Is this a growing trend? I've noticed it recently, particularly on some of the mainstream narrative films among this year's screeners:
There seems to be a casual attitude towards exterior BGs. Some scenes are filled, others in the same film are just dialog with an occasional music stab. At first I thought it was to reflect the characters' internal states... but no, they're conversing actively about relatively unimportant (or unemotional) stuff. Many of these scenes are not through-scored, so it isn't to let the music show through. (I learned last night that Cambridge has absolutely nothing moving other than the principals, while New York is stuffed with CU traffic and walla.)
Anyone else picking up on this? Or are my ears getting too selective in my old age?