Home Movies: Season 1 (DVD)
APPROX. 360 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 1999 - MPA RATING: NR
" It’s silly, it’s crazy, it’s zany, and ultimately worth viewing for anyone who enjoys urbane, off-the-wall comedy.
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Brendon Small includes some of his own "Home Movies" including a clinic on how to play guitar (which he is a master at) in his own unique comedy style. I´ll say honestly, this is one of the most unique extra features I´ve ever seen and needs to be experienced to be believed.
The early sketches section of the first disc brings out some of the preliminary animation tests and ideas. And, if you´ve ever wanted to see Big Bird eat someone, boy-oh-boy you´re in for a treat. These are duplicated with additional material on each disc.
To access the commentary tracks for each episode you have to select the episodes individually and you´ll be given to listen to the commentary from various participants from Brandon Smalls to Loren Bouchard and many others. They tend to repeat each other and riff off-topic, rarely imparting good information instead calling the action on the screen. The nuggets of information that can be gleaned, like the fact that the first episodes were improvised and done on spec, in addition to the comedy, make the viewing worth the time spent. Commentary tracks are included on various episodes all through the set.
The second disc houses an interview with Brendon Small that delves into his creative past and influences, and a lot of it is done with tongue planted firmly-in-cheek. He´s an interesting and engaging personality and that comes across beautifully in this interview. I´m not sure how much that Small says can be taken seriously, but he´s darn funny.
The sixth episode is one that´s been cut down slightly and the second disc includes the storyboards, including the penciled animatics, giving you an idea of the animation process.
And just in case you hadn´t seen enough silliness, the crew includes some "America´s Funniest Home Videos"-quality material like the punking of a small child. Me, I didn´t quite get it.
The third and final disc houses the last four episodes of the first season along with the voice of Jason and Coach McGuirk, H. John Benjamin. While not as engaging as Small or Bouchard, Benjamin does impart some good stories and gives some background on the show and its production from an actor´s perspective. Ultimately he´s like the guy at the party that you listen to because he´s talking, but wouldn´t strike up a conversation with on your own.
The three amigos also sit down for a discussion on how the show came about and character inspirations. Much of the material is duplicated in the commentaries that are found throughout the set and this disc as well.
An animatic is included for the 10th episode that mimics the one for "Director´s Cut," episode 6 along with some credits for this excellent DVD set.
Film Value:
The extra features begin to explain why "Home Movies" is so unique and unlike any other animation, and the outsider nature of the show makes for some excellent viewing. The video is meant to serve as a placeholder for the humor of the writing and performances and it does its job well. I enjoyed the urbane, dry, satirical wit on display here and think that it will resonate with a larger audience on DVD than it ever received on network television or late-night cable and recommend it highly.
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