The Criterion Collection commentaries are usually especially good, often

by film scholars.  Some of the LORD OF THE RINGS comments are useful

(the actors much less so than the other available comments from the

director and crew on the extended DVDs).  If you're interested in TV

shows, the comments (intermittent on some episodes) by

creator/director/writer Joss Whedon on the DVDs for BUFFY, THE VAMPIRE

SLAYER can be quite good.  Aside from comments on the episode and

subject matter, he talks about different stylistic choices that went

into specific scenes and shots, particularly in such tour-de-force

episodes as "Hush," "The Body" and "Once More, with Feeling."



Don Larsson



--------------------------------------------

"Only connect."  --EM Forster

Donald F. Larsson

English Department

Armstrong Hall 230

Minnesota State University

Mankato, MN

[log in to unmask]

Phone: 507-389-5501





-----Original Message-----

From: Film and TV Studies Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]

On Behalf Of Henry S Breitrose

Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 12:47 AM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [SCREEN-L] DVD Special Editions



After some initial experiences with shallow or just plain silly

commentaries on DVD "Special Editions," I wonder whether anyone has

positive recommendations regarding DVD releases that have additional

materials which in some way illuminate the film, the process of film

making, or the art of cinema. Recommendations, please?



Thanks,



Henry Breitrose

Department of Communication

Stanford



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