PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Profile of Crosley Carpenter

Crosley Carpenter

Site Reviewer

User Image


Vital Statistics

Age Group 46
Video Likes Original aspect ratios, 16:9 transfers, Extras ( even if I don't get around to watching them ! )
Video Dislikes Lack of R4 availability of classic and niche DVD's, Pan and scan, menus that are too clever for their own good, Laserdisc and NTSC transfers on DVD.
Audio Likes Accurate representation of theatrical sound, directional dialogue.
Audio Dislikes
Favourite DVDs Lord of the Rings 1 and 2 ( Extended editions), Chicago, Amelie, Toy Story 2, Ice Age, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sunset Boulevard, Moulin Rouge, X2
Least Favourite DVDs None really.
Most Eagerly Awaited DVDs The Sound of Music done properly, The Comic.

Opinions About Specific Movies and their DVDs

Titanic A crowd-pleaser to be sure, and generally an entertaining 3 hours. Technically astounding, as you would expect of James Cameron. Disappointing DVD.
The Matrix What's all the fuss about ? Well made, entertaining, but it's just a movie not a religion.
Terminator 2 Possibly the ultimate action film Cutting edge effects for its time, well acted and executed.
Star Wars Saw it in a cinema during original release, took a while to see what the fuss was about, now get goosebumps when the credits start. Patiently waiting for DVD.
Godzilla Why did they bother ? Took itself a bit too seriously. Cast wasted. DVD is fine, for a very wet day.
Independence Day Spectacular in the cinema. Despite the corn it's still good entertainment. Movies are about suspending disbelief, just let it wash over you, don't worry too much about the logic.

Equipment

DVD Player Pioneer DV-344 Multi-Region , using Component output
Display Barco Cine 7 CRT Projector . This display device is 16x9 capable.
Audio Decoder Pioneer VSX-D810S .
Amplification Pioneer VSX-D810S
Speakers JAMO left, centre, right, rears and subwoofer.

Top 10 DVDs

Cover Art
1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Special Extended Edition (2001)
Epic, emotional, classic. A DVD to be watched again and again.
Cover Art
2. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Special Extended Edition (2002)
More of the same, the extra minutes help make sense of it all.
Cover Art
3. Chicago (2002)
The re-birth of the screen musical, beautifully reproduced on DVD.
Cover Art
4. Amelie (Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le) (2001)
Funny, sad, beautiful to look at. A stunning transfer, the colours are beautiful.
Cover Art
5. Toy Story 2 (1999)
Animation for big kids and small. The opening sequence is perfect demo. material.
Cover Art
6. Moulin Rouge: Special Edition (2001)
Superior in every way to the cinema presentation, in watching the DVD one can finally see what all the fuss was about.
Cover Art
7. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Beautiful black and white, beautifully restored.
Cover Art
8. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Deluxe Two Disc Set) (1937)
Hard to believe it's over 60 years old, looks like new.
Cover Art
9. X-Men 2 (X2): One Disc (2003)
Spectacular, almost non-stop action, sound is amazing, no idea what was happening !
Cover Art
10. Ice Age (2002)
Beautiful, inventive animation, perfectly transferred to DVD.

Email Crosley C