View Full Version : What is the best movie for...
JustinG
05-20-2008, 11:04 PM
Showing off your surround sound (5.1) system? Both for the use of all the speakers as well as LFE (I have a RS390HF). Personally my favorite so far has been something along the lines of Gladiator, The Matrix, or Constantine. I would like something that is interesting through out the whole movie, I have heard that King Kong supposedly has some really good stuff every once and a while I'm looking for something that is in your face almost all the time.
Any suggestions?
"Chronicles of Riddick"
Very in your face, and a seat-edger. One of the best audio on DD I've experienced. (DTS is another matter.)
"Pitch Black" is the prequel to above, and *some* copies for sale are in DTS, some are not. The crash scene at the beginning is phenomenal.
"Episode One: The Phantom Menace"
Great DD/THX movie. I have not seen "The Revenge of the Sith" to know if it's better or not.
"Lord of the Rings" trilogy is good in DTS.
"U-571"- For Bass alone. 18Hz depth charges for a good portion of the movie.
For DTS, "Master and Commander" is awesome for sound, but not in your face at all times.
"Aeon-Flux"/"Ultraviolet" are about the same, and are both decent DD mixes.
Later,
Wolf
nick29498141
05-20-2008, 11:18 PM
I have one piece of criteria.
DTS 1509kbs.
Behind Enemy Lines.
Take your pick as to the scene, the dogfight is a classic.
NK
Todd G.
05-21-2008, 12:11 AM
Try The Haunting. There's something in almost every scene. Lots of creaking floors, banging doors, etc, coming at you from all directions. Also, since it features Cathrine Zeta-Jones, you could also watch it without sound and be very happy.
shawn_a
05-21-2008, 12:58 AM
Black Hawk Down. Basically from the Irene scene on it's a madhouse of a soundtrack. And now a short list of my other favorites.
Star Trek Insurrection
Curse Of The Golden Flower (especially if it's uncompressed as it is on the Blu-Ray version)
Jurassic Park
Master and Commander DTS
Pitch Black
Chronicles Of Riddick
House Of The Flying Daggers
Star Wars Revenge Of The Sith
Finding Nemo
U-571
An American Haunting (so-so film but it has some creepy sounds going on)
shawn
JustinG
05-21-2008, 01:06 AM
> Black Hawk Down. Basically from the Irene
> scene on it's a madhouse of a soundtrack.
> And now a short list of my other favorites.
> Star Trek Insurrection
> Curse Of The Golden Flower (especially if
> it's uncompressed as it is on the Blu-Ray
> version)
> Jurassic Park
> Master and Commander DTS
> Pitch Black
> Chronicles Of Riddick
> House Of The Flying Daggers
> Star Wars Revenge Of The Sith
> Finding Nemo
> U-571
> An American Haunting (so-so film but it has
> some creepy sounds going on)
> shawn
Funny you should mention Finding Nemo, I've noticed that a lot of the Pixar films have really good audio associated with them. Cars is another good one.
shawn_a
05-21-2008, 01:15 AM
> Funny you should mention Finding Nemo, I've
> noticed that a lot of the Pixar films have
> really good audio associated with them. Cars
> is another good one.
Yep, Pixar does sound well. That studio seems to have figured out that along with top-notch modern animation the sound should be equally important. I did forget one movie on that list. The Hunt For Red October (DTS) is another frequent test disc of mine. The opening scene as the sub is leaving port is one of my acid tests. The wind's whistling can be downright eerie and very realistic with the right speakers running.
shawn
philiparcario
05-21-2008, 05:10 AM
> Showing off your surround sound (5.1)
> system? Both for the use of all the speakers
> as well as LFE (I have a RS390HF).
> Personally my favorite so far has been
> something along the lines of Gladiator, The
> Matrix, or Constantine. I would like
> something that is interesting through out
> the whole movie, I have heard that King Kong
> supposedly has some really good stuff every
> once and a while I'm looking for something
> that is in your face almost all the time.
> Any suggestions?
Alien vs Predator 2 has some very deep bass throughout the movie.
philiparcario
05-21-2008, 07:26 AM
> Funny you should mention Finding Nemo, I've
> noticed that a lot of the Pixar films have
> really good audio associated with them. Cars
> is another good one.
