I love the extras that come with DVDs but my favorite features have to be the audio commentaries that accompany movies or tv episodes. Unfortunately, they aren't always interesting.

What interests me are the details of moviemaking, and the personalities involved. What bores me are the philosophies of the director, writer or producer. Of course, the commentator has to be articulate.

Examples of fun commentaries: SERENDIPITY (even tho he began with a brief philosophical statement), THE MUMMY (which had 3 commentaries--all fun).

Examples of boring commentaries: SPY KIDS 2.

I'm sure we all differ on what we expect and enjoy in audio commentaries.

Just a trivial note: when the defunct WONDERFALLS first aired, FOX had an audio commentary by the creator and one actor available on the Internet! It was a little tricky to synchronize with the viewing, but it was fun in the way I wanted it to be.

I've got both those films on DVD and I don't think I've seen/heard the extras. I could always do with a bit of quality time with John Cusack so I'll have to dig out Serendipity.
:D

I've got Serendipity. Can't say as I've ever watched any of the extras. I'll have to go back and have a looksie at those :)

Some commentaries I found fun; The Goonies (with a complete cast reunion commentary), Big Trouble in Little China (with Kurt Russell and John Carpenter who had an absolute ball !!) and Evil Dead III (with Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi having a scream as well).

I must admit that extras appeal to me as well. I've often been persuaded to buy a DVD on the strength of the audio commentary/extras. Twelve Monkeys being one example.

Bad commentaries, First Contact (Jodie Foster does her level best to bore us to death) :rolleyes:

The scene in SERENDIPITY where John and Kate (using the actor's names) visit the restaurant after just meeting was reshot with different dialog. That's the one in the movie. The original scene is included in the deleted scenes and I enjoyed it more.

THE MUMMY with all those features may be a special edition.

>>The Goonies (with a complete cast reunion commentary), Big Trouble in Little China (with Kurt Russell and John Carpenter who had an absolute ball !!)<<

I didn't know about these being out with commentaries. Will definitely have to check them out. Thanks.

I saw the serendipity thing about cubing. That's interesting.

I've got the special edition The Mummy, I can't find it at the moment though, not even sure where else to look. Maybe my Mum pinched it (big John Hannah fan).

I love the Goonies. I'm going to start saving up my pennies :D

We had a TV show called Director's Commentary done by comedian Rob Brydon. It was basically taking the DVD extras stuff and making a joke of it. I thought it was very clever. Anyone else see it?

Yeah, I saw that. It was very funny. I'd be interested in getting the dvd to find out what the director's commentary is like on the Director's Commentary dvd....if you know what I mean. ;)

I have to be carerful. I hope you guys realize that I'm talking about Region 1 releases.

With that in mind, one of my favorite commentaries came with a recent version of DARK CITY (a great film IMO). American movie critic Roger Ebert did one of the two commentaries on the DVD and he did a fantastic job. He did discuss philosophies of filmmaking but he managed to integrate it with observations of what was happening on the screen.

I'm a big fan of Dark City myself, I must get around to getting that on DVD. Did you feel that the Buffy ep 'Hush' was very influenced by this film, too John?

My Goonies copy is Region 1 as well John so you should have no problems getting hold of a compatible copy. The BTILC one was Region 2 but I'm sure the Region 1 release was the same kind of deal with the commentaries.

John's raised a valid point there Anna. With regards to The Goonies DVD, just make sure the Region 2 version has the commentary track on it. Mine's the Region 1 version, not sure about the Region 2 one.

Just checked on this;

The Region 2 edition of The Goonies is due for release on the 4th October this year, it currently has the extras as being TBC.

If your DVD player is multi-region though, just check the Region 1 version out here at PlayUSA ;)

I got a multi-region player so I'll make sure I order the right one. Cheers :thumbsup:

I can't say I noticed that--but you may have a point. Both the Gentlemen and the Strangers are pale and ghoulish; much of the action takes place at night, etc.

Another copycat would be the movie THIRTEENTH FLOOR a not-so-popular virtual reality movie that I liked a lot. While not all nighttime, it was dark and moody until the sunny last scene.