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MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

post #1 of 32
9/9/08 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
We want to know what your favorite movies or movie scenes are in regards to realism and immersion. If you are a ButtKicker owner or have ever experienced one, what are your favorite movies or scenes to watch with it? We prefer movies that kick a lot of butt, however, feel free to voice your opinion on any movie or scene that has a great immersion factor.

Just to get the conversation going, one of my favorite butt-kicking scenes is in the movie, Transformers, where the Autobots are defending the Cube from the Decepticons. The best part is when Ironhide does an aerial barrel-roll over a screaming civilian to avoid incoming enemy missiles and the scene goes into slow motion. As the air-borne Transformer and enemy missiles slow to a crawl, the bass pitch drops with a stunning crescendo that, in our ButtKicker demo theater here, really made it seem like a Transformer was soaring overhead.
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post #2 of 32
9/9/08 at 9:01pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Well, since you asked ...

Immersible scenes usually aren't ones with a lot of CG or fantasy and they certainly don't become more immersible with some 'magic fingers' device without the coin slot.

Try scenes in the films: Pickup on South Street, Bicycle Thieves, Black Orpheus or Kiss Me Deadly.
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post #3 of 32
9/9/08 at 10:11pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

For me its many of the scenes in Chinatown where the camera is just peeking over Jake Gittes' shoulder as he searches a house or pokes around in someone's desk. You really feel like you are right there, a witness to the action.

The opening scenes of Alien as the camera movies around the empty ship and sets the mood for the film to come. Great stuff.

I don't have a buttkicker so I can't comment on that.

Doug
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post #4 of 32
9/10/08 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Rich,
Well, I'm curious if you've ever dealt with Tactile transducers, specifically a ButtKicker? I think even if a film involves CG and fantasy it can certainly immerse you. Of course there isn't a Transformer flying over my head, but with the ButtKicker, it really does feel like there could be. Even a more realistic movie, like Rocky, when Apollo and Rocky are exchanging blows, you can "feel" the punches. So it immerses you. I see where you're coming from, but i don't think you can limit a persons ability to feel immersed in a film. Just my two cents worth.
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post #5 of 32
9/10/08 at 6:36am
Thread Starter 

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Doug,
I too love the opening scene of Alien. The way the camera moves around really sets the tone. If you ever do get a ButtKicker or have a friend that has one, you should watch the sequel, Aliens. Especially scene 15 "Awakenings" (1:52). That scene will rock your world.
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post #6 of 32
9/10/08 at 9:01am

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by The ButtKicker
I see where you're coming from, but i don't think you can limit a persons ability to feel immersed in a film. Just my two cents worth.

And your opinion is welcomed. But to Doug's example of Chinatown for a moment ... let's say (just for discussion purposes) there was some device that accurately translates what happens on the screen to the protagonist to you the viewer.

So, when Jake gets his nose cut, you get your nose cut.

Does that limit your immersion in the film? You bet. You'd be screaming in pain in between saying some bad words as you run for the theatre door. Point being that true immersion in a film is like a dream that (when successful) takes one into the story. To dream we need to be in a very passive state, not one where we're thinking 'wow, that was some blow to the side of the head' or even 'gee, that aftershock from the earthquake was just like a remember the one I experienced.' Movies are not a realistic video game, that's the difference.

If you want to use 'immersion' as marketingspeak, that's fine to.
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post #7 of 32
9/10/08 at 9:33am
Thread Starter 

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

I guess when I said immersion, I didn't mean translating over from film to actual reality. I understand the definition of immersion, and there are different ways to look at it. I meant from more of a "enhancing your movie watching experience with tactiles and less "dreamlike immersion" or not translating actual reality from movie to person.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rich_d
So, when Jake gets his nose cut, you get your nose cut.
Does that limit your immersion in the film? You bet. You'd be screaming in pain in between saying some bad words as you run for the theatre door.

Maybe "immersion" isn't the right word, Lets just say your favorite scenes from movies, whether it was an action packed explosion or a scene where the tension just has you sitting on the edge of your seat, or even like Doug wrote about the beginning of Alien when the camera sets the tone for the film.

Rich, I certainly see how the more dreamlike take on immersion wouldn't make sense in the way i was portraying it, so thank you for clearing that up.
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post #8 of 32
9/10/08 at 9:42am

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by rich_d
Well, since you asked ...

Immersible scenes usually aren't ones with a lot of CG or fantasy and they certainly don't become more immersible with some 'magic fingers' device without the coin slot.

Try scenes in the films: Pickup on South Street, Bicycle Thieves, Black Orpheus or Kiss Me Deadly.

