06/06/2002 Entry:
"George Washington - DVD bonus materials"

The George Washington Criterion Collection DVD has lots of fun extras, as we have come to expect from Criterion. First off is the commentary with David Gordon Green, cinematographer Tim Orr and cast member Paul Schneider who plays Rico. This commentary is well worth the time of anyone interested in this movie. Most noteworthy is a ten minute section wherein Green discusses his love for Terrance Malick and The Thin Red Line, at one point describing a scene he loved so much it made him weak in the knees. I love hearing stuff like this, just unabashed fandom. So many people in this day and age seem to be embarassed to express any kind of unrestrained joy about anything, as if appreciating something on an emotional level is something to be shunned. It was just nice to see someone being open and honest, which all parties are throughout the commentary.

As always I would have liked to hear more technical details, although their is one nice section where Orr talks about lighting a particular scene and strategies he used throughout the film. Every film needs a cinematographer's commentary like the one Matt Libatique did for Requiem For A Dream, where they just go off on every little nitpicky technical detail they can think of.

The DVD also contains two short films - Physical Pinball and Pleasant Grove - which Green did while in film school. One of them was the basis for George Washington, but they both carry the same feel and mood. You can really see the seeds of George Wahington taking root in them. Additionally, Green has included a short film entitled A Day With The Boys by character actor Clu Gallagher and shot by Laszlo Kovacs in 1969. In the commentary, Green lists this film as an influence on him in terms of mood and style. The film is really interesting, a 20 minute expression of just what the title says. Almost none of it is shot straight up, its all long shutter speeds or overcranked or double-exposed or color filtered with a soundtrack that perfectly sets the mood. No narration or dialog, all sound and image. A real treat to be able to see.

Finally, there is a deleted scene which is not in and of itself particularly interesting, but the commentary talks a lot about the techniques they used while shooting, which was cool. Then the last of the bonus materials are interviews with cast members and a Charlie Rose interview with Green, in which he looks like a deer in the headlights as Rose heaps mountains of praise on him and his film. A great package for a great film, highly recommended.