The Work of Director Spike Jonze

Amazon.co.uk Review

When you experience The Work of Director Spike Jonze, you enter a world where anything can happen and frequently does. From the innovative director of Being John Malkovich and Adaptation., this superior compilation of music videos, documentaries, interviews and early rarities offers abundant proof that Jonze is the real deal--a filmmaker ablaze with fresh ideas and fresh ways of filming them.

While collectors will regret that only 16 of Jonze's 40 plus music videos are included here, this glorious sampling represents the cream of Jonze's bumper crop; for sheer ingenuity it doesn't get any better than this. From the Beastie Boys' popular TV cop-spoof "Sabotage" to the intensely disciplined backwards-filming technique of the Pharcyde's "Drop", it's clear that Jonze has an affinity for inventive street theatre, culminating in the sad/happy vibe of Fatlip's introspective "What's Up Fatlip?" and the pop-jazz effervescence of Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet". Technical wizardry is also a Jonze trademark, especially in the elaborate "Happy Days" nostalgia of Weezer's "Buddy Holly" and the graceful fly-wire dancing of Christopher Walken to Fatboy Slim's pulsing "Weapon of Choice". No doubt about it: every one of these videos is an award-worthy testament to Jonze's ability to combine hard work with fun-loving spontaneity.

On the DVD: The Work of Director Spike Jonze is a double-sided DVD (one in a series that includes the equally dazzling work of Michel Gondry and Chris Cunningham) accompanied by an informative 52-page booklet. The second side explores Jonze's artistic evolution with an entertaining selection of video rarities and three half-hour documentaries, the best being a revealing and very funny interview with rapper Fatlip after his dismissal from the Pharcyde. Commentaries for the music videos are consistently worthwhile, supporting Jonze's own belief that his best videos were made for artists whose work he genuinely enjoyed. Lucky for us, his pleasure is infectious. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

disappointing.......2004-01-21

Having watched the Gondry and Jonze DVD's back to back, I found that the latter fell a long way short of the mark.

The Gondry DVD is outstanding and had everything I was expecting, in particular his thoughts and the processes he goes into concerning his work. This I found particularly engaging as it gives you a real insight as to what makes him tick, and therefore a gives you a greater appreciation for his work.

This gave me great hope for the Jonze DVD, as it's rare to find interviews with Jonze talking about his work and his influences. What better place for him to give an exclusive in-depth interview, than on a DVD, on label HE co-founded.

Once again he fails to deliver, and would rather have other people "bigging him up", in order to maintain the false air of mystery that he persists in surrounding himself in.

This DVD contains some amazing music videos and shorts beautifully crafted by Jonze, his feel for film and photography is evident in all the content on this DVD. What would have made this perfect is if he could have just stepped out of the shadows, however briefly or heavily disguised, and spoke about his work....for once!

More of this kind of thing!.......2004-01-12

I admit I bought this in a shop and not on Amazon (I bought it as soon as I saw it!), but I figure I should set the record straight after that weird 1-star review.

Firstly - the videos. Apart from the awful Daft Punk video, which I didn't realise Spike Jonez was responsible for (shame on you!), they're all good. Most have an audio commentary, and in a few cases there's more than one. My favourite video has to be.. er.. Sabotage. or possibly that Dinosaur Jnr one.. or is it Weapon of choice..

The DVD also includes a few 30 minute films and some little ones, which is nice (I admit I haven't watched all of them yet), but they're more of a bonus as I primarily wanted the music videos.

The only odd thing is that it's a double sided DVD. What's the point of that? Couldn't it be all fitted on one side? It's a minor niggle, so it's not gonna stop me rating it a 5!

More of this kind of thing!.......2004-01-12

I admit I bought this in a shop and not on Amazon (I bought it as soon as I saw it!), but I figure I should set the record straight after that weird 1-star review.

