- Describe your age.
I am actually a little over thirty.
But I feel a little under thirty.
And I usually act about half my age.
- Where were you five years ago?
Different house. Different job. Different girlfriend. Same car.
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Hmmm... Five years. My, this *is* an in-depth interview! Let's see. In five years I'd like to be retired. Now, I know that that probably won't happen, so I'll just settle for being happy in whatever I happen to be doing.
- What's a good night's entertainment for you and your friends?
Friday nights are movie nights. A group of us get together and go for Hungry Jacks. Then we usually come back to my place and lay about the lounge room. We'll crack open a bottle of wine, and hoe into a block of chocolate. Then we drop something in the DVD player - we don't usually decide beforehand, so it's always a bit of a mystery! We have a good laugh!
- What got you into DVD and how long ago?
DVD has always intrigued me - especially the availability of wide-screen. I would always buy my videos in letterbox format if I could. Otherwise I always felt like I was missing out on the atmosphere and cinematography. Even though I settled for plain old stereo. The more I looked into DVD the more I wanted it, but the more I had to spend - vicious cycle. I bought my home-theatre system in January 2004.
- What do you love about DVD?
Haven't you been paying attention? I think I just answered that! Oh, alright... I love the widescreen capability most of all, but I have also really come to appreciate the capacity of 5.1 surround. The number of times I was about to get up and tell the kids outside to stop making all that racket...
- Given the advances in DVD over the past few years, does the format still surprise you and why?
Sometimes you can get pictures that are so crisp that they are almost too clear! Fact is, most of the 'too clear' images are computer generated, so that annoys me a bit too!
- What title in your collection do you use to introduce friends and family to DVD and why?
I borrowed the iMax movie 'Super Speedway' from a friend, I would skip it to about Chapter 3 - when the car hits the track. The image is brilliant and fills the entire screen. The sound work is amazing - everything is crystal clear - from the roar of the engine to the road noise and the wind racing past.
- Outside of DVD, what keeps you entertained?
My girlfriend definitely keeps me on my toes. I love games, too - no, not the freaky, psychological type; Miniature wargames, board games and computer games. Reading - sci-fi mostly. I have also been renovating my laundry for such a long time, can't wait to get the washing machine out of the kitchen... Neither can my girlfriend!
- Have you ever met someone famous before and/or wish to meet someone famous?
There are lots of people I'd like to meet.
Hey, I had a dream about meeting Angelina Jolie recently, I kept calling her 'Lara' for fun - it annoyed her no-end. We were travelling on a bus and ran into Prince and... Sorry, what was the question?
- What is your current method of transport and what would you like to upgrade to?
I drive a gun-metal grey 1985 Celica. And when she's not going, I take the Bus, Train and Tram to work... Yeah, it makes it a bit of a long-winded trip, but at least I get to read my book... Currently I'm reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - before the movie comes out!
- What is your favorite recipe/meal/take-away?
Okay... Recipe that I cook would be Spaghetti bolognaise - not rocket science, I know. Meal would have to be Mum's roast lamb. Restaurant: Bussaracum Thai in Ivanhoe. Fabulous Thai food!! Everything on the menu is delicious.
Talk to Nu, tell him Michael sent you!
- What is the only joke you seem to remember when people around you are telling jokes?
Who told you that I can only remember one joke?
Did you hear the one about "The Big Brown Bear at the Beefsteak and Bourbon Bar"...
What about the American, Frenchman, and Chinaman on a deserted island: The American was responsible the shelter, the Frenchman looking after the food, and the Chinaman put in charge of the supplies...
- Can you juggle? Can you juggle knives? Can you still juggle?
I can juggle to a reasonable standard. Not knives. Well, to be honest, I haven't actually tried juggling knives. Hang on...
- What are the most memorable nicknames you've had in your lifetime?
The Black Onyx. Onyx for short. That is by far the most memorable and preferrable nickname. Salami, Slammit, and others just get more derogatory from there...
- What was the first video game you fell in love with, on what machine? What is your favourite now?
The very first game was a 10-pin bowling game, it was black and white, there was no joysick, and you just roll a ball like an upside-down mouse. It was in the stairwell to a cinema mum used to take us to. I think it was called Ten-Pin King or something just as lame...
I used to play my Commodore 64 a lot, so: Ghosts'N'Goblins, Paradroid and Impossible Mission come to mind. I played a lot!
- What are your favourites? (Music, movies, books, anything!)
So many favourites... Music: I love Queen. Movies? My favourite would probably be Raiders of the Lost Ark. Followed closely by the Back to the Future trilogy! My favourite book? Probably Roget's Thesaurus - no... I don't know! I got hooked by Edgar Rice Burroughs 'Mars' series, but re-reading them they are a bit average. 'Only Forward'? That was pretty good.
- What DON'T you like about DVD?
Sometimes distribution companies can skimp on the transfer quality - cut down the detail just to fit it all in. I think that it's such a waste! Also, I hate classic movies that you can only seem to find in 4:3...
| Michael's recent reviews:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban
"...an excellent addition to the infamous, and ongoing, Harry Potter saga."
Hellboy - The Director's Cut
"...complex, clever and, steeped in the supernatural, the visuals are rich, dark and brooding. The story is brilliantly told.
"
The Awakening
"A banal plot, revealed at a shambling feet-dragging pace is too frustrating... Better leave this one buried!"
Battle Of The Planets - Collection 1
"Fantastic machines, and evil villians in flared pants, Battle of the Planets engages our imagination and transports us to amazing places!"
Van Helsing: Collectors Edition
"Hugh Jackman is brilliant as Van Helsing... And the undead hoard of excellent quality extras and bonus stuff make this Collectors Edition impossible to go past."
Doctor Who - The Green Death
"A perfect addition to every Doctor Who fan’s collection.
"
List all Michael's reviews |