Monsters Inc Has great sound. Very Dynamic track.
richjura
05-21-2008, 08:21 AM
nt
mike1234
05-21-2008, 09:16 AM
...the best way to show off your system. It can become tiresome. When there are only few truly dymanic events mixed in with mostly docile content those truly stand out and make you jump. The novelty wears off quickly when overdone, IMHO.
> Showing off your surround sound (5.1)
> system? Both for the use of all the speakers
> as well as LFE (I have a RS390HF).
> Personally my favorite so far has been
> something along the lines of Gladiator, The
> Matrix, or Constantine. I would like
> something that is interesting through out
> the whole movie, I have heard that King Kong
> supposedly has some really good stuff every
> once and a while I'm looking for something
> that is in your face almost all the time.
> Any suggestions?
Todd G.
05-21-2008, 10:00 AM
You make a very good point. I was thinking the same thing last night, but I figured when you're trying to show your next door neighbow what all the fuss is about, "in your face" is just quicker. But a really good system should not call attention to itself IMO. One movie that I have enjoyed for it's more subtle effects is Medicine Man. A number of rainforest scenes will have you reaching for the umbrella if things are working correctly. Rain should sound like rain and not like white noise.
> ...the best way to show off your system. It
> can become tiresome. When there are only few
> truly dymanic events mixed in with mostly
> docile content those truly stand out and
> make you jump. The novelty wears off quickly
> when overdone, IMHO.
aduncan
05-21-2008, 11:05 AM
The Phantom of the Opera, the newer version. The soundtrack is incredible sounding, as well as some of the effects, such as the wind blowing out candles in the scene just before Christine first sees the Phantom in the mirror.
> Showing off your surround sound (5.1)
> system? Both for the use of all the speakers
> as well as LFE (I have a RS390HF).
> Personally my favorite so far has been
> something along the lines of Gladiator, The
> Matrix, or Constantine. I would like
> something that is interesting through out
> the whole movie, I have heard that King Kong
> supposedly has some really good stuff every
> once and a while I'm looking for something
> that is in your face almost all the time.
> Any suggestions?
j_dunavin
05-21-2008, 11:09 AM
This also is not in your face, but in the movie "Dark Water" there is a part where the little girl wispers "mommy" from the kitchen. Now in our old apt. our kitchen was on the same side as the rear surround. It scared the crap out of me! I could swear there was someone in the kitchen!
Other times got me like, knocking on the door, form other movies.
mike1234
05-21-2008, 11:13 AM
...very dramatic too but in different ways. After all, there are other human emotions besides fright or surprise. I'd say just select a few movies with various types of effects that particularly affective and go to those scenes.
> You make a very good point. I was thinking
> the same thing last night, but I figured
> when you're trying to show your next door
> neighbow what all the fuss is about,
> "in your face" is just quicker.
> But a really good system should not call
> attention to itself IMO. One movie that I
> have enjoyed for it's more subtle effects is
> Medicine Man. A number of rainforest scenes
> will have you reaching for the umbrella if
> things are working correctly. Rain should
> sound like rain and not like white noise.
Pete Schumacher ®
05-21-2008, 12:23 PM
> Showing off your surround sound (5.1)
> system? Both for the use of all the speakers
> as well as LFE (I have a RS390HF).
> Personally my favorite so far has been
> something along the lines of Gladiator, The
> Matrix, or Constantine. I would like
> something that is interesting through out
> the whole movie, I have heard that King Kong
> supposedly has some really good stuff every
> once and a while I'm looking for something
> that is in your face almost all the time.
> Any suggestions?
The half hour sequence of the dinosaur stampede and Kong kicking *** with 3 T-Rex's is absolutely astounding.
Monsters Inc Has great sound. Very Dynamic track.
Destroyed a 6.5" TB sub with that one once...:D
chrisf_partsexpress
05-21-2008, 04:48 PM
No mention for Live Free or Die Hard ? plenty of surround sound stuff. The haunting(almost constant 8hz drone) and U-571 in DTS are both great as well.
For subtle soundtracks that do not distract you from the screen, my favorite is Kill Bill.
