Latest news with #Obi-Wan
Tom's Guide
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I test soundbars for a living, and these are 5 movie scenes I use every time
I'm lucky enough to have tested plenty of the best soundbars — from the immaculate to the... less immaculate. When I'm doing my long hours of testing (and they can get very long — if you like movies, getting sucked in to another rewatch of Star Wars is extremely easy) I like to make sure that I have a strong reference library of scenes that showcase a soundbars strengths, while highlighting its weaknesses. That could be a particularly strong Dolby Atmos mix to see how the bar handles the latest in spatial audio, or a solid surround mix so that I can get a handle on how well it can cope with more traditional setups. Perhaps there's lots of dynamism, with quiet parts accented by sudden noise. Maybe it's super bassy, to see how the bar handles low-end. Either way, I've got plenty of scenes that I use to see how the likes of the Sonos Arc Ultra and the Marshall Heston 120 are able to handle your favorite movies. Here are five of my favorites. The Marshall Heston 120 is the latest soundbar that I tested with these very movie scenes, and it did a great job with all of them. It's also very good for music streaming, something that other soundbars struggle with. Every soundbar reviewer and their mom uses this scene to test out soundbars — and if you give it a whirl, you'll soon understand why. It's loaded to the brim with small sound details that cheaper soundbars completely miss, like the clicks and clanks as the Hornets slot into place on the runway, or the ropes and hissing steam as they overlay the soundtrack. Good Dolby Atmos soundbars make the scene sound like it's all around you. Jets fly past at Mach goodness-only-knows-what, while deckhands spring around the runway. The bass of the jet engines needs to be able to make the floor shake, while the jets themselves need to make your windows rattle. Then there's the soundtrack. There's plenty of bassy rumble from each chime of the bell in the more laid-back, synth-laden intro track, giving way to "Danger Zone" as the deck hits its most active. Is it the best movie in the world? No. Do I love it? Yes. Is the Tom's Guide reviews team entirely sick of it? Also yes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I grew up with the prequel trilogy, so you can imagine why Episode III is still one of my favorite Star Wars movies. The opening scene is one of the primary reasons why, thanks to its mixture of fun, silly dialogue, breathtaking action, and sublime CGI that holds up 20 years later. The latest Dolby Atmos mixes that you can find on Disney+ are buckets of fun. Obi-Wan and Anakin dart about the soundstage, testing the limits of the wideness of a soundbar's side channels. As their Jedi starfighters spin, so too does the world of the film around us, and we need to hear it as much as feel it. The buzzdroids that land on Obi-Wan's starfighter should sound like they're everywhere, and the droid that falls off the fighter should disappear behind you. There are plenty of explosions to check the impact of a soundbar, as the ships around the action crash into each other in amongst the action. The dialog needs to be able to cut through everything, too, while the orchestral score plays in the background. There's a lot for a soundbar to get very wrong here, making it the perfect scene to put one through its paces. The sound mix of Dune is a terrifying one — equal parts beautiful and brutal. Nothing highlights that brutality like the assembling of the Emperor's fighting force, as they prepare to go to war against the Atriedes. It begins on a great plane, the uncomfortably deep chanting testing the low-end limits of a soundbar. The spoken dialogue needs to cut through the bassy rumble, while the rain needs to feel like it's surrounding you as it falls. Then, the fight. The soundtrack should be the first thing of note — is it too loud, does it drown everything out? The sounds of fighting should be delicate as they are sharp and exacting, putting the detail to the test. The fuzzy ozone shields buzz and whirr. Duncan's breathing laboured as the fight goes on. The whole thing should make you feel uncomfortable and anxious. A good soundbar delivers the goods, while a bad one makes it feel like it's happening in another room. For those about to say "how about something pre-2000?", I have it covered. The opening moments of Blade Runner are about some of the most evocative scenes throughout cinema, and they make for a great way to test out a soundbar. There's a lot going on in the scene despite the age of this flick, with loads of little details for a soundbar to highlight and pick out. The soundtrack as the police car flies over the futuristic Los Angeles skyline needs to be crisp and clear. The sounds of city hubbub as plumes of smoke jet into the air. When we move to the interview room, the subtle sound of the heartbeat needs to build under the sounds of the voices, as the environmental noises of the office fade in and out with the characters sanity. Beeps and boops abound — and