The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Tags

commentary, extras, fast and furious, michelle rodriguez, movie making, paul walker, rob cohen, vin diesel

The Fast and the Furious (2001) Amazon
Director: Rob Cohen

Rob Cohen directed this iconic film. The one that started the entire empire. With a really strong cast (assembled by Casting Director Ronna Kress) including Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster, the movie is an action adventure in the image of the great westerns. Rob Cohen directed only one, the first one, in the series but he certainly set the foundation for the future. I think in the extras you get a sense of the directing skills that made this film the great one that it is.

• Making of The Fast and the Furious
• Racer X: The article that inspired the movie
• Deleted scenes with optional director commentary
• Interactive eight camera angle stunt sequence
• Movie Magic interactive special effects
• Exclusive featurette on editing for the MPAA
• Visual effect montage
• Storyboards to final feature comparison
• Music Videos (from Ja Rule, caddillac, Tah and Faith Evans)
• DVD ROM: Features

There are so many extras on the DVD. If you are a student of film or someone who simply loves to watch the process of film making you’ll really appreciate the extras presented on the disc. First and foremost is the Deleted Scenes feature which is introduced by Rob Cohen. He talks about the process a director must go through in choosing which scenes stay and which scenes go. You can choose to hear the director’s comments for each of the deleted scenes or not.

Another interesting extra is the Interactive eight camera angle stunt sequence. You get to view each of the 8 running cameras used for the action sequence and the final cut. With 8 camera angles to choose from it sure would have been great if you could have edited the sequence yourself. I suppose one could grab the sequences from the DVD and edit them in Premiere or something else. But that would be w-r-o-n-g (shame on me for even suggesting that!).

If you’ve ever wondered about how a movie is created and then edited for it’s rating there is a great extra called: editing for the MPAA. Very interesting process to get the PG  rating they wanted in a movie that essentially was created as an R rated movie.

I found the running commentary to be really interesting and I think most of you will too. Rob reveals the backstory to the characters and insights into the world of the street racing culture. He did his research it seems. His commentary adds spice with his thought process in bringing the story into reality on the screen as well as specific character motivations. You’ll gain an added level of respect for Vin Diesel’s acting skills.

The DVD ROM extra features utilizes InterActual’s engine (one of the less invasive players – but I still don’t like it. PC only BTW). The interface looks cool, but the navigation sucks. The Movie, The Music, The Culture and The Downloads. Most all are text based content. You can play several music tracks from the movie. in the Downloads section you can download a demo of Supercar Street Challenge (SSC Demo), Screensaver, Wallpaper, Photos. You can play an arcade style game Street Player. The stuff is kinda cheesy.

Everyone gets something to watch—film student, action movie lover, and actors. And for that I’d say you still have to check out the extras on this DVD.

I give it ★★★★★

Victor

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tags

Ben Stiller, comedy, commentary, DVD, extras, Robert Downey Jr. Jack Black, Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder (2008) Amazon
Director: Ben Stiller

Ohhhhhh man, this is some funny sh*t! I really love this movie. Even for all the politically incorrectness controversy, it still has to be one of the funniest movies ever. And if you like the movie then you’ve got to watch the commentary and extra features. Because it’s as funny as the movie itself.

• Feature commentary with Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. (in character!).

• Blowing Sh*t up
• The Hot LZ
• The Cast of Tropic Thunder
• Make-up Test with Tom Cruise
• Full Mags
• Rain of Madness Trailer
• MTV Movie Awards – Tropic Thunder

 

This DVD has something for everybody IMO. Well, PTSD aside – for everybody else! The violence is over the top and graphic almost to ludicrous levels – even in the extra features. 

 

As mentioned before, the commentary is gold. Robert Downey Jr. never breaks character until the very end and well . . . you’ll just have to watch it yourself. Mostly they are reminiscing about their time on the set.

