h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.h2g2.com/A424667

I've written this entry as a service to all those who posted wonderful
suggestions to the forum at http://www.h2g2.com/FLR26689?thread=29059&skip=0&show=20

I think Spiny (http://www.h2g2.com/U35761) was going to compile such an article, but it's been quite a few months now, so I thought I'd save Spiny the trouble. I've spent a while to sort them all out, edit and group them, add quite a few of my own, include a decent introduction, and present this eternally ongoing subject as a separate article in its own right, for people to then add to. If you're reading this, Spiny, I hope it has your blessing!

Note that I've concentrated on cliched lines of film dialogue rather than cliched plots, scenes, scenarios and so on, which really would take up an entire book...

It's a favourite discussion subject, and I'm amazed an article hasn't been written before. Well, here you go. Enjoy, and PLEASE comment and contribute folks!

Dickon
x

Perhaps a section dedicated to the strangely recurrent dialogue of Schwarzenegger movies...
eg (the classic) 'I'll be back'
'you're not sending me to der cooler!' (possibly the most excruciating moment of Batman and Robin)
'get to der chopper! Go!' (unnecessary advice in Predator)
'what happened to you? You used to be someone I could trust.'
'let off some steam, Bennett' (wondrously bad ending to Commando)
[token chick in Commando]: 'what happened to [bad guy]?' Arnie: 'I let him go' (having just dropped him over cliff)

I'm sure there's loads more, but it's just too cheesy to remember...

I, personally, would find this one a lot more useful if it included a sample of movies, etc., that used the said dialogue (and maybe even what character said that).

Of course, that could easily be more work than it's worth.

What do you think?

If you're REALLY expecting me to list all the films which include the line "Let's get out of here"... you overestimate my life expectancy...

*grin*

I didn't say you needed to go overboard.... maybe just some examples....

Well, that's why I've called the article an "I-Spy" guide... one is really meant to tick them off while watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster...

Hee I enjoyed this
BCNU - Crescent

This is an interesting idea, and a good attempt at covering the subject. I can't help but think it needs a little more... Here's a suggestion; what if you listed the standard movie clichés, and organized the dialogue according to which movie you might expect to hear it in?

You know:
• cop&newpartner movie (Robocop, Alien Nation, Dead Pool, etc.) "I always drive" or "Family guy, huh?"
• Invasion of weird life form inimicable to human life (Critters, The Blob, Scanners, etc) Can't remember any dialogue, but most of the action in these kinds of movies happens near old abandoned funhouses or burnt-out warehouses.
• The teen coming-of-age movie (Real Genius, St.Elmo's Fire, Breakfast Club, etc.)
• The terrorist disaster movie (The Die Hards, Air Force One, Broken Arrow)
• The classic horror movie (Fright Night, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Halloween, and lots more!)

I'm sure you can think of lots more well-worn movie themes... Good luck and let me know what you think!

I agree that this one still needs some work. Unfortunately the author doesn't seem to be around anymore. What would people think about moving this one to the Writing Workshop?


Mikey

Sounds like a good idea. Perhaps somebody else will pick up the article and run with it.

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'The Writing Workshop' to 'The Flea Market'.

I've taken this entry up. Let's face it, no-one else comes into those uncharted reaches of backlog.

Aximili did indeed write A23621708 I-Spy Guide To Cliched Film Dialogue but he himself appears to have now ed while the second version was in the Writing Workshop.

<BB<

This Entry is being sent back to the author's home page as a more complete version is in existence.