Geralt of Rivia is a witcher, a mutant with special abilities who hunts down and kills monsters for money. The Nilfgaard empire is attempting to enlarge its realm, causing unrest throughout the land. As Geralt fights his enemies, pay attention to how the sounds of sword clashes change from the left to the right channels. Also, the low grunts by the river monster (Season 1, Episode 1; 00:20-01:52) and powerful blows delivered to Geralt will fill your room with strong bass effects, putting your subwoofers to the ultimate test.
All Quiet on the Western Front (M-18)
The story follows teenagers Paul Bäumer, Albert, and Müller, who voluntarily enlist in the German army, riding a wave of patriotic fervor that quickly wanes once they encounter the harsh realities of life on the front. Paul's preconceptions about the enemy and the right and wrong of the conflict rapidly crumble. However, as the clock ticks down to the armistice, Paul is forced to fight until the bitter end for no other reason than to fulfill the top brass's desire to end the war on a German offensive. If you have a subwoofer, get ready to be amazed by the earth-shattering explosions and pulse-pounding gunfights. When the helicopters fly past the characters, pay attention to the direction of the sound. If you own a home theater system, you can have the epic experience of a large aircraft flying over your head.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
The Adam Project (PG)
Adam Reed, a 12-year-old still grieving his father's sudden death the year before, walks into his garage one night to find a wounded pilot hiding. This mysterious pilot turns out to be the older version of himself from the future, where time travel is in its infancy. He has risked everything to come back in time on a secret mission. Together, they must embark on an adventure into the past to find their father, set things right, and save the world. Feel the room rumble from the gunfights and chase scenes, which will be intensified by your subwoofers. With surround speakers, you will feel like you are in the center of the action and accurately perceive the glass shattering, car engine accelerating, futuristic gunshots and many other fast-moving surround effects around you.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
Spiderman: No Way Home (PG)
With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero. When Peter asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. With the rushing winds and in-air flying actions, you will feel like you are gliding through the air like Peter. Bass rumbles from the fights will also send tremors into your living room to complete the surround sound experience.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
Athena (M-18)
The tragic killing of a young boy ignites civil unrest in Athena, with the older brothers at the heart of the conflict. The problem is complicated by the siblings' discovery of their family's secrets. Be ready to hear the floor rumble as the smoke bombs and grenades go off. The fighting scenes would showcase the impressive directional surround sound of your system if you have physical surround speakers. Be prepared to feel the intense gunfire and physical blows that were exchanged during the civil unrest with the help of your subwoofer.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
Bullet Train (M-18)
This movie does not waste any time in getting the heart racing. Ladybird, an unfortunate assassin, is trapped in the world's fastest train with four others who are tasked to kill each other. His mission puts him in direct contact with potentially fatal hazards and adversities. Your living room will shake with the sound of screeching rails and the assassins' heavy blows, giving you a heart-pounding experience if you have powerful subwoofers. The ricocheting gunfire will paralyze you with fear as if you were actually there. Join Ladybird in his comical yet intense adventure in the bullet train.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
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: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
CODA (PG-13)
This is a charming and heartwarming family film about young teenager Ruby, a CODA(Child of deaf adults), pursuing her singing dreams. Coda uses subtlety and contrast to create an immersive sound atmosphere and an engaging story that is best experienced with a surround system. As they communicate through sign language, the small vocalizations and sounds from the performers are captured through tweeters and drivers, providing conversation texture and intimacy. A home theater setup does this film's excellent sound design justice by showcasing the amount of detail in the mix. Get precise audio separation and detail out of the environmental soundstage with dedicated surround speakers. With a powerful center channel and subwoofer(s), experience the airy highs, haunting musical tracks, elaborate vocals, and warm and smooth bass all at once when you hear Ruby perform on stage for her family. This is a film with an amazing story, amazing visuals, and even better sound design.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
Turning Red (PG)
A cultural and thoughtful movie about coming of age and growing up - Mei Lee, a young girl from Toronto, struggles with balancing her dual identity and sharing her secret with her friends and family. Between struggling with her mother’s traditional strict style of parenting and her desire to fit in at school, Mei’s life takes a sudden change when she somehow receives the ability to turn into a huge red panda. There is a lot of vibrancy and life to the film, from the animation to the whimsical flowing nature of the soundtrack and the music. The audio mix, although somewhat subdued and laid back, is extremely captivating and well tuned. A home theater surround system will do an amazing job in recreating an immersive soundstage, bringing to life the magical experience of traditional asian dances and rituals along with a concert scene. The low end is also tuned extremely tastefully, and you will be able to not just hear but FEEL the deep warmth of the bass in action moments and appropriate musical sequences. Available on Disney+
