Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Movies for Showcasing

I seem to remember a thread some time back where everyone was listing their favorite movies for showcasing home theater. I have searched and apparently my skill at searching is not adequate. Does anyone have a link to that thread?...........Rob

Ooh.. this is like my favorite topic. I'll hold off and wait to see if another thread surfaces tho.

I probably joined after that thread was started and never saw it. I know "Master and Commander" is a great movie to watch on a nice HT.

if its just to showcase video and Audio, get your hands on the blu ray version of the Police reunion tour called The Police: Certifiable Blu-ray. its the perfect blu ray demo. Very hard to find.

I'm just killin time while I save up for a purchase. Every now and then, I drop back onto the forum for some wishful thinking. A lot of topics recycle every so often - The favorite movie post was a fairly long one and I was going to reread it but couldn't find it. As I recall, Master and Commander was one of the more popular movies as was LOTR. Those are a couple to several years old and I thought newer movies could be added to the list - movies like Transformers for example - although that one is a bit dated as well.

I just watched Serenity on bluray. It's the movie made after the show "Fire fly" THe beginning scene when the ship ascends into the atmostphere is pretty amazing. Lots of LFE. You can hear the pressure crushing the ship as it ascends. I think I will buy the movie just for that scene.

Could this be the thread you are thinking of?

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=234292#Post234292

I don't know if we had a dedicated 'show-off movies' thread, but this one has many suggestions for good demo material.

But if you want my list, off the top of my head...

Master and Commander has been one of my top picks for a long time now. Very impressive on DVD, stunning on BluRay. The opening battle is a serious workout for your sub. Crank it up, and the cannons produce among the most incredible LFE I've ever come across.

Of course, the LOTR series has to be near the top. It's full of amazing visuals & wonderful audio.

The storming of Omaha beach in Saving Private Ryan is an incredible scene to demo. It's certainly not for everyone, but the brutal visuals combined with great surround mixing make for a powerful experience.

The Dark Knight. The latest Batman has some pretty amazing stuff in it. The gritty darkness of the filming is a workout for the dark levels in your HDTV.

The Fifth Element stays near the top of my list for demo material, and one of my favorite movies anyway. Wild visuals combined with interesting music make it a fun demo film.

There's a film called Baraka that is simply stunning. It's not really a movie, it's a film about, well, the human condition. No characters, no dialog. The cinematography is, IMHO, flawless. The music is good too, but the filming is primary. Absolute eye candy. Just, stunning.

The Fall is another movie that really impressed me. It's certainly a movie - characters, plot, etc, but not a mainstream one. Incredible movie with jaw-dropping cinematography. Highly recommended if you're going to show off an HD set.

Pan's Labyrinth is yet another great movie. Amazing story, great visuals and a well-mastered audio track. Parts of it I would consider 'demo-worthy'.

Kung Fu Panda (Blu-ray) - Reference quality animated film for you t.v and audio system. I really love the audio in this movie. Great use of surrounds, enjoyable LFE content throughout.

I, Robot (Blu-ray) - The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack has superb clarity. I especially like the part at the beginning where Will Smith turns on the radio inside his home. Dialogue has a very clean, "crisp" tonal quality, enveloping surrounds and very impressive LFE moments. Also has decent video as well.

Since you're looking for newer stuff...

If you're looking for an overall movie to show off great sound (both subtle and direct), get The Orphanage.

All of the Pixar Blu-Rays are great demonstrations. My favorite might be the beginning of Ratatouille and the chase scene away from the old lady's house. You're getting great rain and weather effects, breaking glass, dialogue, shotgun blasts and it's a good total package scene.

3:10 to Yuma is really good as a 7.1 showcase, and there's a shootout near the end that has impeccable audio.

The Blu-Ray for Forbidden Kingdom sounds great. The movie's a little cheesy and has a lot of the typical child-saves-the-world mumbo jumbo, but the big fight scenes are great HT showcases too.

I have these movies on DVD and all have some reference quality scenes.

Ronin

Gladiator

Braveheart

Oh and don't forget Kung Fu Panda. (really good movie too)

Thanks, Papa D and Peter. I can't remember if those are the exact ones, but there is plenty there to keep me busy. One movie that I watched a while back was Knight Tales with Heath Ledger. I don't have a decent system yet but the jousting scenes where there was focus on those big horses they were riding - the noises the horses made seemed like it would sound great? At any rate, thanks again for digging those out.....Rob

For something a little different, I would suggest BBC's 'Planet Earth' series on Blu-ray. The photography is absolutely stunning - the sound is good as well, but this is really a showcase for a nice display.

