Drama/Romance

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Maestro (R)

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Maestro (R)

Maestro is a biographical film that chronicles the love story between conductor Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre. It follows Leonard, known for writing beloved musical West Side Story, as he starts a relationship with Felicia, and the complicated marriage that follows. Your center channel will capture the hushed, tender moments shared between the couple. At the same time, Leonard's talents as a legendary conductor of his time shine through with the rousing musical compositions and performances interspersed throughout this show, putting the sonic accuracy of your surround speakers to the test.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

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Fair Play (R)

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Fair Play (R)

Fair Play centers on a pair of lovers Luke and Emily that work in the same competitive hedge fund. Lust and love spiral into manipulation and distrust in this emotionally charged show. As a rift opens between the couple following an unexpected promotion, tempers are raised and barbs are exchanged with increasing hostility, both whispered and in direct argument. A powerful center channel will articulate the nuances of these conflicts with clarity, bringing out the crisp, chilling sound of glass shattering during one particular scene. Doubtlessly, this is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat all throughout.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐

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Doctor Who (PG-13)

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Doctor Who (PG-13)

Featuring many strange yet interesting journeys in every episode, Doctor Who showcases a wide range of sci-fi sound effects & music that never feels out of place. Doctor Who's music evokes a place filled with strange and terrible machinery - with musical stings that punctuate the action on screen. From Exploring the distant planets & time eddies to hear the growling, hissing sounds of clanking monsters, You will never really know what’s coming next!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Raised By Wolves (TV-MA)

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Raised By Wolves (TV-MA)

Within the first hour of Raised By Wolves, a stunning, allegorical and disturbing rumination on faith and the human condition is seen largely through non-human eyes. The musical stage effects introduce strange new alien threats and thumping bass from gory, destructive fistfights. This movie brings an engaging, and action-filled audio experience! So get hyped, because Raised by Wolves is here to take you on an insane ride!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Doom Patrol (TV-MA)

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Doom Patrol (TV-MA)

The ‘Doom Patrol’ features a wide variety of queer superheroes - our first hint at its fantastic sound mix with a large variety. Action sequences and kinetic moments are given the appropriate power in the mix with a forceful showing in the low-end sounds. Ambient sounds are also precisely placed in the rear channels. The spatial awareness of the track is pretty insane at times, with panning techniques used to great effect. The music also perfectly sets the tone for the story, creating a nicely enveloping sound that draws you further into the show.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Better Call Saul (TV-MA)

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Better Call Saul (TV-MA)

SEASON 5 EPISODE 10 (48:10 - 53:25)

We all know that action-packed scenes typically involve lots of loud surround effects to keep you at the edge of your seat. Well, this definitely doesn’t disappoint. At the climax of season 5’s finale of one of our favorite TV shows, this scene is set late at night in a dark, compact kitchen. It starts with intense music that makes you feel claustrophobic like you are there witnessing everything first-hand, followed by chaotic gunfire of which you can decipher where the gunshots are coming from and aimed at with surround sound. Pay attention to how the surround sound moves across the screen when the kitchen items are shattering one by one. At the same time, feel the chest-thumping bass from all the gunfire.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Bohemian Rhapsody (PG-13)

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Bohemian Rhapsody (PG-13)

Watch this if you do not believe that sound moves you. The First Aid concert before Freddie Mercury bids the entertainment world goodbye, shows extraordinary immersion that guarantees hair-standing on your arms. The way the crowd sings along in the background to every word in the lyrics showcases the depth of both the ambient layers as well as their love for Queen. Camera pans provide stunning directionality with the music traveling effortlessly through the drivers of your speakers. Passionately reproduced bass during hit tracks, “We Will Rock You”, “Radio Ga Ga”, and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" will have you feel that you time-traveled to the live gig. The perfect homage to the legendary flamboyant rockstar that redefined everything you have come to love in music while showcasing surround immersion at one of its finest.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Coming 2 America

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Coming 2 America

When an African Monarch King learns that he must build a relationship with his long-lost son, expect mayhem as African tradition meets modern American standards. As the African monarchy tries to get along with westernized ways and family and political standoffs ensue, expect a night full of laughter as the comical dialogue goes off from your center channels, as every hit from the African percussion makes their impact felt through your subwoofer(s)

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Den of Thieves (R)

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Den of Thieves (R)

These Den of Thieves couldn't have made their presence felt any sooner. With heavy and violent gunfire exchanges happening within the first 6 minutes, the opening scenes show the deadly level of wrath and experience these den of thieves have together. The pin-point accuracy and impact of each bullet shot by the thieves and the elite police force is felt throughout the movie through your surround speakers and subwoofers. Yet, the movie offers a glimpse into the lives of the robbers, with dialogue exchanges heard clearly through your front channels

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Edward Scissorhands (PG)

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Edward Scissorhands (PG)

In this quintessential Halloween movie, you will notice that sound subtlety is king to a multifold experience. Surround effects sweep effortlessly from driver to driver, to re-emphasize the main audio to output luxurious and full sounds. These tiny details shine through when Edward discovers his scientist-given talent in landscaping. Every scissor movement comes to life with crispness. No sign of muffles are present even with numerous audio frequencies channeling through the frontal array - Everything is clear and confidently delivered. Like its unique take on Halloween with a simple storyline, Edward Scissorhands needs no unnecessary pompous effects to set you into the mood for Halloween.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Greyhound (PG-13)

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Greyhound (PG-13)

Here’s one for those that love war stories! Be transported right into the battle scene with Tom Hanks as your commander, with superb layered sound effects from bullets, explosions, war cries, and crashing waves. Every sequence is soundly coordinated within your surround channels to put you in the heat of the tension with every passing minute. Torpedoes will whiz dangerous close by you, and adding realism to this experience is every shout of life-saving that is coherently reproduced by your surround channels. A variety of bass effects from crashing waves and dramatic music drums will test your subwoofer(s) dynamic capability and heighten this war story.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Hannibal (R)

