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Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)

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Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)

On a quest to find his missing brother, a scientist, together with his nephew and mountain guide, discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world hidden in the center of the earth. Embark on a journey full of lyrical warmth, tingling atmosphere and affectionate nostalgia through the sounds from your home theatre system. The audio scores will definitely evoke the mood and feeling of being inside earth's best-kept secret, with the sounds of orchestra, percussion and many harps. Get ready to ascend, descent and explore the mystery of Atlantis through the movie's stunning visuals and audio effects.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐

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Interstellar (PG-13)

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Interstellar (PG-13)

"Interstellar" is a controversial pick - space movies are often mixed to emphasize music and out-of-this-world sound effects. But here, the opening silently leads into sounds of wind and thunder, creating a dreamy and relaxing atmosphere, yet with an ominous presence hinting at what was to come. With the soundtrack leading your emotions, atmosphere and prescience, all while creating space-inspired imagery in your mind, one will definitely rise into a whirlwind of emotion through the sound of haunting violins. All that, and the movie was just getting started. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the incredible audio scores!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Justice League (PG-13)

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Justice League (PG-13)

An epic movie remake made just for DC Fans, this movie contains the full vision that Zack Synder had for Justice League. With the entire movie done to Synder's taste, this remake is sure to pound your house down with superhero wooshes that fly past your surround channels, dramatic music and intense all-out battles. The weekends are the best time to sit back and enjoy the epic soundscape from this 4 hour long filled with non-stop action superhero adventure!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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I Am Mother (R)

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I Am Mother (R)

(0:22 – 4:27), (1:13:43 - 1:22:09), (1:29:46 - 1:39:23)

A good thought-provoking sci-fi film is one that you should always turn to if you will like to enjoy a well-rounded evening. Details from the advanced machinery are well channeled through your surround speakers to introduce the cold laboratory. As you inch closer, the room dynamics changes. You witness the warm portrayal of life’s creation. With most action taking place in the front array, it not only tests the ability of the drivers to handle the demanding frequency change but, challenges your ears to pick up every nuance of ambient notes that are stunningly clear if you have superb discrete surround speakers. Oversized drones above your head and roars of winds that surround you are accurately in-sync with the on-screen to take your breath away. Echoes of footsteps are noticeably clear and its eerieness is enhanced with blinking lights sound effect and suspense music to round you back to the same cold start of the film.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Inception (PG-13)

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Inception (PG-13)

Rumored to conceptualize and written by Christopher Nolan for 10years, Inception is definitely worth your time to explore well-layered directional sound effects. Its captivating use of hyper-realistic sound effects continuously places you in the scene with every one of the characters in focus. No whisper or shout is delivered muddled and the simple sound effect from a spinning top, spell-bounds you from your surround channels. With everything kept to the minimal, explosive sequences draw a dramatic contrast that allows you to feel and appreciate the power of the bass. Inception clearly sets itself in a class of its own amongst blockbusters with bombastic sound effects.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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The Incredibles (PG)

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The Incredibles (PG)

Incorporating highly familiar everyday sounds (Think: dinner at the table, breakfast before school, etc.) can be tricky but the 2 sequels in this franchise showcase what tactful sound engineering can enable you to experience, when done correctly. Explosion scenes are perfectly pressurized to suck the air from the room to release a wall-shaking outburst. The famous 100mile dash by Dash in the first sequel displays the magical harmony exchange of exemplary directional sounds. It heightens every pixel of tension from the screen to make sure you duck from the swift overhead Velocipods. Sibling bickering is not only keen, but realistic enough for you to feel like you are the mediator. Spatial sounds are especially evident when you step into Edna Mode’s mansion. Every scene captivates you even more so than the last, to make sure you fall more deeply in love with one of America’s most relatable superhero family.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)

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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)

Clarity, depth, and richness are what you will find in this franchise that made its first debut in 1981. Each sequel outdoes itself with more attention-grabbing directionality details from shootouts, speedboats, chases, and swords clashing, just to name a few. Dynamic rich musical scores that accompany each adventure are perfect if you want to be drowned in an instrumental wonderland. Subwoofer(s) make their presence known with thunderous bass that rumbles low enough to radiate the impact from down under. Scenes with revolving flying debris construct the perfect head-turning moments to grip you right into the action. Dialogues are coherently delivered and in some, gives an added swirling effect that mesmerizes. It possesses textbook surrounds and bass richness that will set your weekend straight for an in-depth surrounds escape.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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In the Heart of the Sea (PG-13)

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In the Heart of the Sea (PG-13)

This truly reinforces why surround speakers will make any film come alive. Every subtlety of surround detail flows through your speakers steadily to create a multi-dimensional mix of sounds to fuel your emotions. Sequences with rain are realistically produced overhead and create an energizing harmony with the crashing waves and pounding winds that rushes to fill your sweetspot from your subwoofer(s). The cries of desperation on deck will bring about many head-turning actions because of how splendidly and meticulously each and every one of them is layered upon. Gurgles from the sea will pressure your surround bubble to create an almost life-like experience of being thrown off deck that will could leave gasping for air from your couch.

