Though the word can be traced back to 2005, it has become widely used only in the latter part of 2007. It’s a film genre whose name reflects the low esteem in which it is held by critics. In August, the International Herald Tribune said, “Specimens of the genre share a low-key naturalism, low-fi production values and a stream of low-volume chatter often perceived as ineloquence. Hence the name: mumblecore.” You might add ultra-low budgets, independent production, improvised dialogue and non-professional actors to the list of features. The genre, the article went on to say, is more a loose collective or even a state of mind than an actual aesthetic movement. However, it has been getting a lot of attention recently and has been named a Hot Genre by Rolling Stone magazine. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram of Texas reflected the uncertainty about its enduring value in a catchline in a story on 4 November about the Lone Star International Film Festival: “Mumblecore: The future of cinema or just really annoying nonsense?” Among the mumblecore films most often mentioned are Funny Ha Ha and Hannah Takes the Stairs.