People Who Will Not Watch A Subtitled Movie

[Reigh Kaufman]

I'm at work. As usually happens at work, it degenerates from the task at hand and becomes the multi-couloured swap-shop; you know the deal, hey-can-I borrow-this-and-I'll-lend-you-that-kinda-thing? Anyway, Ryan asks me if I have the movie Pi? Sure do. Can I borrow it? Sure can. I'll loan you Pi if I can borrow your copy of Session 9 (which we don't have here yet). No problems. Now Ryan is a pretty cool guy, but he is in charge of a trainee called Derek and Derek follows Ryan everywhere (we were all trainees once, so I like the guy even though he follows us around like he's lost). So Derek asks if he can borrow the movie -- Pi, keep up -- after Ryan has finished with it. Fine, no problems. Then he asks that question that everybody hates to be asked...

What else have you got?

So I tell Derek to go to my office and have a look, and ten minutes later he comes back with a handful of films. Is it okay to take these? Sure, don't scratch or let them be chewed and I won't have you killed. Derek laughs. I'm serious, Derek. Derek stops laughing.

Next day - today - Derek brings back all the movies. I ask, did you watch all five movies. Nah, he says. Just one. Which one? This one (holds up my copy of Catch-22). It was okay. So why did you bring back the rest of them? And then he says it. My pet peeve. The thing that most haunted my film recommendations during my short tenure in a video store a couple of years ago.

They all had subtitles. I couldn't be bothered.

First of all, let's get passed the stupidity of what he has just said. Because, to begin with, it was obvious that the movies he chose were going to have subtitles - they had foreign titles!!!!

He chose: Amores Perros!?!?!
La Haine!?!?!?
Subway (okay, he can't have known it was French)
Man Bites Dog (okay, it didn't specify it was Belgian)

Fair enough, I say. But these are pretty decent films (IMO), couldn't you have tried? Nah, if I want to read, I'll read a book. What else have you got?

Needless to say, he has now wandered off with a few of my American movies and I'm now irritated. I can't help it. Because Derek is not the only one who won't watch a movie just because it has subtitles, is he? My own mother once rented Life Is Beautiful and turned it off the minute the first sentence was super-imposed on the screen (she later watched a dubbed version and loved it - a year or so later). So why won't people watch a movie with subtitles?

And I'm not referring to people who cannot, at times, be arsed to watch a subtitled movie. I'm talking about people who refuse to ever watch a movie just because it is not in their native tongue.

Anyway, that was my first rant. I feel better now, I really do. Thanks for listening.

[arto_j]

I really do wonder this myself, but I don't think I'm the right person to make the comment here. I've been watching subtitled films forever, I'd never watch anything dubbed unless I had to.

I've seen a lot of people defend their habit of not watching subtitled films because they "miss" the actors' expressions and "miss" half the film, and have to keep bouncing their head up and down (or was this just George Costanza?). With all of my subtitled films- watching experience, I can tell you that this excuse is exactly that, and a poor one too. To be honest, it sounds like complete bullshit to me. I've never had any problems reading subtitles and watching the film at the same time. Maybe it's because I'm used to it. That would indeed sound reasonable, since most of the films I've seen in my lifetime have had subtitles, while people coming from English-speaking countries have not had to resort to them, thus having not seen many films subtitled.

Personally, I can't see what the problem is, it's not that big of an effort. But it's everyone's own choice what they decide to watch, so...I'll just let everyone do just that.

[Grebdron]

Their loss. I don't go out of my way to watch subtitled movies, but I don't avoid them either. With the state of illiteracy, it might actually help alot of people. But let them continue to be ignorant, and miss good movies.

Anger at them only uses up your energy. Fuck them, fuck them up their stupid asses. THEY are the ones that are the ball-lickers.

[Romero&Juliet]

okay.. so I make the mistake of trying to get my big brother into good movies.. he's about twenty, university guy.. trying to be all sensitive and idealistic (This IS a rant forum..!).. anyways, so I hand him my subbed copy of 'CRONOS'(great movie, by the way) and he says in a REALLY skeety newfoundland accent:

pffft.. fuckin hates readin movies. Das' bunk!"

