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Extras:
Disc
1
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Audio Commentary #1 -
This first commentary with Director Ron Howard is excellent
and the best of the two. The likeable Howard goes into detail
about his approach to the film and techniques that he uses
amongst many other things.
*
Audio Commentary #2 -
Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman commentary doesn't come off
well when compared to Ron Howards. This is a pretty boring
affair and seems devoid of any humour (which is the essence
of all good commentaries). I'd give this a miss...
*
Deleted Scenes -
No less than 18 deleted scenes with a nice introduction
from Ron Howard. The scenes can be viewed with the actual
audio or with a commentary from Ron Howard. Howard is obviously
proud of the scenes (he doesn't usually include deleted
scenes on a DVD) and they were only cut because of the running
time and to keep the pace of the film. Total running time
26 mins 43 secs.
*
Production Notes -
The usual text-based notes. Fairly extensive (12 pages).
*
Cast & Filmmakers -
The standard biographies for 10 of the cast and crew.
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DVD-ROM Features -
A link to Universals Axess website where you can access
new interviews and bits. New features will be added to the
site each week.
Disc
2
*
"A Beautiful Partnership:Ron Howard & Brian Grazer"
- This is an interview
with the pair (Brian Grazer is the Producer) and they discuss
their relationship and how they've worked with each other
over the years. Oh, and they also predictably heap praise
on each other! 5 mins 20 secs.
*
Development of the Screenplay -
Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman explains his role in the film,
from his introduction to the project to the finished script.
This is an interesting piece - much better than Goldsman's
commentary! 8 mins 15 secs.
*
Meeting John Nash -
This is a conversation between Ron Howard and Dr John Nash,
where Nash tries to explain his theories to Ron. 8 mins
26 secs.
*
Accepting the Nobel Prize in Economics
- This is some very brief
footage of Dr John Nash accepting his Nobel Prize. 1 min
55 secs.
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Casting Russell Crowe & Jennifer Connelly
- Ron Howard explains the
importance behind casting the characters and his reason's
for choosing Crowe and Connelly. 5 mins 54 secs.
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The Process of Age Progression -
Howard and Grazer talk about the make-up process and then
the artist himself, Greg Cannom shows us the actual techniques.
Another good featurette. 7 mins 10 secs.
*
Storyboard Comparison -
Introduced by Ron Howard, you can choose from 5 scenes -
"The Pub Scene", "John Nash Meets Dr. Rosen"
and "Baby In The Bathtub" are all from the film,
"Nash and Parcher Dispose Of The Car" and "Alicia
and the Disappearing Audience" are deleted scenes.
Choose one and you are presented with the actual finished
footage at the top of the screen and the storyboards at
the bottom.
*
Creation of the Special Effects -
Ron Howard does an introduction and explains about Digital
Domain (the company that did the special effects), then
Kevin Mack from Digital Domain talks about the process of
planning and creating the effects and we are shown clips
from the film and behind-the-scenes footage. This is one
of the better featurettes and is very interesting to watch.
10 mins 45 secs.
*
Scoring the Film -
Introduced by Ron Howard, James Horner gives a short talk
on the scoring process. 5 mins 50 secs.
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Inside A Beautiful Mind -
The longest featurette on the disc but not necessarily the
best. This is the standard promotional feature and runs
like an extended trailer with narration. It features clips
from the film mixed with behind-the-scenes footage and short
interview clips. It's not bad, but you wont learn much about
the film. 22 mins 30 secs.
*
Academy Awards Reactions From Winners
- A Beautiful Mind won
four Oscars at the Academy Awards - Best Picture (Producers
Brian Grazer and Ron Howard), Best Director (Ron Howard),
Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly), Best Adapted
Screenplay (Akiva Goldsman). This is some brief footage
of the reactions of the winners and some backstage footage.
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Trailers -
The theatrical trailer for "A Beautiful Mind"
plus "Now Showing" which features trailers for
"Apollo 13", "The Family Man", "K-Pax"
and "Patch Adams".
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Soundtrack -
A 30 second promotional advert for the films soundtrack
on CD.
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Director
:Ron Howard
