View Full Version : Does Scorsese do commentaries?
Does Scorsese do commentaries?
I can't find one - anyone help.
Cos goodfellas is one of my favourite films and its cheap, I know its a flipper - but is it likely to ever have a commentary on it?
Michael Brooke
28-12-2001, 09:17
Scorsese has done plenty of commentaries - but he seems keener on talking about other people's films than his own (Criterion's <I>Black Narcissus</I> and <I>The Red Shoes</I> being very good examples).
To the best of my knowledge, the only Scorsese film currently available with a commentary by the man himself is Criterion's superb <I>The Last Temptation of Christ</I> (which I'm happy to confirm is region-free).
Tristan H
28-12-2001, 09:51
Another good source of Scorsese's views is the R2 BFI disc which is called "A Journey Through American Film with Martin Scorsese" (or something similar) and this gives him about 4 hours to discuss the American films that have touched his life. It's extremely good.
Unfortunately, apart from those mentioned by Michael that's all he has done. I reckon he might do a commentary for the upcoming Goodfellas Special Edition, but I wouldn't count on it.
Michael Brooke
28-12-2001, 10:00
Equally good, by all accounts, is his similarly epic documentary on Italian cinema, which I can't wait to see. I assume it'll be out on DVD at some point next year, though any pointers will be much appreciated!
Dave Lawrence
28-12-2001, 12:26
He has also recorded commentaries for both Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, but sadly these are both only available on the Criterion laserdiscs.
As for Il Mi Viaggio in Italia, a couple of months ago Variety reported that Miramax had secured the rights to distribute it on both VHS and DVD. Sadly I don't think any release date was specified, but I too assume that it'll be out some time next year.
Speaking of Scorsese i remember whiling away the hours at Uni by going through their VHS collection. One of the tapes i saw was about shaving. I forget the actual title at the mo. It was incredibly captivating and i'm not sure if it's available on DVD. It's one of his earlier works and i'm sure it was a collection of short films (i could be way off the mark here).
Anyway they were great.
If your looking for one there is no point to my post.:D just typing out loud.
EDIT: Damn typos :rolleyes:
Matt Hero
28-12-2001, 16:35
Originally posted by Robby
Speaking of Scorsese i remember whiling away the hours at Uni by going through their VHS collection. One of the tapes i saw was about shaving. I forget the actual title at the mo. It was incredibly captivating and i'm not sure if it's available on DVD. It's one of his earlier works and i'm sure it was a collection of short films (i could be way off the mark here).
It is on a compilation called something like 'Scorcese - 4x4' which is a compilation of Scorcese shorts.... I thing the the one you mentioned is called 'The Big Shave' and has some subtext referring to the Vietnam war.
Also on there is 'Its Not Just You Murray' - which apparently sowed the seeds for Goodfellas.
I think that was a Tartan release on VHS - I don't know whether it is on DVD yet. Anybody ?
How about 'Whos That Knocking At My Door ?' - anybody know whether that has a release anywhere ? I have an old offline tv recording of it from way back, and along with 'Mean Streets' its probably my favourite Scorcese flicks.
Originally posted by Matt Hero
It is on a compilation called something like 'Scorcese - 4x4' which is a compilation of Scorcese shorts.... I thing the the one you mentioned is called 'The Big Shave' and has some subtext referring to the Vietnam war.
Yep, that's the ticket. I thought it was called that but i also think that's the name of the last Wallace & Gromit (or a close shave). Didn't want to get the two mixed up:p :D
I remember the Vietnam reference i think it was some metephor for the futility of it or something. Quite shocking but worth a watch.
so is the current dvd of goodfellas worth getting?
Tristan H
28-12-2001, 18:46
Originally posted by orac
so is the current dvd of goodfellas worth getting?
Absolutely not. The disc has nothing in the way of bonus material and it's a flipper (you have to turn it over half way through the film). A prime example of a DVD that desperately needs to be replaced.
Pete Williams
28-12-2001, 20:02
But then you can pick it up for about a fiver, so I'd say it's well worth it.
If you know and love the film, the DVD of "Goodfellas" is well worth getting. It's got a nice anamorphic picture and 5.1 soundtrack and for the low price you'll have to pay (my copy cost about £5) it's worth it as a stop-gap.
Originally posted by Tristan H
Absolutely not. The disc has nothing in the way of bonus material and it's a flipper (you have to turn it over half way through the film). A prime example of a DVD that desperately needs to be replaced.
Let's not forget that the whole point of buying a DVD is to watch the damn film... :rolleyes:
Like Mike said, the picture and sound are fine, so if you like the film it is worth getting (at only £12.99 RRP WB are basically admitting that it's a barebones disc).
Tristan H
29-12-2001, 09:20
Originally posted by danrees
Let's not forget that the whole point of buying a DVD is to watch the damn film... :rolleyes:
Like Mike said, the picture and sound are fine, so if you like the film it is worth getting (at only £12.99 RRP WB are basically admitting that it's a barebones disc).
No, the point of buying a DVD is to watch a film which has been treated correctly and has been enriched by a variety of bonus features. The DVD at the moment has to be flipped over and contains no extras on one of the greatest films of the 90s. Yes, the picture quality is fine, but if it wasn't then it would be a contender for worst DVD ever.
