Evening movie review

It very well might have been 1982 in my living room that evening. Candles radiated a warm and comforting glow that lent a little mystery and magic to my ordinary domicile as the incense sparked to life and I slid the movie into the DVD player.

Could it be, after all these years, the miracle that was Netflix has brought home to me one of my most cherished childhood experiences? What would it look like 26 years after the memory of a young girl filed it away as one of the most magical and inspirational occurrences of her life?
I allowed my mind to wander as the player queued and I think I remembered the brilliant strength of the Hero, Talon, and his amazing sword of steel. I braced myself for the eerie beginning of a king and a witch who raise a sorcerer from his tomb, but mostly because I have chilling recollection of screaming faces and tortured souls that lined the coffin. This was the stuff that adventures were made of! This was the evil that spawned a hundred Dungeons and Dragons games…and I was immediately captured by the ‘Sword and the Sorcerer’ in the same way that I had always been.

I was a little girl again, in love with the Hero and wishing I were the woman he risked his life to be with for one night. I realized then how much the movie had influenced my writing as I grew into the process; how many games it inspired me to play along the way and how it set the bar for the fantasy worlds I would come to write.

The credits dwindled away and I watched every single one, of course. At the very end, when I knew it would be over, I saw a special message! Did they just say to watch for more of Talon’s adventures in ‘Tales of an Ancient Empire’?

I rushed to the internet, the glorious connection to all things great and small in the universe…And therein I found a special announcement. Albert Pyun, the original director of the ‘The Sword and the Sorcerer’ had indeed announced a special sequel, ‘Tales of an Ancient Empire’ to be released in 2010!

I don’t know what it’s about, and my only regret is that I didn’t have a chance to work on the project in any way. I do know, for sure, that I’ll be there with bells on. After all, two years is nothing after I’ve waited 26 for this occasion.

So you just got a surround sound system and you want to be wowed by hearing true separated sounds on your system. Here’s a list of some DVD movies that will wow you with your new surround system.

These moves are not listed in any particular order and all are spectacular in their discrete separated soundtrack.

Saving Private Ryan - The first scene with the allies storming the beach. The bullets flying around will make you duck they sound so realistic. The front and rear speakers are very active.

Master and Commander - This entire movie is why surround sound systems are made. Ambient surround sounds fill this entire movie. From the creaking and sounds of the boat to conversations in the background this movie draws you in. The cannon fire sounds so realistic a visitor that was watching the movie with me actually jumped up and looked at the back wall where the surround speakers were.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy - This entire trilogy is filled with surround sounds that will amaze you throughout. During any of the battles the surround sound speakers are extremely active enough to surprise you.

The Matrix - The lobby shoot out near the end of the movie is a great demo for your surround.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith - The scene at the amusement park and they are shooting the guns at the targets. The pellets sounds like they are bouncing all around the room. The spouse fight in the house and the car chase immediately come to mind. A great movie for surrounds.

Star Wars movies - A surround sound list cannot be complete without mentioning the Star Wars movies. Excellent surround sounds are found throughout these movies. Space dogfights, blasters, light sabers. These movies are meant for surround sound.

Das Boot and U571 - Both of these submarine movies are great for the same reasons, ambient sounds of a submarine happening all over the place. The submarine creaks, popping noises and overall eerie sound effects really draw you into both of these movies.

Perfect Storm - The sounds of the ocean, the ocean storm, noises happening all around the boat are a delight to hear.

Daredevil - The surrounds in this movie are excellent, all channels are extremely active. The action comes at you from all directions. Pay attention to the bar scene, it will not disappoint you.

These ten movies really shine with your surround sound system, there several honorable mentions including: Terminator 3, Band of Brothers, Batman Begins, Open Range and Lion King: Platinum Edition. All of these have an excellent surround sound track.

Of course there is a large list of movies that I have not listened to on my surround sound systems. There are many gems out there.