Dialogue in Films

[Lockhouse]

Reading the M*A*S*H* thread made me remember something that's been bothering me for some time; a lot of the modern American films now, I can only determine around 70% percent of the dialogue. The rest of the time it all appears to be mumbled. I don't have this problem with older films so it's not because I'm senile and/or deaf. Has anyone else noticed this?

Andy

[Troll]

No ... so must be you are going deaf

[Lockhouse]

Eh, speak up at the back!

[TheFaQQer]

Yes. I have to get things on DVD now so that I can put subtitles on so that I don't miss anything the Americans mumble through - West Wing was a classic example.

I had to rewind Heroes a number of times last week to catch what the FBI people where mumbling about.

[_V_]

I like the way the sound engineer records the important dialogue next to a jet engine, music system or wailing police siren. Quality control? Who cares, your gonna rent the DVD anyway.

[Burdock]

what was Marlon Brandon going on about in Apocalypse Now? Couldn't understand a word of it. Mind you, I bet Martin Sheen couldn't either.

[richard-af]

I was thinking about unintelligibility of films, and remembered, with a shudder, that I once rented "Gerry", starring Matt Damon.

Anyone EVER watched it all? And what the bleep was it all about?

I just saw this: http://www.popmatters.com/film/reviews/g/gerry.shtml

And doubt that the poncey reviewer watched it all either.

[VectraMan]

I agree - I often find myself rewinding things to hear again, The West Wing being a good example.

Then again, my ears do fill up with wax every year or so, so maybe it's me. Pardon?

[King Cnvt]

It's all this surround sound Dolby DTS 3d nonesense.

I can hear the everything in immense detail except WTF the main characters are saying to each other.

[Euro-commuter]

Reading the M*A*S*H* thread made me remember something that's been bothering me for some time; a lot of the modern American films now, I can only determine around 70% percent of the dialogue. The rest of the time it all appears to be mumbled. I don't have this problem with older films so it's not because I'm senile and/or deaf. Has anyone else noticed this?

Andy

'Yes, actors seem to deliver lines in a breathy whisper.