From: FAC_JCLARK@JMUVAX.BITNET
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cinema-l
Subject: Re: Special Editions
Date: 16 Oct 92 21:38:41 GMT
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Euge,

Oh... yeah, other special editions of films.  It depends on the film.  I
did purchase ALIENS and think it was worth it (maybe more about this in
another note for Orlanda before I leave tonight...).  I'm *not* getting
Basic Instinct, just the R-rated letterbox version which is 20-30 bucks
cheaper.  While I'd be interested to hear Verhoeven's commentary (I like
some of his work in some of its aspects, but not--so far--without reserva-
tion), Basic Instinct is a borderline purchase for me, since I'm not sure
yet how highly I really think of it.  Maybe the one town near me that rents
discs will have this version, and I can listen to that.  The Abyss, as I've
said elsewhere, I've grown fond enough of (after a so-what first viewing)
that I now want to see Cameron's second or maybe first-thoughts-suppressed
on this film.

In general, I have mixed feelings about discs or cassettes with "supplementary
materials."  The ones I'm familiar with, including many of the Criterion titles,
   have materials after the film which I can see would be helpful to a close stu
   dy
of the film by a student, but someone depending on other additional resources,
too.  I'm not likely to look at a film that way very often.  I tend to get impa-
tient developmental script excerpts, publicity and production shots, those
this feeling varies with the nature of the film and my interest in it.  The
special effects background for films like Aliens or even Alien can be fascina-
ting to a longstanding SF and spx nut like me, but I don't really care a great
deal about screen tests for a film like Last Picture Show (which I love)--at
least I think some were included, which shows you how close attention I paid
the one time I watched the stuff.  And the commentaries are a mixed bag, too.
Sometimes you get ones you might listen to, as a film buff, once in a great
while for their amusing stories about the production process (e.g., the prod-
ucer/directory George Sidney and star Stewart Granger on Scaramouche, another
fave (are you taking note, Ellen?), or Jimmy Stewart on Winchester '73). Then
there are other by filmmakers you  may adore and who are inherently insightful
as well as anecdotally amusing--all of Martin Scorcese's commentary for his
own films (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull) and Michael Powell's (Life and Death of
Colonel Blimp, Black Narcissus, and Tales of Hoffman), and the real meaty
commentary done by film critic David Thomsen for Out of the Past.  I don't
regret having bought into any of those.  I might also add the embarrassment
of commentaries (two full audio tracks, plus Peter Ustinov interviewed on a
disc of extras) for the restored release of Spartacus--embarrassment in the
sense of riches.

In general, supplementary extras tend to be a "hook" for me.  I want to sample
them and so often buy into them, even though in the long run I end up ignoring
them after the second time through.  It's always the film itself I want first,
in the best condition I can find it, as the center of experience.  The rest
is usually gravy... sometimes more glutinous than rich.

I'll have something more to say about alternative versions (as opposed to
supplementary materials) later on.

Jeff Clark
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU