The "Social Circle" is a group effort between readers, social networkers and the OnMilwaukee.com editors. Every Monday, we ask a question via Facebook and Twitter and then post the responses from our Facebook "likers" and Twitter followers in this column. Well-known Milwaukee movers and shakers will contribute, too.
The Milwaukee Film Festival started this week and OnMilwaukee.com asked the Social Circle members if they were more or less likely to see a subtitled film and for their thoughts on subtitled / foreign films in general.
Feel free to add your thoughts via the Talkback feature and enjoy the movie!
Mike Barry: "When I was in Russia in about 1990, we would go to movies. They wouldn't have subtitles, but an old lady in the back sat with a microphone. So if it was like a French movie, she would translate into Russian as we went. Very monotone. I think subtitles would be better."
Seth Callaway: "I even watch my English movies with subtitles. Don't know what people have against them. I like to know every bit of the script."
Celeste Contreras: "A good movie is a good movie. Subtitled or not."
Larry Dranger: "I will, but I’d rather not."
Katharina Hren: "One of my favorite aspects of the film festival is the foreign films. I'm always disappointed when a film is dubbed because I love hearing the different languages, even if it's one I haven't studied before. It drives me crazy when people talk during foreign films because they assume that just because they don't understand that language, no one else around them does."
Jeffrey Jordan: "Some films are cut so the subtitles are easy to see. However when the subtitles become lost in the scene, no."
Patricia Barrera Kerhin: "I love foreign films and subtitles do not stop me from watching them. On the other hand I do not like when they have been dubbed."
Heather Sanchez Loomans: "Love foreign / subtitled films. They give a better glimpse into other worlds and points of view. Saw ‘Tapas’ at the film festival years ago, and it was one of the funniest movies I've seen!"
Ed Makowski: "‘Ugh, I haaaaaaate French movies’ said my son when he was 4. I speak German but would still rather see it with subtitles because I can read quicker than translating in my head."
Chris Peppas: "No sé."
Russ Pracieduz: "Prefer subtitles over dubbed any day of the week."
Jen Skladanek: "I watch many foreign / subtitled films. But ya gotta be in the mood to read while watching a movie. I enjoy foreign films a lot, so subtitles don't bother me in the least! And yay! Milwaukee Film!"
T. Sky: "I love subtitles. I feel like a traveler in a foreign land. Listening to words I don't comprehend. The act of reading along with the story, if it is good, subtitles help the film leave a greater impression."
Trevor Smith: "As a person with hearing loss, I watch all movies (at home) with subtitles. So subtitles which act to translate a foreign language is not all that different. Whether I want to see an ‘art house’ film lousy with art-school pretentiousness is a separate question."
Jeanett Sunrain: "Totally all for subtitles, love foreign movies."
Meg Western: "I want to say I don't mind them, but I do."