A very good track from Boaz Yakin. After trying for many years to write "high concept" Hollywood scripts, Yakin ventured into the world of independent films to start his directing career. He has lots of great stories about learning from Clint Eastwood, working with child actors, and eschewing the cliches of "urban drama." I was very impressed with the vast list of other films and directors he credits as his inspiration. Given that this track was recorded after "Remember the Titans," he can give a very accurate compare and contrast between low budget and big budget studio pictures. He vividly explains his motivation in mixing surreal images with real world environs like New York City. There are some real stark scenes in "Fresh," and it is very interesting to hear Boaz' explanation for them. This director has a long history with filmmakers like Tarantino and Scott Spiegel, and that same zeal for storytelling abounds throughout this commentary. Solid 9/10. Now, to revisit the "Titans."

Like most commentaries written by first time directors of an independent film after working on several large studio pieces, he spends a lot of the early time talking about trying to get the movie made. And then veers into tales about what he learned watching big budget films and how they did or did not help him with this film. And then a lot of time about how things worked out better than he thought, and why various decisions were done for budgetary reasons.

But while covering a lot of the same ground, this is not a boring commentary by any means. He starts off with how really only Spike Lee was making movies about black characters, but then after Boys in the Hood came out, all the studios wanted to try one. He acknowledges how the lead actor made the film work, but how he completely missed his talent during the audition, and it had to be pointed out to him. And he compliments Samuel Jackson and Giancarlo Esposito long before they were the powerhouses they are now.

He talks about Yojimbo being a big influence on the script, which I did not realize when I watched it, but totally do now.

I was very surprised to learn that Chess was not going to be a part of the film for a long time. And he talks about how many people told him this is their favorite chess movie, and how he himself does not like the game.

He does not answer the question about the dog. And he does this on purpose, although he does hint about the answer.