Crime/Thriller

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Extraction (R)

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Extraction (R)

35:26 - 44:25

Arguably one of the most all-rounded surround sound scenes of late. Starting off with a high-speed car chase in a crowded street, listen for a loud crash from the behind you that moves from left to right, followed by a truck honk that goes from the front to the left speaker shortly afterwards and finally, a police car ramming from behind resulting in a deafening shatter of rear window glass. The scene then continues into an intense manhunt in a dense, claustrophobic neighborhood. Starting with silence, you will hear lots of subtle, ambient details like footsteps and cricket noises. When the protagonist is finally discovered, a fierce gunfight ensues with plenty of gunshots fired that can be heard from all directions. This scene simply has everything and is worthy of our top immersiveness rating!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Fast and Furious (R)

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Fast and Furious (R)

This is one franchise that lifts as heavy as its main casts. The massive bass impact from explosions will push your subwoofer(s) boundaries, all while your surrounding speakers are challenged to replicate with the high octane, ever-changing dynamics from drifting fast cars engaging in high-risk manoeuvres, leaving none of your speaker channels undisturbed. Overhead helicopters present in the later instalments will take full advantage of modern sound technologies, recreating a full 3D surround dreamscape. Yet, even with so much going on in dramatic scenes, the intricate whirring of engines showcases that this franchise does more than just serve brawn.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Black Widow (PG-13)

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Black Widow (PG-13)

As Black Widow's imperfect past resurfaces to destroy her, she has no choice but to go back to where it all started, uniting with her family to survive and deal with her enemies. The movie delivers a healthy dose of epic weapon fights, explosions, and intense moves - keeping you at the edge of your seat as the plot thickens and surround effects swirl around your listening area in a precise manner that matches the visuals on screen.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Kate (R21)

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Kate (R21)

When an assassin is poisoned and told she has less than a day to live - expect her determination to kill those involved to reach savage levels. Every blow is fatal, with almost every gunshot fired from her resulting in gore and death - with the fatal ,thunderous impact of each bullet clearly articulated through our surround system.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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The Grand Budapest Hotel (R)

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The Grand Budapest Hotel (R)

Desserts come in many forms, and the good news is that this is not loaded with calories. Dialogues in this movie dominate the center channels that provide an active mix of both high and mid frequencies to keep you constantly glued to the aesthetically pleasing visuals. Luscious and balanced spatial surround effects provide a comfortable ambient experience, especially if you have physical discrete speakers. Music scores add the extra punch of liveliness that paints your room in the color, happy. Overall, this is definitely a dessert we would not mind having every week, after any meal.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Gravity (Luxe Edition) (PG-13)

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Gravity (Luxe Edition) (PG-13)

If you think a movie set in Space will not feature impressive surround sound, think again. While Gravity will not aggressively assault your surround system, it will definitely taunt it through an extremely wide range of frequencies that are used to articulate the pressure in infinite space. The sound effects then balance that out with an impressive score of precisely placed, detail-rich sounds all around you to further heighten tension. Room-energizing explosions are also exemplary of how low-frequency tremors at high volumes should be portrayed. The deliberate lack of dialogues and emphasis on breathing patterns leave your mind to wander, sinking you deeper into the oblivion with Ryan. This truly crosses sound boundaries to create an immersive experience in the most unlikely place.

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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Hellbound

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Hellbound

Netflix has gone all in on Korean Dramas, and like Squid Game, this series does not disappoint. As if the menacing demonic voices of these monsters weren't enough, the movie features brutal killings of people that are guilty of evildoings. Should such acts be called murder or judgement? One thing's for sure - the action on screen translates into a great workout for your subwoofers and surround speakers, as they work in harmony to deliver sounds that are eerie enough to give you sleepless nights.

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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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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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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Now You See Me (PG-13)

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Now You See Me (PG-13)

The use of a highly actively sound mix certainly has resulted in a soundstage that is as highly theatrical as its on-screen visuals. Razzle and dazzle ambient effects are meticulously placed to put you right in the crowd when The Four Horseman takes the stage. Panning motions of the camera are translated with pinpoint accuracy in the sound department to further your immersion into the highly engaging fistfights. Overhead sound of flying banknotes showcases the attention to detail with movement rendered realistically. Bass moments hit hard when they are in the spotlight and enhance the overall sound field's realistic appeal.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Outside the Wire (R)

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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: ⭐ ⭐

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Ozark (TV-MA)

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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: ⭐

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Pulp Fiction (R)

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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: ⭐

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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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Salt (PG-13)

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Salt (PG-13)

Used correctly, salt enhances flavor, and this movie, embodies it to give the word, “action” a touch of its excellence. From heroic stunts across fast-moving vehicles to seemingly impossible escapes, you will find yourself absorbed into the action, especially with the lifelike sounds of smashing windows and gunshots whizzing past you from all your available surround channels. Keen and active dialogue comes through your center channels to provide a well-rounded surround experience.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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The Shining (R)

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The Shining (R)

Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is a timeless (and aesthetically pleasing) horror classic that showcases the director’s signature use of timing in sounds to ramp up fear and escalate emotions. No matter the scene, a sense of space can be detected, and with the carefully planned sound timings as well as the little ambient details present before the growing dominant sound travels from the surround speakers to the frontal array. You will find yourself biting into your nails, as you come face to face with the Grady Twins, stand before the blood elevator, or even the frightening Room 237. Its dramatic shift from ambient to frontal not only accelerates menacing situations but keeps you glued no matter how much you try to look away.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Squid Games (NC16)

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Squid Games (NC16)

Netflix takes Korean dramas to new levels with this original. Hundreds of people are forced into playing a twisted series of games for survival. The winner walks away with a huge cash prize - but everyone else dies with each round. Murderous gunshots are fired within the first round of games, and the sound of bloodspills and blood-curdling shrieks will echo through every speaker channel, evoking chills down your spine.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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