I was floored! Its not that hes unintelligent or anything..
I just cannot see people Neglecting piles and piles of incredible Movies cause they have subtitles..! festival circuit movies are getting more and more accesable to the general public here in north America.. we're seeing them ALL over the place, and Id hate to think that the onlly people renting them are the ones
who get off on watching somehting that's supposed to be a higher order of art, 'er whatever.

Next time I should just sroll through and offer him whatever foreign movie with the longest lesbian sex scene.. that might get him interrested..

[Morgana]

Das Boot is one of my all time favorite movies, I would've seriously missed out if I had not watched it just because it comes with subtitles.

People who avoid foreign movies with subtitles, well... I don't think it's something worth to get worked up about. It's their loss. It's a big loss, but still their loss nonetheless.

[Beeblebrox]

The people who refuse to watch subtitled movies are obviously militant film purists. They believe, and rightly so, that the subtitles ruin the director's vision of the film by superimposing text over the images and distracting us from the composition of the shot and faces of the actors. The subtitles also fail to impart the cultural subtexts that can be lost in translation.

It's amazing that you guys know so many true cinema lovers. You must really admire them.

[RogueSpear]

I'll admit to, at one time, being one of those people who refused to watch subtitled movies. I really had no desire whatsoever to read a movie. If I wanted to read I'd get a friggin' book. However, have recently changed my stance and started watching movies with subtitles. I don't go out of my way to see them but if I come across something with subtitles I'll still watch it whereas I used to just pass over it. I've still only seen a few subtitled movies:

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - 3/10
The Killer - 7/10
Run Lola Run - 8/10
Battle Royale - 8/10

And I'm in the middle of Brotherhood of the Wolf.

[El Bracamonti]

subtitles don't bother me one bit. i have no problem with them.

[Reigh Kaufman]

Beeblebrox

Can I ask one question? What are your thoughts on the topic question, free of all hyperbole and bullshit. I can read between the lines, but I want to hear you say it before my next post...

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
It's amazing that you guys know so many true cinema lovers. You must really admire them.

The "true cinema lovers" I know are admirable people. And they don't make underhanded digs at people expressing opinions. If you don't like the tone a thread is taking, feel free to express your opinions in another thread.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
The people who refuse to watch subtitled movies are obviously militant film purists. They believe, and rightly so, that the subtitles ruin the director's vision of the film by superimposing text over the images and distracting us from the composition of the shot and faces of the actors. The subtitles also fail to impart the cultural subtexts that can be lost in translation.

It's amazing that you guys know so many true cinema lovers. You must really admire them.

Just out of curiosity: are you against the whole concept of home video? Even w/ DVDs and widescreen and the whole edifice, are you still convinced that onscreen is the only way to see a feature film?

[Beeblebrox]

Originally posted by Grebdron
The "true cinema lovers" I know are admirable people. And they don't make underhanded digs at people expressing opinions. If you don't like the tone a thread is taking, feel free to express your opinions in another thread.

I was under the impression this is the RANT forum. If you don't like my tone, then feel free to express your opinions in another thread.

[Beeblebrox]

Originally posted by Buck Turgidson
Just out of curiosity: are you against the whole concept of home video? Even w/ DVDs and widescreen and the whole edifice, are you still convinced that onscreen is the only way to see a feature film?

Why would I be? Although, as a "true cinema lover," I could make the argument that films are meant to be projected on a big screen and watched by an audience in a darkened theatre.

I actually think these kinds of debates are silly (but fun), which is why I made light of the original post. I always take issue when others try to force movies down someone else's throat when that other person obviously isn't interested.

There are levels of film appreciation and most people are comfortable with the level they're on. They don't like someone else telling them they aren't true film fans, just as most of you don't like someone criticising what you watch or determining your level of film appreciation.

Nothing personal. Rant away.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
Why would I be?

