O-P

, , ,

Okja (TV-MA)

, , ,
Okja (TV-MA)

Netflix’s first toe-dip in Dolby Atmos features a sonically delightfully immersion with a simple yet compelling storyline. Deliberate separation in sounds creates a lush soundscape environment that springs life to stir emotions in Okja’s fight. Every flicker, steps, and even breaths are programmed to envelop you into its finesse. Clarity in dialogues grips onto you with a desire to engage you. Environmental sounds splashes across with first-class details that intertwine with one another to fully display what Dolby Atmos can do.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

, , , ,

The Old Guard (R)

, , , ,
The Old Guard (R)

(8:27 - 9:30) , (36:13 - 43:55)

Helicopter flying overhead? Check. Fight scene that circles around you? Check. The scenes listed are like your guide to what a good surround sound journey is like. Within the first 10 minutes of the movie, you will experience what it is like to be in a helicopter with a crew that has a deadly objective, with suspenseful music and the sound of helicopter rotors being perfectly translated into your room. Hear and feel the constant rumble and drone of the airplane in the background, as the cast engages in a heated exchange that quickly turns messy through your center channels. You will suddenly find yourself in the center of furious hand-to-hand combat action, with the sound of each blow being replicated to the T by your surround speakers. All this happens while adrenaline-pumping music thumps through your subwoofer(s) to inject the needed dose of excitement into the action.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

, , , , , ,

Outside the Wire (R)

, , , , , ,
Outside the Wire (R)

From the Studio that brought The Old Guard and Extraction, this movie is all about futuristic killer droids and military machines with deadly firepower and accuracy. The sound of heavy arms and metadors in all-out gunfights will excite and pound your house down through your subwoofers, with enough squelch effects and bloody fight scenes happening across all surround channels to make you squirm, as the futuristic droid takes every opportunity to show what it is truly capable of.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

, , ,

Ozark (TV-MA)

, , ,
Ozark (TV-MA)

S3E8 (39:15 - 41:33)

This dialog-heavy scene will really put your front speakers to the test, especially your center channel. The scene starts with a group of people having a conversation in a police officer's room, of which their voices sound clean and natural. The scene then progresses into a more aggressive confrontation between a lawyer and her detained client in a cell, where there are more echos. Upon hearing his fate, the detainee starts screaming. His screams progressively get louder and more insane, and at the same time, the soundstage becomes increasingly wide as the screams gradually get outputted by the left and right speakers.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

, , , , ,

Pacific Rim (PG-13)

, , , , ,
Pacific Rim (PG-13)

Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion will either hate or love this movie but, there is no denying that it features some of the best robot surround sounds. The clarity of the mechanical whirring and every creak shines though, regardless if it is merely programmed to be a background mood enhancement or designed to be the leader of your center channels’ show. With building-sized robots, of course, there will be larger-than-life battles that will test your subwoofer(s) ability to reproduce every ground-shaking fall and explosion accurately.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

, , ,

Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (PG-13)

, , ,
Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (PG-13)

No part of this soundtrack suggests dead. Penetrating depth of sounds can be observed in this installment of Pirates of the Caribbean. Lucid details of every frequency, be it high or low, demands for your attention in the most belligerent way possible, and all done without overshadowing one another. The exceptional separation of each sound detail virtually creates and sets the eeriness of the mood in perfect synchronization when Davy Jones plays his gothic piano during a turbulent storm at sea. Every “aye” is heard with pinpoint definition and echoes are delivered with realistic sound vigor that seamlessly travels from one speaker to the next.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

, , ,

The Polar Express (G)

, , ,
The Polar Express (G)

Who said Christmas movies can't have great surround sound? The realistic huff-puff sounds of the coal-powered train would seemingly bring the polar express right to your living room. The movie also makes great use of the surrounding channels to bring a strong sense of directionality in certain scenes, including the scene of kids sliding through the toy factory chutes, and are sure to put a smile across every listener's face.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

, ,

Predators (R)

, ,
Predators (R)

The Alien vs Predators series is an exciting movie classic that never fails in delivering exhilarating action, and this sequel is no different. Mercenaries of various tough backgrounds suddenly found themselves in an unknown world filled with deadly, cunning monsters, forcing them to work together with the limited firepower they have to survive another day. With our best mercenaries going against the ever-adapting predators, expect the impact of every shot and explosion to be felt through your surround channels. The rustling of leaves in a forest filled with death will come through your surround channels, subtly gearing every listener towards high alert against the deadly predators.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

, , ,

Project Power (R)

, , ,
Project Power (R)

Fiery escapes, intense armed combat, and stunning visual effects are just some of what this Netflix Originals have to offer. Your subwoofer(s) will not shy away and take on the ferocity of the explosive sequence, head-on. Ambient mumbles are carefully layered on top of other effects to bring life out of the visual presentation. Colors are as boldly presented as the engineered sound - which creates a tight immersion relationship to drown you in a myriad of non-stop action. Center channels display a seamless flow of energizing dialogue that is rendered rich and clear. Combat segments will allow marveling at its unhesitating and clean sweep. It is definitely powered loaded, so be sure that your surround system is fully armed to take it on.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

, , ,

The Punisher (TV-MA)

, , ,
The Punisher (TV-MA)

S3E8 (39:15 - 41:33)

Adapted from Marvel's comic book series, this wows right from its pilot episode. Sound effects from shots fired between the moving car and motorcycle immediately draw you into the scene with every impact clearly heard. Tires screeching seamlessly draws the perfect curve from speaker to speaker. Just mere minutes after a chaotic exchange, a huge contrast in the absence of sound will have anyone jump out of their seat when a shot from a sniper delivered through your channels.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

, ,

Pulp Fiction (R)

, ,
Pulp Fiction (R)

This cult-classic is definitely one to play if you want to gauge the overall soundstage of your surround system. It features a balanced sound design that does not overpower either channel even if you decide to blast your speakers in the iconic $5 milkshake diner scene. The film enjoys overall atmospheric subtleties that inject life into your living room. Directionality in dialogue is remarkably produced with utmost clarity. Soundtracks in this provide the extra dose of overall era immersion the film is set in.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

CONTACT OUR NAKAMICHI NINJAS 10AM to 6:45PM PST Weekdays. 10am - 4:45pm PST Saturday, Holidays