DVD: Ronin
From: MGM
Special Features: commentary by director, alternate ending, "PC Friendly" interactive feature.
Here, director John Frankenheimer shows off his mastery of the filmmaking process with interesting and insightful comments on how he obtains the delicious palette of muted tones in virtually every shot in this movie (he attributes credit to the CCE process from Deluxe); the disadvantages of "pan and scan" versus the camera formats he prefers, his feelings on sped-up chase scenes and, if you'll pardon the pun, in-depth discussions of how the extraordinary depth of field in some scenes was obtained. You'll also learn how the film seamlessly cuts from outdoor location scenes to in-studio sets -- a trick Frankenheimer says he learned from a Russian film -- and a technique he says Hitchcock used "all the time."
He also describes the strategy behind "sound cuts," "time cuts" -- a number of which are extraordinarily subtle -- and describes a number of his favorite techniques for building suspense and menace. He also discusses issues that every director must struggle with: When a character outlives his usefulness, he drops out of the picture. Frankenheimer says he shot a version in which a shot is heard, but in the final version, the character just disappears. In overdubbed commentary that fades in and out of the original soundtrack, you'll hear the director's rationale why. You'll also learn about anti-gun ordinances in Paris, where he lived for many years, his favorite car and many other obscure but immensely interesting facts, such as the little-known fact that he was voted "highway menace" in College. (Aha!) This is a DVD commentary that every aspiring filmmaker should study -- and a pretty exciting film (especially if you like a great car chase), to boot. There's also an optional alternate ending, although we're pleased it wasn't used in the theatrical release. Highly recommended.
DVD: John Carpenter's Vampires
Whereas John Frankenheimer (above) says he refuses to shoot violent scenes in "music video slow motion," John Carpenter absolutely revels in them. What's surprising about Carpenter's commentary track to this disc is how uninteresting he apparently is. He makes laughably obvious statements (here we are at the door...") and offers precious few deep insights. If anything, it makes us understand why his films have the appeal they do to the youth market. He speaks their language. Buy the tape -- this disc offers little more. Not recommended.
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