Comments on: Top 10 Movie Clichés

By: Tanya B

Tanya B — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:56:25 +0000

One of my biggest pet peeves is the Universal Beer myth. Whenever someone goes to a bar they just order a “BEER”. No specific kind of beer no specifying pulled pint or bottle just a BEER. And why are all movie beers lagers? Surely someone character would prefer a stout or pilsner?

Last thing when is the last time you have gone to a bar and bought the whole bottle of whiskey or scotch that has already been open? Every time I see the down trodden guy slide wearily to bar and slaps down some crumpled bills and the bartender brings over a shot glass and bottle that is say 2/3 full I want to scream. When think about it a one ounce shot will run you at least 5 dollars (CDN) now assuming that there is there is say 20 oz remaining on the bottle that would run you at least $100. He is always drinking alone any so why got to a liquor store pay a quarter of that price and get a motel and some take away to boot?

By: rich b

rich b — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:56:03 +0000

Here’s a really shop-worn one. In all scenes involving a coroner, the M.E. is almost always eating something greasy and gross. It usually happens right as the coroner is doing an autopsy in front of an obviously queasy young Detective. Also – the young coroner is almost a young Asian male. It never fails.

By: Alan Smithee

Alan Smithee — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:36:47 +0000

When breaking into his victim’s house, an assassin will always wait until he is right outside their bedroom before attaching a silencer to his pistol.

By: Caysha

Caysha — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:13:17 +0000

What about the ‘J syndrome’? How the main (male) character’s name so often starts with J, usually John, or Jack? (though Joe, James and Jimmy are also really common) Usually it’s an action movie, but not always.
Jack – Speed, Legend, Pirates of the Carribean, Nightmare Before Christmas, The Shining, Fight Club, Titanic
John – The Terminator Series, Die Hard, Rambo, Hancock, Batman Begins, Knowing
It’s also in lots of TV shows: 24, Lost, Stargate SG-1, Alias, 30 Rock, Dr.Who/Torchwood, and the list goes on

I understand that these are names that easily convey masculinity and heroism etc etc, but surely we are able to cope with a name a little more unusual – they did it in 5th Element and it was fine… Just a pet peeve is all

By: Funny

Funny — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:17:40 +0000

how about the person hand or feet got stuck somewhere and just happen to get it out in the nick of time

By: joanne

joanne — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:59:25 +0000

rich b (93):
with submachine guns (kind of like a smaller lighter rapid-fire machine gun with pistol cartridge e.g. uzi) the recoil from successive rounds thrusts the gun to point towards another direction, so they tilt them such that the cartridge is parallel to the horizontal while firing, so the force from the recoil then pushes the gun to point more to the side, with the motion of the gun forming an arc of a circle with its center at the person firing. this is especially useful if for example you’re completely surrounded by enemies – go into squatting position for added stability, tilt the gun sideways and start firing; as you turn around in a circle the gun turns with you, making good use of the often unwanted recoil.

eventually this technique made it to popular culture through portrayal in movies, tv, and comics, giving rise to the misconception that tilting a gun sideways while firing somehow increases the gun’s firing rate thus increasing the gunner’s hit rate and chances of survival

there’s another classic gun cliche – the one where the gunner has two guns, one in each hand. even with the automatic and semi-automatic guns these days i think it would have been only marginally effective against single targets – sure it gives you double the firing rate, but it messes with your focus/aim and is a waste of ammunition because in most cases just one bullet would have been enough to suppress the target, and with a crippled aim most of the bullets wouldn’t have hit the target anyway! two guns against multiple targets would have been unreal(i.e. hollywood) as the gunner would require inhuman reflexes (otherwise abysmal intellect)just to consider doing it… i think this cliche originated from the earliest guns e.g. muskets which take forever to reload so in a battle situation some richer dudes carried 2 or more pre-loaded guns because they figured switching from 1 gun to another was faster than reloading one gun

By: Nolod1207

Nolod1207 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:13:47 +0000

I just realized that number 9 (the whole running out of bullets thing) isn’t such a bad cliche. I mean, I’d rather have that then the gun with the never ending ammunition or the 6 shooter that can fire 10 rounds which is also a movie cliche

By: James

James — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:37:24 +0000

In one variation on this cliche, the bad guy put the mask on a dead guy so he could escape (Silence of the Lambs).

What the hell are you talking about? Is english your second language by any chance? I suggest you spend more time spell checking and learn grammar (and factual research) if you are going to run an informative website…

By: kennypo65

kennypo65 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:18:23 +0000

Why didn’t anyone ever use the machete that Jason was carrying to decapitate him? Short answer: no sequel(s).

By: rich b

rich b — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:41:30 +0000

Now this is one of Hollywood’s favorite new cliches. You all know the one where the good guys and the bad guys simeultaniously pull their guns and point them at each other in a critical moment. No one ever fires though. Isn’t getting the drop on someone the reason you pull a gun? I was always told if you pull a gun you better use it. This one is an absolutely ridiculous scenario and yet it’s become standard in movies now.

And what’s with the “gangsta” shooters (see “Boys In The Hood”) who all hold their guns at a ridiculous forty-five degree angle before shooting? I’m told one would get a jam or a face full of brass if they shot that way. Any there any gun experts here who want to weigh in on this one.