Rating: R

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Leave the World Behind (R)

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Leave the World Behind (R)

Executive-produced by former US president Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama through their Higher Ground Productions banner, Leave the World Behind is an apocalyptic psychological thriller film that digs deep into its criticism of human nature through a series of increasingly unsettling events. Look forward to the hair-raising moment where an oil tanker runs ashore on a leisure beach. The deep rumble of the oil tanker's engine as it approaches, while beachgoers begin to flee, will give your subwoofers a workout. Then, listen out for the shrill screech of wheels through your center channel, as self-driving Teslas that were attempting to evacuate crash into each other at full speed.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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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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Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (R)

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Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (R)

A big Hollywood star is recruited for an undercover mission to stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology by arms broker Greg Simmonds. Look out for the scene where Simmonds, as part of negotiations, shows off the Maverick Missiles he controls. The center channel will bring out the unnerving nonchalance in his voice as he cues for the missiles to rain down. Your subwoofers will pound with every missile strike, as they destroy the satellites in the background.

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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The Equalizer 2 (R)

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The Equalizer 2 (R)

The action-packed sequel to Equalizer (2014) features the return of Robert McCall, a retired CIA Black Ops operative-turned-Lyft driver who moonlights as a vigilante on the side. When his long-term friend is murdered, Robert embarks on a quest for vengeance that brings him around the world. Your surround channels will capture the crisp sound and positional accuracy of every gunshot as Robert's opponents try to snipe him from afar. As Robert engages in battle, your subwoofers will reverberate with the hurricane raging in the background, bringing you straight into the tension of the fight.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

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The Matrix Resurrections (R)

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The Matrix Resurrections (R)

In the fourth installment of the renowned sci-fi saga, Keanu Reeves reprises the dual roles of Thomas Anderson/Neo and is plagued by disturbing dreams of his past. He meets a younger version of former mentor Morpheus and returns back into the Matrix to join a group of rebels to fight a new enemy of unknowable power. Neo showcases his unforgotten kungfu skills and powers in a series of action-packed scenes permeated with streaking bullets and explosions; the perfect opportunity to showcase the prowess of your surround speakers and subwoofer(s).

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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Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn (R)

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Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn (R)

The Colorful, manic, psychotic world in Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey brings swirling vocals, glitter-filled bean bag shotgun shells, a roller-skate chase sequence, and more! Hear Harleys' breathing up close through your surround speakers. with lots of gunshots that will show off the sheer power authority that your subwoofers can create in your living room. With its funhouse vibes, This movie is the perfect escape from the brown and grey reality.

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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12 Strong (R)

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12 Strong (R)

As the weight and loss the US suffered on 9/11 ripples through the hearts of our special forces, watch as they fight against the terrorists responsible with blood, sweat and a whole lot of aerial explosives despite the odds. The sound of Rockets, Bullets and bombs seemingly whistle out from the movie scene towards your couch with height and startling directionality. Combined, these sound effects are powerful enough to virtually transport every listener to the deadly war zone, and the impact from each explosion can be clearly felt punching through your subwoofers. Can our special forces survive, conquer the mission, and make it home for Christmas? Only the show can tell.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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1917 (R)

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1917 (R)

With crazy editing done to make it look like a one-shot period film, the soundtrack that accompanies this is just as insane. It creates an impressive surround bubble through strategically placing sounds around you that explode to leave a lingering trail that draws you deeper into the movies as the story heightens. Overhead sounds from aircraft are delivered with direction precision. Bass impact races to fill your sweetspot from the bombastic bomb detonations that bring the battlefront to life.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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The 5th Wave (PG-13)

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The 5th Wave (PG-13)

Sci-fi dystopian enthusiasts, this is for you. In this adaptation of the New York Times Bestseller, you will notice an active mix of dynamic range that tickles your surround system throughout the movie. The interesting bit is that, at each wave, a featured dynamic will command your soundscape. It lays itself as a bed for the next star ambient effect to layer on top, creating an almost tactile depth of sound. The cherry right on top is the overhead sound elements that pressurize and that ticks the experiential box as the intensity builds. Clean bass impacts from your subwoofer(s) command presence through resonating across your floor to further engage you in the on-screen visual.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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6 Underground (R)

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6 Underground (R)

