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Profile of Tony Robert Davison

Tony Robert Davison

Site Reviewer

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Vital Statistics

Age Group Born in the 1950s.
Video Likes Catholic. I will give almost anything a try.
Video Dislikes Pan and Scan versions of widescreen classics.
Audio Likes Almost anything bar Rap. Oh, OK, DVD audio likes, great 5.1 tracks and dts as an option. When we have a 5.1 remix, I also like to have the original soundtrack as an option.
Audio Dislikes Rap (sorry Gen X). For DVDs, a poor 5.1 remix (Ten Commandments anyone?).
Favourite DVDs The Fifth Element, Gladiator, X-Men, The Matrix, Cleopatra (3 disc set).
Least Favourite DVDs Twins (Pan and Scan), George of the Jungle (likewise).
Most Eagerly Awaited DVDs Well, the original Star Wars trilogy is finally out so that is off the list. I would love to see a boxed set of all the RKO Astaire and Rogers films restored and with lots of extras, but that will probably never happen. Likewise a boxed "Concert for Bangladesh" with the booklet from the old LP set - this would be a great memorial for George Harrison.

Opinions About Specific Movies and their DVDs

Titanic I like it when the barge sinks, OK otherwise. A very poor DVD overall (the picture is OK, pity about the extras).
The Matrix Super DVD, I have watched it around 10 times. Shame about the sequels.
Terminator 2 The director's cut is very good, and the comprehensive selection of extras makes it a very good set indeed.
Star Wars How come this isn't on DVD yet? I have Episodes 1 and 2 of course. I happen to like both films, and the DVDs are a good example of how to do it right.
Godzilla How come I have all of these DVDs??? I really liked the movie, unlike the rest of the world, apparently. The DVD is OK too for an early effort.
Independence Day Here is one where I prefer the original, rather than the special edition, though it is OK too and worth a look. Nice DVD but watching it up close makes some of the matte work at the end look a bit dodgy.

Equipment

DVD Player Toshiba SD-K350 , using Component output
Display SONY VPL-HS10 LCD projector, ABI 280cm 16x9 screen . Calibrated with Video Essentials. This display device is 16x9 capable.
Audio Decoder Kenwood . Calibrated with Video Essentials.
Amplification Kenwood
Speakers Kenwood

Top 10 DVDs

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1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
35 times!!! Crazy.
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2. The Matrix (1999)
Cool shades.
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3. Lawrence of Arabia: Collector's Edition (1962)
Classic debut.
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4. Cleopatra: Special Edition (3 Disc) (1963)
Great presentation of an overblown epic. You should watch "Carry on Cleo" after watching this!
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5. The Fifth Element (1997)
Bruce at his best.
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6. Gladiator: Deluxe Collector's Edition (2000)
Sword and sandals done the modern way.
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7. X-Men: Special Edition (2000)
I love comics. I love this film.
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8. The Mask of Zorro: Collector's Edition (1998)
The best swashbuckler since The Adventures of Robin Hood in the 1930s.
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9. Licence to Kill: Special Edition (1989)
OK, I admit it, I like Timothy Dalton as James Bond.
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10. The Searchers (1956)
Bad DVD, superb film, John Ford classic.

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