Why no Eng language movies at the Market Village Theatre?

Post by **Jockey** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:29 pm

Wanderlust wrote:As far as i know, all the Tsutsaya (sp?) video rental shops have VCDs in both English (normally labelled 'Original Soundtrack') and of course Thai, whil virtually all DVDs you rent from them will have about 6 or 7 language options for both audio and subtitles (except for maybe Asian movies). In Hua Hin the one I have used is on the main Phetkasem Road on the left if driving towards Bangkok before you get to the Shell garage but some way after the Kasikorn bank. Hope that helps.

Have you ever bought a Thai movie and watched it with English subtitles?

Post by **Guess** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 2:02 am

Jockey wrote: Have you ever bought a Thai movie and watched it with English subtitles?

I did borrow a few from him and they were Thai with English subtitles but only two words in all of them.

OOOH AAAR OOOH AAAR.

I did manage to follow the plot OK though.

Post by **Guess** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 2:30 am

Buksida wrote:That whole market village seems to be setup for Thais only, makes you wonder if anybody at all has any business sense in the place to ignore a significant slice of the market which expands dramatically at this time of year.

This is evident. I believe that marketing is not localized as it is in other countries. This maybe because statistical analysis is much more expensive here pro-rata. What control do Tesco have on what films are shown? I do not know. BIG C in Pattaya always has at least one film with English speaking or English subtitles at any time but then it has a much greater population of English speaking people. I am not sure what the situation is with the second BIG C on Surkumwit Road of the Tesco's at Jomtiem. At the Old BIG C in Pattaya I have seen a French Film with English and Thai subtitles and a Chinese film dubbed in Thai with English subtitles. I agree with Randy that dubbing takes something away from a film and I always prefer subtitles.

Sciamachy wrote:Not sure how good your Thai is, but my experience, and what I am told by bilingual Thai friends, is that Thai dubbing of English language movies SUCKS... and they all speak in funny unnatural tones to boot.

The market is not always an accurate gauge of people's preferences.

As for not wanting foreigners, I don't think that is the right explanation. they all seem very friendly there to me, and downstairs even have friendly staff walking around with badges that identify them as English speakers.

As for the dubbing process you have to ensure that you are comparing like with like.

If you purchase an early copy of a film that is still being shown at the cinema (Casino Royale) at the moment it will have subtitles added. They are extremely poor in both Thai and English and my guess is that the Malay and Chinese is not much better. As time passes the quality improves as greater linguistic expertise becomes available.

When the film is actually released for sale in Thailand the subtitles in all languages will be almost perfect.

When an English speaking film is shown in Thailand and Pirated at the cinema the counterfeit agents have have the luxury of already having the subtitles done for them.

It might be an idea just to bombard the cinema with request and suggestions that English speaking films would be popular here. They are probably just adopting the same policy that they would in any town of this size in Thailand.

Post by **PeteC** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:08 am

I don't think the Big C at south Pattaya/Jomtien has a cinema, Guess. Regardless, the other Big C at Central has either 3 or 6 screens now, and Royal Garden complex has 3 screens. So we have minimum of 6 and max of perhaps 9, and always at least half show movies in some form of English. Pete

PS: As we've discussed elsewhere I think, Thai moviegoer's behaviour with cell phones, talking, chewing and breathing dried squid kind of ruins the experience. Much better to rent a DVD and make your own home theatre.

Post by **dane48** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:35 am

Guess wrote:
Jockey wrote: Have you ever bought a Thai movie and watched it with English subtitles?
I did borrow a few from him and they were Thai with English subtitles but only two words in all of them.

OOOH AAAR OOOH AAAR.

I did manage to follow the plot OK though.

Can't be much better

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:18 pm

Can you imagine what the new Borat film 'Cultural learning's of America.....'
Will sound like dubbed into Thai!

One of the main points of the films appeal is his accent and this will be totally lost. This is a prime example of a film that should be subtitled and left in its native tongue.

Post by **Sultry** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:12 pm

Guess wrote:It might be an idea just to bombard the cinema with request and suggestions that English speaking films would be popular here.

I've tried that. Already went there several times to ask why they weren't showing Englsih movies and all I got was a smile and 'we no have'. One of my friends even tried talking to the manager of the cinema and got a similar response.

I've semi-given up by now. I was lucky enough to catch an English version of 'The Prestige' at Cineplex but they only showed it there for 3-4 days. I only found out by pure coincidence.

Post by **Roppongi** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:26 pm

I imagine the "genuine" Casino Royale DVD would be hitting the streets and bars shortly. Hope the quality has improved as the Da Vinci Code was so dark, I sent it back -- THREE times -- before the guy refunded my dosh and buggered off with his tail between his legs. TIT

Post by **The understudy** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:29 pm

O have seen The Borat Movie overhere in the US the second week when it was released and I can say Americans and also russian americans who watch it laughhted themself silly

to hear that movie in Thaidubbing would be sheer impossible and would do not good fro the movei!

Post by **The understudy** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:46 pm

[quote="Roppongi"]I imagine the "genuine" Casino Royale DVD would be hitting the streets and bars shortly. Hope the quality has improved as the Da Vinci Code was so dark, I sent it back -- THREE times -- before the guy refunded my dosh and buggered off with his tail between his legs. TIT

[/quote]
Dear Mr. Ropngi there's a way to by a DVD from a dealer. Before you buy an DVD from a dealer just ask If it's 100%. Usually when a movie is released simultaneously to the DVD It's not always 100% wait 3 to 4 weeks after the movie relaease and you get the DVD quality that you expect. Much more sooner then the official release of the DVD I. e. Casino Royal!

Kampai!!!
You'rs understudy!

Post by **ricardo** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:49 pm

I wanted to watch Casino Royale at the Market Village last moth and so went to ask if it was in English.

I also got a smile and we no have. So I pestered them further in Thai and finally got a answer nearer the truth from a lady who looked like a supervisor.

Why should we show movies in English when no Farangs turn up to watch them. Sometimes only have 4 or 5 people come to watch in the afternoon.

Even if they did start showing films in English most off the English speaking residents in Hua Hin wouldn't got to the cinema because they assume the films are all dubbed into Thai.

I will continue to enjoy going to the cinema for a night out with my wife whenever I am up in Bangkok !!

Post by **Wesu** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:46 am

For me english is a foreign language as is thai. I enjoyed a lot watching movies in Bangkok and in Pattaya... both; english movies with subtitles in thai (which I could not read) and thai movies with subtitles in english, those were different but good too and it was nice to hear some words and phrases in thai I already knew.

I mean, the same way it started with english when I was a kid. Why not some english for thai with subtitles in thai; easy to learn.

And in tourist spots, 2 in 1, good for both.

Post by **hollygolightly1** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:28 am

Why doesn't one of the bars with a big screen have movie screenings? Not all DVDs off the Grand are unwatchable.. It would be great for a Sunday afternoon - a few bloody Marys and a movie. It would make a nice change from the football

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:45 am

Baan Suan Khan Khlong road next to mr bean petrol station huge screen
8foot X6 foot picture quality awsome go and pester the owner if a few people drop in and show an interesti am sure he will oblige

Post by **johnnyk** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:01 am

That would be the way to do it.
If the owner can be shown that a group of falang will turn up regularly to enjoy a movie and beer he will see a chance to make a few baht.
Why don't some of the falang-owned bars do this?