Post by pim on Jan 27, 2015 7:55:40 GMT 10
I saw the movie yesterday. Science fiction is not everyone's cup of Earl Grey and I can understand that. Nevertheless I was curious to see the movie because with its dazzling special effects it promised to be a "stretch the eyeballs" kind of movie and I've always felt the the central feature of any good movie, the "x" factor that makes you want to see it on the big screen, is that it's a feast for the eyes. Interstellar delivers on that score and yet I seriously considered walking out several times during this 189 minute movie. The cast mumbled, muttered and whispered their way through the dialogue to the point that it was difficult to follow the narrative, and that was annoying. It's true that at age 68 my hearing isn't what it used to be and I have a problem understanding people who mumble and mutter and who fail to make an effort to speak clearly - particularly Gen Y kids behind a counter who are there to help you but who are clueless about everything and can barely express themselves above the level of "grunt". I've always believed that counter work should be something you're promoted to, not something that young gormless and clueless rookies start by doing. But I digress ...
I honestly believe it wasn't just about my hearing loss. There's a trend in movies these days for the cast to mumble, mutter and whisper, in which case why not consider the hearing-impaired and have subtitles? If I watch a DVD I use subtitles, if I watch TV and subtitles are available I use them. Why not movies on the big screen? Ironically I would have been better off in France where I could have still seen the movie in English but with French subtitles. I read French fluently so problem solved. But why not have subtitles for the hearing-impaired as a matter of course? They do for DVDs and TV programs. Why should movies be different?
Of course there is the other option of scripting the movie such that the characters speak clearly and articulate their vowels and consonants. It is acting after all.
I honestly believe it wasn't just about my hearing loss. There's a trend in movies these days for the cast to mumble, mutter and whisper, in which case why not consider the hearing-impaired and have subtitles? If I watch a DVD I use subtitles, if I watch TV and subtitles are available I use them. Why not movies on the big screen? Ironically I would have been better off in France where I could have still seen the movie in English but with French subtitles. I read French fluently so problem solved. But why not have subtitles for the hearing-impaired as a matter of course? They do for DVDs and TV programs. Why should movies be different?
Of course there is the other option of scripting the movie such that the characters speak clearly and articulate their vowels and consonants. It is acting after all.