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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Inglorious Basterds (R)

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Inglorious Basterds (R)

1:32:08 - 1:37:01

Carrying the name of Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece, the scene does not disappoint. This classic chaotic shootout contains layers of exhilarating sound effects that will challenge your center and surround speakers to reproduce convincing and distortion-free surround sound effects. The sound in certain scenes are so realistic, you just might find your head-turning towards key gun fires that are subtlety highlighted in the midst of the exchange. The deliberate absence of background music emphasizes the agitated breath patterns of the character, further immersing you in the action. Your surround speakers will sandwich you in the middle of the negotiation between Lt. Aldo and Staff Sgt. Wilhelm. Just when you feel that the intense experience is coming to an end, Tarantino springs you another one of his signatures, with the impact being recreated in your living room through your speakers.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Iron Man III (PG-13)

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Iron Man III (PG-13)

This movie announces its arrival unabashedly in true Tony Stark style. Sound effects purposefully dominate each channel to unveil its full glory of hitting peaks in challenging scenes. An array of frequency ranges move from one to the next instinctually to actively engage you into the excitement while you are in Iron Man’s basement. Mid-air activity sets out to pressurize your room in tight correlation with the on-screen activity. Sense of space as well as directionality are not shy to occupy your soundfield. The final scene will persistently demand 100% from your subwoofer(s) with multiple full impact explosions that demand its fullest output potential.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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IT (2017) (R)

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IT (2017) (R)

Bringing everyone’s clown nightmare to life, IT centers its ability to create goosebumps from under your skin through meticulous mapping of atmospheric sounds. This movie proves that sticking to horror sound classics - such as the rain’s light patter from above and ghostly echoes wrapping you from your surround speakers, will never fail to keep you at the edge of your seat. Its superb use of sound tension to terrorize you from your mind, immerses you deeply before jump scares pound through your subwoofer(s), sending chills right down your spine.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Jack the Giant Slayer (PG-13)

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Jack the Giant Slayer (PG-13)

Fueled by giants, your subwoofer(s) will definitely be the star of this movie presentation, especially when the beanstalk shoots up. Every weight of the giant’s footsteps is boldly translated to ground-shaking rumbles. Details of the fantasy world are clearly replicated in their respective channels to mirror whatever that is on-screen. Distinct directionality can be heard throughout the movie to provide the extra surround oomph. Lines have excellent textures that do not separate to give you an uncomfortable listening experience. This is indeed a successful childhood fairytale revamp that features a spectacular audio presentation that brings the pages of the storybook classic to live.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Jaws (PG)

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Jaws (PG)

The summer movie sensation of 1975 gets a makeover. Results: An evolution of soundtrack that will immerse you deeper into this horror/thriller classic. Boy, are we glad that this makeover only enhances the essence of the original instead of adding unnecessary guns to the already perfect sound score. With your surround speakers dutifully carrying out the intricacies of the added subtle effects to put you right in the danger zone. The interesting use of overhead channels to sink you underwater is definitely uncommon and one of our favorites. No need for a punch in the chest to feel every explosion and destruction that spreads evenly from your subwoofer(s).

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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John Wick (R)

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John Wick (R)

With every installment serving up more aggressive sonic assault to your surround system, John Wick will definitely delight if deep chest-thumping bass is what you are into. The series is solely driven by assassin-like action so do expect to hear the sounds from a variety of bullets to whizz pass you through your surround channels. In line with the movie series’ energy, the soundtrack electrifies and supplements even more impact to your chest with the punchy, yet precise explosive action.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Johnny English Strikes Again (PG-13)

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Johnny English Strikes Again (PG-13)

With Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr Bean) starring in the Johnny English Series, expect comical action fused together with quirky secret agent tactics. The roar of a classic American muscle car will waken your front channels, and the sounds and atmosphere of agent-style missions that go comically wrong will surround your listening area, all while crystal clear dialogue gives added expectation towards the unpredictable things Agent Johnny might do next.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Joker (R)

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Joker (R)

Intense and dark, this origin story adaptation of DC’s notorious cold-blooded maniac will most definitely have your heart racing and hand gripping into the couch out. Toying with the idea of imprinting a surreal Gotham City through the channels of your surround system, this movie centers its shuddering experience through the use of everyday sounds that we hear. Not only will you literally experience the noise and voice in Arthur Fleck’s head, but you will also have a taste of his vulnerability. No need for jump scares for a bone-chilling ride. The score that accompanies this film, together with its gritty visual is enough to make you lose your sleep at night. It is definitely anything but a joke.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Jumanji: The Next Level (PG-13)

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Jumanji: The Next Level (PG-13)

With a heavyweight star-studded cast, this Jumanji sequel definitely holds its sound effects weight. The start of every new challenge is marked by a fast resounding drumbeat that creates a tight correlation between the on-screen information to throw you into the action. The sequences unapologetically barge into your living room with a range of lifelike ambient effects that will give your surround speakers a run for their money. Comedic dialogues are keenly and cleanly reproduced to keep you in the “game”. Coupled with the surreal visual effects, this is definitely a movie that is perfect to bask in the glory of your full home theater.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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