Director's Commentary On Blu Ray's/DVD's Etc

[ADRiiAN`]

This question has been bothering me for quite sometime now.

I know 99% of Blu Ray's / HD DVD's / DVD's come with Director's Commentary now, but what I want to know, is, Do people actually sit down, watch the movie with the Commentary on?

I'm wondering if they remove the Commentary, if that would drive prices a dollar or 2 on our movies?

Me personally, i've NEVER used the Commentary feature, never wanted to hear a bunch of people talk while watching a movie.

Vote away!

[BStecke]

I don't listen to a lot of them, but on films that I'm really into like Batman Begins and the Kevin Smith movies to name a few I'll listen to them. The Kevin Smith ones are usually just as good as the film. Chasing Amy has a great commentary track.

[ADRiiAN`]

I've never heard any commentary.

What exactly do they say in them? All I know is that they talk throughout the movie.

[FlipperWasIrish]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

This question has been bothering me for quite sometime now.

I know 99% of Blu Ray's / HD DVD's / DVD's come with Director's Commentary now, but what I want to know, is, Do people actually sit down, watch the movie with the Commentary on?

I'm wondering if they remove the Commentary, if that would drive prices a dollar or 2 on our movies?

Me personally, i've NEVER used the Commentary feature, never wanted to hear a bunch of people talk while watching a movie.

Vote away!

It really depends upon your interest in why certain things were done or not done in a movie. Some of them are very interesting.

And no, the price would not drop a penny if they were not included.

[allstar780]

FlipperWasIrish


best screen name ever??

[Canada]

I voted no, usually I don't listen to commentary tracks, it just takes to damn long. I would rather view the movie and hear the theatrical audio. Only once did I sit through an entire commentary and it was soldiers talking about their experiences and observations on Black Hawk Down. Inless I really like a film I won't sit through a commentary but I will view select scenes with director commentary.

[MOONPHASE]

i do once in awhile

[The Guardian]

I've done it. Twice.

Once with my first ever DVD (Braveheart) and with my most recent BD, Stargate Continuum. Never in between though.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

I've never heard any commentary.

What exactly do they say in them? All I know is that they talk throughout the movie.

depends on the person. generally you can expect discussion of the filmmaking process, how people were on set, why certain things were done, etc.

some go a step further. kevin smith movies are like a roundtable discussion with smith and stars from the movie talking about things on the set, how it was doing the movie, and just joking around. they are very very funny if you're into his humor. I hear the same about the Broken Lizard guys but I haven't heard them myself.

they can be very informative (though some, like anything, are bad) and entertaining, you can learn things from them (writing process from tarantino on true romance, miriad directorial tips from rodriguez on once upon a time in mexico and planet terror, bits of acting advice from depp in pirates 1... other favs are depp and del toro on fear and loathing in las vegas and richard linklater on dazed and confused and even slacker. and se7en is chock full of good stuff. fight club too), and some are just damn funny.

anyway, yeah I'm a HUGE commentary fan. I've bought many discs that I would have hesitated on but jumped at when I learned there was a commentary. it's like solid built in replay value.

I've actually been meaning to make note of which of my dvds/blus have commentary so I can check what percentage of them I've watched. maybe I'll get started on that soon.

[Romulus]

Yes.

On all movies? No, just the ones that I really like. I've watched commentaries on Pan's Labyrinth, Batman Begins, V for Vendetta, Sunshine, and 3:10 to Yuma.

[Beta Man]

I did it once out of boredom, and thought it was kinda neat..... but haven't done it since..... that was 5 or 6 years ago maybe


I just watch the movies.....

sorry.... I just "experience" the movies

[DetroitSportsFan]

I've watched a few films with the commentary, but mostly I just watch the movie.

[BigFoot]

I don't usually watch the movies with the commentary on. There are a few exceptions though.

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by Variable

d...

they can be very informative (though some, like anything, are bad) and entertaining, you can learn things from them ...

...

True. For example the comentary on 'The Incredibles' is very entertaining. You really feel the fun they must have had making this movie.
'Madagascar' on the other hand sounds very uninspired. I was waiting for the director to say 'they made me do it!'.

But my favorite commentaries are from Hong Kong movie expert Bay Logan. They are on almost all the Hong Kong Legends (Contender) releases and they are so packed full of information, you need to see it more than once to take it all in.

edit: sorry, the guy is called Bey Logan.

[kennerado]

I don't like the ones that have a bunch of people and have been recorded seperatly. You can tell they have been mixed in and it sounds too artifical.

One or two or maybe three people talking is the only way its listenable.

The best commentary I have heard was Paul Sammon on the Blade Runner work print. Lots of interesting facts and he never stops talking.

Actually thats another gripe, when they stop talking and its an ackward silence.

[EvolutionCherry]

I do. Recommendation for a director's commentary: Underworld. It's so funny hearing Len Wiseman(director) with his wife and star Kate Beckinsale and her co-star Scott Speedman talk. It's amusing.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

99% come with commentaries?!? Uhh...no.

[Shanester]

It depends on the director. Some are very interesting like Jame's Mangold (Indentity & 3:10 to Yuma). Ridley Scott & Oliver Stone usually give great commentaries.

I also liked Stallon'e for Rambo

I'm currently listening to Doug Liman & the writer's commentary for Mr & Mrs Smith

[sfmarine]

If it's a good film i'll watch it. Usually when I'm doing something else.

[Rantlers]

I can honestly say I've never watched a movie with the commentary on. If I can ever catchup on my backlog of movies, maybe I'll give it a shot...