# Understanding Reservoir Dogs. Literally. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 21, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974 "2005-08-21T13:31:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/1 "2005-08-21T13:31:36Z")
I tried watching this for the second time last night. Is it just me, maybe my DVD, or does the sound quality suck? I can’t make out what they are saying for most of the movie. The acting seemed good. The camerawork was interesting. But I can hardly tell what the actors are saying. If I reeeaaaallllly concentrate, I can understand about half of it. It’s like talking to tech support. Most of it, at least as much of it as I sat through, is shot in that white warehouse kinda place. It has a weird echo that makes it nearly impossible for me to make out the dialog. Has anyone else experienced this with this movie? My hearing isn’t great, but it isn’t bad. I got through about half of it last night before I just gave up. This is the second time I’ve tried to watch it. Sort of bums me out. The movie is pretty much ruined for me now. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/2 "2005-08-21T13:49:32Z")
A robbery is planned and goes wrong and a bunch of crazy and very deadly antics ensue. In the end, as with most Tarantino films it’s more about the characters than a precisely finished plot. What specifically is not understandable about the film? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/3 "2005-08-21T13:53:37Z")
> [@astro](#): > > A robbery is planned and goes wrong and a bunch of crazy and very deadly antics ensue. In the end, as with most Tarantino films it’s more about the characters than a precisely finished plot. > > What specifically is not understandable about the film? Never mind I re-read your OP re the sound issue. Check the cabling and sound setup on your DVD player. If some sound features are enabled on the DVD audio setup menu it can make the sound wonky. You might also try feeding the DVD sound output to a stereo receiver rather than playing it through the television speakers. This usually gives much better sound. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/4 "2005-08-21T13:55:12Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I tried watching this for the second time last night. Is it just me, maybe my DVD, or does the sound quality suck? I can’t make out what they are saying for most of the movie. I think it might be your setup. I thought it was one of the most understandable movies I’ve ever seen; it’s pretty much entirely ABOUT the dialogue, and I found it very clear and easy to hear (and I’m a guy who often can’t understand people mumbling.) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/5 "2005-08-21T13:56:14Z")
> [@astro](#): > > What specifically is not understandable about the film? Since I can’t understand what the characters are saying, pretty much everything. I contend that whomever did the sound on the film did an absolutely terrible job. Or, there is something specific to my DVD or my hearing that I can’t understand the dialog. I was wondering if anyone else had the same experience. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/6 "2005-08-21T14:02:33Z")
It must be my DVD or just me. The TV is big Sony flat screen. It has pretty good quality speakers for a TV. I have no problems with other movies. > [@](#): > > it’s pretty much entirely ABOUT the dialogue, As I thought it was. It really seemed like a two-three man play. I’m a disapointed that I have to work at understanding what they are saying. And even then I miss about half of it. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/7 "2005-08-21T14:03:29Z")
Like everyone has already said check the setup. When Dolby 5.1 sound is routed through stereo the dialog does tend to get lost, since it comes out of the middle speaker. If you already have a 5.1 setup, increase the volume to the centre front spreaker. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/8 "2005-08-21T14:14:39Z")
It’s not routed through the stereo. I used to do that, but it was more of a pain than it was worth. Then, we got rid of the stereo. We are holding off to get a new one. I want to see what comes around the bend. My brother just spent $14,000 dollars on a TV and sound system. Yep, that’s 3 zeros. I think he’s a bit nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/9 "2005-08-21T14:15:36Z")
Can you watch it again with the option for subtitles or closed-captioning for the hearing-impaired? The dialogue really is terrific – the movie is more like a play, as you surmised, and the dialogue is the whole point. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/10 "2005-08-21T14:22:44Z")
You could check if the DVD has English subtitles. I use subtitles whenever I’m watching a dvd when I want to catch all of the clever dialogue. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/11 "2005-08-21T14:24:12Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It’s not routed through the stereo. Then maybe it is the TV. Does this happen with other disks? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/12 "2005-08-21T14:26:52Z")
Good idea BBVL. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/13 "2005-08-21T14:29:12Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > Then maybe it is the TV. Does this happen with other disks? > [@enipla](#): > > The TV is big Sony flat screen. It has pretty good quality speakers for a TV. I have no problems with other movies. … ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/14 "2005-08-21T14:32:07Z")
Everyone misses seeing an important post, once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/15 "2005-08-21T15:05:21Z")
No problem Scott. I was just wondering if it is just me. Apparently it is. It’s not really my Wife’s kind of movie (It’s hard to tell since I can’t get through it). I’ll get her opinion. Or just watch it with sub-titles. Or, just say to heck with it. Some folks have trouble hearing certain frequencies. I think in my case it may be the echo that is produced in that warehouse. It adds to the movie I’m sure, but it makes it very difficult for me to make it out. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/16 "2005-08-21T15:45:33Z")
my parents had a similar issue with lord of the rings, for some reason they couldnt understand the talking for squat…I dont recall what they did exactly but they played with the sound settings and it was fixed. (note coulda been the settings on the stereo instead of the tv I dont know) ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/17 "2005-08-21T16:05:07Z")
It may be set on 5.1 sound. Change it to stereo. ---
**Author:** ![MrFantsyPants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MrFantsyPants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFantsyPants)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/18 "2005-08-21T17:16:31Z")
try running it on your computer with headphones. That should let you know for sure if it is the DVD or your setup. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/19 "2005-08-21T18:10:49Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Is it just me, maybe my DVD, or does the sound quality suck? I can’t make out what they are saying for most of the movie. Pretty sure it’s you. [Typical review](http://einsiders.com/reviews/dvd/reservoirdogs.php): > [@](#): > > Sound Quality: 10/10 > Both the DTS and 5.1 are outstanding. The DTS is found only on the widescreen version. The brilliant balance is best illustrated by the “Ear” scene. Nothing is lost amidst Michael Madsen’s low-key delivery of his sadistic lines, the muffled cries and screams of Kurt Baltz as the hapless police officer, the rhythmic beat of Steeler’s Wheel’s song “Stuck in the Middle With You” and the scene’s rapid-fire conclusion. […] > > No loss of dialogue during any point of the film. The sub-woofer mixes well with the rest of the speakers. There is little or none of the sudden burst of bass you get on some soundtracks. As others have said, it’s almost a problem with the selected mix vs. your setup. Go to the main menu of the DVD, choose “setup,” then “audio” and then either “DTS” or “Dolby 2.0” ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-reservoir-dogs-literally/317974/20 "2005-08-21T18:11:51Z")
“almost _certainly_ a problem…”