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If its something I am very impressed with or actually do want to know more about, I will endeavour to find the best extras set possible for that film/TV show, otherwise I'll buy the standard DVD or even the single disc edition void of any features at all.
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dvds are cheap nowadays so i always get special features versions.
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As far as commentary goes, I prefer actual cast/director/crew insight and not just incomprehensible dribble. Sure, a bit of fun thrown in to break up the seriousness is OK, but at its core has to be informative.
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As an example, I like all the commentaries for the Spider-man films as they give good insight into cast and crew experiences - with the exception of 'Spider-man 2.1' which has a terrible commentary with producer Laura Ziskin literally having to poke and prod the (boring) screenwriter to say anything.
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My worst one was superman 1 with richard donner and tom manchiwiczh. great movie but my god did that commentary stink. There were long breaks before any of them said anything and when they did say something they were like kids just blurting out rubbish.
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As far as featurettes go I prefer ones that are not just a plain 'Making Of' showing a bunch of silly behind-the-scenes moments spliced together from the set and some scant tidbits on concept and such. 
I like the comprehensive, but not drawn out, informative ones on effects
genesis of the film, cast, crew, director and style perhaps.
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yes i agree
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Its often funny when someone mentions a film and I say, "...you should like it, its the director of Highlander and the guy that wrote AVP and the effects guys from Aliens and the producers of..." and people just have no idea and say: "Stan Winston? Isn't he the black guy in Ghostbusters?"
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lol
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As a result I can also appreciate a film for its narrative and plot and not necessarily its' on screen content (effects, violence, etc).
If it has so-so effects but a decent story I don't much care ('Enemy Mine'), but if it has great effects but a lame story & characters I do care ('Speilberg's War Of The Worlds') and I won't like it. 
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I thought that was ok.
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So, there you have my, rather long, opinion on special features and commentary!
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Not at all. That was great insight
My fav special features are rocky, signs, sixth sense, superman 1 (aside from the commentary) terminator, robocop and karate kid.
When stallone talks about how he came up with the screenplay of rocky its very informative and enjoyable. The newest rocky special edition has even better features.
In watching specials, i learnt how many great screenplays were turned down by companies and investors. Wow...what were they reading?

Also, for aspiring filmakers like myself i have learnt a great deal from these and its like a free film school. Even filmmakers today encourage young filmakers to watch more special features as u can almost learn everything u need to know.