what DVD Commentary Tracks people consider to be the best?
A short, incomplete list of mine would include;
Anything by Kevin Smith. I’ve already shown I’m a fanboy, so take this as you will, but Kevin can talk some shit. Highlights include the Special/Collectors editions of Mallrats (“no one saw this film”) and the 10 year anniversary of Clerks, which features more commentary tracks than you can poke a stick at. Both can be bought direct from the big man himself at The Secret Stash.
Following on from that, and from my recent adventures in the Amazon, the Roadhouse DVD featuring commentary by Scott Mosier and Kevin Smith intrigues me.
David Fincher is quite the film geek and can always be relied upon to give good commentary, with the film-making how to’s as well as on set gossip. (He averages 3 tracks per Collectors Edition). Start, of course, with Fight Club.
Anything by Robert Rodriguez is always entertaining/educational, but start with El Mariachi, and hear the behind the scenes of this supposedly $7,00 flick.
The Hot Fuzz US Only Special 3 Disc Super Collectors Edition, the DVD that inspired this post, features a commentary track with Edgar Wright and Quentin Tarantino, which apparently doesnt really discuss the film, its just EW and QT listing over 200 action films they love that they’ve stolen from in there awesome careers. Somebody buy this for me.
Club Dread is a strange one, because the commentary track is far more entertaining than the film itself. As a follow up to the excellent Super Troopers, Club Dread just didnt work, and the team behind it are the first to admit it… Refreshingly honest.
Arrested Development, just so you can squeeze more moments from this show while hoping and praying all the rumours of the upcoming film are true.
The Fast Times at Ridgemont High commentary is a joy to hear, as both writer Cameron Crowe and director Amy Heckerling seem to be catching up with each other, and the film, for the first time in years. They talk for almost half an hour after the final credits role…
Another commentary I haven’t heard but really should, is Roger Ebert’s commentary track for Citizen Kane.
I know I’m forgetting some truly geeky commentaries. Any help? Anyone? Bueller?
From Dusk Til Dawn – with Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. One of my favorites…
I also really love the commentary track for “Muppets from Space”, which basically has muppets talking vaguely-related crap and cracking jokes for the entirety of the film.
Yeah, any Rodriguez is awesome.. I’ll have to check out Muppets in Space.
Muppets talking crap and cracking gags? Sold!
Never, ever listen to a Tim Burton commentary. It’s a painful experience.
Joss Whedon always gives good commentary. One of my favourites is on the Firefly episode, ‘Objects in Space’. It’s not one of the amusing ones, but does give great insight into the way his mind works. I’m looking forward to hearing ‘Commentary! The Musical’ from the Dr Horrible’s Singalong Blog DVD.
Hell yeah, Crumpet!
Can’t wait for the Dr. Horrible commentary. And I love the Objects in Space commentary, particularly the tortuous philosophising behind Jubal Early’s behaviour.
The Naked Gun commentary is great – the Zuckers and Abrams team seem, like the Marx Brothers, to have started as a stage-act. They’re hilariously self-deprecating and full of oldschool gaggery. “We spent hundreds of thousands doing the break-in sequence, and what does everybody laugh at? The ‘nice beaver’ gag.”