Innaugural DVD

Harrison Ford in "Air Force One" or Sean Connery / Nicholas Cage in "The Rock". Terminator 2 is great to show off a system as well, but that would be sci-fi. "Black Hawk Down" is a real work-out for a HT, but is probably a bit too depressing for such a gala event. Or for the truly mindless (but fun!), a John Woo flick - "Face Off" or "Mission Impossible 2". -Kirk

How about a film entitled: Baraca. It was shot in 27 different countries around the world on 70mm film. It's a show piece rather than a movie in that it is scenes from around the world set to music and sound effects. Baraca translated roughly means "essence of life"

The DVD transfer is gorgeous and it has a very good, if not excellent 5.1 soundtrack.

I have a home theater myself, but my passion is 2 channel audio. When I put this film on though, it provides the glue that makes me realize that properly executed, HT can produce the same emotions (at times) that a high quality vinyl playback system is capable of.

Gladiator would be an EXCELLENT choice, or, if a fan of Diana Krall, here LIVE in PARIS DVD looks and sound terrific!! Toy Story, Bugs Life and Courage Under Fire (though not sure if it is on DVD or not, definitely LD!!)
are good films, transfers, and great sound too!

3 great sci-fi would be Thirteen Floor, Fifth Element, and
the Phantom Menace are all wonderful for surround.

Dan

My vote would go to "The Matrix". However, "Seven Years in Tibet" is also stunning on DVD. Not a special effects wonderland, but the photography is great.

U-571 has fantastic surround effects and your wife can ogle The Matthew.

Although it doesn't have a lot of glitzy surround effects, Harry Potter has gorgeous sound.

will