00:00 - 20:00

The movie starts off with an impressive overhead listening experience with the sound of an aircraft circling above you. It then challenges your surround speakers’ ability to output an extensive range of demanding frequencies in a high-speed chase involving sports cars, motorcycles, and choppers coming from all directions. The varying loudness of each vehicle’s sound effects gives you a realistic perception of how near or far they are to you, making you feel like you are in the center of the action. At the same time, the dialog from the back remains clear as day, while bullets naturally whiz by you, and every crash is felt in your chest. The scene cleverly uses a sports car’s swerve to round off your surround experience. PS. Remember to catch your breath during the chase.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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A Good Day to Die Hard (R)

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A Good Day to Die Hard (R)

A good day to enjoy reliable surround effects is when you put this disc on. The film uses ear simulating surround effects through your discrete speakers to enhance the color of the action on-screen. Shootouts are perfectly layered within each bullet providing more than head-turning moments but spatial depth, making it almost believable that you are on set. Bass, as expected, aggressively takes control and will engulf you from bottom up, creating a full experience with the utmost clarity regardless of channels.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Air Force One (R)

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Air Force One (R)

“Pulse-pounding, glued to your screen, at the edge of your seat …” are just some of the terms that will come to mind when Air Force One is mentioned. The demanding impact from the shots and missiles is faithfully reproduced by your surround speakers. Every spent bullet casing is clearly channeled. With the use of a full orchestral for the soundtrack, it ignites the patriotism straight from the heart to fully engulf you into the mission. The surround sound star of this is when a big Boeing 747 swoops overhead of you. It sends rumbles throughout your soundscape as though you are at a real-life runway seeing planes take off.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Akira (R)

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Akira (R)

You do not mess with the Godfather of all sci-fi films. With a compelling storyline that still amazes today, you can only imagine what sort of surround sound surprise you are in for. Right from the start, you will enjoy the impressive directionality and crispness of the motorcycle chase scene. Low-frequency notes are depicted with accuracy that is perfectly pressured. Rhythmic pounds collide into your soundstage with everything else nicely placed into the other channels to tease. The real meat is when explosions hit. Bass comes in with a punch and it hits hard. Collapsing building pulsates your seat and rumbles the walls but remains at a comfortable equilibrium for you to lust for more.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Altered Carbon (TV-MA)

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Altered Carbon (TV-MA)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (1:53 – 7:00)

Easily one of our favorite scenes to put your surround speakers’ range to the test! It features a dynamic change of sound frequencies – from an eerie siren ringing sound in the silent background to a sudden exchange of firearms. We love how the static sounds enter subtly to set the atmosphere. The echoing whispers that follow flow ever so fluidly from one ear to the next. As the scene intensifies and shifts into an exchange of firearms, the constant eerie siren rings become more prominent without taking attention away from the powerful bullets breaking through the concrete walls in the foreground. Notice how the shrapnel lands at the precise locations of the camera’s pan. An electric grenade moves overhead so swiftly and after its electrifying blast, the scene closes off with the familiar eerie siren sound.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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American Sniper (R)

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American Sniper (R)

1:45:57 – 1:47:05

Brace yourself for this scene because you will literally feel like you have been transported into the warzone itself! It is one of our favorites, filled with adrenaline-pumping gunfire and chest-thumping explosions. If you are using our dual subwoofers, you will not only feel the impact but also realize how balanced and evenly-distributed the bass is. With our discrete channel configuration and 2-way rear surround speakers, you will hear gunfire coming from all directions. Prepare to dodge a bullet!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Angel Has Fallen (R)

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Angel Has Fallen (R)

Without a doubt, this movie is one of the most reliable when it comes to realizing the potential of your surround system. It utilizes a very neat and tidy storyline to spring up surreal sound effects that engulf you into the plot. Other than thoughtfully placed atmospheric sounds, this movie surprises with numerous discrete channel audio that rotates your soundstage to put you right in the action especially during the drone attack at the lake. With at least 2 subwoofer(s), you will notice that every heart-pounding explosion pressurizes your room to release wall-shaking rumbles. Dialogues are bright and Morgan Freeman never sounded better.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Annihilation (R)

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Annihilation (R)

With its well-orchestrated sound effects, this sci-fi horror film could literally take your breath away. By placing a huge emphasis on ambient sound effects, you will arrive at The Shimmer in no time. Intricate layers of very discrete surround sound provide not only directionality and depth but also builds a mood that creates a lasting impression, taking you further into the character’s position. During action-driven scenes, bullets will puncture through your surround sound bubble, drawing a very distinct contrast that will shock you.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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