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Planes (7.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 3 Stars (108.3dB composite)
Extension - 2 Star (21Hz)
Dynamics - 4 Stars (27.33dB)

Execution - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 3.25 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes:  Haven't viewed it.  Reviews look horrible, but the mix doesn't look too terrible...for a run-of-the-mill kid's movie.

PvA:

The World's End (5.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 3 Stars (108.7dB composite)
Extension - 5 Star (1Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (29.46dB)

Execution - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 4.25 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes: We finally have another unfiltered release!  Following in the footsteps of Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Shaun of the Dead, the final installment in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy looks to be another big mix from writer/director Edgar Wright.  Fans of those films will likely love this one as well.  This has solid use of the full bandwidth, and just great sound design all-around. 

Many of the Hollywood mixing studios could really take some notes on the sound design and mixing done on Edgar Wright movies, as they're simply spectacular all-around tracks - almost zero clipping, great extension and dynamics, with unique yet totally appropriate use of effects everywhere.  In this case, the movie's sorta ho-hum, but the sound's another fun ride that could easily score a 4 or 5 for execution on the use of bass.

PvA:

Cars (5.1 TrueHD)

Level        - 3 Stars (108.5dB composite)
Extension - 3 Star (15Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (32.32dB)
Execution - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 3.75 Stars

Recommendation - Buy (by poll)

Notes: An oldie but a goodie; this is a really solid flick.  It's pretty much better than Turbo in every way.  It's full of shocking dynamics, it's decently loud, and has decent extension.  It has content all the way down (not loud, but not filtered out), and the mix is very good for a 5.1 track that's seven years old now.  Plus, it's a decent movie.  I definitely recommend this if you have kids, or if you simply like animated kid's movies - I sure do.

PvA:

Man of Steel (7.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 5 Stars (113.0dB composite)
Extension - 2 Star (23Hz)
Dynamics - 4 Stars (25.3dB)
Execution - 3 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 3.5 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes:  Man of Steel could have been EPIC!  Instead, it's a huge disappointment in terms of bass.  The sound mix has no extension, and was just spotty all-around for LFE effects.  Sometimes, huge stuff happened on screen and there was almost nothing below 80Hz, such as when the terraforming device plants itself in the Indian Ocean.  Then, there were other times when rather mundane stuff is happening on screen and there was lots of high bass, such as every time a beetle-shaped ship flew by. 

I've read a bunch of reviews online - all absolutely raving about the LFE - but I cannot believe anyone who has a capable system would think this mix was good in terms of LFE.  The whole track was just so inconsistent, I wouldn't give it more than a 2 for execution - it loses for the complete lack of extension, but mostly for sound design that really had me wondering if my amp had shut down at various points.  It's another great opportunity squandered by Hollywood.

PvA:

Turbo (7.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 2 Stars (106.9dB composite)
Extension - 3 Star (19Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (30.91dB)
Execution - 3 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 3.25 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes: Decent track for bass, although I think I liked the original Cars better; will have to measure that one.  This track is appropriately mixed with what I'd call a delicate touch.  Nothing's very low or very loud, but it has good dynamics.  Touted as being "from the makers of MADAGASCAR and KUNG FU PANDA" by the IMDb synopsis, Turbo is probably the dumbest plot I've ever seen.  I wouldn't even rent this unless you have kids who beg for it.

PvA:

Is the film any good?

 

JSS

Haven't watched it, just measured it.  Not much time!

R.I.P.D. (5.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 3 Stars (107.7dB composite)
Extension - 1 Star (25Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (28.57dB)
Execution - 2 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 2.75 Stars

Recommendation - Rent

PvA:

Monsters University (7.1 TrueHD)

Level        - 3 Stars (109dB composite)
Extension - 5 Stars (1Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (31.04dB)
Execution - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 4.25 Stars

Recommendation - Buy

Notes:  This one's a solid mix.  Everything blends in seemlessly, without any noticeable clipping or limiting.  It just doesn't go very low - besides that ratings-jobbing 1Hz bump that has to be artifact, as it's much higher level than all other content, and doesn't occur in scenes that call for it.  I didn't even notice it in playback, likely due to DC blocking caps & other associated rolloff.  MU has no very big effects; there's nothing like Boo's Laugh from the first one.  Funny movie, if you like that sort of thing or have kids.

