Christopher Nolan is, by far, one of the most unique and successful directors working in Hollywood today. He has a style all his own, and has produced some of the most original films in recent memory. However, when looking back at them, his movies have connections to others. I'm not saying he's ripping anything off. It's more like he, reinterprets them. Let's take a closer look...
If you are a film fan, chances are, you've listened to the commentary on one of your DVDs/Blu Rays. First introduced with the laserdisc format, commentaries have given directors, actors, and film historians the chance to discuss films while the viewer watches said film. At best, the commentary provides a unique insight into the actual making of the film, or the themes behind it. At worst, however, they are boring dribble that aren't worth including. Here's a few do's and don'ts of making an audio commentary:
Film commentaries are not all created equally. Some are meant to be informative and teach. Others are just supposed to be enjoyable and get a laugh. There are many different types of good audio commentaries. Here are some "do's" that will ensure your audience will actually pay attention to what you have to say:
DO GIVE US FILM SCHOOL IN A CAN
Commentaries are not for everyone. Most viewers probably won't sit through a track for the latest Transformers or other big blockbuster. However, there are tons of us movie lovers that want to learn how the film was actually made. We want to know why the director used a particular angle, or how the writer tied all these events together. A really good film commentary can go a long way to educate a burgeoning film maker. Ronald Moore's commentaries for the Battlestar Galactica series are perfect examples. As the head of the show, and of the writer's room, Moore explains the intricate process of taking the show from the page to the screen. While he usually focuses on the writing side, he also brings in directors and actors to explain other areas of television production. (Alternate cuts of certain episodes are included on the discs that really demonstrate the fluidity of television editing.)
DO BRING BACK UP IF YOU NEED IT
There are a number of directors out there who aren't comfortable doing commentaries. That's ok. You are a visual artist, not an orator. If you don't like doing them, then you have 2 options: don't (the studio will find someone else to do it), or bring help. In his commentaries for X-Men and X2, Bryan Singer enlists his cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel for help. Although he seems fairly adept at speaking about the film, Singer relies on Sigel to boost his memory and keep him rolling. The two turn in really entertaining and insightful commentaries for their films. Even directors who enjoy the process sometimes have interviewers in the studio (though often they are edited out of the final track. ) John Waters, for example, uses an interviewer during his commentaries, though he rarely seems to need him.
DO ENTERTAIN US
If you are going to do a commentary for a film, you should provide us with the information and the scoops that we want. However, you should also remember to entertain your audience. There will be plenty of film nerds who want to know details about what light you used, or how many takes the scene had. There will also be an entire audience who doesn't care about that at all. Remember, films and their features are ultimately meant to entertain an audience. John Waters is one director who never forgets this. His commentaries are packed with information, to be sure. They are also full of his spirit and joy. He is very animated throughout each film and laughs constantly. He tells us stories of his youth and how they inspired his films. He thoroughly enjoys reliving his life and reminiscing; and that excitement comes across. Some of his commentaries are even more enjoyable than his films. For a really entertaining track, check out This is Spinal Tap. Micheal Mckean, Christopher Gest, and Harry Shearerappear as their characters. They continue as if it really was a number of years later and that the film had been a true documentary. The track provides just as many laughs as the actual film, although you get no real insight as such.
DO PROVIDE US WITH AN INSIDE LOOK
The whole point of doing a commentary track is to provide the audience with information that they didn't know before hand. For most films, that's gonna boil down to what it was like working with actors, the locations you shot, and how got the gig to begin with. Other films, however, have such a sordid history, that a commentary track becomes a document of the surreal. One of the best examples of this type of track is Richard Donner's take on his Superman films. The track for Superman is fairly straight forward, though he does go into depth about his troubles with the film's producers. He describes how he became involved with the project and the changes he brought to it. He discusses the difficulties in the special effects and the attempt to really bring seriousness to the superhero genre. Very interesting track on its own merits alone. However, his track for his director's cut of Superman II is the real gem here.
