Let's talk about and rate DVD commentaries

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stripedspider

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Is there any site that rates DVD commentaries? Some are really good and are either witty and informative, or just interesting, but some can be complete rubbish, with just the producer and writer discussing how they great they are.

I've always found The Simpson's comms to be disappointing, but to be fair they do them for every episode.

I bring this up because I heard a really interesting commentary on the "Sunshine" DVD and it really added to the movie. It's by a scientist and discusses the physics and helps explain some of the film's more complex aspects. such as time and space. I think some people underestimate just how fun it can be listening to someone informed discuss the movie while it plays.
 
I don't often listen to the commentaries. I'd like to because i'm sure a lot of them are interesting, it's just that when I feel the urge to watch a dvd it's because i'm in the mood to watch a film.

That said, the commentaries on the first series of I'm Alan Partridge are hilarious. It's Steve Coogan and the woman who played Lynn just talking in character over the episodes. Worth listening to if you like the program. It's just a shame he didn't do the same for the other AP dvRAB :(
 
The commentaries are an important part of my dvd experience. I always listen to them unless the film itself is particularly bad. The best commentaries in my collection are anything with Kurt Russel - he's hillarious and always shares some great annecdotes.
From my collection and off the top of my head, good ones -
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
The Thing
Escape From NY
Alien
Blade Runner
Planet Of The Apes (1968)

The most disappointing for me was The Exorcist, one of my favourite films, but Friedkin completely blows it, instead of annecdotes we just get him describing the scene as it happens - "Here Karras walks upstairs", "here Chris makes a coffee"...YES I KNOW I'M LOOKING AT IT YOU GIMP!" :(
 
Kevin Smith usually gives good amusing commentaries to his films Clerks, Chasing Amy, Jay & Silent Bob etc.

Also Simon Pegg and co. are very funny on the Spaced, Shaun and Hot Fuzz commentaries.
 
When buying dvd's i always look & see if there is a audio commentary or commentaries on the disc.

Off the top of my head i enjoyed the commentary for Big Trouble In Little China,The Thing & Saw.

As for a rubbish commentary that has to go to either Omen II or Omen III.I can't remember which 1.The director introduces himself & then there is silence for 10- 15 mins.He then speaks & says something like "The day we shot this scene,it was a nice day" then back to the silence for another 10-15mins.Then he says "Isn't that a nice car?".I'm thing F*ck sake how about you tell us some intresting info about making the film instead of the rubbish you are coming out with.
 
I love DVD commentaries, or any kind of extras really. There were 3 commentaries on the first Pirates of the Caribbean DVD and they were quite good, gave a lot of information from the actors, the director and the producer.
 
I tend to find commentaries boring and never bother listening to them with one exception - This Is Spinal Tap as it's done in character and is very funny.
 
Oh yes, the first series of I'm Alan Partridge is great, both sets of them, as Alan Patridge and Lynn, and then Armando, Steve and Pete.

Might as well add Phoenix Nights and The League of Gentlemen to quality commentaries as well.

Very disappointed The Office UK doesn't have commentary.
 
The Evil Dead commentaries are both hilarious & informative. Sam Raimi & Bruce Campbell have known each other forever so are quite happy to take the piss out of each other for 90 minutes. :D
 
I'm so sad, I rip the commentaries as mp3's then listen to them on the way to work:o

My favourites are the Simon Pegg ones, even Big Nothing. Anchorman is another fave.
 
John Waters commentaries are the only reason I buy his films these days. I thought 'A Dirty Shame' was possibly the worst film of his career but the commentary had me in hysterics, it was better than the film.

His stand up show, 'This Filthy World' was great as well, although I had heard most of it already through his commentaries.

Kevin Smith also does excellent commentaries. His podcasts 'SModcast' are also extremely funny.
 
Yup! Unsurprisingly, it's called
http://www.ratethatcommentary.com/

Del Toro's commentaries to his films are amazing, he goes through all the thinking behind many aspects. Even the one for Cronos (which I didn't like as a film) is great.

The Pleasantville one is my favourite, The Goonies one is very enjoyable, Ghostbusters one is good, the Solaris remake one is rather good as it also has the cinematographer AND James Cameron chipping in.

There are quite a few that I forget where the filmmakers understand the medium perfectly and make it very enjoyable to listen to, it's a joy when I come across those. The ones for a couple of classics, Laura and Citizen Kane are pretty good for the amount of thoughtprovoking information you get about the actors' lives, Hollywood at the time etc.

I'm a fan of Battlestar Galactica, and since the start exec producer Ronald D Moore has been podcasting his commentaries after each episode airs. Since most of them are recorded in his house when dogs are running about, mowing is being done outside and his wife is joining in the discussion, they're very enjoyable.
 
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