PvA:

After Earth might be the Battle LA of 2013. Terrible movie, amazing ULF and decent visuals make it watchable?

That's probably stretching it.  After Earth is a pretty terrible movie.  I thought B:LA was an almost decent movie - certainly not good, but not terrible or even bad - mediocre is the best superlative I can think of.  I agree with what wth718 says below:

Let's not leave Olympus Has Fallen out of the mix!

 

I don't know if I'd put After Earth in the same category as B:LA, either as a bass movie or as a movie overall. AE was just a gawdawful movie, IMO. B:LA was mindless, but entertaining. Also, many more bass scenes than AE which, after the ship crashing about 1/2 hour into the movie, has just one other short scene I can remember with notable bass. Just my opinion, of course.

Pretty much completely agreed - we should definitely not leave OHF out.  I personally consider it a much better bass movie than Oblivion, but Oblivion is no slouch.  AE doesn't feel like it has a lot of big bass scenes, as you said, but it does contain a fair amount of bass content overall, and especially ULF content.  It's just such a terrible movie.

It is a pleasure to come here and actually read ratings for new movies with bass. To much mumbojumbo at the other one. I go down to the store every Tuesday or Wednesday to pick up a couple of new releases on BD and this page certainly helps. I also live by the smartphone app Flickster with rotten tomatoes.  If you don't have it, I suggest it. Gives you all the info on movies in the theaters and upcoming movies on DVD. Ratings are pretty much dead on. Last night I picked up Frozen ground and Resolution and also got the Stars wars trilogy. Picked up Frozen ground because of the ratings here, but Flickster had a poor user rating. I was going to get After Earth, but I think it was one of lowest ratings on a movie I seen in awhile at like 11%, pretty bad, bass or no bass, not buying it. Thanks for all the info guys. 

Thank maxmercy for all that.    It's his ingenuity that makes it all possible!  I would recommend you continue to use Flickster ratings when considering which movies to buy.  After Earth, for instance, definitely isn't worth buying - same goes for a lot of these flicks.

After Earth (5.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 4 Stars (111.1dB composite)
Extension - 5 Stars (1Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (32.33dB !!!)
Execution - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 4.5 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes:  We have a contender for 2013 ULF Film of the Year!  This one has tons of content below 20Hz (mostly in the first half of the movie), with some of it pretty hot!  There's almost no clipping; I did find one small section when scrolling through the various channels, but never heard it in playback. 

This movie's bass is a little deceptive because its mix doesn't contain any HUGE effects aside from the end of the asteroid storm scene, but I felt like the LFE was generally employed quite well.  There is a lot of very low level ULF early on that's used specifically to create tension.  It was definitely the kind of mix that blended well with what was happening on-screen.

The movie isn't as bad as its IMDb rating, but it's still pretty bad, and the ending is one of the worst I think I've ever seen in any movie.  Definitely rental fodder.

PvA:

SpecLab graphs - timestamps contained in the file names:

The Frozen Ground (5.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 1 Star (104dB composite)
Extension - 5 Stars (1Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (29.3dB)
Execution - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall     -  3.5 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes:  Yep, it's a Nick Cage movie.  And, yeah, it's really low level for some reason.  However, this thing has tons of legit ULF content, plus no clipping!  Great use of the LFE bandwidth in this, with lots of very innovative and non-repetitive bass effects and sweeps.  The Frozen Ground doesn't contain huge effects, just immense amounts of super deep bass throughout.  This one ain't for ported subs - if you don't have a lot of sealed sub displacement and relatively low signal chain roll off, you won't think this movie is special.  The low level reminds me a bit of The Spider-man - content's there, just gotta turn it up a bit.  The sound design isn't the best, but the bass is quite well done.