It's not unheard of. David Lynch is widely believed to be (at the very least) indifferent to the idea of his films being seen on anything other than a big screen. He's thought by many to be actively hostile to it.

Your perspective is always (in all of the posts that I've read), that of the Director having final say in most aesthetic matters. I just thought it might manifest itself thusly.

As you wrote, nothing personal. I was genuinely curious ;)

[Beeblebrox]

Originally posted by Buck Turgidson
Your perspective is always (in all of the posts that I've read), that of the Director having final say in most aesthetic matters. I just thought it might manifest itself thusly.

In my personal opinion as a director, I want as many people to see my movies as possible. If home video facilitates that, then I'm for it.

I do not feel that home video compromises the aesthetics enough to affect the story telling, and the story is most important thing to me as a filmmaker.

[studlyhorrorbuf]

Sorry, Reigh Kaufman, I can't stand subtitles. I tried it once with a film called the "Killer Condom." The fact that it was all in subtitles and it was in a foreign language just made me lose interest in the film. I did try hard to sit through this film for half an hour though. But to no avail. I could get no emotion from the foreign voices. Plus, it is damn hard to concentrate on the subtitles when you got uninteligible words constantly coming out the film. Made it darn hard to get into a film with subtitles for me. I really do prefer dubbed films any day over the week and so do the foreighn audiences. Does this explain to you why I don't like films with subtitles, Reigh Kaufman? Studly Horror Buff out.

[Fisting Ackbar]

I live in a European country where English films are subtitled instead of dubbed like other countries such as France and Fermany, so most people are used to them.

However, I do find it stupid that some people refuse to watch a film if it's subtitled (Or foreign). True that some subtitles are a bitch to read, but perhaps if people would actually try to read them, they might get used to them and get to see many excellent films.

[freakandgeek]

i definately pick subtitles over dubbed....i actually hate dubbed. but, like any other movie i watch, i have to be in the mood to watch a foreign one. i have not met anyone, yet (and hopefully never) who refuses to watch a movie that has subtitles.

[Reigh Kaufman]

Beeblebrox

We get it. We do. You're a prince of a guy. A gem. A real find.

You're valiant and fight the corner of everyone I would seek to oppress with my bon vivant taste in movies; so utterly complex and mystifying that to be made to watch them is tantamount to enforced torture. I quote:

"force movies down other peoples throat"

Only one problem, and this is applicable in the thread concerning 'When people are TOO into movies, in which you took a similairly aloof stance, devoid of logic at times, and in which I recall you became the first person ever to make Bubba Strangelove lose his famous good-humour - I don't EVER - and I'll repeat that, simply because no doubt you'll para-phrase to further your argument - EVER force people to watch anything they don't want to. I say it quite clearly.

"these are pretty good movies (IMO), couldn't you at least try?"

Derek said no.

So what did I do? Never speak to him again? Harangue and bully him? Point him out to the other trainees in my Department as a figure of hate?

'Fraid not. I let him go back into my office and choose a handful of movies he did want to watch, advising him of which did and did not have subtitles. Yeah, I know. I'm a real shit sometimes.

But here is the problem. Stay with me now.

"The people who refuse to watch subtitled movies are obviously militant film purists. They believe, and rightly so, that the subtitles ruin the director's vision of the film by superimposing text over the images and distracting us from the composition of the shot and faces of the actors. The subtitles also fail to impart the cultural subtexts that can be lost in translation."

See the problem?

I'll be more succinct. According to you, these people, who will not watch a movie because it has subtitles, are doing so because they won't beget the true experience meant for the audience by the director. I have no problem with this. My rant, which was anecdotal in tone, not a tirade, says:

"I'm not talking about people who can't be arsed, at times"

So I must presume your defending the people I am taklking about. People too lazy to watch a movie that they MAY have to read.

See the problem? No.

