Fantasy/Sci-Fi

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Moon Night (TV-14)

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Moon Night (TV-14)

EPISODE 1

This Disney+ Mini TV Series follows Steven Grant and Mark Spector, two alters of a man struggling with disassociative identity disorder as they are trust into a mystery involving ancient egyptian demigods. As Steven falls asleep one night, he wakes up in the Alps where he witnesses a cult meeting. Unbeknownst to him, he has in his possession a mysterious item that they are looking for. Catch the impressive sound direction in the following scenes; there is an explosive energy to the car chase escape scene that will push your subwoofers and surround speakers to the limit, immersing you in a 360° surround bubble. Hear the voices in Grant's head all around you as you are introduced to his alter ego Mark who has a completely opposite personality. The most notable example of amazing sound composition comes at the end of the episode when the Moon Knight makes his introduction. Moon Knight is a show you will not want to miss if you are looking for something to watch with excellent surround sound.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Stranger Things (TV-14)

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Stranger Things (TV-14)

SEASON 4 EPISODE 1 (00:00 - 09:40)

The 4th Season of this critically acclaimed Netflix original series once again shows us how much attention to detail is placed into the audio mastering for the show's opening scenes. Feel the spaciousness of the soundstage with your surround system as you are taken across the neighborhood on a bike ride for newspaper delivery. The amount of detail that can be heard from surround speakers is astonishing; from the the intricacies of the bike pedaling and the wheel hitting the road, to the drop of the newspapers on the doorstep of homes, to the dogs barking in the background. The deep rumble of the subwoofer will shake your living room as you are taken back in time to a secret factory where a horrible and deadly experiment has gone wrong. Experience a disturbing sense of immersion as you see and hear the dreadful and tragic events that took place over 50 years ago. The combination of gorgeous visual direction and hyperdetailed, immersive sound mixing is hard to beat when experienced with a dedicated surround system that can handle the deep lows, the excellent mids, and the airy and haunting highs. Note: This scene is not for the faint-hearted due to blood, gore and graphic/disturbing imagery.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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The Silent Sea (TV-MA)

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The Silent Sea (TV-MA)

Netflix ends the year with a bang by releasing another sci-fi Korean blockbuster series. The story is set in the future, where Earth has become near inhabitable with scarce water left for consumption. The only solution is to retrieve a mysterious sample from an abandoned research station located on the moon. Join the space explorers as they risk their lives to carry out this perilous 24-hour mission for humanity's survival and make shocking discoveries. The unnerving atmospheric stillness of the vast space is juxtaposed against the multiple thrilling scenes and ominous music. Every speaker channel will be put to work to deliver the well-orchestrated audio effects that will keep you glued to your screen.

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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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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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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Chronicle (PG-13)

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Chronicle (PG-13)

What starts out as fun and games quickly becomes dangerous as three high school students develop uncanny telekinetic powers beyond their understanding. Throughout this movie, you can hear loud heart-thumping bass from your subwoofer(s), which can be very authoritative and wall-rattling. One will definitely feel like being in the middle of a war zone when your surround speakers generate a wide and expansive soundstage with well-prioritized vocals and flawless terrific clarity during the pandemonium!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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47 Ronin (PG-13)

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47 Ronin (PG-13)

Inspired by Japanese folklore, this diamond in the dark definitely deserves a place on your Blu-ray mantle. Embracing true Japanese spirit, it showcases a variety of tactfully programmed surround sound effects that will give your surround speakers a run for their money. Every mystical transformation provides excellent directionality that lingers long enough for you to discern the discrete separation of each channel. Background dialogues in crowd heavy scenes are realistically rendered while the thunderous thumps from the beasts flood the floor of your soundstage with warm resounding bass.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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2012 (PG-13)

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2012 (PG-13)

With an apocalypse-based storyline, fans of big-screen spectacle, this is definitely your cup of tea (or bucket of popcorn). Courtesy from your surround speakers and subwoofer(s), every disaster you can possibly imagine is accurately brought into your living room. Word-perfect dialogues flow through your center channels with no signs of strain amidst the demolition-heavy ambient sounds. Collapsing building, sinking roads and explosions give your subwoofer(s) a run for their money in rendering every realistic bass treble. With so much bang going on, the convincing visual effects remain strictly in synchronization with the sounds, creating a lifelike experience of what an actual apocalypse could possibly feel like.