PvA:

Kon-Tiki is good, yeah.

The romanticization of Heyerdahl's trip is a little fantastic, but the movie is overall entertaining and well-made.  Plus, it has some epic bass.

The Croods (7.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 3 Stars (107.5dB composite)
Extension - 3 Stars (16Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (29.3dB)
Execution - 3 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 3.5 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes:  I expected more from Randy Thom.  This one had lots of opportunities for great ULF, but quite literally contained none.  There was no obvious clipping that I could detect upon watching.  Decent movie, and at least it had as much bass as it did, given the recent spate of HPFs @ 30Hz coupled with clipped content in the loudness wars.  I'd say pick it up if you have kids in the 8-13 age range, otherwise rent.

PvA:

This Is the End (5.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 3 Stars (109.4dB composite)
Extension - 3 Stars (19Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (28.37dB)
Execution - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall     - 3.5 Stars

Recommendation - Buy (by poll)

Notes: I haven't looked at it with respect to clipping, but it sounded a little harsh. The movie is predictably pretty stupid, with some Shaun of the Dead moments, and the bass kinda comes out of nowhere at times to surprise you. Has some moments of intensity around 20Hz, but most of the action is around 30Hz and above. There is a sequence that has long-duration DC-4Hz noise which is weird, kinda like that one scene in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's noticeable on a sealed system but very low level, and just made me feel uneasy - much like I felt after having to watch James Franco play James Franco for 100 minutes straight. Not a whole lot here for bass fans, but a helluva lot more than most non-animated comedies.

PvA:

The Lords of Salem (5.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level         - 1 Star (100.3dB composite)

Extension  - 5 Stars (1Hz)

Dynamics  - 5 Stars (29.92dB)

Execution  - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall      - 3.75 Stars

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

Notes: The sound mix is unbelievably low on this one, and the sound design is predictably pretty bad.  However, it does have some bass.  That's about the only positive thing that can be said for this movie.

As for the movie, it's not even worth watching, and I'm not sure how this has better IMDb ratings than After Earth - though both are terrible movies, this one is far worse.  If you've seen House of 1000 Corpses, you know all you need to know to avoid watching this POS.  Only recommended as a rental for that small group of masochists who like watching really terrible gore flicks.  Oh, and satanists.

PvA:

Awesome! If you could add This Is The End to the list that would be awesome. I remember that some parts had some pretty hit in the theater, and I'm curious if it was HPFed at 30 Hz or if it goes lower.

Got you covered.  I'll post measurements next week Tuesday after it's released.

Iron Man 3 (7.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level         - 3 Stars (109.4dB composite)

Extension  - 2 Stars (22Hz)

Dynamics  - 5 Stars (27.55dB)

Execution  - 3 Stars (by poll)

Overall      - 3.25 Stars

Recommendation - Rent

Notes: This one isn't too surprising given the history of the franchise - they're not bass monsters.  Luckily, IM3 only suffers from a minor amount of clipping, and none of it is too egregious.  What is egregious is that ugly HPF starting around 30Hz.  The mixing team didn't even twist the knobs to 11 to compensate!  The punch line is it's a reasonably entertaining film with a mix that will leave you bass aficionados wanting.  It gets a 3 for execution from me, maybe even a 2 - it doesn't disappoint compared to the first two (which were both underwhelming), but it's also not breaking any ground with its $200,000,000 budget.  Hollywood: you guys can do a lot better.

