‘I Promise’ is the Most-quoted Phrase in Movies
Cliches that need to be fired from Hollywood
I hate cliches, but I often fall victim to perpetuating them myself. It’s the everyday words and phrases that I repeat out of habit. It’s the first thing that comes to mind and, sometimes, the simplest way to express what I mean. But I expect more from screenwriters — easy just doesn’t cut it! And yes, I’m aware of the irony (that I just used a cliche phrase).
I cringe every time I hear those old (repeated in every movie) phrases like; I promise, I won’t let you down, there’s nothing we could do, it’s the only way, she was my whole world, etc.
What about the obvious ones like entering a house and leaving the door open? I mean — close the damn door! It’s cold outside! Or being stuck in the desert, thirsty, drinking the last drops of water with the bottle half a meter away from their mouth, spilling the last drops everywhere — but wait! That’s not where this madness ends — then, throwing the bottle away?! Like, Nah! I don’t need that anymore. So who cares if I find an oasis behind the next dune and won’t have anything to fill with water…
Have you noticed that there is a lot of throwing away important stuff in Hollywood? Things that could be useful could assist the character in the storyline. Is this a reflection of the mentality in the US? Do they just love throwing stuff away?
And have I mentioned this little nugget? Running in a straight line on a road/path while being chased by a car — yes, because that’s logical. Just pretend that there are no other options, like a store, a little alleyway, a tiny path in the forest (that the car couldn’t fit into). I mean, go, just keep on running. I’m sure you can outrun that car.
Also, usually in horror, walking into a dark, scary room (after hearing a suspicious noise) saying ‘hello?’ — who does that! I don’t know about you, but I even tell my little feverishly pounding heart to quiet down in those situations.
What about the part in the movie that involves a group of friends being chased by a monster, and they decide to separate…Yup that will give you more chances of survival — idiots!
Don’t you just love the scene where you see a woman wake up with perfect hair and make-up — who are they kidding? Also, we all walk into a house that is fully lit up (with lamps in every corner of the room) after a long day at work, right?
And don’t get me started on strip clubs. I love thrillers and action movies, but does nearly every one of them have to feature a strip club of some type? Is it because the writers are convinced that everyone goes to one and spends so much time there that it just has to be shown? And then I sit there, cringing, while I’m forced to watch half-naked women spread their legs on my 60-inch screen — sitting next to the love of my life, which usually grabs the remote and presses the fast-forward button. May I puke now, please?
I’m appealing to those who write for the screen and those who write fiction — please use your imagination, give us (the audience/readers) something fresh and unexpected, but don’t insult our intelligence. I don’t think I’m asking for too much. And if you’re short of ideas, I encourage you to watch a couple of great movies like ‘The Gentlemen’ — where you just get hypnotized by the elegant, cheeky, and engaging storytelling. Or “Shawshank Redemption,” which is a must-watch for anyone who has ever fallen victim to injustice. Or ‘I Care a Lot,’ a dark comedy with plenty of unexpected character reactions and plot pivots.
