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.
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.
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.
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.
I've gotten far more interested in the filmmaking side of movies in the last few years and have been keeping up to date with who does what film, where and how it was shot, etc. Still, I can keep all that aside whilst watching it and appreciate the film.
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?"
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.
So, there you have my, rather long, opinion on special features and commentary!
dvd special features
