The only one I’ve listened to more than once wasn’t for a movie. On the last episode of Joss Whedon’s Firelfy show, he has a commentary that basically delves into the reasons behind his entire career. He comments on the episode but only in the ways the themes of that particular episode are personal ones that inform every show he has done. It was so fascinating to hear a writer directly state his philosophy of life during a commentary that i have listened to it 3 times. Of course, if you’re not a Whedon fan it might not do much for you.
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring cast commentary has been viewed by me many times… other than that, none have ever really seemed worth a second viewing because they’re all informational as opposed to entertaining.
Mike — I love Firefly a lot, own it, and have never seen that… I guess I know what to watch soon.
Yes, Lona, it really is something special. If you’re a fan you should definitely give it a listen.
I think the only commentary I could ever be interested in is for “This is Spinal Tap” where all the actors play their characters commenting on the movie some years later. It’s almost as funny as the movie itself.
Roger Ebert’s commentary for Citizen Kane is incredible if you’re looking for a technical breakdown of the film (shots, composition, lighting, backdrops, editing, etc.) Through his commentary, a lot of my original questions were answered, for instance, how the scene with an elderly Joseph Cotten was lit – apparently two pieces of film were spliced together, Duh! Pretty wild stuff.
I’m a huge horror fan, so I tend to re-listen to the various release commentaries for a few of my favorite horror films over and over (all the originals, btw, no yucky remakes); NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, DAWN OF THE DEAD, PHANTASM and THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE. Those commentaries are endlessly fascinating to me—due in large part to my extreme, lifelong obsession with those particular movies.
I also enjoy re-listening to any of Sir Christopher Frayling’s Leone/spaghetti western commentaries, and the great Universal Horror ones by David Sklar. All eminently re-playable! I’ve also enjoyed the A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and 2001 commentaries more than once each, too.
I like PTA’s for Boogie Nights.
Lona: I’ve also listed to EACH commentary on the LOTR films a few times each. Other than that, though, the commentary for Boogie Nights is extremely entertaining.
Oooo is BN that great? I should check it out.
You haven’t seen BN, or you haven’t heard the commentary?
I’m impressed, Josh. Maybe I’ll get around to re-viewing them all someday… usually the interviews/other extra features are too distracting though.
John Lurie’s on Fishing With John…
Two, but only for comedic reasons. Uwe Boll’s commentary for Postal, and the gay fan’s commentary on the Showgirls special edition DVD.
Of course I have seen it Josh, multiple times actually (plus I have seen every PT film). I just have never given the commentary a listen.
I figured you’d seen it. Check out the commentary. I was devastated when Magnolia didn’t have a commentary, but I guess it was too personal for him.
I have listened to both commentary tracks on School of Rock at least thrice. I’ve listened to the Once Upon a Time in Mexico commentary many, many times, as well as the From Dusk till Dawn commentary.
I know there are more (I used to be a commentary whore), but it’s been a while, and, for some reason, it seems that a lot of films that I wish had commentaries actually don’t.
Savvy
But Magnolia did have one of the best “making-of”s ever.
John Sturges’ interview/ commentaries on Bad Day at Black Rock is one I’ve listened to many times. The commentaries on Dawn of the Dead by Romero, and in the box set, by the four main actors are quite enjoyable and worth a revisit from time to time. Russ Meyer’s technical commentaries, and anecdotes on the Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill! laserdisc is fascinating as well.
I used to listen to the commentary for Last Life in the Universe every once in a while as I worked on my drawings, but I’ve been listening to ones for Blue Spring and Yi Yi recently.
Ridley Scott’s commentary on “The Duellists” is fascinating. For budding filmmakers, listen to the commentary on “El Mariachi”! I’ve listened to both of these plus the Scorsese/Schoonmaker track for “Raging Bull” more than once.
Big Trouble in Little China….. Kurt Russell and John Carpenter shooting the shit for two hours. It brings me up when I feeling down.
“Anchorman” is also a standout because it is so off the wall. You have to listen to it at least twice to get all the inside jokes.
Vincent Gallo’s The Brown Bunny, David Cronenberg’s Crash, Claire Denis’ Trouble Every Day.
I especially enjoy the commentaries done by the director, or at least someone directly involved with the film, like Ridley Scott’s director’s cut of Blade Runner and Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers. Alejandro Jodorowsky did commentaries on Fando and Liz, El Topo and Holy Mountain. To hear what everything was about on those three films from him was amazing. Also, John Waters’ does commentaries on all of his early films. Facinating stuff to hear what it was like to start out as an amateur and learn the filmmaking craft by doing it from someone as bold, zany and creative as he is. My all time favorite is Pontecorvo’s Battle of Algiers. There are two discs of commentary and interviews that are part of a three dvd set. I haven’t seen any other special features dvds I think more of than these.
John Boorman’s commentary on “Deliverance” I have listened to several times. His wonderfully droll delivery (contrasted with some of the scenes) and the insights into his thinking regarding the film are well worth it.
Werner Herzog I can listen to any day, and definitely more than once.
I listen to commentaries at work almost every day so there are quite a few I’ve heard more than once. Particularly tracks from my older DVDs. I get a lot more out them now than I did when I listened to them at, say, 17.
The Series of Unfortunate Events commentary, with Lemony Snicket commenting on watching the film, pretending he had been kidnapped by Brad Silberling is priceless. It may not tell too much about the movie, but it’s about as funny as you’re going to get.
Savvy
Linklater’s Slacker track is amazing.
I’ve listened twice the Bruce Campbell’s commentary on Evil Dead, is one of the funniest things ever.
Casey
I like commentaries. But I’ve never listened to any more than once. Are there any commentaries you guys revisit from time to time?