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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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Men In Black: International (PG-13)

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Men In Black: International (PG-13)

The franchise does more than proving that aliens can be cute and humorous with its bigger and more bombastic sound effects in this installment. It takes full advantage of today’s sound technologies to deliver crips and precise surround sound effects from the various types of whirring from guns and automobiles. Sound directionality is still exceptionally well-portrayed, even during fast-paced action sequences. You can hear the care taken in mixing intricate layers of sound that engages you through your surround channels. Energizing bass spreads across the floor with every explosion and signature MIB humor comes through with dazzling clarity that fits right in with its A-star cast.

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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The Meg (PG-13)

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The Meg (PG-13)

Watch this on days when all you want to do is to submerge yourself in the sea of reliable surround sounds. Right off the bat, the movie will tease with its opening scene that showcases the punchy warm bass and immersive ambient claustrophobic pressure. It then swallows you whole with its revolving soundstage when you enter the deep ocean. Brillant spatial ambient details shine through physical surround speakers that are capable of picking up realistic high frequencies to depict the perfect day at sea. Overhead sounds from large crashing waves, and gigantic sea creatures enough additional dimension and pressure - just enough to keep you lusting for more. Nothing in this presentation overshines. Every detail seamlessly blends and works together to drown you in a sea of great surround sound.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children (PG-13)

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Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children (PG-13)

Featuring a cast born with unique abilities, the story takes an unexpected twist as the main protagonist discovers an enemy group that seeks to kill others of their kind to attain an unfair advantage. With each of these children going up against older, killer enemies, expect an audio spectacle as the sound of each fight and ability being unleashed is both heard and felt across every speaker driver on your sound system. Dialouge comes across clearly through the center channels to bring additional depth to the story

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Monster House (PG)

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Monster House (PG)

"There are no ghosts", Everyone would say. As the angsty voice of an unfriendly neighbor and family members being apathetic towards the warnings of a mere boy wavers through your center channels, expect horrified screams as the monster house rudely unleashes its paranormal abilities against the grown-ups. As the main cast battles to be free from this evil house, expect a captivating Halloween experience as the main cast engages in daring escapades, with the impact and debris from paranormal abilities and careless retaliation being clearly felt through every surround channel.

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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Moonlight (R)

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Moonlight (R)

17:38 - 21:21

A simple scene is sometimes the best to listen out for the most subtle surround sound details. With no additional bells and whistles, this scene perfectly captures what it is like to be on the beach with waves crashing on to the shore in the background. The isolation of the water sounds that tread thread so carefully through the surround speakers will make you feel like you’re Little in the middle of a vast sea. If you close your eyes at the later part, you will really feel like you are at the beach with the sounds of all the gentle wind breeze and crashing waves produced by your surround 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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Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (R)

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Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (R)

Much like the console game, this promises endless savage carnage that will awaken all your surround channels. The movie focuses on creating ultra violent fights in the arena that showcases a spectrum of sound directionality that moves unhesitatingly from one speaker to the next. Highs are tuned to effectively complement the mids for a flawless transition of every familiar combo move. Fatality moves are driven to snatch your focus by the ear and low frequencies are timed precisely to induce goosebumps to recreate the same exact euphoria you feel when you finish the game with Flawless Victory.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Mudbound (R)

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Mudbound (R)

00:30 - 04:30

It is the little things that matter in this period movie adaptation from Hillary Jordan’s debut novel. Right from the beginning, your surround system is challenged to recreate the amazing cinematography you see on-screen. Especially with discrete surround speakers, you will hear how every tiny nuance is beautifully brought to life. Claps of thunder overhead will challenge your subwoofer(s) to reproduce the rumbles in the midst of the pouring rain. Ambient chatters seamlessly move through the speaker drivers to bring forth directionality that transforms your couch to a seat at the table. Closing this is the sensual instrumental music that neither distorts at high volume nor hogs the soundstage from the intricate sound layers.

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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Mulan (PG-13)

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Mulan (PG-13)

As the first Blockbuster to stream online, this did not disappoint in the sound department. Excellent tracking of every sword movement and martial stunt induces many head-turning moments. Overhead directional sounds of flying creatures soar with pristine clarity. Present in this classic Disney remake is a dose of meticulously programmed fantasy trail that orders on-point teamwork from each component of your surround system. The movie’s soundtracks display not only magnificence but enhance every ounce of emotion into goosebumps-inducing moments.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Narcos: Mexico (TV-MA)

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Narcos: Mexico (TV-MA)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (01:53 - 07:00)

If a sense of surround spaciousness is what you crave, this is for you. From lighting your front channels with dialog over the phone to ATVs revving from the back of you to the side, every surround effect seamlessly blends to build a detailed soundstage. Traveling from one speaker to the next, you’ll notice how realistic the whirling sound of the helicopter is, as it slowly takes its position from behind to above you. Even with rifles firing loudly from all of your surround speakers, you’ll still be able to hear distant ambient panic-stricken yells and hurried footsteps clearly. An ATV then steals the spotlight from the rustling sounds in the marijuana field, before zooming past to behind

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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Need for Speed (PG-13)

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Need for Speed (PG-13)

The high octane, pulse inducing street car racing game delivers its adrenaline-driven core to the big screen. None of the fast car’s purrs and engine whirrings are left behind by your surround speakers. Dialogues are heard coherently amidst the swooshing mayhem from the cars circling around you. Hypercars flips, as well as explosions, are brought into the sound mix to keep you glued to your seat. This is one that is not to be missed if you are a fan of all things racing.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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