Notable can mean many things. Maybe it was high quality, insightful, and provided context for a more artistic scene. Maybe they teased a cut scene that would have radically shifted the tone of the movie. Maybe it was funny. Maybe the director absolutely hated what they produced and is only providing narration because of a contractual obligation and a lot of alcohol.

I am looking to hear about anything that stuck with you in some way.

A lot of people consume content online where director’s commentary frequently isn’t present but I imagine there are still a lot of people who are into this niche.

  • @[email protected]English
    12•9 months ago

    I learned a lot about the production and design choices around Terminator 2 from the commentary – the totally legitimate digital copy I have has 2 tracks (one labeled just director and the other director & writer) and I think I remember most stuff from the one with the writer.

    • James Cameron talks about paying for “digital winky removal” for the T-1000 intro scene and how he should see about getting a partial refund since they didn’t completely remove the nudity from Robert Patrick in the finished scene
    • There’s talk about the difference/debate in how to handle removing objects in post; do you make them bright and obvious in production to make it easier to see/mask them out after, or try to blend them so if you miss portions in editing they are harder to see?
    • Lots of little details like how they didn’t want any scenes of John Connor using firearms. It was ok if he handled them and helped with reloading etc. but they didn’t want to influence kids to think it was cool to shoot at people (it also works thematically with John not wanting to kill)

    I haven’t checked it out but I’ve heard good things about the Cannibal! The Musical commentary track, IIRC they get progressively drunker throughout.

    • @[email protected]English
      3•9 months ago

      I learned a lot about the production and design choices around Terminator 2 from the commentary – the totally legitimate digital copy I have has 2 tracks (one labeled just director and the other director & writer) and I think I remember most stuff from the one with the writer.

      My physical copy doesn’t have any commentary tracks on it! Now I want to hear them!

      • @[email protected]English
        4•9 months ago

        AFAIK it’s the Blu-ray “Skynet edition” release.

        Seems like there might be a lot different versions of releases, saw a Collider review which mentions a Japanese version being “somewhat better” and mentions “There’s production commentary from the laserdisc, with 26 participants, and the Cameron and screenwriter William Wisher commentary from one of the earlier DVD releases.”

        On IMDB I saw this mentioned:

        On the ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD as well as the ‘Skynet Edition’ Blu-ray, there are three versions of the film, albeit only two at the menu, the Theatrical and Special Edition versions. However, highlighting the ‘Special Edition’ option and keying in ‘82997’ (August 29, 1997), will open a Extended Special Edition Option, with the T-1000 searching John’s room and an Alternate ending added on and replaced. Some DVD players may need to push ENTER between each digit.

        In the totally legitimate digital copy it has both of those elements so it’s probably the ‘Extended Special Edition’ [Super Mega Turbo 2000]. I definitely prefer the theatrical ending.

        EDIT: Found this on YouTube