 

I liked Ben’s short commentary on the SF/X in “The Hot LZ” extra. Blowing Sh*t up extra gives you some insights into their filming process for the spectacular practical fire  effects. The “Cast of Tropic Thunder” extra is better than most with frank conversation and little gems through out. Personally, I thought Robert was robbed at the Oscars. He should have won. Nick Nolte is hilarious in the “Cast” extras. 

 

In the extra “Full Mags” you get to see great raw footage of Robert and Ben in a scene with close to a dozen running takes and Jack in another scene as well. Never seen a cool feature like this before in an extra. Rain of Madness is a mockumentary of the making of the movie. 

 

So, I’d say you have to check out the extras on this DVD.

 

I give it ★★★★★

 

Victor

 

It’s Complicated (2009)

Tags

Alec Baldwin, commentary, dvd extras, It's Complicated, John Krasinski. love story, Meryl Streep, movie making, Nancy Meyers

It’s Complicated (2009) Amazon
Director: Nancy Meyers

One of my favorite movies. The entire cast is superb and the chemistry is awesome. Well, with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, and Steve Martin how can you go wrong. There are only two “extras” on this DVD version. There is a Deluxe Version DVD of the movie. But, it appears the only difference is the 2nd disc has a digital copy of the movie.

• The Making of: It’s Complicated

• Feature commentary with Producer/Writer/Director Nancy Meyers, Executive Producer Suzanne Farwell, Director of Photography John Toll, and Editor Joe Hutshing.

• Although not listed as such there is a “Descriptive Video Service (DVS)” track for the visually impaired or blind person. 

Did you know this was basically shot in NY? The production designer (Jon Hutman) and set decorator (Beth A. Rubino) are just phenomenal. They really had me believing the sets were in Santa Barbara, CA. A lot of the commentary was about the actors themselves. How all the little details a great actor brings to their performance really completes a film, a character, a scene. You gain even more respect for each member of this cast.  Most of the commentary is by Nancy Meyers. You don’t even know John Toll is there until 16 minutes into it!

This commentary track is aimed more at the movie buff rather than those who want to be in the industry as an actor, director, or producer, etc… and learn from the commentaries. And that’s fine. I really found it an enjoyable experience. While you get mostly “the backstory” you do get some insight in the the art of directing. At one point Nancy mentions that she found it helpful (as a director) to listen to the feature commentary by Mike Nichols, the director of The Graduate.

As mentioned earlier, there is a “Descriptive Video Service (DVS)” track for the visually impaired or blind person. Yeah! Kudos to the producers for including this.

I’ve watched the commentary for this film many times and I’ve always enjoyed it.

So, I’d say you still have to check out the extras on this DVD.

I give it ★★★☆☆

Victor

Total Recall (Special Limited Edition) (1990)

Tags

Arnold, commentary, dvd extras, paul verhoeven, sci-fi, total recall

Total Recall (Special Limited Edition) (1990) Amazon
Director: Paul Verhoeven

1990. You know this was a big effects film. Big budget, big film, big Arnold. A film with lots of problems and lots of twists and turns before it even got off the ground. But, it was well thought through in both storyline and production.

• Imaging Total Recall Documentary
• Rekall’s Virtual Vacations
• Visions of Mars
• Storyboard Comparisons
• Conceptual Art Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots
• Photo Gallery
• Production Notes
• Cast and Crew Information
• Commentary by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven

Absolutely fascinating running commentary featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven. Paul talks fast and the stories behind the story are sometimes funny, always revealing. You really get the backstory from Paul’s comments. Much of the commentary reveals details on the production and special effects and is interwoven with insight into character motivations and direction. You might have to take breaks because Paul is rather intense.

The special features are plentiful. The Imaging Total Recall documentary is 30 minutes long and you get to hear from Ronald Shusett (co-screenwriter), Arnold, Paul, William Sandell (production designer). There are lots of production stills and on set videos. The Rekall Virtual Vacations are just short loops of nothing. Visions of Mars is a very nice 5 minute commentary where they just happen to mention the discovery of water canals Percival Lowell in the 1800s – I bet he is really happy now!

