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THE GENERAL REGISTRY OF CLICHE LINES

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Editor

C'mon now folks, you've heard them in a thousand flicks, they are the true hallmarks of trashy writing....

Vent your spleen and post up those lousy lines.

Here's a couple or so to start the ball rolling...

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"We've got company"

"But, James, it's too dangerous"

"You must understand that this is really important to our operation"

Villain - "No, no, this could be of help to us, allow us to show the true power of our machine/bomb/deathray"
 
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This is my least favorite: After asking a child "what is your name?" - "That's a pretty name".

Second least favorite: As a woman gets some jewelry - "It's beautiful".
 
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FUCK YOU !!!
I FUCK YOU AGAIN !!!!
WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY !!!
WHAT THE FUCK !!
DAMN !!! FUCK JESUS !!! HOLY SHIT (NOW , WHY WOULD ONE WANT TO FUCK JESUS ? LET HIM STAY VIRGIN !)
ASSHOLE!
HOW DARE YOU ,TALK LIKE THAT !
COME ON ! IT'S TOO MUCH I SAY!
ENOUGH !
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!
I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE !
SOMEBODY FUCK THIS ASSHOLE !!
THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER HAPPENED TO ME !!!
 
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georgiahoosier said:
"Let's get out of here" is the number one most used line in motion pictures.

I remember hearing that back in the 70s and it's definitely true.

I'm determined to never put it in a screenplay
Click to expand...

Why not? It may be a cliche, but it's the most common and convenient way to tell a group of people to leave the current place/location. Well, maybe except "Let's go", but that's a cliche too.
 
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Interesting. A cliche is defined as expression or sentence expressing
a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality,
ingenuity, and impact by overuse.

Is a character saying, "Let's get out of here." or "Follow me." really
a cliche? Does saying "It's beautiful" when receiving a gift lose its
originality or impact because other people have also said it?

I've always thought of a cliche as "As old as the hills", "Time heals
all wounds" or "I love you more than life itself" more than saying
"It's beautiful" or "Follow me".
 
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"Hello"

"Good-bye"

"Nice day"

"What?"

"Where?"

"Good-Night"

"see ya!"


God, I must've heard those lines A THOUSAND times in every movie and TV show!
 
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directorik said:
Interesting. A cliche is defined as expression or sentence expressing
a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality,
ingenuity, and impact by overuse.

Is a character saying, "Let's get out of here." or "Follow me." really
a cliche? Does saying "It's beautiful" when receiving a gift lose its
originality or impact because other people have also said it?

I've always thought of a cliche as "As old as the hills", "Time heals
all wounds" or "I love you more than life itself" more than saying
"It's beautiful" or "Follow me".
Click to expand...


You're absolutely right, of course, but movie cliches are more about the inevitability of a particular line in a particular way in a particular setting, where it has been used time and time again. Sometimes the words aren't even important - just the attitude.

Lots of people seem to be getting confused between well-used stylistic language and well-used functional language when it comes to cliches. With stylistic language the writer always has a choice, whereas functional language is guided by the characters' natural reactions to an unfolding situation - otherwise the pursuit of "cliche-free" dialogue will only lead to seriously unnatural dialogue.
 
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"This chicken Parmesan is delicious! A bit pricey, but I'd pay double for a meal of this quality!"


seriously, if I see that in one more movie I'm gonna strangle the writer
 
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mlesemann said:
If a person in a horror movie says "I'll be right back," you know they're the next one to be killed.
Click to expand...

Exactly the sort of thing I meant about a situation being cliche, rather than particular functional words - the character could say "Back in a minute" or "I'm just going for a piss" or whatever, and the cliche would still be there.
 
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Back in the old days, if a soldier showed a picture of his wife, kids, mom, etc; he was doomed to be killed in the very next scene.
That turned up in a lot of war flicks.

Almost as dangerous as wearing a red shirt on Star Trek!
 
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