Most overused Clichés in movies/TV shows?

[BristolEcho]

Big medieval battle happening. One side badly outnumbered. Will the back up get there or not? Zzz.

 

[freakydave]

the alcoholic suicidal policeman is a really fucking sexy guy

 

[Reno]

the alcoholic suicidal policeman is a really fucking sexy guy

...since Prime Suspect also a sexy lady.

 

[Spymaster]

When armed baddies are chasing the good guy they will only ever shoot at the ground around his feet.

 

[freakydave]

I like in 70s and 80s films set in New York there is always some wacky black guy who will make some jive-talk sort of comment
Like Superman will come out of a phonebox and the guy goes 'Nice threads man!' or Stallone is running along the street with a load of guns and someone goes 'Oh he gon' kick somebody's ass'
It was replaced by the big fat black woman at some point

 

[UrbaneFox]

Blind newsagent with stutter at 4.14 still manages to quip about being blind. Still, good opportunity to hear the Shaft theme:

 

[T & P]

In horror and thriller films, when a character opens the fridge to grab a snack in their empty kitchen, invariably the antagonist will be revealed to be right beside the fridge when the fridge door is closed.

 

[two sheds]

Someone being attacked knocks gun/knife/club/flamethrower out of baddie's hand and legs it without picking up the weapon only for the baddie to pick it up and pursue them with it. Seriously bad planning.

 

[two sheds]

In horror and thriller films, when a character opens the fridge to grab a snack in their empty kitchen, invariably the antagonist will be revealed to be right beside the fridge when the fridge door is closed.

or there's a head or their cat in the fridge

 

[spanglechick]

In horror and thriller films, when a character opens the fridge to grab a snack in their empty kitchen, invariably the antagonist will be revealed to be right beside the fridge when the fridge door is closed.

Or closing the mirrored medicine cabinet, the sinister figure standing directly behind them is revealed in their reflection.

 

[krtek a houby]

I like in 70s and 80s films set in New York there is always some wacky black guy who will make some jive-talk sort of comment
Like Superman will come out of a phonebox and the guy goes 'Nice threads man!' or Stallone is running along the street with a load of guns and someone goes 'Oh he gon' kick somebody's ass'
It was replaced by the big fat black woman at some point

Much as I loved the Superman films, that kind of token role for black actors (whatever their weight) has always made me feel uncomfortable. And the mostly white cinema crowd would duly laugh at the character. Even the great Richard Pryor was wasted in the third film.

 

[T & P]

When an antagonist is chasing a character with the intention to kill them, they magically keep up with and eventually catch their intended victim despite walking at a slow pace whilst their prey is running as fast as they possibly can.

 

[not-bono-ever]

no one ever uses a mouse on a pc - every action involves keystrokes

 

[Little Piranha]

Parent who has fucked up their relationship with their teenage child by 'always being on the job' or completely irresponsible saves the day by virtue of their job/being reckless.

 

[Sweet FA]

Richard Pryor was wasted in the third film.

Tbf he was probably wasted in all the films.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Tbf he was probably wasted in all the films.

Certainly looked like he was.

 

[T & P]

Someone is on the ground being strangled or about to be stabbed in the eye by a foe sitting on top of them. All seems lost, but at the last moment the protagonist spots a blunt object or shard of glass laying nearby, and manages to reach it and whack the villain in the head.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Someone is on the ground being strangled or about to be stabbed in the eye by a foe sitting on top of them. All seems lost, but at the last moment the protagonist spots a blunt object or shard of glass laying nearby, and manages to reach it and whack the villain in the head.

Don't tell me that's never happened to you.

 

[T & P]

Don't tell me that's never happened to you.

Plenty of times but I just knee them in the nads.

 

[DaveCinzano]

Someone is on the ground being strangled or about to be stabbed in the eye by a foe sitting on top of them. All seems lost, but at the last moment the protagonist spots a blunt object or shard of glass laying nearby, and manages to reach it and whack the villain in the head.

Don't forget those beats:

FUMBLE...STRETCH...FUMBLE...STRETCH...FUMBLE...

THWACK / DONGGG / SKKKKKKWWWW!

 

[DaveCinzano]

Also:

OLIGATORY GEOLOGY SAMPLE

 

[strung out]

no one ever uses a mouse on a pc - every action involves keystrokes

 

[Tankus]

2000 round magazines for pistols

 

[slowth]

Low key jazzy instrumental plays as helicopter shot flies A) over and in between skyscrapers, picking out a policeman directing traffic, kids splashing about in a broken fire hydrant, taxi driver honking his horn before sweeping in on well dressed business guy/gal trotting up some important steps to enter an important building B) over a twee suburban town, focusing on lawns being mowed, housewives waving at each other, children playing some game or other in the road before settling on a guy getting out of his car on his drive and entering house. film begins

 

[Bus Honeygun]

"Don't you get it? I got a great life here. My saving the world/robbing banks/performing amazing feats of technical knowhow days are over."

 

[CNT36]

Someone is on the ground being strangled or about to be stabbed in the eye by a foe sitting on top of them. All seems lost, but at the last moment the protagonist spots a blunt object or shard of glass laying nearby, and manages to reach it and whack the villain in the head.

There's another strangling one. Monster/Robot/Alien etc with excessive strength demonstrated by the crushing of rocks/skulls into dust with a single squeeze of the hand wants you dead. Monster/Alien has its hand around your throat for 20 seconds before being forced to let go. Five seconds of heavy breathing and you're fine.

 

[Combustible]

Parent who has fucked up their relationship with their teenage child by 'always being on the job' or completely irresponsible saves the day by virtue of their job/being reckless.

They also win their ex wife back

And in general a man's reward for his heroic deeds is that he can get together with his love interest

 

[8ball]

When armed baddies are chasing the good guy they will only ever shoot at the ground around his feet.

Although later in the film when the good guy gets shot, it will turn out to be a non-serious shoulder wound.

 

[T & P]

Not so much a plot device as a visual thing, but it seems no American citizen ever is able to resist putting ribbons on fans or aircon ducts, judging by Hollywood at least...

 

[T & P]

Although later in the film when the good guy gets shot, it will turn out to be a non-serious shoulder wound.

The shoulder sure gets hit a lot on supporting characters destined to live... The main protagonist tends to get grazed on the arm.