As most of you know, Donner filmed the first two movies at the same time; however, he ran out of time to finish the second one. After a troubled relationship with the producers, Donner was not invited back to finish Superman II. Instead, comedic director Richard Lester stepped in. In accordance with union rules, Lester added new material and changed previously filmed takes to bulk up his percentage of work and get his name attached as director. Even if it was more campy than the first, Superman II was still a big hit. Many years later, Donner was allowed to recut the film for DVD release. The commentary he provides for the cut is fascinating. He expounds on the material he originally shot, compares it against Lester's footage, and explains his vision of the franchise. To this day, you can tell Donner remains emotional about his treatment and missed opportunities of the Superman series. This is a special feature at its finest.
DO TRY NEW THINGS
Commentaries don't just have to be audio tracks. They can be textual, and even interactive. Films like Terminator 2 and the Star Treks use subtitle tracks to provide little snippets of information that wouldn't fit anywhere else. Even if you are making an audio commentary, you have some room for ingenuity. In the tracks for the Back to the Future trilogy, Bob Gale provides the actual commentary (as Robert Zemeckis declined). In order to get Z's input, a Q&A with film school students was recorded and spread across the three films as alternate commentaries. They not only provide Z's point of view, but they also offer some laughs we wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
Some people are just not meant to do commentaries. Either they don't enjoy them, or just don't know how to do them. Either way, they become the wrong choice for a commentator. Here are some of their mistakes you will want to avoid:
DON'T JUST SIT THERE
You would think this would be the most obvious don't ever. Unfortunately, I have run across numerous "commentaries" that are essentially blank audio. For example, Lorne Micheals and his son provide the commentary for a season one episode of 30 Rock entitled "Hard Ball". After the introduction, we virtually never hear Lorne speak. His son occasionally tries to interject some conversation, but it ultimately goes nowhere. Mel Brooks is also guilty of this commentary crime. In the track for Spaceballs, Brooks watches the film for the first time in years. Unfortunately, he clams up for most of it. Being the comical genius he is, it's especially unfortunate that he couldn't have taken the time to familiarize himself with the film first. I understand that the studio wants to have extras to sell you the discs, but why waste the time and money doing these types of commentaries? If they're not gonna talk, don't bring them in the studio!
DON'T JUST REHASH THE PLOT
The second deadly sin of the audio commentary, after not speaking at all, is telling us what's happening on screen. We are watching the movie. We don't need the actor/director/whoever to tell us what's going on. The Total Recall commentary, as voiced by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a notorious example of just such a transgression. In the track, Arnold explains how hard is trying to look at the television while Sharon Stone jumps on top of him. In case we were confused, Arnold also explains that his character is a construction worker....while we watch him drill into concrete. Again, if you are going to spend the time and money (Arnold charges for doing these things, by the way.) then get something interesting. If this is what you end up with, then at least call it "A commentary track for the visually impaired."
DON'T FORGET PEOPLE WILL LISTEN TO THIS
Sometimes, the people doing commentaries sit and watch the film without talking. Sometimes, they tell us what's going on. And then, sometimes, they get caught up in talking to each other or goofing off, that nothing gets accomplished at all. Such is most of the tracks on the Arrested Development DVDs. Being one of my favorite shows of all time, I was really hoping for an in depth look at the writing and directing. I really wanted to learn how this show was created and how all the intricate pieces were tied together. How far did they plan events? How did they write that great piece of dialogue? Did the actor improvise that line? The commentary gathers almost all of the actors and creator Mitchell Hurwitz. Unfortunately, they are all such good friends that the tracks quickly devolve into side conversations, in jokes, and laughing at each other. At one point, Hurwitz even calls actor Jeffrey Tambor. While kind of funny, the tracks are useless and hard to get through even once. With no other real documentaries on the disc, its a shame that there wasn't a more serious effort to explore the series through commentaries.
If you have read some of our posts around here, you have probably figured out that some of us are NASA nuts. I, for one, am unabashedly proud of the American space program. For me, today is a very sad day. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk upon the moon, has died. Mr. Armstrong was one of my heroes: brilliant, humble, and reserved. I appreciated him for both his accomplishments and his demeanor. Although every astronaut (and anyone else who had a part of the space program) deserves credit for the moon landing, Armstrong will always have a special place in history. Here are a few films to commemorate the man and the missions.