then, the sudden shot should ring out. It's old, yes — but there's plenty here to evaluate a soundbar. Japan's bizarre sci-fi classic might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to impressive surround mixes, but you'd be surprised. The opening chase scene of the movie is terrifyingly effective at placing the bikes on the road, and in the space around you as they speed down the highway. The soundtrack shouldn't be too loud, while the roaring bike engines rumble and shake the sofa. The clashes of pipes and heads, the breaking of windows. The muffled sound of the chase when we meet a couple in a restaurant, only for the outside world to come bursting in as a bike crashes through the storefront and crushes a customer. The broken arm that gets run over on the highway — all of these should be well layered underneath the soundtrack and the rest of the ensemble. There's no Atmos mix here, but the surround mix is very good, and tests how well a soundbar can isolate different sounds.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Star Wars Day: From Luke to Yoda - The 10 most powerful Jedi knights
There's a moment in The Last Jedi where Luke Skywalker says, 'It's time for the Jedi to end.' Bold words from a man who once kissed his sister and threw his lightsaber like it was a banana peel. But while the galaxy is always teetering between peace, genocide, and bad CGI, one thing remains constant: the Jedi Order's ability to produce absolute beasts in robes. So here, without further ado or midichlorian tests, are the 10 strongest Jedi in Star Wars history—ranked not by your dusty Jedi Council scrolls, but by pure, unfiltered Force flex. 1. Luke Skywalker – The Galaxy's First Emo God Once a whiny farm boy who couldn't hit womp rats, Luke transcended every expectation—defeating Vader, redeeming him, rejecting genocide, and in Legends, pulling Star Destroyers out of orbit like someone flicking boogers. Canon Luke? Still legendary enough to Force project across planets and humiliate Kylo without breaking a sweat or even leaving his meditation pillow. The true GOAT, even when milking alien sea cows. Power Move : Didn't even show up to the fight, still won it. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Luke Skywalker Saves Star Wars [4K HDR] - The Mandalorian 2. Yoda – Kermit on Crack Don't let the syntax fool you. This 900-year-old gremlin could bench-press starships and spin like a Beyblade on Red Bull. He trained generations of Jedi and still had the clarity to ghost out when the Order fell. The green machine took on Darth Sidious in the Senate chamber like it was a UFC cage match—and almost won. Power Move: Made 'Size matters not' the second-most inspirational line in Jedi history. (First being 'I hate sand.') Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - Yoda VS Palpatine (Darth Sidious) - 4K ULTRA HD. 3. Anakin Skywalker – The Chosen One Turned Daddy Issues Incarnate The Force literally created this guy. He's Space Jesus with a lightsaber and the emotional stability of a wet paper bag. As a Jedi, Anakin was a walking WMD—slaughtering Sith, droids, and occasionally children. Had he not switched sides faster than a Lok Sabha MP post-election, he would've been untouchable. Power Move: Beat Dooku, married Padmé, and got promoted while defying the Council. Star Wars Revenge of the Sith - Obi-Wan VS Anakin Battle. {Full Version HD} 4. Obi-Wan Kenobi – He Will Do What He Must No one does polite annihilation better than Obi-Wan. He doesn't scream, doesn't monologue—just dismembers you with style and apologises after. Trained the Chosen One, defeated Maul twice, and still had time to drop the coolest exit line ever: 'If you strike me down…' You know the rest. And he will always do what he must. Power Move: Beat Anakin while literally standing on the moral and physical high ground. Obi-Wan - Obi-Wan vs Darth Vader - (HDR - 4K - 5.1) 5. Mace Windu – The Jedi with the Purple Rage Samuel L. Jackson in space. Inventor of the Vaapad style, which channels darkness without falling into it—like doing ayahuasca with a therapist. Disarmed Sidious. Nearly ended the war. Lost only because Anakin's moral compass spins like a fidget toy. Power Move: Only Jedi with a lightsaber colour so gangster it had to be custom-made. Mace Windu vs Jango Fett | Full Fight Scene - Star Wars: Attack of the Clones 6. Rey Skywalker – Plot Armour Personified Is she overpowered? Yes. Is it canon? Also yes. Whether you like it or not, Rey goes from sand-scrapper to Sith-smasher in two movies flat. She does Force healing, lightning deflection, and dual-wielded saber strikes. And she buried the Skywalker sabers like a girlboss Marie Kondo-ing a legacy. Power Move: Killed zombie Palpatine with two lightsabers and pure Gen Z rage. Rey Destroys Kylo Ren's TIE Whisper | The Rise of Skywalker 7. Ahsoka Tano – The Jedi Who Said 'Nah' Anakin's Padawan, but with the wisdom to walk away before the whole place burned down. Ahsoka isn't just strong—she's balanced. Survived Order 66, dueled Vader, and became a symbol of Jedi ideals without being part of the cult. If the Force were Tinder, she'd be a 100% match with destiny. Power Move: Took on Maul, Vader, and the toxic bureaucracy of the Jedi Council—and beat them all. Ahsoka Tano vs Baylan Skoll (Full Fight) - Star Wars: Ahsoka 8. Qui-Gon Jinn – The Philosopher with a Death Wish Qui-Gon was that college professor who made you read The Tao of Physics, wore robes unironically, and believed in midichlorians before it was cool. He discovered Anakin, defied the Council, and invented immortality by learning how to ghost. Technically, he wins Jedi post-life. Power Move: Died once. Came back more often than Palpatine. Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi vs Darth Maul [4K HDR] - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 9. Cal Kestis – The Ginger with Grit Canon's favourite Jedi trauma victim. Survivor of Order 66. Cal went from PTSD janitor to Force-swinging powerhouse in two video games flat. He can slow time, split sabers, and wall-run like a Jedi parkour influencer. Still, doesn't get enough respect because... gamers. Power Move: Escaped Darth Vader twice. Most NPCs don't even get a scream in. Cal Kestis Destroys Everyone Scene - Star Wars Jedi Survivor 2023 10. Grogu – The Snack-Sized Demigod He's 50 years old, barely says a word, and lives on a diet of frogs, cookies, and chaos. But behind those doe eyes and cooing noises is the potential to become the strongest Jedi of all time. Grogu didn't just survive Order 66—he survived Disney marketing, and came out stronger. He stopped a rampaging rancor like it was a toddler tantrum, Force-healed a bleeding Din Djarin without a sweat, and trained with Luke Skywalker before deciding Jedi robes weren't his vibe. He doesn't speak, he doesn't monologue, he just stares at you, lifts one finger—and suddenly gravity forgets how to work. In an era of galactic overthinkers, Grogu is pure instinct. No speeches, no visions, no sand. Just raw, adorable devastation. Power Move: Took down a monster while swaddled in a potato sack and still made time for nap and snack. Star Wars: The Mandalorian - All Baby Yoda Force Power Scenes
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Play Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and More Games on PlayStation Plus Soon
PlayStation Plus subscribers can swing a lightsaber, use the Force and fight the tyrannical Galactic Empire as a Jedi knight in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor as of Feb. 18. PlayStation Plus is Sony's version of Xbox Game Pass, and it offers subscribers a large and constantly expanding library of games. There are three PlayStation Plus tiers -- Essential ($10 a month), Extra ($15 a month) and Premium ($18 a month) -- and each gives subscribers access to games. However, only subscribers to the Extra and Premium tiers can access the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Here are the games PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers can play soon. You can also check out the games Sony added to the service in January. Prepare to explore new worlds, and familiar ones, in a galaxy far, far away. This award-winning sequel picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and follows Cal Kestis, one of the last surviving Jedi following the destruction of the Jedi Order, as he continues his fight against the Empire. And while he does this with the help of his trusty droid, BD-1, and the usual Jedi tools, like a lightsaber and the Force, he can now use a blaster in combat, too -- Obi-Wan is shaking his head somewhere. This narrative adventure game takes place in the sleepy Michigan town of Velvet Cove, but at different times. You'll rewind back and forth between 1995 and 2022 to uncover life-changing secrets and why these four high school friends are reuniting after all these years. The dreampop soundtrack, ethereal vibes and serene environment give the game a feeling of beauty and strangeness. The first part of the game launches on the service on day one, and Sony said the second part of the game -- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 2 -- will launch on PlayStation Plus on April 15. Before Serena Williams danced at the Super Bowl halftime show, she cemented her name as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, if not the greatest. And in this game, PS Plus subscribers can take on her and other tennis legends. You can play at iconic events like the Australian Open, train with John McEnroe, and create your own play style. And with new gameplay mechanics, like the serve mechanic, you'll dominate the court in local and online multiplayer. PlayStation Plus subscriptions start at $10 a month See at Playstation The above titles are a few that PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers can play soon, and those subscribers will be able to play these games then, too. Dropship: United Peace Force*MordhauPatapon 3*SaGa Frontier RemasteredSomervilleTin Hearts *Premium only. For more on PlayStation Plus, here's what to know about the service, and here's a rundown of PS Plus Extra and Premium games added in January. You can also check out the latest and upcoming games on Xbox Game Pass, on Apple Arcade and on Netflix Games.