PvA:

Clipping:

World War Z (7.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level         - 4 Stars (110.7dB composite)

Extension  - 4 Stars (11Hz)

Dynamics  - 5 Stars (28.66dB)

Execution  - 4 Stars (by poll)

Overall      - 4.25 Stars

Recommendation - Buy (by poll)

Notes:  The mix sounded pretty clean. (Will try to perform a clipping analysis of the movie in the coming days.) It made pretty good use of LFE to create tension early in the movie, though none of it is super deep aside from one sequence that has near constant 7-10Hz content.  It does have other content down to 11Hz, maybe a tad lower, but it's not loud and likely can't even really be noticed beyond the higher level & higher frequency bass content.  The sweeps are pretty ridiculous and overdone as the action heats up - there are a TON going up & down, and they're not bad, but maybe employed a bit too frequently.

PvA:

The movie's biggest effect (grenade sweep) is at the end of this clip from 01:04:46 - 01:05:35:

Updated the STID post with a pic of the very obvious clipping at the 6:00 minute mark.  Almost every action sequence in the whole film looks like this in the LFE and the center channel.  It's noticeable as a very significant harshness or sharpness to CC effects, where they just sound bad, not clear and crisp like they should.

Quick question, but what exactly is being done with the Rebass'd graphs? I assume some sort of boosted custom type curve or EQ on the user end?

Answered by maxmercy a couple pages ago:

They are versions that can be modified if you have individual channel DSP capability, but it is wishful thinking, a kind of 'it could have been this good' type thing....

 

JSS

It's an OK flick.  There's no real attachment to the main character.  This is primarily because, in trying to convey his "Iceman" image, the director really gave us no insight into his character other than that he was a cold-blooded murderer. 

The mix is pretty good - everything blends seamlessly, so much so that you almost miss the bass.  Plus, it's not an action movie.  I'm surprised it measured so high because it's really deceptive.  In some ways, I guess that's the mark of a good mix, eh? 

The Iceman is not a "buy" recommendation at all, because there are no demo-worthy scenes, but it's an OK film.

The Iceman (5.1 TrueHD)

Level         - 4 Stars (110.5dB composite)

Extension  - 5 Stars (9Hz)

Dynamics  - 5 Stars (33.01dB...insane!)

Execution  - 4 Stars by poll

Overall      - 4.5 Stars

Recommendation - Rent

PvA:

Just an update to the STID measurements.

maxmercy has confirmed that there is terrible clipping in STID.  I originally saw enormous clipping in every channel of STID's mix, but then discounted it for really no good reason.  Thanks to maxmercy for catching yet another reason to be disappointed in this movie.

Star Trek Into Darkness (7.1 TrueHD)

Level         - 5 Stars (113.27dB composite!)

Extension  - 3 Stars (19Hz)

Dynamics  - 5 Stars (28.96dB!)

Execution  - 2 Stars (by poll)

Overall      - 3.75 Stars

Recommendation - Rent.

Notes:  The bass in this one is a huge letdown for fans of the series' 2009 reboot.  It's loud, but it's not low.  There's an obvious & steep HPF in place starting right around 30Hz.  We've come to see this as an unfortunate but common practice in the industry, as various studios engage in loudness wars, and it will rear its ugly head with other upcoming blockbusters before the year is out.  (Though, most of them come with lower fan expectations than this one.)

As for the movie, it's still entertaining, but not quite up to snuff compared to its 2009 predecessor.  Perhaps that stems from the lack of deep bass effects?  Who knows.  This one won't get my "buy" recommendation unless somebody is a huge fan of the franchise.

Edit:  maxmercy has confirmed that there is terrible clipping in STID.  I originally saw enormous clipping in every channel of STID's mix, but then discounted it for really no good reason.  Thanks to maxmercy for catching yet another reason to be disappointed in this movie.  Check out the clearly clipped waveforms in both the CC and the LFE in the shot below.

PvA:

Clipping:

Clipping more clearly noted across the entire track:

Oh, Nicke, as to your inquiry about that French flick Inside, I haven't seen it...mostly because I haven't been able to source a BR for cheap rental.  I also haven't looked in over a year, at least.