Effects channel missing on new dvd player-help

I just purchased a new dvd player and rented the movie The Mummy.  While it
looked great the rear effects channel was non existant.  I hear some faint
music but that was it.  I have good effects coming off the demo 5.1 channel
on direct tv so it appears my Denon receiver is not at fault.  Could it be
the disk?  The receiver says it is getting a dolby digital signal from the
dvd player. The dvd player is a aiwa xd-dv290.  While I know it is kind of a
weird brand for dvd players....it played my cd-r disks with no problems and
has component out.  I would have purchased the pioneer 525 but the motor is
too noisy.
Any thoughts?  Bad player or disk.  I will rent another disk to rule out
that possibility.