Age Group | Old enough to know better, too old to do anything about it |
Video Likes | Correct aspect ratios. Minimal film artefacts. |
Video Dislikes | Pan & scan. Badly positioned layer changes. Foreign language films dubbed into English. Excessive noise reduction. Aliasing. Poor contrast. |
Audio Likes | Audio mixes that reflect the original audio configuration of the content. |
Audio Dislikes | Audible hiss. Excessive sibilance. 5.1 remasters of 1.0 or 2.0 originals where the original is not supplied. |
Favourite DVDs | Sword of Vengeance (R1), Die Nibelungen (R1), Blackmail (R2), Seven Samurai (remastered)(R1), Ordet (R1), Metropolis (1927), The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (R3) |
Least Favourite DVDs | Metropolis (1927)(R4 original edition) |
Most Eagerly Awaited DVDs | The Cecil B. De Mille Collection, King Kong Special Edition, the new R1 Ben-Hur (for the 1925 version included as an extra), anything by Mizoguchi |
Titanic | Saw this in the cinema. Any film in which Leo dies and Kate disrobes can't be all bad. I was impressed by the sinking but the lead-up was laughable. Haven't seen the DVD and don't plan to. As a comparison, check out the English version of Atlantic (1929), which is much, much worse, or the 1943 German version, which is better. |
The Matrix | Second DVD I ever saw. I could understand why people raved about it (the DVD). |
Terminator 2 | I quite enjoyed this on video, but I haven't seen the DVD. |
Star Wars | Saw Episode 4 on original release. The earlier sequels were ok, but the three recent films are appalling. The only one I've seen on DVD was Episode 2. |
Godzilla | I saw this in the cinema. I thought that the filmmakers erred by using CGI instead of a man in a lizard suit. I have watched a few minutes of the DVD, which would probably be worth acquiring if you like the film. |
Independence Day | Another film that I saw in the cinema. Is it any wonder I rarely go to the cinema any more? Made me wish someone other than the US would save the world once in a while. Like Denmark. Have not seen the DVD. |
DVD Player | Sony Playstation 3 (HDMI 1.3) , using HDMI output |
Display | Sony VPL-VW60 SXRD projector with 95" screen . Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. |
Audio Decoder | Built into BD player . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. |
Amplification | Receiver: Sony STRDA5400ES; Power Amplifiers: Elektra Reference, Elektra Theatron |
Speakers | Main: B&W Nautilus 800; Centre: Tannoy Sensys DCC; Rear: Tannoy Revolution R3; Subwoofer: Richter Thor Mk IV |
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) | 2. Lawrence of Arabia: Collector's Edition (1962) | 3. Verdi-La Traviata (Royal Opera, Covent Garden) (1995) | 4. Richter-The Enigma (1998) | 5. Napoleon (Abel Gance's) (1927) |
6. Mulholland Dr. (2001) | 7. Poulenc-Dialogues Des Carmelites (1999) | 8. Metropolis: Special Edition 2 Disc Set (1927) | 9. The Band Wagon: Special Edition (1953) | 10. The Big Red One (Samuel Fuller's) (1980) |