The DVD also includes a few 30 minute films and some little ones, which is nice (I admit I haven't watched all of them yet), but they're more of a bonus as I primarily wanted the music videos.

The only odd thing is that it's a double sided DVD. What's the point of that? Couldn't it be all fitted on one side? It's a minor niggle, so it's not gonna stop me rating it a 5!

A worthy collection of spike jonze's work.......2004-01-08

Having been one of the real pioneers of the music video format it is is refreshing to see a retrospective of some of his finest achievements. From the slightly dated, but seminal 90's track, Cannonball by the breeders to (probably) his most famoust video for praise you by fatboyslim you get a real sense of his vision and style. With his love of using the music as a backdrop for colourful characters in their own little stories. No video illustrates this better than sabotage by the beastie boys, which is still as funny and fresh as when it first came out. Of course it helps that he's been lucky enough to work with some excellent artists and over the years and some fantastic songs. Interestingly, for me at least, is some of the video's where he's ditched his usual formula. In particular the pharcyde video is very impressive and a testament to a director who is as versatile as he is a visonary. My only criticsm is that he can be more concerned about doing something different than he is about making a video to actually promote the song, Da Funk by Daftpunk is a case inpoint where he really doesn't give the song a chance to shine, but overall his good videos heavily outweigh the bad.

Also on the DVD can be found some nice little shorts done in his earlier days and some interesting documentaries. Presentation is a little shoddy with perhaps a lack of coherence to it all, but to be honest all I really care about is the content which, as you'd expect from a director of his callibre is excellent.

Overall if you're at all interested in music videos and/or spike jonze this will be a worthy addition to the collection and while you're at it get the michael Gondry and chris cunningham ones as well because they also rock

Some reviewers CAN see the wood for the trees.......2004-01-06

For me the commentaries are just icing on the cake. Sure, some are less than enlightening, but even without them, this package would merit 5 stars. Hell, "Buddy Holly", "Sabotage", "Electrobank" and "Praise You" are worth the price of entry (and a 5 star review) on their own. The fact that we lucky punters are given circa 4 hours of extra material on a double-sided disc AND a handsome colour book shows just what a labour of love this is.

Spike Jonze packs more ideas into 5 minutes, on limited budgets, than most directors muster in a lifetime. Do yourself a favour and buy this, then let your jaw drop at the quality of the videos. Enjoy all the rarities and extras.

Average customer rating:

Just damn good viewing!

The Work of Directors: Spike Jonze/Chris Cunningham/Michel Gondry [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Various
Manufacturer: Palm Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Documentaries | Documentary | Categories | DVD | Video
All Music DVDs | Music DVDs | Categories | DVD | Video
Region 1 | Special Features | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
Box Set | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00065AXTM
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Customer Reviews:

Just damn good viewing!.......2006-03-02

The director series is interesting. You're supposed to watch stuff on the back of a director...most of which you haven't even heard of. Sure the name Spike Jonze rings a bell but i really hadnt heard too much about these guys apart from the fact that they're directors.

So I had a look at all the directors in the series took the pluge and bought the box set. A good call if i say so myself. The Chris Cunningham one is by far the shortest (and the best in my opinion)and i would have felt ripped off if i had just bought it alone. The other 2 (Spike Jonze and Michael Gondry) are also really fun to watch.

Between them all there's a great blend of music videos, commercials and short film stuff. Some of the commenteries are good also. But also with the box set you get a bonus disc with more interviews and music videos. ALso included is a cool poster.

I find it's the perfect thing to put on when you can't think of what to watch. Fantastic eye candy that really entertains. Also by looking at all 3 directors you really get to see the particular style that each has. This series has made me appreciate the art of directing. Go for one particular director if you're a fan, but to get a broad taste and better value for money then bite the bullet and get the box set. You won't regret it.

Now there are another 4 or so in the series but I don't think I'll be getting them (at least not for the time being). There's heaps of replay value in these dvds. And the box set looks way cool.

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