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Profile of John Richardson

John Richardson

Site Reviewer

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Vital Statistics

Age Group Age: Wrong side of 35.
Video Likes If you want to know what I like in a video transfer, watch the following DVDs: Shakespeare In Love, Snow Falling On Cedars, Sleepy Hollow, Michael Collins, The Shawshank Redemption, The Thin Red Line. In short: Must be original theatrical aspect ratio and 16x9 enhanced. Should be PAL.
Video Dislikes Telecine wobble, large film artefacts, excessive aliasing or moiré effects (Backdraft or The Thing).
Audio Likes Appropriate use of all channels. The whole idea of multichannel audio tracks is to enhance the movie watching experience. I like to be placed in the middle of the sound stage.
Audio Dislikes Excessive bass (Lost In Space), distorted or hard to hear speech (Lone Star, in some places), pops and clicks.
Favourite DVDs The Shawshank Redemption, LA Confidential, Legends of the Fall, Snow Falling On Cedars, The Fifth Element, The Matrix, Terminator 2, Starship Troopers (Flippers don't bother me), Alien, Aliens, A Bug's Life, Dragonheart, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Austin Powers (both movies), Six Days Seven Nights, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Thin Red Line, The Mummy, Jaws.
Least Favourite DVDs Armageddon. I cannot accept films that are based in current time, using current technology that portray things that contravene the laws of physics. You don't bank a space shuttle in space. There's no wind resistance in space and therefore banking is not required. As we have seen from the close up images of EROS, asteroids don't look like the one portrayed in this film. A comet may, that will be proven in 2004 when the Stardust mission reaches Comet Wild 2. Then there is all the macho chest beating, the "our s*** don't stink" swagger and the NASA ain't as smart as us b******. Liv Tyler mind you, now she's a very cool inclusion! This is an example of a movie that could've been so much better. The Blair Witch Project. Interesting idea, about as scary as a teddy bear and all the camera movement gave me a headache.
Most Eagerly Awaited DVDs Braveheart, Star Wars Trilogy, Raiders of the Lost Ark Trilogy, Lawrence of Arabia, The Abyss, Bridge on the River Kwai, Jurassic Park, Star Trek: Wrath of Khan, Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Ben Hur, Silence of the Lambs, Gladiator, American Beauty.

Opinions About Specific Movies and their DVDs

Titanic Really enjoyed it at the Cinema. Crap DVD. Too expensive, NOT 16x9 enhanced and no extras. Forget it.
The Matrix Excellent film. Really good fun. Really good DVD.
Terminator 2 See above.
Star Wars Star Wars was a breakthrough film, an all-time classic. Empire is my favourite. Return was pretty good. Phantom Menace was just OK, but could have been so much better. Find a better child actor for Anakin (I really hate that kid), give Darth more time, add some emotion to the script and you're half way there. George, get the trilogy on DVD now before I seek you out and....and.... stamp my foot and cry! :-(
Godzilla I cannot understand why this movie is hated so much. New York gets stomped. How can you not like that? Yeah it's silly, so what, it's supposed to be!
Independence Day I like this movie except for two passages which make me want to puke. Hate the speech scene and the last bit where the heroes are walking with their cigars. The HUGE plot holes are annoying but I can overlook them because, well it's stupid anyway.

Equipment

DVD Player Loewe Xemix 5006DD , using RGB output
Display Grundig MW82-50/8 . Calibrated with Video Essentials.
Audio Decoder Built in to amplifier/receiver . Calibrated with Video Essentials.
Amplification Denon AVR-2801
Speakers Mains and Rears: Tannoy Mercury M1. Centre: Tannoy Mercury MC. Subwoofer: Aaton SUB-120.

Top 10 DVDs


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