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Profile of John Stivaktas

John Stivaktas

Site Reviewer

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Vital Statistics

Age Group Thirties
Video Likes 16x9 enhancements
Video Dislikes Bad transfers
Audio Likes Dts mixes wherever possible
Audio Dislikes Overuse of the subwoofer and mono mixes
Favourite DVDs Too many to list...my bio contains my favourites
Least Favourite DVDs Robots, Pearl Harbor, Titanic (original non-anamorphic release), Shakespeare in Love etc
Most Eagerly Awaited DVDs Disney Platinum ones.....whenever they come around!

Opinions About Specific Movies and their DVDs

Titanic I'm glad that they have re-released it. But a 7 year wait for a decent dvd release?
The Matrix A great sci-fi/action film! A must have in any dvd collection!
Terminator 2 Great effects similar to Total Recall, only better! Another dvd enthusiast's must-have disc for the remastered soundtrack!
Star Wars Will live forever! Simply beautiful movie-making!
Godzilla No thanks!
Independence Day A summer blockbuster that was important at the time

Equipment

DVD Player Sony BDP-S550 (Firmware updated Version 020) , using HDMI output
Display Samsung LA46A650 46 Inch LCD TV Series 6 FullHD 1080P 100Hz . Calibrated with THX Optimizer. This display device is 16x9 capable.
Audio Decoder Sony STR-K1000P . Calibrated with THX Optimizer.
Amplification Sony HTDDW1000
Speakers Sony 6.2 Surround (Left, Front, Right, Surround Left, Surround Back, Surround Right, 2 subwoofers)

Top 10 DVDs

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1. 2001: A Space Odyssey: Special Edition (1968)
Cinema perfection personified! What else is there to say?
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2. Lawrence of Arabia: Collector's Edition (1962)
$285 million neede to make it today? (According to Spielberg on disc two) No wonder it's so unique and poignant
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3. Casablanca: 60th Anniversary Special Edition (1942)
The ultimate dramatic movie, a classic that can't be bettered!
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4. Star Wars-Episode IV/V/VI Box Set (1977)
Kurosawa may have influenced this movie series, but who was to know that George Lucas could take it so far?
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5. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Special Edition/Gold Edition (1966)
The quissential spaghetti western! Sergio Leone at his best!
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6. The Adventures of Indiana Jones (Box Set) (1981)
The best made action movie series....a perfect blend between the action and plot sequences!
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7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: Special Edition (1975)
A fantasticly acted story from relatively unknown actors(at the time). Gripping drama with an unforgettable ending!
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8. Back to the Future: 4 Disc Collector's Set (1985)
Reminds me of my teens! I never tire viewing this trilogy - and dts mixes too!
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9. The Shawshank Redemption: Special Edition (1994)
What a story! And what a sleeper hit it has become!
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10. Dr. Strangelove: 40th Anniversary Edition (1964)
Classic black comedy from master director, Stanley Kubrick.

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