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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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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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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Avengers: End Game (PG-13)

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Avengers: End Game (PG-13)

This tribute piece to Marvel's 10th year in the cinematic universe – (and also, the fastest and highest gross blockbuster to date!) is nothing short of good surround sounds. You will be fully transported to the center of every action. Very delicate yet noticeable ambient sounds, even in non-action driven sequence immerses you further into the movie. While your subwoofer(s) will surely perform at its peak and possibly, rattle your walls and couch with every earth-shattering explosion, we encourage you to also listen out for the sound of falling debris that emanates through your surround speakers. The enchanting and electrifying superpower sound effects reproduced across all directions will swaddle you into the heat of the battle. Sound effects are so realistic that you could possibly have a taste of how it is like to be Iron Man in his suit whenever he communicates with Friday. Unique to this installment is also how the emotional aspect is communicated with sounds – with soft grunts, heaves, sighs and even dragging footsteps that reinforces the humanity of even the worst monster.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Avatar (PG-13)

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Avatar (PG-13)

This movie’s audio is just every bit of impressive against all their numerous awards in production and visual effects. As Jack makes his first foray into the Pandora as an Avatar, the ethereal portrayal of the variety of sounds and soft background music from your surround speakers leaves a vivid impression in your living room about a perfect life existing outside of this world. Breaking that illusion is the concluding war between humans and Pandora’s natives. Overhead helicopters, rapid firing of Ammos, and missiles promise a full immersion with each effect displayed crisply. Every explosion packs a meaning punch straight to your chest and solidifies why this is unforgettable.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Battleship (PG-13)

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Battleship (PG-13)

(40:50 - 49:10), (53:15-56:08),

(01:31:40 - 01:36:10), (01:40 - 01:56:20)

Remember the thrill and nerve-wracking feelings you had when playing the board game, Battleship? Multiply that by 10 folds when you load this up. The sequences in this movie confront your soundstage straight-on with its low-frequency dynamics. Especially for dual or more subwoofers, it leaves no room to escape from its perfectly pressurized impact. Scenes that feature larger-than-life battleships that emerge from down under are the absolute definition of breath-taking. Ambient sounds sync perfectly with scenes to create a tight correlation with the video presentation to take you straight on board with the Captain at sea.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Beetlejuice (PG)

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Beetlejuice (PG)

Make way for Beetlejuice’s whimsical, humorous, and theatrical Halloween entrance into your living room. An active mix of dynamic sound objects wakes the movies up to life through its now, wider soundstage. Layered in ambient effects when the couple discovers the oddity in their house exhibits perfect sound spatial-ness. Overhead sounds are accurately placed to elevate the whole experience for the perfect sound encapsulation.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Bird Box (R)

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Bird Box (R)

(48:28 - 43:03), (55:35 - 1:03:08), (1:42:32 - 1:52:39)

This movie will give your surround speakers a real treat. It has many layers of surround effects, both ambient as well as directional, that will surely impress. Listen to the aggressive movement of water from all directions and hear the rapid bubbles when you are trapped underwater. Hear the gushes of wind causing the rattling of leaves beside you in a forest, and birds chirping behind you at a distance. As the last scene intensifies, you will hear jingling bells and panicky whispers coming from all directions, so clear and crisp that you will think they are actually real!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Blade Runner 2049 (R)

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Blade Runner 2049 (R)

One of those rare sequels that live up to its predecessor, Blade Runner 2049 pairs its visually impactful cyber-punk style with audio that is just as breathtaking. The movie entails endless subtle and overhead sounds (Think: Rain, overcrowded streets shuffling through, mechanical and electrical whirring sounds, plus more!) that will give your surround channels a full workout. At the same time, Its use of unobtrusive yet impactful bass notes gives some added "oomph" for a new full neo-noir experience that is guaranteed to immerse you into its realm.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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