In The Shadow of the Moon
I covered this film in an earlier post. This is not only my favorite documentary about the Apollo missions, it is one of my favorite films of all time. The film allows the men of the program to speak for themselves. It uses interviews, inter cut with archive footage, to show the story of their travels from the men's own perspectives. The documentary is stylish, though straightforward. It allows those of us who missed the 1960's to experience the awe of the times. Highly recommended for anyone interested in our greatest journey.
For All Mankind
Mankind is another documentary of the Apollo missions. This one, however, is different in that it is composed entirely of footage shot during the time period. There is no narrator or on screen text. The story is told completely through audio interviews and radio recordings. Again, the human aspects of space flight are emphasized. All forms of narrative and presentation take a back seat to the actual film and sound. It's a unique film with a special vision.
When We Left Earth
One of the most complete documentaries released about NASA, When We Left Earth begins with supersonic flight and ends in the second decade of the 2000's. All of the early missions are covered, as well as the Apollo's. The film also presents the Skylab program (that took place after the moon landings), the birth of the space shuttle, and the tragedies of both shuttle destructions. The program is broken into 6 episodes. It mixes new interviews with archival footage, and is narrated by Gary Sinese. This is the quintessential starting place for anyone interested in NASA. The film presents enough depth to the history so that viewers get a clear understanding, without bogging them down with minutia. This is the documentary that sparked my interest in space travel. From here, I watched Shadow, and read almost every book I could get my hands on.
The Right Stuff
For those wishing for a more dramatic presentation of the space race, The Right Stuff should do the trick. Featuring an all star cast (Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, and Dennis Quaid to name a few), this film tells the story of the early days of NASA. The movie is a refreshingly humorous look at the competitive nature of the Mercury astronauts and the trials they went through to become heroes. These initial missions held their share of danger and turmoil, to be sure. They also held the opportunity for history making and provided the men of the program with some of their best memories. The Right Stuff does a tremendous job of presenting the laughter and the heartache of the era.
Apollo 13
Based on the memoir of astronaut Jim Lovell, this is probably the best known film about the Apollo missions. Director Ron Howard and star Tom Hanks flex their love for NASA in this harrowing drama of the space program's finest hour. The movie follows the ill fated Apollo 13 flight, during which an on board explosion felled the landing and endangered the crew's life. Lovell, Haise, and Swigart faced oxygen shortages, freezing temperatures, and illness in space while their counterparts on the ground raced to figure out a way to get them home. The film portrays both the heartache of losing a dream, and the feats that man can accomplish with intellect and perseverance.
From The Earth To The Moon
With the success of Apollo 13 in theaters, HBO decided to extend Hanks the opportunity to tell the story of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. In From Earth to the Moon, Hanks presents the astronauts story in a scripted drama. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the program. The strength of the film is in its broad range of topics. From the media's reaction to the events to the tribulations faced by the astronaut's wives, The cast is top notch, the special effects ingenious. From the Earth to the Moon is a wonderful tribute to the men and women whose lives were devoted to the goal of putting a man on the surface of the moon.
Man's journey to the moon is likely to stand as our greatest accomplishment for a long time to come. Though it took over 400,000 people to get him there, Niel Armstrong will forever be the embodiment of this achievement. I will spend the rest of my life both respecting and celebrating him. The stars are a little less bright tonight, and our hearts are a bit heavier. God speed, Mr. Armstrong, on your final step for a man.
About five years ago, I worked for a video store. (Shocking, right?) We would occasionally get DVDs of television shows that we could rent out for free. You let the customer watch the first episode for free, and they may tune in for the rest. It was a great idea. One day, we got a few copies of a new program that HBO was going to air called True Blood. I didn't think much of it until I caught a trailer for the series. A world where vampires were real and lived among humans......it seemed interesting enough to watch the first episode. So, I took the disc home and gave it a try. I have to admit, I was completely hooked by the end of it.
The first scene shows us a couple of drunk college kids who stop by a convenience store on a beer run. The store sells synthetic blood called "True Blood." They joke around with the goth looking clerk and smart off to the hillbilly behind them. Turns out, the redneck in overalls is sporting a pair of fangs. That one scene told me what the rest of the show would be like: clever, humorous, and just plain fun.