Wanted.

I missed two obvious ones for audio Ironman and Incredible Hulk

I am reading through the thread that Peter forwarded. I keep wanting to respond - especially on the Band of Brothers part - and then I remember it all took place before Christmas.

Nothing wrong with bringing up an old thread...

Do you want to show off your subwoofer?
WAR OF THE WORLDS (new version)

One movie not enough, try the Dreamworks THE TIME MACHINE. You will love the sound of the time machine when it spools up.

Want to show off your Axiom's abilities to nail with fidelity the upper end of the frequency range? Try the intro music from THE ITALIAN JOB.

Want to tease the sonic nuances of a cannon ball whiffling through the fog? MASTER AND COMMANDER.

Looking for revealing? Again, MASTER AND COMMANDER. Your friends will be gobsmacked at the sound of the weavil's feet on the table cloth during the race scene.

I'll try to come up with some more for y'all.

The opening scene from Casino Royale makes for a good demo.

Also the apartment shootout in Die Hard 4 when Bruce is rescuing "I'm a Mac" from his apartment.

War of the Worlds will make it back on my list if I can get a blu-ray with an even better mix.

Speaking of Casino Royale, The scene where bond leaves the casino for a break is a great showcase for the surrounds. The transition from the lobby where the sound comes from the front, to when he steps outside and you get all these street sounds from around an behind you is amazing.

It is the most realistic surround effect I have experienced to date.

I don't remember ever noticing that before, a good reason to watch M&C again.

Ha ha, it's amazing what hobbyists like us will watch a movie for. Now it's weevil scamper.

The club scene from Hitman (called "Mr Price" in the menu) on Bluray is an amazing scene for gunshots, explosions, etc. One of my absolute favorites for demoing a great action shootout.

As 2x6 mentioned, War of the Worlds is hard to beat as well as there are several scenes that reach deep into the nether-regions of bass.

Jason

Some of us have ALWAYS watched movies for Weevil Scamper!

I am thinking way back to Disney's "Rescuers Down Under" - the opening scene as the beatle (sp.?)takes off and then the camera helicopters towards Ayers Rock - I would think that would be good as far as Weevil Scamper? George C Scott was excellent in his role as well....

Yeah, straight out of the basshole.

Peter has a good list.

I just re-watched this (first time on BR) and have to move it higher on my list. It presents a fantastic example of real world sounds, as opposed to sci-fi sounds – i.e., 19th Century cannon v. 29th Century Plasma Ray Gun. While much is made of the cannons, and rightfully so, there are other events of equal demo quality. Beyond explosions and shattering wood, the subtle surround sounds are immersive and critical to the story. The below-deck scenes could be filmed in a garage, but the sound of running water along the hull and waves pounding the side should envelope you. Not to mention, the visuals are a black level torture test – don’t demo this disk if you want to impress the friends with your K-Mart LCD. [Don’t get offended, just kidding…but seriously, don’t do it.]


Absolutely true for the DVD realm. I have not seen on Blu-Ray (if available). For DVD it is way up there. Again, it is sci-fi sound, so you can’t say “my speakers make the authentic sound of an Ork with a war hammer in his foot” but fun none the less.

(Kids, You can never please them. “I like Orks, I like Orks…O’h Noooo not the Ork!” She was a heck of a babysitter though.)


One of my all time favorite films, and a long time first grab on the demo shelf. BUT, I don’t think it holds up to some of the new material in terms of demo/reference material. [I just realized it was on BR, and I am ashamed to admit I have not watched the BR.] Assuming the audio was not re-mastered from the DVD I find it less exacting and authentic than some of the modern films. The landing scene is chaotic, but not as precise as Black Hawk Down. The P-51 tree-top fly by with 50-cals wailing resulting in a tank explosion feet in front of the main character [out of breath] always leaves me wanting more. I’ve had the privilege of hearing a P-51 buzz a crowd and it is a glorious sound. The DVD just kinds sounds like any plane. Again, fantastic film for the ages, love every minute of it. As a demo disk, just a bit off its game.


Clearly my current favorite demo disk. Almost every scene has something worthy of wowing the visitor or testing your gear (visually and sonically). I don’t recall any scenes that are bass torture tests, but again, realistic sounds abound – buildings exploding, trucks flipping, guns, rockets, etc. One of my favorite scenes will test the mid-bass and up in your system. If you highs or mids can be driven to harshness (or your amp lacks the dynamic muscle to keep up) you will find out when Batman tests his toy Gatling Gun. I have compared it to the real deal, and while the dB level is acceptably off, the sonic magic is worth the price of the BluRay.