JustinG
05-21-2008, 05:16 PM
If I didn't have to look at the screen during the movie that would be a good suggestion. I usually don't care for musicals on DVD. The slight sync issues they have distract me.
JustinG
05-21-2008, 05:19 PM
...the best way to show off your system. It can become tiresome. When there are only few truly dymanic events mixed in with mostly docile content those truly stand out and make you jump. The novelty wears off quickly when overdone, IMHO.
Well, to show off your system to a bunch of 20 something guys... loud bangs and a barrage of sound usually works. Personally I do like when the subtle things creep in and your system disappears and also when you feel an explosion.
Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pirates of the Carribbean...
Bruce
05-21-2008, 11:46 PM
For a great Surround and LFE workout:
Open Range Thunder storm at beginning and gunfight at the end
James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies (Ultimate Version DTS) Opening "Terrorist Bazaar" scene with incoming missile and lotsa explosions......
Almost any Jerry Bruckheimer action scene...
clarkbradshaw
05-22-2008, 07:10 PM
The Incredibles is my favorite for a family friendly demo. Especially the scene where Dash is chased by the saucer-shaped fighters.
Attack of the Clones has a lot of good LFE stuff, but it is so "in your face" most of the time that it gets old pretty quick.
The Fast and the Furious (DTS) is great if your guests are into cars. The race scenes are pretty layered and there is plenty of nice subtle surround that doesn't detract from the action.
Master and Commander (DTS) is by far my favorite for atmospheric effects and a great dynamic range between scenes. So quiet and detailed in one scene, then cannons are ripping apart my living room in the next!
Clark B.
Jethro
05-22-2008, 09:38 PM
If I'm craving a full-blown audio experience, I can typically count on the following:
1. Anything Pixar
2. Any of the Star Wars prequels
philiparcario
05-22-2008, 10:01 PM
The mist by steve king has a great earthquake scene. With the two NHT 1259's and the rss390hf-4 IB feels like a real earthquake. like a 5 or a 6
wingnut
05-22-2008, 10:45 PM
A couple older movies are among numerous favs of mine. The Abyss is one of most incredible surround movies around. The sound is well mixed and incredibly immersive. Really cool underwater ambiance is created here, with much more than your usual number of FX - lots of nifty rear channel and panning effects, but it never feels excessive. It just really gets you involved in the movie and makes you FEEL like you're underwater. Hackers is another oldie, but goodie. This is another one that has a soundtrack with lots and lots of cool sound: FX, cool music/ bass thumping and panning combined with some neat computer-generated graphics that never feels overdone, but gets you really involved in the movie. Almost like going on an acid trip without the acid!
wingnut
05-22-2008, 11:30 PM
Oh crap, I got off my computer and thought of the best-of-all-time surround-sound movies! Raiders of the Lost Ark! This is, hands-down, THE movie to showcase a surround-sound system. Mine is on LD (dolby surround), and it still kicks the pants off just about anything else out there. What makes this movie even more amazing is the fact that it's over 25 years old. Back then most movies (and movie theaters) were mono. Some of the coolest sound FX (combined with great visuals) ever to be put on film can be found here. No computer-generated special effects, either. These were real spiders, critters, places, stunts. Had to come back and mention this one as I'm a huge fan of the series and looking forward to seeing the new one (although I've heard it's gotten only "OK" reviews).
A Sound of Thunder has some great low end rumble in the begining when the alisorus is comeing tword the people. There are other good LFE sounds throughout the movie.
Oh crap, I got off my computer and thought of the best-of-all-time surround-sound movies! Raiders of the Lost Ark! This is, hands-down, THE movie to showcase a surround-sound system. Mine is on LD (dolby surround), and it still kicks the pants off just about anything else out there. What makes this movie even more amazing is the fact that it's over 25 years old. Back then most movies (and movie theaters) were mono. Some of the coolest sound FX (combined with great visuals) ever to be put on film can be found here. No computer-generated special effects, either. These were real spiders, critters, places, stunts. Had to come back and mention this one as I'm a huge fan of the series and looking forward to seeing the new one (although I've heard it's gotten only "OK" reviews).
IMDb says 8.6/10 stars from 3595 votes, but that is probably from the hardcore fans. My daughter saw it at midnight Thurs.
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