The first season introduced the residents of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Everyone in the town seemed to be a supernatural being of one sort of another. Each episode coaxed us into the vampire world and established the ground rules. The love story between Bill and Sookie was fairly interesting, the cast was fantastic, and the cinematography beautiful. There was a sense of wonder to the first season that was lost afterwards. From the second season on, things were just a little more stylish and hip.
The show was popular enough for the first 12 episodes, but it really began to take off when released on DVD. People began watching in droves. By the time season two ended, the audience was locked in. There were those that were disappointed by season two, to be sure, however I enjoyed it well enough. I found the broader world of vampires intriguing. I liked the idea of vampire hotels and entertaining the practicalities of the undead lifestyle. Sure, the Maryann plot dragged a little, but it came to a satisfying conclusion.
I began season three in full force. I eagerly awaited each new episode, and even got together with some friends each night it came on. By the end, however, I noticed that I wasn't as excited as I normally was. I still laughed at each episode, and made a point to view them. I just wasn't as in to the show as I had been. Then, one day, something strange happened. Season four premiered, and I just didn't watch it.
I kept meaning to catch up while the season was still airing, however I just couldn't be bothered enough to do so. Eventually, the season ended and I hadn't watched a single episode. Before the premiere of season five, I did a marathon viewing of four. Once again, I got some laughs and was entertained enough by it, however, I wasn't that excited.
With the fifth season nearly complete, I have come to realize something about True Blood: Season Six needs to be the final one. As much as I have loved getting to know the freaks of Bon Temps, I believe it is time to bid them adieu. Here are my reasons:
1. There are too many characters.
Season one was mainly about Sookie, Bill, Tara, and Sam. There were a few other supporting roles, and they provided a great color to the series. They brought out the culture of the town, and gave some of us "everymen" that we could relate to. Since then, each season has introduced guest stars that have become regulars. Each time one of these guests is promoted, it forces writers to come up with stories for them that may or may not be that interesting. (For the record, just because you are in ridiculously good shape doesn't mean your character deserves to be elevated to a main.) Which brings me to the second point.
2. Most of the story lines aren't that good anymore.
Terry and Arlene are fantastic characters. I love their relationship and think the actors are phenomenal. I just don't think they need their own archs. How many of you really cared about the fire monster (!?!?!) that was attacking them? Yeah, me either.
Unfortunately, even the main characters are suffering from bland writing. Sookie is hanging out in a night club with faeries, Tara is hanging out in a night club with Pam (more on that in a moment) and Eric and Bill are tripping balls on God's blood. I don't care.
The essence of drama, even a tongue in cheek drama, is conflict. Conflict is based on the potential threat that lurks just beyond the door step. For the audience to feel that threat, they have to understand what's going on and care about it. They have to have concern for a character and be afraid of that that threat emerging. Which reminds me....
3. There is no character development any more.
If your show has been on for five years, your audience should be able to see that a character has matured since the first episode. It doesn't have to be a huge change; it doesn't have to be a positive one. But, you have to have one. You also have to gradually show this development. Most of the characters in True Blood, have grown very little since their first appearances. Oh, there are big shifts in some of their circumstances and demeanor. Jason has become a sheriff's deputy; Bill has become King of Louisiana. The problem is, that none of it has been earned. They literally changed in one episode. Fine, there was a year jump in the time line of the story, but that's a cop out. The writers could have utilized flashbacks or back story to show us how these characters changed in that year.
Even during this season, Bill has supposedly become a devout vampire; a total turnabout in personality. But why? Nothing has really happened to him that makes me believe he would do this. It seems more like clumsy writing rather than true character development. Which leads to...
4. There are too many missed opportunities for interesting stories.
The one problem that bothered me most about Smallville (among many) was the fact that the writers would start threads that they would never finish. They would set up big events and then completely fall through on them. The same thing is happening at True Blood.
There are story lines, like Alcide being glamored to be repulsed by Sookie, which could have provided some entertainment. Unfortunately, they are instantly shuttered. Maybe they didn't provide a strong narrative, but they would have been more fun to watch than a rehash of the "wolf pack on V" plot we got in season three.
The most glaring example of a missed opportunity is the fact that Tara is made vampire, and seems to be okay with it. Tara's character has been pretty useless for a couple of seasons now. It almost seems like the writers have kept her around just because they felt that they had to (either because they like the actress, or because of her contract.) With this season, they had a real opportunity to explore some dramatic and psychological themes.