Well, according to your logic, the people too lazy to watch the movie because of subtitles (my words) are in actual fact quite right not to do so because they may miss out on cultural subtext(your words). Therefore, to be able to watch the movie, let's say off-hand 'Central Station', it's your logic that says that these people, PERHAPS too lazy to watch a movie because of subtitles should LEARN THE LANGUAGE IT IS BEING FILMED IN. Not only is that ludicrous, it would be more time-consuming than just, you know, reading the superimposed text. By that rationale (yours, my friend) for me to be able to enjoy World Cinema I would - from the movies in my office right now - have to know:

Central Station - Brazilian (Portugese)
La Haine/Big Blue/Subway - French
No Man's Land - Bosnian/Serbian
The Terrorist - Iranian
Das Experiment/Run Lola Run - German
Il Postino/Cinema Paradiso - Italian
Rashomon - Japanese
Man Bites Dog - Belgian (Flemish)
All About My Mother - Spanish
Nightwatch - Danish
Amores Perros - Mexican-Spanish

Eleven languages just so I am allowed to watch films outwith my own culture? And these are just the ones in my office? I don't think so. My dad speaks fluently in five and it took him a lifetime; doing it for the enjoyment, not the privelege of being able to participate in a "vision".

And one more thing. It's my thread. I started it. It was light-hearted and I hold no-one accountable for their viewpoint. But when someone comes into my thread and turns a perfectly breezy rant into something more sinister I take umbrage. Grebdron pointed this out, as did Bubba in the aforementioned previous thread, and you come back brighter. When people start to feel they are being attacked (and may I say, so snidely) it might be worth noting that you are perhaps being a little too obtuse. It can stir animosity.

There are/were only three people in this world who can make me change MY opinions, regardless of how flippant I put them across. One is my mother, one WAS my Great-grandmother, and the other is not you.

Thanks for listening.

[rebelfilms]

well i find myself forced to watch subtitled moovies, and to be honest i prefer them. I like japanese film a lot and its a tossup. Either have some really bad dubbing that you cant help but notice, or have some nice subtitles! I will have the subtitles any day - since i speak almost no Japanese!

[Buck Turgidson]

I'd like to see subtitles for The Phantom Menace. Possibly someone could translate that swill of George's into something that resembled a language that might be spoken by living, sentient beings.

[Beeblebrox]

Well, according to your logic, the people too lazy to watch the movie because of subtitles (my words) are in actual fact quite right not to do so because they may miss out on cultural subtext(your words). Therefore, to be able to watch the movie, let's say off-hand 'Central Station', it's your logic that says that these people, PERHAPS too lazy to watch a movie because of subtitles should LEARN THE LANGUAGE IT IS BEING FILMED IN. Not only is that ludicrous, it would be more time-consuming than just, you know, reading the superimposed text.

I KNOW it's "ludicrous."

It was...listen carefully now...a joke!

I thought the irony of the statement "You must really admire them" given that you actually hold nothing but contempt for them was perfectly obvious. I didn't think it needed further explanation. When you said that you could "read between the lines" I thought you actually meant that you could read between the lines, ie. not take my statement literally. Perhaps I should have added the ubiquitous :D

My point was that is just as ludicrous to say what I said as it is to say what you said. It's ridiculous to claim that these people are true cinema lovers, as I did, just as it is ridiculous to claim they are "lazy" or "stupid" when maybe they just don't like subtitles.

This is the rant thread. You're ranting because you are "irritated." Obviously, I am doing the same.

[Reigh Kaufman]

I can read between the lines. I read between the lines. I didn't like what I read between the lines. I didn't like the implications. See, because Derek is a trainee in our art department and is only 20years-old. The implication in your last post is not really an implication, though is it. You are saying that I 'feel contempt' for a 20 year-old trainee who 'can't be arsed' watching a subtitled movie. You're saying I feel contempt for a colleague of mine...Someone I know personally, not a nameless faceless handle on a movie forum, just because he did not want to watch a subtitled movie. The implication must therefore stretch itself that if I can feel that way about Derek and my own mother (in my first post I highlight the fact she would NOT watch 'Life Is Beautiful'), then what does it say about my respect for the many Schmoes I consider friends now - some of whom have already stated that they don't watch subtitled movies. It says that I don't have ANY respect for these friends of mine, doesn't it? And then you say 'chill'. Doesn't cut it, Beeblebrox. Doesn't cut it at all.