(This DIY project was tricky. The wife was not pleased with this addition to the Family Truckster. But regardless of what the TAF said in the indictment, the gun was for HT comparison only, not to take over of the subdivision and declare it the independent nation of Zimland. I'm going to add a mahogany veneer to the gun this weekend so it will match my sub.)
Random Opinion: If an M80 is not overly bright, or overly harsh in this scene, then, in my humble opinion, you would be challenged to call their sound flawed or harsh, as opposed to having a very detailed presentation.


One of my favorite DVDs and most disappointing BluRays. The DVD had better visuals and sound than the first version of the BR. I read that they re-released the BR after spending more than 6 minutes on the transfer, but I don’t see a need to give them my money again. Again, a film with scifi sounds and visuals, so you can enjoy it and demo it, but it is hard to use as any kind of reference point. Brilliant film aside from the BR issue.


I keep hearing about this film but have not seen it for rent. Perhaps I have to buy it.

To this list I would add Star Wars, pick your DVD. The pod race in the first episode (I mean fourth, but really first??) is digital surround candy. But my favorite is the meteor chase in Attack of the Clones. The depth of some of the passages goes well below my system’s capabilities. I’d like to hear from ep800 owners (or Sir Quack’s 7.19 system) as to how low the scene gets. I feel I am missing a lot.

Finally, my demo disk that replaced Saving P Ryan is Black Hawk Down. Part of it is probably sentimental, as this was the first film documenting the experience of my generation in the annals of war (if you ignore Jean-Claude Van Damme's Universal Soldier, which I do). But here again you have a good deal of reference material. The helicopter launch scene is fantastic and sonically accurate, although the helos lack a bit of throb/oomph on my system. The exhaust of the engines has some bass to them in reality, but I don’t get enough of it at home - more zip sound. Another favorite scene is Ridley Scott’s Apocalypse Now homage where Delta team members ride outside the helo as it crests the beachfront just as Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Voodoo Chile starts cranking over the sound of the rotor blades. Great scene in so many ways. The rest of the film is equally dynamic, but what I find of reference utility is the need to track the action in three dimensions, relying on the audio. Shots come from above and behind, trucks approach from off camera so you anticipate their arrival as the soldiers do. And the gun fights use the unique sound of each weapon to help your track the fight while visually, one party is off screen. An exhausting, sad, film, but surround sound reference material.

[Note: This 'reviewer' has a pet-peeve about the use of completely inaccurate sounds in movies. A Ferrari in a chase scene does not sound like a ’85 Crown Victoria, nor does a bread delivery truck. (Don’t even get me started on why the Ferrari can’t outrun the bread truck!) A 9mm pistol does not sound like an assault rifle and a punch to the face does not sound like a firecracker. Every weapon makes a unique sound and you can track accurate sounds in a fight just as easily as if you could hear the character’s voice. Accurate sounds help build a three dimensional image. Sadly, Miami Vice has one of the best examples of this. In the final firefight (cause Miami Vice must end as such) each actor has a unique weapon, from handguns, to assault rifles, to shotguns, to sniper rifles. Each sounds very different and you can locate actors off screen by the sound of their weapons. It adds to the suspension of disbelief that is essential. Well, not in Miami Vice, but as a theoretical principle.]

End of diatribe. Wow that was loooonnng. Where do I collect my free ep800 for the forum's longest unread post?

Oops! I didn't mean to disqualify you.

You did not read all that. I didn't even read it all.

Zimm,
One of my favorite Churchill quotes is "the length of this document defends it well against the risk of its being read". Having said that, I read every word and appreciate your taking the time to write it. You said in a couple of places that your system could not quite reach low enough - out of curiosity do you mind saying what comprises your system?
My "system" as it were is a hodgepodge of "stuff" I have picked up over the years. The only bass I have is an 8" dual push pull M&K powered sub. I have a boston acoustic center and rears and I am not going to own up to the 2 dinky mains. What I have my eye on is an Epic 60 500 5.1. No doubt it will blow away what I am used to.
Now...having said that, I have watched Private Ryan Omaha scene many times....often as I was running on a tread mill. Turns out that just about the time the Sargent is scooping up the dirt, I have hit the 3 mile mark - but I digress. The sound effects that really get me are the sounds of the bullets slamming into the beach obstacles laid out by Rommel's men. Watching that scene and others like it in Band of Brothers, I just can't imagine what it takes to actually do that kind of thing.
In the separate "What Are You Watching" thread there were references to Man Tears during Band of Brothers.....what gets me is the interviews with the surviving members of the 101st - when those men are relating their experiences from 1944 and their chins start to tremble with the overpowering emotions they still possess - that is what puts the lump in my throat......soooo - well now that I got that off my chest I feel better.