Tara has hated vampires since they came out of the coffin. She has unarguably good reasons, too. She has been kidnapped, threatened by, and brutalized by them for years. Her best friend is nearly killed by them every episode. So, when her life is saved by her own transformation, she pouts for a few episodes and then dances at Fangtasia? Really? Tara experiences none of the confusion or heartbreak that Jessica did in season two. Hell, Jessica now gets more screen time than Tara. It's clear the writers have little idea what to do with the character at this point. I wouldn't even be surprised if she's written out soon.
I would love for True Blood to stay as fresh as it was in the first season. Unfortunately, it is starting to go stale. Admittedly, it's difficult for any show to keep it new and exciting that far in. I think it is time for the show to make a graceful exit before it becomes a caricature of itself (too late.) There is a lesson to be learned from Godric: It's better to burn out than to fade away....
As a kid, I experienced the last day of school with great fondness and mirth. The bell would ring for the final time, and all the students would burst forth from their seats in an explosion of cheer. Three months always seemed like an eternity. I'd look forward to staying up late and sleeping in; to playing video games and eating tons of junk food. And then, something funny would happen: The beginning of August would appear from nowhere. Suddenly, my days were filled with clothes shopping and notebook buying. Each minute was treasured like pieces of gold. And then, one day, mom was waking me up at the ass crack of dawn and it was time to return to the classroom.
If you are having end of summer anxiety, check out these high school films from the 1980's. For some reason, school was a lot more fun back then.
The Brat Pack Films
I had thought of covering each film separately, but I think most people think of them as one sort of entity. Writer/Director John Hughes had an amazing ability to tap into the conflicts and humor faced by the typical high school teen.With his films Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and Breakfast Club (along with the others), Hughes explored the sensitivities of burgeoning womanhood and the burdens of hormonal masculinity. His favorite star, Molly Ringwald, was the every girl next door. Women in the audience identified with her, and the men developed crushes on her. Hughes created the perfect high school comedies(/dramas) of the 1980's. It is truly a shame that he's not around to give us more.
Better Off Dead
What would high school be without young love and ridiculous rivalries? What would a high school film from the 80's be without John Cusak? Better Off Dead is a quirky comedy that stars Cusak as Lane Meyers, an obsessive boyfriend who is dumped during his senior year. Amanda Wyss, also of Nightmare on Elm Street fame, plays the girl that Meyers is determined to win back. Unfortunately for him, that task is complicated by her new relationship with the school's ski captain. (What, your school didn't have a ski team?) Along the way, Cusak meets the French exchange student living next door. She helps him with his broken down car and takes respite from her sleazy host family in his company. The film is filled with hysterical bits and even some animation. It's a great film to put your high school romance in perspective, and to encourage you to pay the paper boy.
Porky's
Speaking of young.....love, there is another struggle that many high school students face. Especially the guys. What would an 80's high school film be without tackling the subject of losing one's virginity? Some films tell the story of a boy getting the girl of his dreams. Some go with the "girl that's been in front of you the whole time" angle. Porky's, however, skips all that and goes straight for "I'll pay for it!" Though it may lack the class of a Hughes film, Porky's isn't missing any of the humor. Released in the magical pre-Reagan era, the film packs more raunch than other movies of the time. The story is a simple one: a group of teens visit a bar/brothel for some low priced lovin'. The owner, Porky, is in no mood for their shenanigans and humiliates them. The rest of the film documents their attempts to get revenge. If you like your comedy a little dirty, and wanna see some boobs, check out Porky's for a good time!
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
By now, you may already be planning your first sick day. Let's face it, you skipped the first day of class, showed up for the other four days, and you can't face the thought of another Monday morning in home room. Well, you are in luck. Ferris is here to show you the way! Another Hughes gem, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is every school kid's fantasy. Matthew Broderick is the most popular guy in the school, much to the anger of his sister and principal. With a day too nice to sit in a desk, Broderick calls up his ill buddy and checks his girlfriend out of school. They spend their time traversing the city; they do any and everything they want all while avoiding their parents. Ferris is pure fun. There aren't any life lessons to be learned, there isn't a major internal conflict. (Unless you buy into that whole Fight Club theory.) Play hooky and enjoy the movie!