The 3 sets of storyboard comparisons are pretty good (usually they are terrible) as they show a thumbnail of the final footage overlaid onto the storyboards. The remaining extras are standard slide show fare.

I think the student of directing will really like the extra features and especially the running commentary. For the budding S/FX artist this is a history lesson.

So, I’d say you still have to check out the extras on this DVD.

I give it ★★★★☆

Victor

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Tags

comedy, commentary, extras, love story, meg ryan, nora ephron, tom hanks, You've got mail

You’ve Got Mail (1998) Amazon
Director: Nora Ephron

There is a newer Deluxe Edition available but this review is on the standard edition DVD. (oddly enough the deluxe edition is much cheaper than the standard edition).

• Musical score on alternate audio track
• Behind-the-scenes documentary: “HBO First Look: A Conversation with Nora Ephron”
• Interactive map tour “Discover New York’s Upper West Side”
• Running commentary with Nora Ephron & Lauren Shuler Donner
• DVD ROM Extras: Original Call Sheets, compare scenes with the original Shop Around the Corner and In the Good Old Summertime, read all the mail sent between the characters, screensaver, poster, web links, etc…

The running commentary with Nora Ephron & Lauren Shuler-Donner is one of those “Let’s chat about the movie” extra features rather than a critical analysis of the art of movie making. AND THAT’S OK! I really enjoyed the relaxing chatting and remembrances of the movie by these two. As you may know we lost Nora this past year (1941—2012) so it was nice to hear her voice and to feel the enjoyment she had making films. The commentary focuses a lot on the locations as it was shot in NY and the Upper West Side is as much a character in the film as any. They talk about the incredible acting by Tom Hanks and the chemistry he has with his co-star Meg Ryan.

The “HBO First Look: A Conversation with Nora Ephron” really focuses on her and her life in movies. Not so much on the movie itself. Nice piece however.

There is an interactive map of the Upper West Side neighborhood and clicking on each of the location dots on the map opens up a mini editorial video piece by Nora and Lauren.

As for the DVD-ROM features. Well, no very interesting and not very effective. It is, after all 1998), and it works only on a PC. A number of short clips from interviews of the actors, the Call Sheets are interesting only if you know what one is and how to read it! Screen saver doesn’t work – does anyone use screen savers anymore?

So, I’d say you still have to check out the extras on this DVD.

I give it ★★★☆☆

Victor

Black Swan (2010)

Tags

black swan, commentary, darrren aronofsky, dvd extras, mila kunis, movie making, natalie portman

Black Swan (2010) Amazon
Director: Darren Aronofsky

My DVDExtrasReview:

So, everyone’s seen this movie. What a popular film. Although the disc features only one “behind the scenes” extra, it is a good one and covers a lot of ground in 30 minutes.

• Metamorphosis : A behind-the-scenes documentary with Darren Aronofsky et al

The ‘extras’ starts off with Darren and his crew shooting the subway scene on Dec 7th 2009. Matthew Libatique (cinematographer) and Scott Franklin (producer) and Andrew Weisblum (editor) begin talking about the process they went through to create this beautiful movie. The extras featurette is intercut with final footage and behind the scenes footage. Whoa, that scene with Winona Ryder stabbing herself and the camera crew in frame – pretty intense. Thérèse DePrez (production designer) talks about working with Darren and describes the day-to-day interactions and issues to solve during a shoot. Really liked her.

Natalie Portman talks about working with the director and her process. There is a great discussion about the idea of reflections (mirrors) and the metaphor of a mirror and how big a part of the film it was. There is good information for everybody. But, I think those interested in cinematography and production design will enjoy this the most.

I also thought it was interesting how Matthew uses a digital still camera as his metering device setting its parameters up to reflect the final. There is a good interview here on the subject. The Canon 5D MKII and 7D were used to “film” some of the scenes. In the later part of the extra feature you get to see a cool piece on the visual effects – the metamorphosis of Nina Sayers.