You have pointed out a glaring flaw in my Opus - Band of Brothers. While really a TV show, the DVD (and surely the BR) has several scenes that are incredible. The parachute scene, early on, is so lifelike you can understand (to a degree) the fear of being there. The other (that comes to mind) is the battle of the bulge when the artillery is going off in the tree-tops. Wow.

My system: PSB Image T55 towers, and center, Axiom QS8 surrounds, B&W ASW650 sub (10" 200W Class D), Denon AVR 3300 (105 w/5, but not really ), PS3, Samsung 50" DLP RPTV. Oh, and levitating wires hand-forged by a deaf monk in the bottom of an active volcano, and a 500-crystal changer to apply the correct crystal to the wires and amp according to sound type and genre.

I've not yet seen Saving Private Ryan available on Blu-Ray. (or even a release date)

I'll have to give Hitman a rent. The movie looked pretty bad, but people keep mentioning it has good sound. (Eragon's another one like that. Pretty throwaway movie, but there's some spots with some fun rumble... however not enough to really save the movie, so still wouldn't recommend it)

I did not know Saving Ryan was on BR either, but I googled it, and Amazon says it exists. Some how out of that quick search on Amazon for Saving Ryan I ended up buying 5 re-mastered Dire Straits CDs. What economic downturn.

Just tell people that you are trying to singlehandedly turn the economy around. Well, not singlehandedly, I'm helping you too. Since the "downturn", I've bought a new receiver, a plasma TV, and a pair of Axiom speakers.

Hey, are you Barack H. Obama?
Trying to push start the economy all by yourself I see.

I should note that on my picks, the only one I have seen on BluRay is Master & Commander. I'm pretty new to the BR world, so my experiences are somewhat limited.

The Fall and Pan's Labyrinth I have seen in AppleTV-HD, which is better than DVD but not up to the level of BluRay.

And since my AVR lacks the ability to decode either DD-HD or DTS-HD, I'm missing out on that too.

Same here Peter, I do wonder sometimes just how much I am missing by not having the more updated AVRs. I have a heck of a tough time justifying a new AVR whenever the current receiver is working flawlessly, maybe as long as I don't know what I'm missing it won't be so bad.

This made me feel better so I'll share. Yesterday I played Dave Mathews at Radio City on Blu-Ray (via PS3) and on CD (via cheap, cheap Sony DVD with coax to Denon AVR 3300). After getting the timing worked out I compared A/B letting my daughter pick the input. I was flabbergasted. CD in stereo over crap was almost impossible to differentiate from BR in Dolby Digital (not Dolby HD). I could not believe it. Every now and then you would get a sense of greater breadth of image on the BR, but the lack of drastic change and easy identification was a shocking eye opener.

The good news is I was trying to see how much I had improved the imaging of my fronts, so I figured comparing stereo to Dolby would be a good comparison. I never thought it would come so close - if not match - the image of a great BR in Dolby. Honestly, if I had (could) calibrate the output levels to make certain there were not any volume issues between the two I don't know that you could tell the difference. Wow. I blew my own mind.

Point being: I'm no longer expecting such a dramatic improvement from Dolby HD. I still want a new AVR for HDMI switching.

So by not testing the HD audio formats, you're now thinking you won't be impressed by it?

STOP! STOP1!

I was just kidding about the weavils. Sorry. Of course, maybe you really can hear the wee buggers scampering on the table cloth.

No, no, not at all. By not testing the HD audio formats I can now safely assume I won't be impressed by it. What do you want me to do, verify everything with "facts".

But seriously, the jump from CD audio (over a cheap DVD play) to BluRay over the PS3 was so minor in my room that the comparative improvement in bandwidth between DD and DDHD would likely be similar. I'm not saying DDHD is not better - not at all. Just a marginal returns issues, as is always the case with HT. For me, it means get the projector before worrying about a new AVR. Although, it also tells me those damn monitors i heard that blew my mind were not likely improved by the transport/DAC/Tube/Cable combination. Maybe they really were that good!

Ya know, if yer kid gave up smoking you would be able to afford those monitors.

Yes, but then his attitude would be so hard to deal with. How much could it hurt him? The camel says all the cool kids are doing it.

Rick,
I clicked on your home theater link - if you don't mind me sayin/askin - your system looks great - can you tell me what finish it is in?............Rob

Why would there be that much difference between two identical dolby output? Did you not use PCM just for testing? I though Dave Mathews BD came with Master Audio (which the PS3 should decode and send out as PCM)

Not sure what you mean? I compared CD to Blu-Ray. Most people, I think, would expect the Blu-Ray (and 3 additional speakers) to clearly outperform the decades old CD in stereo format. That was my point if that did not come across.

