I was watching the conclusion of Dante's Peak on Encore HD tonight, and while the broadcast edition doesn't have the intensity or full throttle 5.1 soundmix that's on the DTS laserdisc it made me think about movies where the soundmix is front and center and adds a visceral impact - all around you and in your face, a barrage of sound. A perfect example being the recent movie 'Drag Me to Hell' for instance has been cited as having a wild and rollercoaster soundmix to complement it's over the topness.

so....

1) Saving Private Ryan
2) Brotherhood of the Wolf
3) Das Boot (the decent and water pressure scene, made my ears literally pop)
4) The Long Kiss Goodnight
5) The Legend of Zu (crap movie, but the soundmix is unbelievable)
6) U-571 (yes, another submarine movie)
7) Dante's Peak
8) Strange Days
9) Face/Off
10) Desperado

~

I also recommend the IMAX bluray of 'Super Speedway MACH Edition' that, and the DTS DVD of 'Stormchasers' - these puppies are two of the loudest film soundtracks ever recorded - the DVD's actually state not to playback the films at higher listening levels in order not to risk speaker damage (and I agree)

I feel that Men in Black is highly slept-on when it comes to being a loud movie. The extermination of the first alien, the table, the noisy cricket....There's LOTS of scenes that have you jumping for the vol-down button on the remote.

The all-time champion of "loud" movies, Armageddon.

Iron Man
Transformers
The Dark Knight

Underworld
The Prestige (the alternating current demonstration and any scene involving Tesla's machine)
The Incredible Hulk
Casino Royale (although I'd argue that it's just plain loud)
Quantum Of Solace (much better mix than its predecesor and still plenty loud)
Get Smart (I didn't expect the audio to be as good as it was)
Hellboy II
Flyboys
Live Free or Die Hard
Kingdom of Heaven
Bolt
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

I don't remember being wow'd by Bolt in the audio department [or even the 3D for that matter] - I blame the theatre I saw it at.

I was surprised and a tad upset that The Incredible Hulk sound design wasn't nominated for an Oscar - that mix was very impressive and ear assaultive.

I would assume the lossless audio on the future bluray will mirror the sound on my DTS laserdisc, the scene when the top of the Chrysler building comes crashing down, the bass and the smashing glass is ear shattering

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another instance, and film, where sound creates a memorable sonic set piece is from 'Lost in Space' - when the Robinson family is racing towards to the sun as it orbits, the sound goes silent as everything (and everyone) freezes, the accompanied shot of outerspace and the sudden appearence of the spaceship as it rips through space - is a sound designer's orgasm: sound, no sound, deep breath, silence .... BAM!!! (Holy shit)

I never saw Bolt in theaters. I'm basing my opinion on the BD release and how jaw-droppingly awesome it sounds at home.

The Incredible Hulk wasn't even nominated? Now that's a shock! What ended up winning that year?

^ oh you meant Hulk (which also wasn't nominated - Master and Commander won for sound editing, Return of the King won for sound mixing)

I forgot to add Godzilla (1998). Although it always bugged me that I swear the audio on the DVD is slightly veered toward one side (I forget which as it's been ages since I watched it), the audio is insanely loud. Particularly when the helicopters are battling in the city.

I wished I had seen (and heard) Godzilla at the Senator Theatre, for their engagement, they added extra bass speakers for more oomph

No, I meant The Incredible Hulk. I don't recall the sound design of HULK.

Master and Commander had amazing sound. I was recently listening to my collector's editon DVD and the audio is an orgy of sound. I wish the BD was as feature loaded as my collector's edition DVD. I keep holding out for a rerelease.

oops sorry there, Dark Knight (sound editing) and Slumdog Millionaires (sound mixing) won, The Incredible Hulk not being nominated was inexcusable, the mix and overall intensity was superior to the Dark Knight in my opinion. The Prince Caspian sound design/mix was also beautiful and intense, sadly that also was ignored by the nomination committee

Also have to give some credit to The Descent - while a tad gimicky, the soundmix was plummeling, the screeching and a ton of jump scares really made the audio compliment the visuals.

While many scenes are quiet in nature, (i.e, the dialogue bits), the sound effects for Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind got progressively louder and stronger - the abduction scene in particular there's alot of sound elements including the bass of the UFO as it descends, even in a THX theatre where I recently saw it in a 35mm print, it rattled the walls and the stomach.

Yeah, I forgot to mention the The Descent. But what worked for me were the quiet passages with the subtle sounds of the cave

Tropic Thunder has a lively mix (particularly the opening action sequence). I also like Stardust but I feel the dynamic range is actually too wide. The loud moments are far too loud compared to the quieter sequences. Otherwise, a wonderful mix. Especially the scene Dunstin first enters the market.

The Descent soundmix reminds me of the one for In the Mouth of Madness - when the unseen creatures are moving behind the walls, the phantom imaging (between the front channels and left and right surrounds) creates a soundfield where sound eminate to the sides and behind the listener, it's very creepy.

while a tad dated, Casper 5.1 soundmix is exemplory, where voices at full range are placed in every channel of sound, when the three mischevous ghosts talk, the voices move all around you.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

To Live and Die in L.A.

A Bittersweet Life (great korean action movie, in dts)
Brotherhood of the Wolf (candadian dts track)

Fight Club for dynamic range.

Surround sound:
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition
Cowboy Bebop: Remix
The Big Red One: Reconstruction
Planet Earth
The Thin Red Line

My favourite "loud" movies in general:
Band of Brothers
Saving Private Ryan
Black Hawk Down
Reservoir Dogs
Casino - Compliation of songs for opening 30 minutes.
We Were Soldiers
Dark City
Shootout!, The History Channel Presents - Unfortunately, it's DD 2.0.
Starship Troopers
Trainspotting
Hard-boiled
His Girl Friday

A favorite loud movie of mine and a great scene to boot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh8AO64JKx0

Open Range, when those guns start going off...holy crap!

of the few times I've rewatched my Canadian edition of 'Brotherhood of the Wolf' the sound always freaks me out, from the creatures attacks to the end fight scene, I think the soundmixers didn't give a toss how loud some of the scenes got, it's akin to sonic whiplash.

[Universal (US): get off your frickin' ass and release this on bluray with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio - pronto!]

Probably the most distinct 'loud' movie I can recall in the past few years:

Irreversible

Also, just came to mind, the musical segues in The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. Very bold.

My favorite recently: Cloverfield. I'd even say the sound makes that movie.