Now I have to reply (sorry to all the Schmoes who PM'd about this), and Ill be less in-depth, simply because it's there for all to see that you don't really have a retort to my last post (seemed to me like you were back-tracking and striking out simultaneously).

Subtitled movies. Watch them if you want to see some fine films that are not made in your own language. Don't if you don't want to. It's up to you. If you do, I have some of these good movies. If you don't, watch whatever you want. I'll think nothing less of you, despite what Beeblebrox implies.

Chill.

[BubbaStrangelove]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
The people who refuse to watch subtitled movies are obviously militant film purists.

I wouldn't say that's the case.

My mom watches subtitled movies because she is hard of hearing and has to use closed captioning. In her words, if she has to read the film anyway, she might as well watch foreign ones. I'm not sure why she didn't watch subtitles before the hearing loss, but would bet money it had little to do with asthetics.

And the WW2 vet who used to hang around my house won't watch subtitled movies, because he is hardcore American, and pretty racist. He won't watch movies with Asians in it because he starts ranting about being tortured. If it's European, he goes off too, but in a lighter tone. (And no offense to non-US schmoes. He represents none of my ideals, and I never support him.)

I also would imagine that illiterate people's reasons for not watching subtitles has little to do with the integrity of the film. I actually have witnessed people who have difficulties reading and can't "keep up" with a subtitled film. I think back to the episode of The Simpsons where Bart and Milhouse are watching the first Itchy and Scratchy, and it's silent.

I'm sure there are some people who won't watch subtitled movies for purist reasons, but I would argue that this is least often case.

I understand Reigh's complaint. Personally, it would depend on the persons reasons for not watching subtitled films for it to be an issue with me. I'd say "just because" is never a good reason to "not" do something.

And if I'm wrong, or being an ass hole, or can be disprooven, can I come back later and say I was just joking, or that I was making an underlaying point that was missed. Maybe I could go to a bar and stare at the biggest guy there, then when he confronts me start crying and tell him I have a lazy eye. That would make me a fucking king!!

[Reigh Kaufman]

Where have you been Bubba, we were all asking about you last night?

Anyway, de-ja vu or what?

See, people, me and Bubba don't agree on everything all the time -- Michael Jackson for one -- but when we disagree we value the opinions (secretly believing we're right, naturally) offered and don't try to spin at an axis to try and make things fit our beliefs. That's not the point of the forum and if it were I wouldn't post at all, never mind a thousand-odd times.

Anyway, welcome back...my liege.



(Glass eye, indeed. I saw you staring at my girlfriend's beer)

[BadCoverVersion]

Bubba, Reigh...I love you boys!!!!

You articulate buggers! You do astound me every now and again!

PS: Bub, "Juanita" is playing right now..you're a cultured swine!

[The Heart Collector]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
The people who refuse to watch subtitled movies are obviously militant film purists. They believe, and rightly so, that the subtitles ruin the director's vision of the film by superimposing text over the images and distracting us from the composition of the shot and faces of the actors. The subtitles also fail to impart the cultural subtexts that can be lost in translation.

It's amazing that you guys know so many true cinema lovers. You must really admire them.

That would make *some* sense if these weren't, for the most part, the same people that refuse to watch in widescreen because they can't "see the 'ole danged thing".

[Grebdron]

I, too, am somewhat hard of hearing (due to close rnage artillery, mortar and rifle fire). So I often watch movies with subtitles on. Drives my girlfriend crazy, but only when they are in English. She speaks Spanish, so needs no subtitles for spanish films. But she's also a big fan of other foreign films. I think no less of her for not wanting to read the English subs.

Only of people who start shit, then backtrack.

[Jason Voorhees]

I'm hard of hearing, too, Greb. So, like you, I always watch with subtitles; regardless of the language of the film. It's never bothered me.

Then again, I also read novels for pleasure, so I've never had a problem with reading in general, like many people do. That's not a dig on their intelligence, by the way. It's merely an observation.

