Getting the new home theater set up soon, I am contemplating which of my favorite films to watch to "break it in". There's kind of an emotional element to this!
Anyway, what would you choose? And what are the top 5 movies you watch every couple of years, or the top 10 that will always have a "special place" in your collection?

My choices to break in my system are:
Braveheart
Forrest Gump
Unforgiven
Amadeus
Jurrasic Park

Some of my other faves (that I watched recently) are:
Jaws
E.T.
Dances With Wolves
Outlaw Josey Wales
Lawrence Of Arabia
Sound Of Music

Happy New Year and happy viewing!

Of those 5, Braveheart would be my choice.

My personal choice would be Underworld and UW Evolution.:)

My choices to break in my system are:
Braveheart
Forrest Gump
Unforgiven
Amadeus
Jurrasic Park


Tough call between Jurrasic Park and Braveheart, but I would vote for Jurrasic Park.

My top 5:
(1-3) Lord of the Rings trilogy
(4) Star Wars
(5) ET

Lord of the Rings trilogy is way up there on the list. The "Fellowship of the Ring" was the first DVD I ever bought, through a Blockbuster summer promotion, and unfortunately I had missed it in the theater, so I watched it on a 19" computer monitor!

Anyway, I have a tendency to purchase favorite films that have "theater-like" qualities (action, beautiful scenery, big soundtrack) and can't wait to view them on my soon to be built system!
PS) I ordered the Samsung LNT-4665F HDTV. I wanted the Sony XBR4, but couldn't justify the extra $1100!

Not for the weak stomach, but I recently saw Apocalypto on a 50" Pioneer Kuro 1080p, WOW...

JP.

for me it will be the Gladiator.

later.

what type of video system is it?

Visually, I would recommend "The Fifth Element."

But from your list, I'd watch Jurassic.

From your list my personal choice would be Amadeus. Loved the movie.

John

Based on your choices my vote would go for Jurassic Park. Braveheart is a much better movie but I think Jurassic definitely will test out the new system more.

Jimmy,
Besides the Samsung LNT-4665F ($1600 Amazon) I'll be getting the Onkyo 605 ($440 - Amazon). I just bought a used Oppo-981 DVD player ($125) and will be getting some used Onkyo 5.1 surround speakers ($135 - ya gotta love that "local" buying & selling website).
I waited many years to invest in a new system ... had some fortunate financial things occur to lessen the burden. I've been collecting used DVDs from used book stores, game stores, and recently, a web based dealer. Target has great deals on new DVDs as well.
Another movie I may "break in" my system with is Raiders of the Lost Ark. I forgot I bought the box set recently.
Keep saving up and watching for the deals!
AB

From your list my personal choice would be Amadeus. Loved the movie.

John



Amadeus is my all time favorite movie, but the reason I didn't choose that from his list is that the DVD transfer on the copy I own isn't that spectacular.

At least JP has the bass when the t-rex shows up.

My HT has been online for a bout 3 months now

I was able to choose some great ones that had just come out in BR. While not my favororite movies, they were great break in movies when I was done with my ht.

1) Apocalipto BR
2) Terminator 2 BR
3) Mi3 BR
4) 5th Element BR
5) Ghost Rider


Since then I have stuck with either new BR/HDVD media (new releases) or gone back to classics on DVD like:

Starwars 0-6
Indian Jones 1-3
Various Bond Movies
LOTR 1-3

Still working my way through some classics like that on DVD inbetween the new releases this winter.

For hearing the awesome surround sound, We Were Soldiers is incredible. Bullets flying around your head the whole time.

Oh come now... Apocalypse Now has to make a list yes?. It's worth it for the fade from black at the beginning or the beach napalm scene......

One of my personal favorites movie wise is Bad Boys, I know the effects arent the best but as a "favorite" this is one of them. Then I like T2 and the Die Hard Trilogy

For hearing the awesome surround sound, We Were Soldiers is incredible. Bullets flying around your head the whole time.

Now if you want sound and bullets whizzing by, check out "Saving Private Ryan" in DTS.

Saving Private Ryan...

I thought I was getting shot in the movie.

/thread

Ahhh... first movie!

For us our first move was Jurassic Park. My son loved dinosaurs and I told him we would watch Jurassic Park on the big screen when we were finished.

Fast forward to fall '07 and he was 8-1/2 yrs old. Jurassic Park on a 10' wide screen and surround sound pumping literally made him jump up in his chair and scream at one point.

Great choice for a first movie.

LOL this is really a tough choice but my personal selections would be only picking Standard Definition... You didn't mention a BR or HD-DVD player.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy Extended Edition in DTS - I have yet to see DVDs surpass these in overall Demo material... there is so much and it all oozes with quality from one scene to the next.

Matrix - The original Demo disc still impresses and the HD-DVD is even better!

Master and Commander - The sound quality is just amazing, not necessarily a favorite of mine but one I throw certain demo scenes on often

The 5th Element - Not a huge fan of the film but demo material is great.

Hero - The female fight scene in the autumn forest just JUMPS off the screen

Lord of the Rings trilogy is way up there on the list. The "Fellowship of the Ring" was the first DVD I ever bought, through a Blockbuster summer promotion, and unfortunately I had missed it in the theater, so I watched it on a 19" computer monitor!

Anyway, I have a tendency to purchase favorite films that have "theater-like" qualities (action, beautiful scenery, big soundtrack) and can't wait to view them on my soon to be built system!
PS) I ordered the Samsung LNT-4665F HDTV. I wanted the Sony XBR4, but couldn't justify the extra $1100!

Curious, if you have considered purchasing a nice HD projector and screen for a true, "theater like" experience. The cost would be similar to the t.v. you're buying. Of course you need a light controlled room though.

I have a 46" LCD and I would LOVE to have a projector instead, it just isn't practical for most... especially me who lives in a NYC apartment. One Day when I make the inevitable move to the burbs... sigh

Curious, if you have considered purchasing a nice HD projector and screen for a true, "theater like" experience. The cost would be similar to the t.v. you're buying. Of course you need a light controlled room though.

I'm new to this forum and didn't know this was the trend! I'll look into it for a future possibility. For now, the 46" widescreen, the upconverting (Oppo)
player and the Onkyo surround system will be a HUGE leap from either no TV
or a small 4:3 old school TV with VHS tapes, etc!
I have an awesome growing DVD collection ... I'll try to do the photo thing and all the other fancy posting you guys do when I learn how and have a chance!

I'm new to this forum and didn't know this was the trend! I'll look into it for a future possibility. For now, the 46" widescreen, the upconverting (Oppo)
player and the Onkyo surround system will be a HUGE leap from either no TV
or a small 4:3 old school TV with VHS tapes, etc!
I have an awesome growing DVD collection ... I'll try to do the photo thing and all the other fancy posting you guys do when I learn how and have a chance!

Welcome! It's always fun to have a new system.