Nice thread crap.
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post #9 of 32
9/10/08 at 12:04pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by rich_d
And your opinion is welcomed. But to Doug's example of Chinatown for a moment ... let's say (just for discussion purposes) there was some device that accurately translates what happens on the screen to the protagonist to you the viewer.

So, when Jake gets his nose cut, you get your nose cut.

Does that limit your immersion in the film? You bet. You'd be screaming in pain in between saying some bad words as you run for the theatre door. Point being that true immersion in a film is like a dream that (when successful) takes one into the story. To dream we need to be in a very passive state, not one where we're thinking 'wow, that was some blow to the side of the head' or even 'gee, that aftershock from the earthquake was just like a remember the one I experienced.' Movies are not a realistic video game, that's the difference.

When I read your post, I was suddenly reminded about this .
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post #10 of 32
9/10/08 at 12:42pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Borst
When I read your post, I was suddenly reminded about this .

That clip was good.
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post #11 of 32
9/10/08 at 1:35pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

It may be a bit of a cliche, but how about the steadycam shot in GoodFellas?

Seeing that shot from outside the Copa, through the kitchen and into the main dining area was just a phenomenal piece of movie making. You really felt that you were in Henry Hill's world during that shot.

Amazing work.
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post #12 of 32
9/10/08 at 2:43pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

I have always found the scene when Michael is meeting with Sollozzo and McKlusky at the restaurant in The Godfather to be quite immersive.
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post #13 of 32
9/10/08 at 7:41pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by The ButtKicker
Doug,
I too love the opening scene of Alien. The way the camera moves around really sets the tone. If you ever do get a ButtKicker or have a friend that has one, you should watch the sequel, Aliens. Especially scene 15 "Awakenings" (1:52). That scene will rock your world.


I remember seeing Aliens in 70mm in a huge theater and the sound was quite impressive even at the time. I imagine that the buttkicker would be an interesting addition.

I think the buttkicker could also be used in other kinds of films however. I think creative uses for it in suspense films, something like the "stings" in a John Carpenter film, but adding the jolt of the buttkicker to it could be fun. Of course there are the 70s Universal films that were done in Sensurround like Earthquake and Rollercoaster could get the same effect with the buttkicker.

I've always been a sucker for that kind of thing be it 3D or other things that some would call a gimmick, William Castle kinds of things, but I would call showmanship.

Doug
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post #14 of 32
9/11/08 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Jeff,
I don't think the steadycam shot from Goodfellas is cliche. Scorsese always seems to immerse the audience well. Particularly in Goodfellas and also Raging Bull.
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post #15 of 32
9/11/08 at 8:46am

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Britton
I have always found the scene when Michael is meeting with Sollozzo and McKlusky at the restaurant in The Godfather to be quite immersive.

I was going to post this exact scene. Good call.
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post #16 of 32
9/11/08 at 9:00am

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by The ButtKicker
Jeff,
I don't think the steadycam shot from Goodfellas is cliche. Scorsese always seems to immerse the audience well. Particularly in Goodfellas and also Raging Bull.

Totally agree.

In Goodfellas, the camera lens becomes the narrative where we get a sense of a night out with the women dressed to kill, the high of coming into the hot club in town, the music's swinging and a table just appears for you front and center.

No words could describe that as well as Scorsese shows it.
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post #17 of 32
9/11/08 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

How about the "depth charge" scene in U-571? (1:17:34) Less about immersive, and more about teeth-rattling bass. For all the bass lovers, or even if you've watched this scene with a ButtKicker or other tactile, what did you think?
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post #18 of 32
9/11/08 at 12:34pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by rich_d
Totally agree.

In Goodfellas, the camera lens becomes the narrative where we get a sense of a night out with the women dressed to kill, the high of coming into the hot club in town, the music's swinging and a table just appears for you front and center.

No words could describe that as well as Scorsese shows it.

Just to clarify, I didn't mean the scene itself was cliche... the scene is brillant.

I meant me chosing it was a cliche.
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post #19 of 32
9/11/08 at 12:42pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Is Buttkicker an advertiser here on HTF? Or is this thread substituting for ads?
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post #20 of 32
9/11/08 at 1:23pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

One of my many favorite scenes that would quality for "tactile" immersion would be the introduction to the aliens in the War of the Worlds remake. I've never used a Buttkicker, but have plenty of experience with Bass Shakers.
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post #21 of 32
9/11/08 at 7:45pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Britton
I have always found the scene when Michael is meeting with Sollozzo and McKlusky at the restaurant in The Godfather to be quite immersive.
I'd say the opening scene as well. It's quite hypnotic actually. I put it on about three weeks ago just to show a family member the opening sequence and before we knew it, we finished the whole movie.
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post #22 of 32
9/12/08 at 6:19am
Thread Starter 

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob_L
Is Buttkicker an advertiser here on HTF? Or is this thread substituting for ads?