However, it is cheap, so if you can get it at about £6 then that wouldn't be too bad.
patrick_barry
29-12-2001, 22:12
Does anyone know if the Scorsese's King of Comedy is out on DVD or likely to be soon? I'm having to make do with a VHS recording from the BBC but it's one of my faves and would buy a DVD version in a shot.
Originally posted by Mike
It's got a nice anamorphic pictureIt's not anamorphic.
Michael Brooke
30-12-2001, 08:50
Momentum have been trailing a R2 <I>King of Comedy</I> for quite some time now, so I imagine it's imminent. It's not out in R1 - the film has a lousy reputation in the US (it was a box-office and critical disaster over there), so I suspect a European label will treat it with rather more respect!
DeadKenny
16-02-2002, 15:43
From here (http://www.dvdtimes.org.uk/index.cgi?page=News&id=2797)...
May 14th in R1:
King of Comedy will be presented in 1:85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with an English DD2.0 Stereo Soundtrack and a French Mono track. Extras include an Audio Commentary from Director Martin Scorcese, a documentary, photo gallery and Theatrical Trailers.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
P.S. Whether or not a cheap Goodfellas is worth getting just because it at least exists (though I'd argue you may as well buy it on VHS for all it's worth), it's worth noting that a SE is due for release this year (see here (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=89464)).
Originally posted by Tristan H
the point of buying a DVD is to watch a film which has ... been enriched by a variety of bonus features.
No! Bonus features are merely a potential of the DVD format (and VHS, come to that). It's like complaining you can't watch a film from different camera angles, because DVD has a multi-angle feature.
People shouldn't assume it's their birthright to have special features. Presumably you liked the film enough in the cinema or on television without documentaries, deleted scraps of footage or the director whispering into your ear all the way through.
If the DVD presents the film in its correct aspect ratio, language and version in a decent transfer, then it's fine by me.
Criterion have a lot to answer for. ;)
Cap'n Al
16-02-2002, 18:54
Originally posted by Narshty
No! Bonus features are merely a potential of the DVD format (and VHS, come to that). It's like complaining you can't watch a film from different camera angles, because DVD has a multi-angle feature.
Yes, but it's surely a massive waste of that potential to take a historically important film and then do next to nothing with it; the whole point of DVD was so that filmmakers, critics and, ultimately, audiences could go beyond the straightforward presentation of 'the film'; that is why DVD will last, and why high-definition video will always be a minority interest subject.
As for Scorsese commentaries, I'd love to hear one on <i>Casino</i>- again, the beauty of the DVD format is that such a thing is possible...
Matt Sandbrook
16-02-2002, 18:55
The fantastic The Last Waltz is being released in a little while in Region One with a commentary by not only by Mr Scorsese but with a few of the bands in the picture :) Sounds too good already!
Theres an inlay card with A Personal journey with Martin Scorsese through American movies that tells you about Scorsese x 4 which has four short films The Big shave, Italianamerican, Its not just you, Murry! and Whats a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?. Its says that its available on VHS on the British Film Institute's Connoisseur Label.
horseflesh
16-02-2002, 21:23
OF COURSE Goodfellas is worth buying!!!!!!!!!!!
and it's THE greatest film of the 1990s..............
Originally posted by Cap'n Al
Yes, but it's surely a massive waste of that potential to take a historically important film and then do next to nothing with it
I've nothing against supplements - quite the contrary - but when people assume it's their birthright to have a 2-disc special edition for every film (which is by no means directly solely at Tristan H) then it gets slightly silly.
Tristan H
16-02-2002, 23:03
Originally posted by Narshty
No! Bonus features are merely a potential of the DVD format (and VHS, come to that). It's like complaining you can't watch a film from different camera angles, because DVD has a multi-angle feature.
True, but someone was asking whether the DVD was worth buying, not whether the film was worth buying!
Tristan H
16-02-2002, 23:07
Originally posted by Narshty
I've nothing against supplements - quite the contrary - but when people assume it's their birthright to have a 2-disc special edition for every film (which is by no means directly solely at Tristan H) then it gets slightly silly.
But it is their right to assume that a film of great importance will at least be presented correctly, i.e. without being a flipper and with an anamorphic transfer. Something which Goodfellas fails to do. :)
Citysmith
17-02-2002, 16:55
Goodfellas the greatest film of the 1990's, what are you talking about, it's the greatest film ever:)
This was my first DVD and I've watched it loads, ever scene is a classic, I could put it on and enjoy any scene from that film.
DeadKenny
17-02-2002, 17:09
Originally posted by Citysmith
Goodfellas the greatest film of the 1990's, what are you talking about, it's the greatest film ever:)
This was my first DVD and I've watched it loads, ever scene is a classic, I could put it on and enjoy any scene from that film.
Still, it must frustrate you to have to flip the disc over half way through the film, and knowing the picture quality is poor compared to a lot of stuff released these days? More so considering it's such a fantastic film. A lesser film you don't care so much for I can understand putting up with a shoddy release (so long as you got it cheap). ;)
Personally I see no reason for upgrading my old VHS version to DVD because I wouldn't be getting much improvement. However, knowing there's an SE this year which will hopefully will be anamorphic, not a flipper and have a nice set of extras (maybe even a Scorsese Commentary?), then I'll definitely be getting that version. Downside is the inevitable snapper case but hopefully the SE will appear in R4 which means a nice sturdy Amray case too :D (plus a PAL picture).
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