I see where you can sign up to be notified when Saving Private Ryan is available on Blu-ray, but that's all. Am I missing it?

Perhaps that was it. I just saw the title and Blu-Ray in brackets and did not read further. So it is not available? Good, I thought I missed it. Freaking Spielburg and Lucas, they wait a good 15 years before they put their films on modern content.

Except for their masterpiece, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!

Speaking of Lucas, the THX sequence on the SW Clone Wars Blu-Ray with the mushrooms is a crazy demonstration for LFE.

Oh, I'll have to watch that sequence again after I have my two EP800s working.

It's pretty devastating on the EP600. Almost impossible not to grin as it sounds like it's breaking your walls.

Stuntgibbon and CV, you are absolutely correct. The THX intro for the new Indiana Jones Crystal Skull movie is unbelievable, and maybe the best single demo piece of all time.

Master and Commander Blu-ray is kind of a mixed bag for me. If you are to only demo one scene for someone from one film then Chapter for of Master and Commander is the best choice for audio. But as far as video goes, the Blu-ray is quite grainy and soft in appearance and not that much of a step up from the DVD (maybe the differences would be less subtle on a 100" screen). I realize from several reviews of the Blu-ray that it was intended to look this way as shot, so I'm happy that the Blu-ray is faithful to that. I wouldn't want it any differently. But, if you are trying to show someone how great Blu-ray is then this isn't the best title since they may wonder why spend the extra money for Blu-ray when the image isn't that great.

Now, if you have the time to show them two scenes then Master and Commander Chapter 4 would be the first. The second scene would be just any random scene from Pirates of the Caribbean to show them just how good Blu-ray can look.

One thing that I just found out recently is that you may want to have a few titles geared towards parents and parents-in-law. Previously, people have been over and asked to see a couple of scenes to check out my system, and I would get out the Matrix or Lord of the Rings or one of the Bourne films with big explosions and car crashes and crank it up to around 90dB's. Many times it wouldn't go so well for older folks like my parents and such. But, a couple months ago when my in-laws were over my wife just randomly popped in her Elton John 60th Birthday Concert of Blu-ray and they ended up watching about half of it (it is about 3 hours long) rather than just a couple of songs she wanted to show them. They also mentioned bringing over one of their concert DVD's to watch on our system, so I think that they were impressed.

- Nick

We watch BR now for the most part. DVD just can’t compete. The transfers are also getting better. Some BR movies I considered top notch a year ago are already bested by some of the newer BR disks that have come out. Some are great for showing off different aspects of the system and one of these days, I’d like to burn a BR with scenes from several on it.

All that aside, here are a few that feel are the best of the best for Sound, Video, or combination of both. Story line or entertainment value not taken into consideration…..

In order of best to not quite as good, but still excellent.

Babylon AD – Sound and Video are both reference level. I can not find fault in either.
Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears a Seuss – Fantastic colors, sharpness and overall amazing sound.
Narnia, Prince Caspian – Stunning clarity and constant use of surround effects. Reference level video.
Wall-E – high contrast scenes are hard to beat. Sound is also great.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – This movie has incredibly dynamic visuals with a capable display that will show high contrast. It has many very dark scenes with amazing colors that I’ve not found in any other movie. Sound is also very good.
Dark Knight – The Imax scenes are truly wonderful eye candy. Sound is also very good.
The Fifth Element (re-mastered version) – Colors and high contrast scenes are terrific.
Band of Brothers – Great “film” type demo. Sound is excellent. Many high contrast “show off” scenes with a capable display.
Master and Commander – Ultimate surround effects and dynamic range is downright scary at times.
King Kong - Another eye candy movie with terific colors and top notch clarity. Sound is overall, very impressive.

Don't forget to add "flight of the phoenix" for incredible LFE. Ironman aint' too shabby either. The Jericho scene is pretty awesome. Kung Fu Panda's skidoosh scene has incredible LFE as well. Short lived, but incredible.

I enjoyed all those, and agree, but don't think they are on par with the others I listed.

If you're just looking for a good LFE scene, try DeJavu on BR. The's a scene close to the beginning that has an LFE tremor that goes on, and on... Very low and rumbling. If I think about it, I'll get a time stamp for that one. It's a wall shaker.

One movie I forgot to mention as a favorite for both great video and audio is Hot Fuzz. It's hard to nit-pick that one. Its sibling, Sean of the Dead is also very good.