So, I’d say you have to check out the extras on this DVD.

I give it ★★★★★

Victor

The Forgotten (2004)

Tags

commentary, extras, joseph ruben, sci-fi, the forgotten

The Forgotten (2004) Amazon
Director: Joseph Ruben

My DVDExtrasReview:

The Forgotten is a subtle Sci-Fi Horror story IMHO. But, what make this DVD exceptional are the special features:

• DVD includes two versions of the film: the original theatrical cut plus a never-before-seen extended cut with deleted scenes and an alternate ending incorporated!
• Two Deleted Scenes
• Alternate Ending
• Director Joseph Ruben and writer Gerald Di Pego’s running commentary
• On the set – “The Making of the Forgotten” featurette
• “Remembering the Forgotten” featurette – a deeper look into the minds behind THE FORGOTTEN
• Previews

There are two (may be more) versions of this movie available on DVD. The Amazon link above takes you to the one with all the aforementioned special features. The version I am reviewing has only the Extended version (with alternate ending) and the commentary by the director Joseph Ruben and writer Gerald DiPego. The commentary is attached only to the theatrical version of the film but this alone makes it worth buying IMO.

The director and writer (unlike with so many movie commentaries) don’t just talk over the movie, they are watching the movie with you. Their comments are thoughtful and revealing. You really get the sense that these two guys really know and love their craft and had a great time making The Forgotten. They talk about what the audience might be thinking whilst watching the movie, why they made certain decisions and how it helped the performances and story line along. They offer critical analysis of their work without it sounding dry and academic. And I find it pretty rare in most DVDs.

You also get some insights into the acting abilities and acting methods of Julianne Moore and Anthony Edwards. Especially Julianne’s performance and her personality on the set. Really cool stuff. All from the point of view of the director. Director Joseph Ruben is articulate and not pompous in the least. A little sarcasm sprinkled here and there keep the commentary lively and entertaining. I think any student of film making especially those wanting to direct will find this DVD great addition to their libraries.

So, I’d say you have to check out the extras on this DVD.

I give it ★★★★★

Victor

Resident Evil (Deluxe Edition) DVD (2002)

Tags

commentary, extras, milla, Movie, paul anderson, resident evil

Resident Evil (Deluxe Edition) DVD (2002) Amazon
Director and Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson

My DVDExtrasReview:
This is my first extras review so it may have to be edited at some later date. But, I have to say that it was this movie that really made me want to tell people about this Deluxe Edition of Resident Evil.  There are a lot of special features:

• Alternate ending with director Paul Anderson’s video introduction
• Clip compilation: Resident Evil: Apocalypse
• Commentary by cast & filmmakers
• Visual effects commentary
• Costumes featurette
• Featurette: Playing Dead: Resident Evil From Game to Screen
• Scoring Resident Evil
• Set Design featurette
• Storyboarding Resident Evil featurette
• 6 exclusive featurettes: The Creature, The Elevator, The Laker, The Train Zombie Dogs and Zombies

The alternate movie ending in this deluxe edition adds much to the theatrical release. And I’ve watched both versions numerous times. For me (and for student filmmakers and enthusiasts alike) being able to compare the storyboards to the film is pretty cool.

I also liked the visual effects commentary by Paul W. S. Anderson and visual effects supervisor Richard Yuricich is terrific. This movie was made 10 years ago and there were lots of practical effects (especially when compared to today’s mostly digital effects) and I found that really very interesting

But, for me, the commentary featuring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez is absolutely infectious (no pun intended). I wouldn’t say they really talk about the craft of movie acting or even movie making. But the chemistry of these two really make it a joy to watch the movie and listen to their banter. It really gives you the feel of what it was like on the set of this really fun movie. Most sites really hated Milla on this commentary track but I loved it.

So, I’d say you have to check out the extras on this DVD.

I give it ★★★★☆

Victor