Teen Wolf
Ever felt a bit different? It's a common teenage feeling. Perhaps you're not as good at basketball as the others. Or, you can't get the girl. Or, you aren't very popular. No matter the reason, everyone had their moments of being the high school outcast. Teen Wolf takes that feeling to the extreme. Michael J Fox, the hot actor of the time, plays a high school student struggling with ego, identity, and his body's transformation into a wolf. Initially ashamed, Fox discovers that his dad wrestled with the same issue during his school years. Fox takes ownership of his condition, and eventually becomes everything he's ever wanted to be. Of course, it makes him arrogant and hostile. In the end, he learns to just be himself and everyone likes him better. The allegory may be a bit too nail-on-the-head, but it's still a fun flick.
Just One of the Guys
Men aren't the only ones who feel like outcasts. High schooler Terry Griffith learns the nature of discrimination first hand after losing an internship at the local paper. (It's like a magazine printed in all black and white. There's articles about news.....like the internet on a piece of paper...oh, forget it.) Refusing to submit to defeat, Terry decides to see how the other half lives. She goes undercover at a new school as a teenage guy. Hilarity ensues! It's kind of like a fun version of Boys Don't Cry. And for those of you guys who would pass on this as a "chick flick," just check out the scene with her younger brother's redecoration of his room. You won't be disappointed.
Three O'Clock High
Bullying has become a national issue over the past couple of years. In this film, nerd Jerry Mitchell attempts to make friends with the new transfer student, Buddy Revell. Rumors of Buddy's violent behavior have followed him to his new school. After a misstep, Jerry is challenged to a fight by Buddy after school. For the rest of his day, Jerry is tormented by thoughts of being pummeled. His fear leads him to steal money from school, and a host of other craziness. He eventually comes to terms with his anxiety and takes control of his life. There are a lot of laughs in the film, and it sends a message of empowerment to those who suffer at the hands of bullies.
Heathers
Speaking of bullying, sometimes its your closest "friends" who do the most damage. The student body of Westerberg High is ruled over by the three Heathers: Duke, McNamara, and Chandler. Training to join their clique is Winona Ryder(Veronica.) Coming from money, the Heathers and Veronica join each other for social croquet games to discuss those beneath them. They take lunch time polls and belittle those they feel are inferior. Veronica sees through their bullshit, but has no outlet for her frustration (other than her diary) until Christian Slater arrives. He's a loner who sees Veronica as a means to a deadly end. The two become a high school Bonnie and Clyde, picking off the popular kids until a falling out splits them. Heathers is one of the most original films of the 1980's. It has a wickedly dark sense of humor, and a quirky style. The laughs are tongue in cheek, rather than slap stick. If you don't enjoy the film, I'll have to ask "What's your damage?"
Hiding Out
One day, years after you have left college and started a career, you may have a nostalgic desire to relive your high school days. Most of us (ok, almost all of us) lack that chance. That's where the movies come in. Hiding Out stars John Cryer as a successful stock broker who is caught up in mob activity. Deciding to go undercover for a while, he holds up with his nephew and returns to high school under the name "Max Hauser." The film provides a fish out of water story, with most of the jokes coming from the "adult that doesn't understand the youth" situation. There are a few action sequences that bookend the film, and enough levity to keep you going. It may provide you with a few memories to get you through the Monday morning work blues.
Teen Witch
Have you ever wanted to feel special? Have you ever thought there was more to you than what others see? Well, there might be. In any event, you probably shouldn't watch this movie. It's ridiculous at every level (even with the inclusion of second run "Darren,"Dick Sargent). The film does take place in high school during the 1980's, however I really just wanted an excuse to post this clip of the film:
For further study, your homework is to watch the following: Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Heavenly Kid, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Last American Virgin, Footloose, The Karate Kid, and Summer School. Did we miss any? Post them in the comments for extra credit!
With any luck, you will make it through the school year with high marks. Hopefully, you'll make new friends and create memories that you'll look back on for years to come. If not, try one of these films. If you're a little old for high school, stay tuned for our look at 1980's college films!
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Henry Spencer
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