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐
No Time to Die (PG-13)
Most Bond films open with a big set-piece, but No Time to Die constrastingly starts off in a more subdued tone, taking time to ramp up to the action which is plentiful as the movie progresses. Hans Zimmer composed a beautiful score to this Dolby Atmos film, enhancing the mood of quieter moments to the most intense brawls. Immerse yourself in the storyline, as you hear well-balanced dialog with great clarity from your soundbar’s center channel throughout the film. As what many would call "the most immersive movie scene of 2021", your surround speakers and subwoofer(s) will be put to the test. Hear and feel the deadly velocity of the bullets as they whizz by your head during the Chase Through Matera. The sounds of the car engine and subsequent explosions in the scene are accentuated, reverberating through your room with deep bass rumble coming from your subwoofer(s). The impressive sound effects and music do an amazing job of supporting the film's adrenaline-filled scenes that will be sure to leave you in the middle of the action. Available On Demand
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐⭐
Godzilla Vs Kong (PG-13)
The latest film in the monsterverse franchise. Godzilla vs Kong is the fourth installment in the Godzilla Series reboot. What happens when the two of the biggest and strongest Titans duke it out in a battle for the ages? Watch this movie to find out how "One will fall". With a dedicated surround system, your living room will be thrown into the center of the battlefield between these two giants. Widely regarded as one of the most thrilling Atmos mixes to date, the massive intensity of every step and impact made by these titans make their presence felt through your subwoofer(s). Height and rear effects are well utilized, as the explosions and sounds of the battle between the two reverberate and fill your room during action sequences. The intensity of the action is apparent from the opening scene, with plenty of deep, rumbling bass from explosions and gunshots. Hear the terrified voices of humans caught in the destruction through the system’s center channel as they try to contain Godzilla’s rampage. Trust me when I say if you are looking for bass, this is a movie where you will definitely find it! Available on HBO Max
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Encanto (PG)
Meet the Madrigals, an extraordinary family that lives in a vibrant town set in the mountains of Colombia inside a magical charmed house. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to communicate with animals —every child except one, Mirabel. Get pulled into this heartwarming story as you watch Mirabel overcome many unexpected challenges to save the fading magic despite being the only ordinary Madrigal without powers. The vibrant colors and catchy tunes flowing through your center channels constrastlingly coupled with ominous rumbling by your bass drivers deliver an engaging, must-watch movie for the family.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
King Richard (PG-13)
Based on the true story of King Richard, follow the journey of an undeterred father as he beat all odds and raise two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time: Venus and Serena Williams. Hear the weight of the deep conversations delivered in clarity through the center channels. Soak in the stimulating competitive atmosphere as you hear the roaring crowd and satisfying thungs of every serves and whacks when the tennis racket meet the ball through your surround system.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible (TV-MA)
This 101-minute long documentary traces the enthralling and seemingly impossible mission of fearless Nepali mountaineer Nimsdai Purja to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in just seven months. Be truly inspired by this story of humanity, endurance and determination as you watch Nims and his team of Nepalese climbers repeatedly push physical and mental boundaries in their ascends. The chilling ambient sounds of howling winds and crumbling snow accompanied with a breathtaking orchestral score will transport you to the snow capped mountains and immerse you in this epic quest.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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: ⭐ ⭐
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: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)
On a quest to find his missing brother, a scientist, together with his nephew and mountain guide, discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world hidden in the center of the earth. Embark on a journey full of lyrical warmth, tingling atmosphere and affectionate nostalgia through the sounds from your home theatre system. The audio scores will definitely evoke the mood and feeling of being inside earth's best-kept secret, with the sounds of orchestra, percussion and many harps. Get ready to ascend, descent and explore the mystery of Atlantis through the movie's stunning visuals and audio effects.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐
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: ⭐
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!