What are the best DVDs to play on a home theater?

[isasir]

As a follow-up to my other thread and per bigsmooth's encouragement, I'd like to know what you think is a great movie to just sit and revel in your home theater setup (primarily audio-wise, but video as well)? Right now, I'm in awe at Star Wars Ep. II: AOTC, (regardless of what I thought of the movie content). LOTR: FOTR was also recommended, but I'd like to hear other suggestions.

 

[LOLyourFace]

Terminator II
Matrix
Braveheart
Gladiator


those are great movies to begin with

 

[Electric Amish]

Blade

Star Wars Ep I

amish

 

[cyclistca]

Black Hack Down
LOR

 

[Zim Hosein]

Saving Private Ryan

 

[blackdogdeek]

the original jurassic park is a good bass tester

 

[Parrotheader]

Kind of a different theme from most of those listed here which tend to be action/sci-fi movies, but one of the ones they used as a tester/demo for our new presentation room here at the office (which is setup virtually like a mini-theater):

Monsters Inc.

 

U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: Parrotheader
Kind of a different theme from most of those listed here which tend to be action/sci-fi movies, but one of the ones they used as a tester/demo for our new presentation room here at the office (which is setup virtually like a mini-theater):

Monsters Inc.

Shrek would be a good encore to that

 

[BigSmooth]

Here's a list from IGN.
Also, this is from HomeTheaterForum's FAQ pages:
What are some awesome sounding DVDs to test out my system?

There are several, but mine and I'm sure quite a few more HTFer's favorite discs include:

Saving Private Ryan 5.1 DTS: Simply an outstanding surround mix! Bullets wizzing past from every direction, massive explosions rocking your house, and John Williams' haunting score make this one of THE best.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 5.1 Dolby Digtal EX: A truly referance soundtrack. It has it all, deep bass, magnificent surround action and a killer score. The pod race brought tears to my eyes.

The Haunting 5.1 DTS: Personally I have never heard this mix, but I thought I would include it because so many HTFers swear by it.

Fight Club 5.1 Dolby Digital EX: This mix has it all. Lots of killer deep bass, a lot of surround action and an awesome Dust Brothers score.

Dances with Wolves 5.1 DTS: I hear this disc is OOP (Out of Print), but I think it can still be had on eBay. Here again, some decent bass, especially in the buffalo hunt scene, and some decent surround action.

The Matrix 5.1 Dolby Digital: A lot of deep bass and very good surround speaker use. The only bad thing is that it is from Warner Bros., which means you will get a cut bit-rate mix.

Seven: Platinum Series 6.1 Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES: The opening titles will make you turn your subwoofer down, guranteed! Both mixes have tons of bass and a very good music score.

Apollo 13 5.1 DTS or Dolby Digital: Be sure to check out the rocket lanch scene, it is incredible. There is quite a bit of surrond action, but the bass is the real eye opener.

Jurassic Park 5.1 DTS (Re-mix): Ever heard a T-Rex stomp? Well now you've felt it! This disc was re-issued by the studio as the original was lacking bass. Do a search to find out what I mean.

While there are numerous more DVDs with awesome soundtracks, those are some of the best. Essentially, as rule of thumb, if the movie has a lot of action and is a Hollywood blockbuster, then chances are it has a good sound mix.

 

[BCYL]

Saving Private Ryan - In the last battle when the enemy tank is approaching will really test your subwoofer...

Matrix - All the bullets flying around during the lobby scene will really show off your surround sound system...

 

[BigSmooth]

One other DVD that shows off your system pretty well is Starship Troopers. Lots of nice loud surround effects.

 

[tigerbait]

Super Speedway - it's an IMAX film about CART racing and the Andretti family.....excellent reference material.

 

[ThePresence]

Braveheart

 

[LeStEr]

Originally posted by: jumpr
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.

 

[kami]

Audio quality:

-U-571 (dts)
-Jurassic Park (dts version - reprinted/fixed version)
-Star Wars Ep1 - Phantom Menace
-The Matrix
-Saving Private Ryan (dts - light years ahead of the DD version)
-Titan A.E.


Video Quality:

-Sleepy Hollow
-Starship Troopers
-Ice Age
-Dark City
-From Hell
-Pitch Black
-Final Fantasy
-Braveheart

Audio and Video:

-Star Wars Ep2 - Attack of the Clones
-LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition)
-Gladiator (a little EE, but still nice)
-Toy Story 2
-Blade
-Blade 2
-Seven
-Fight Club
-The Fifth Element
-Jaws DTS (an excellent resoration)


many more than I'm missing...

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: jumpr
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.

BAH - get a real submarine movie.

Das Boot - The Director's Cut is the ultimate surround system tester.

 

[kami]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: jumpr
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.

BAH - get a real submarine movie.

Das Boot - The Director's Cut is the ultimate surround system tester.

Maybe a better movie, but U-571's sound blows it out of the water - no pun intended!

 

[fitzhue]

HEAT

The bank robbery scene...

 

[Anubis]

ill second Heat. that bank scene is amazing
Matrix
Gone in 60 Seconds
Behind Enemy lines

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: jumpr
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.

BAH - get a real submarine movie.

Das Boot - The Director's Cut is the ultimate surround system tester.

Maybe a better movie, but U-571's sound blows it out of the water - no pun intended!

Not the director's cut. The film was completely digitally remastered to take advantage of surround sound.

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: Parrotheader
Kind of a different theme from most of those listed here which tend to be action/sci-fi movies, but one of the ones they used as a tester/demo for our new presentation room here at the office (which is setup virtually like a mini-theater):

Monsters Inc.

Monsters Inc. huh? Interesting. I watched it at home before I got any of my stereo equipment. I hadn't watched it since. It's a short movie too. Guess I'll watch this in the next few days.