Bob,
I am with ButtKicker, and we are advertising on HTF, however, this post is not substituting for ads. We are genuinely interested in people's opinions on this topic. It is also a good way for our company to get more involved in the people that know home theater the best.

So please don't shrug this post off because we are advertising with the forum, I am just a regular guy like you who has an interest in home theater and movies.
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post #23 of 32
9/12/08 at 6:53am

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob_L
Is Buttkicker an advertiser here on HTF? Or is this thread substituting for ads?

A valid question and one I wrestled with too.

My thought is that we need as many intelligent and passionate film lovers as we can get around here.

Also, I don't think we can take a hard line on self-promotion when we have Warner Chats or Charles de Lauzirika posting about his Blade Runner dvd now can we?

Dustin (Buttkicker) has been upfront about his affiliations and certainly his sig leaves little doubt of his interests. So while certainly there is self-interest, it is not deceptive. Besides we all self-promote ourselves, don't we?

So I say, welcome!
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post #24 of 32
9/12/08 at 5:47pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

That's a reasonable way to look at it, Rich, and I agree that Dustin hasn't concealed his affiliation.

On the plus side, Dustin, this thread has seeped into my brain. While I was watching the Blu-ray of Cloverfield this afternoon, I found myself wondering what this would be like with a Buttkicker. Of course, since I live in a condo, I'm not likely to find out anytime soon. However, as soon as the other residents here p*ss me off to a sufficient degree, I can see myself buying 4 or 5 to mount to the walls.
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post #25 of 32
9/13/08 at 8:03am

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

I use the final scene in “Stir of Echo’s” as one of the demo scenes when someone comes over to check out my theater. There is a different background conversation coming from each of the 5 speakers in the system. The character in the film is kind of freaked out by these noises, and it kind of gives you the creeps too. Also, it is a good test to see if you speaker levels are adjusted properly.

http://www.dvdplanet.com/details.cfm/info/LGE020347


I don’t think it would do much for a ButtKicker demo though.

There is also a scene in the re-release of the Exorcist where a phone rings – the ring is moved to one of the rear channels – and even though I know it is coming, it sounds so real I can’t help but check my phone…

http://www.dvdplanet.com/details.cfm/info/WAR18632DVD
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post #26 of 32
9/13/08 at 11:51am

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

I remember watching the opening scene of Star Wars in May 1977, and seeing the fleeing spacecraft pursued by an enormous space battleship. The theater was the Cooper, one of the Cinerama facilities from the early 60s (since demolished, which I consider unforgivable), so the screen had a noticeable curvature. Very immersive....

I have no use for buttkickers.
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post #27 of 32
9/17/08 at 1:13pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

The most immersive scene ever done is the Omaha Beach invasion in Saving Private Ryan.

I would also add the incredible one-shot action scene at the end of Children of Men.
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post #28 of 32
9/17/08 at 4:12pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

I'm of the opinion that any film can become immersive under the right conditions, if your settled in for the night in your favorite chair and watching a film on a decent HT rig than any film can be immersive.

As for my stance on Buttkickers and Bass Shakers, i'd never use them, I demo'd a Bass Shaker before and I didn't care for the way it made my butt feel lol.

Besides that's what I have subwoofer's for.

The most immersive theatrical experience i've ever had was seeing James Cameron's Ghosts of the Abyss in a first-rate IMAX theater (the same theater that Cameron, Bill Paxton and John Travolta attented just two days prior) and it was incredible, so incredible that I saw it twice that day.

Never had I been transported someplace else as wonderfully and completely as that film.
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post #29 of 32
9/17/08 at 5:09pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
Nice thread crap.

As others have noted, this isn't a thread it's an ad.

If the mods have no objection, so be it, but let's not be naive about the genesis of the first post.
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post #30 of 32
9/17/08 at 5:56pm

Re: MOST IMMERSIVE MOVIE SCENES....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Kirk
As others have noted, this isn't a thread it's an ad.

If the mods have no objection, so be it, but let's not be naive about the genesis of the first post.

I beg to differ. The OP made his affiliation clear. His post in no way appears to be selling Buttkickers. He asked people who already own Buttkickers to post what scenes have given them the physical sensation of being "immersed" in the movies. This thread is, in fact, a poll....not an advertisement. As such, it should have been posted in polls....not in the movie discussion thread.

If the mods felt that this thread was purely for advertising then it would have been closed immediately.
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