The Guardian's take is interesting but I don't think the app economy is driving such a trend. There's been a fundamental shift in movie making in Hollywood. This was precipitated by the loss of the Blue Ray and DVD market on which they could always depend for additional revenue stream. Often times a very lucrative one for a popular movie and $40 price point. With the loss of this revenue stream Hollywood seems to be intent on movies that are as universally appealing as possible. And lack of dialogue furthers that end. It's easy to dispense with dialogue if you are filling that void with shooting, explosions, car crashing and gratuitous violence.
For a different take on lack of dialogue, a highly recommend Robert Redford in "All is Lost." A a beautiful and completely compelling movie with no dialogue, and a single actor and a single setting. Of course Hollywood didn't finance this film and it takes an extraordinary actor to pull this off.
For a different take on lack of dialogue, a highly recommend Robert Redford in "All is Lost." A a beautiful and completely compelling movie with no dialogue, and a single actor and a single setting. Of course Hollywood didn't finance this film and it takes an extraordinary actor to pull this off.