[Buck Turgidson]

Maybe this is just personal, but I can read, especially the small amount (two sentences, tops) that is on screen at any give time, rather fast. It helps me get Jeopardy! answers out quickly, too. That fact might color my perceptions of this question, because it's not much of a problem for me.

In re subtitles in English language films: I used them the first or second time I watched Trainspotting (more for Spud and Begbe than anyone else), and Snatch ("She's awful partial to periwinkle blue..."). You can catch the cadence of those voices after a bit of practice, but sometimes a little assist is necessary. Useful tools. As Greb says, it's all good.

[free]

Originally posted by Jason Voorhees
I'm hard of hearing, too, Greb. So, like you, I always watch with subtitles; regardless of the language of the film. It's never bothered me.



I am not hard of hearing, nor am I unable to understand English, and i watch TV, and movies always with subtitles. I dont believe that words on a screen interrupt the directors "vision", and I consider myself a lover of the art for of all kinds of theater. Any BTW, your attempt at sarcastic humor is noted, processed, and deleted.

[Jason Voorhees]

Originally posted by free
Any BTW, your attempt at sarcastic humor is noted, processed, and deleted.

Huh? What did you see that I missed? As I said, I wasn't taking digs at anyone. There are people out there who have harassed me for reading, and I know there are plenty of people who have an aversion to it. That much has been somewhat evidenced in this thread by the comments "I don't want a read a movie" or whatever. As I said, I was merely making an innocuous observation.

I don't believe words on the screen hinder the director's vision either. Were you insinuating that I think so? Or were you replying to what Beeblebrox said?

I don't think I said anything offensive. And I know I didn't say anything with the intention of offending.

[SAI]

It's dubbed films that, given the option, I refuse to watch. Frankly I think a few words on the screen so that an audience can understand the original performances is far less damaging to a film than replacing those performance. I've never seen a dubbed film in whcih the performances benefitted from the dubbing. John Woo's Hard-Boiled is not a brilliantly acted movie in its original language but in dubbed form it is all but impossible to appreciate on any level but the visceral.

It is also worth noting that subtitles are frequently included on the unused space created by widescreen films on 4:3 tvs and therefore have no impact on the visual element of the film at all.

I think its a shame that many people (I know a good few, including some FILM STUDENTS) won't watch subtitled movies as they miss out on amy great films but as long as this does not result in all foreign films becoming available only in dubbed versions then I'm not going to complain.

[electriclite]

Ok, so once upon a time when I was younger I did not like subtitled films and I still have a small gripe about them.

When I was younger I guess I never saw or was brought a foreign film so I did not have any passionate drive to see one. I had a drive to finally eat sushi, but not to see foreign films.

Then came the big hulabaloo over Life is Beautiful. It came on one night on Pay Per View and I WAS HOOKED. So ever since then if a foreign film interested me I'd watch it. My only gripe about subtitles is that while I'm looking down at the screen I'm missing what's going on in the middle. I don't think these actors went through all their years of training just to have their audience staring where their feet are at.

But I'm stuck with subtitles because I loathe dubbing.

I guess Derek just hasn't found a foreign film worth reading...

[Dude]

As long as the dub is decent.. and not some hack studio dub like those Godzilla & Mothra flicks from the 50's & 60's, I'll listen to the dub first, and then the original language on the second viewing... but if there is no dub available, I have no problem at all watching a subtitled movie.... and unless someone has a reading problem, ie; dyslexic, or is learning imparied in any way, then there is NO REASON for flipping off a foreign film cause its subtitled... that is shallow, close mindedness to other film cultures.. and cultures in general, and basically, I tend to be a snob when someone says subtitled films suck... its their lack of intelligence that sucks.

[free]

Originally posted by Jason Voorhees
Or were you replying to what Beeblebrox said?




Yes, and i am sorry for the mix-up. :)

[Jason Voorhees]

Originally posted by free
Yes, and i am sorry for the mix-up. :)

It's cool, man. No worries :).