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Hannibal (R)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (00:02 - 04:20), (00:35 - 03:04), (08:27 - 10:30)

This truly reinforces why it is the sound that truly rounds an experience! The 3 scenes listed in this thrilling episode will send not only shivers but cause goosebumps. Especially with quality surround speakers, you will be able to feel and hear, the level of detail in the distant dog howls and the cello’s timbre as the bow goes across the strings of the cello. Slight eerie atmospheric sounds are constantly introduced without you noticing and even when they move so ever swiftly – from the sides to your center channels, it does not muddle or challenge the dialogue. Every heart-racing moment is followed up with temporary silence for you to feel the goosebumps and soak in the suspense. Warning: For thrill-seekers only!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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The Haunting of Hill House (R)

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The Haunting of Hill House (R)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (21:40 - 22:40)

The subwoofers and surround speakers take center stage in this chilling minute. Depending on how many subwoofers you have, the reverberation from the hostile door knocks and bangs will send fill your entire living room and send chills from below to your spine. The scene then breaks into directional and rhythmic pounding pounds on the windows that will most definitely have you jumping and turning to yours. Altogether, the terrifying sounds combine to command all of your subwoofers and surround speakers to create a 360-degree bubble of intense surround sound. The sudden silence that follows leaves you to hear and feel your heart pound.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Hubie Halloween (PG-13)

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Hubie Halloween (PG-13)

Expect the sound of carelessly aimed eggs and garbage thrown overhead to envelop your listening environment early in the movie to mark the start of a halloween themed adventure. Slightly comical dialouge that add to the hubie-unique comical moments will come through clearly through your center channels, all while werewolf howls, dramatic music, horrified screams and creepy halloween scares emanates through your front channels to complete this horror and comedy movie mashup to gets everyone at home in the mood for Halloween.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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In the Tall Grass (TV-MA)

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In the Tall Grass (TV-MA)

(00:19:50 - 00:20:40), (01:24:00 - 01:25:14)

Feel the chills go down your spine with the eerie background music that accompanies the sibling pair as they enter a field of tall grass. Inaudible whispers will surround your listening seat and add the right amount of tension to the movie scene. With horrible screams, deadly fistfights, and the rustling sound from the tall grass field emanating through your surround speakers, prepare to have your living room transformed into the dark environment that truly makes this a nail-biting experience that horror movie fans will enjoy and perhaps, be creeped out by.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Moonlight (R)

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Moonlight (R)

17:38 - 21:21

A simple scene is sometimes the best to listen out for the most subtle surround sound details. With no additional bells and whistles, this scene perfectly captures what it is like to be on the beach with waves crashing on to the shore in the background. The isolation of the water sounds that tread thread so carefully through the surround speakers will make you feel like you’re Little in the middle of a vast sea. If you close your eyes at the later part, you will really feel like you are at the beach with the sounds of all the gentle wind breeze and crashing waves produced by your surround speakers!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (R)

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Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (R)

Much like the console game, this promises endless savage carnage that will awaken all your surround channels. The movie focuses on creating ultra violent fights in the arena that showcases a spectrum of sound directionality that moves unhesitatingly from one speaker to the next. Highs are tuned to effectively complement the mids for a flawless transition of every familiar combo move. Fatality moves are driven to snatch your focus by the ear and low frequencies are timed precisely to induce goosebumps to recreate the same exact euphoria you feel when you finish the game with Flawless Victory.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Mudbound (R)

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Mudbound (R)

00:30 - 04:30

It is the little things that matter in this period movie adaptation from Hillary Jordan’s debut novel. Right from the beginning, your surround system is challenged to recreate the amazing cinematography you see on-screen. Especially with discrete surround speakers, you will hear how every tiny nuance is beautifully brought to life. Claps of thunder overhead will challenge your subwoofer(s) to reproduce the rumbles in the midst of the pouring rain. Ambient chatters seamlessly move through the speaker drivers to bring forth directionality that transforms your couch to a seat at the table. Closing this is the sensual instrumental music that neither distorts at high volume nor hogs the soundstage from the intricate sound layers.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Requiem for a Dream (R)

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Requiem for a Dream (R)

Playing with the simple concept of replicating and pacing sounds, each voice that plays through your surround channels creates a whirlwind that unknowingly pulls you into each character’s mind through the different stages of their addiction. The accompanying soundtrack enhances each experience just enough to tug onto your heartstrings to feel the pain and ache. No elaborated visual effects are needed, but just really good mapping of sound effects to produce a hauntingly surreal experience that will stay etched in your mind for days to come.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Roma (R)

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Roma (R)

(55:30 - 1:01:03), (1:34:18 - 1:37:40), (1:58:13 - 2:03:53)

Deservedly a 2019 Oscar Nominee for Sound Editing and Mixing, Roma stands out as one of the best recently released movies for surround sound. Throughout the entire movie, it is obvious that the directors paid close attention to ensuring that the sound followed the motion. In our first recommended scene, pay attention to the sounds of the gunshots from the left and right of you, following which, the scene becomes a social gathering with lots of chatter from your rear speakers, making the scene sound very realistic as though you are there. In the second recommended scene, pay attention to the echos inside the tunnel crowded with cars, as well as the many car honks from all around you. The third scene that we have recommended is the most impressive one. Set at a beach, you will hear ambient sounds of the waves and breeze from all surround speakers. As the character ventures further into the sea to find the child, the scene gradually intensifies with the sea becoming increasingly tumultuous. From behind, you will distinctly hear the angry waves constantly moving between the left and the right. Before you realize, you'd be at the edge of your seat.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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