[Trinity]

I'm the exact opposite on this one, cause I refuse to watch movies without subtitles. That's because I only watch foreign movies (don't watch any movies from my country cause they only make like 5 or 6 a year, and they're all shitty), so they have to be either subtitled or dubbed, and I hate dubbed movies. Thankfully, no movies are dubbed here, 'cept maybe for a cartoon here and there (but only the ones which are clearly meant for really small kids).
Anyway, concerning the argument they you miss too much stuff when you're reading the subtitles - it's really just a matter of practice and habit. You don't actually READ the subtitles, you just glance at them and it only takes but a portion of a second. Unless it's language you're completely unfamiliar with, then it's a bit more difficult. And even if you are missing something when watching a subtitled film, how about what you're missing with a dubbed one? The actual voices of the actors and the way lines are delivered are, in my opinion, just as important part of a performance, as the facial expressions and mannerisms (the stuff you're supposedly missing). Even when the dubbing is done really professionally (the way the Germans do it), it's still an inferior experience to watching a movie with its original sound. Not to mention the horror of Polish or Russian dubbing where it's one guy delivering all the lines in monotone.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by Trinity
I'm the exact opposite on this one, cause I refuse to watch movies without subtitles. That's because I only watch foreign movies (don't watch any movies from my country cause they only make like 5 or 6 a year, and they're all shitty), so they have to be either subtitled or dubbed, and I hate dubbed movies. Thankfully, no movies are dubbed here, 'cept maybe for a cartoon here and there (but only the ones which are clearly meant for really small kids).
Anyway, concerning the argument they you miss too much stuff when you're reading the subtitles - it's really just a matter of practice and habit. You don't actually READ the subtitles, you just glance at them and it only takes but a portion of a second. Unless it's language you're completely unfamiliar with, then it's a bit more difficult. And even if you are missing something when watching a subtitled film, how about what you're missing with a dubbed one? The actual voices of the actors and the way lines are delivered are, in my opinion, just as important part of a performance, as the facial expressions and mannerisms (the stuff you're supposedly missing). Even when the dubbing is done really professionally (the way the Germans do it), it's still an inferior experience to watching a movie with its original sound. Not to mention the horror of Polish or Russian dubbing where it's one guy delivering all the lines in monotone.

Agreed, and well said.

[platanero79]

I Myself was a big fan Japan-Animation as younger person so I watch many film of Japan-Anima with subtites and that how it Started ever Since then I Been watcing foreign movies
for some Reason in Generally l like foreign films better then american films

I Guess the big reason is becuase foreign films are Highly Original
as for american are not look all the american remake of foreign films that alone show you a great Explain

it Awful that not more People Notice that foreign films are mush more Superior in general Wren Compare to american films

it Just my opinion

[bob]

The reason I can never hate subtitled movies is that, if I had been ignorant enough not to watch them, I would have never been introduced to the work of the man to the left of this post.

[Razorblade Smile]

While I prefer films spoken in my native language (English), I have no problem with sub-titled films. Maybe I did when I was younger, but Dances with Wolves broke me out of that habit.

It's dubbed movies that I'm kind of close-minded towards. They're never done well, and I know that many of them alter the actual lines of dialogue being said.

Those old 'Zilla flicks are the worst offenders.

[TheDeadWalk]

For me...

I can respect subtitles when they are necessary. I don't want to watch an entire film in subtitles, because for me, I either watch movies on a decent sized tv with some distance away from me and the tv and I don't feel like squinting, or I watch them on a tv that just wasn't made to consistently read words off of.

Maybe in the theater I could tolerate such a movie, but otherwise I can't. Subtitles are at times nothing more than a huge ass distraction from the film, and all I am doing is checking out the bottom of the screen during a German film hoping to register all of the words coming across in a quick dialouge confrontation, while all the Germans register they're native language and are focusing more on the film, and the actors responses, and acting going on.

Start watching your favorite television shows with that closed captioning bullshit... it gets fucking irritating after a while, you wind up focusing more at the bottom of the screen then on what you are supposed to be watching in the film...

At least, In my opinion anyways...