Things you're tired of seeing in movies

[Laspector]

People climbing up and down on elevator cables without gloves.

I don't know how much improvement there has been on elevator cables in the past few decades, but once back in the 80s me and a few friends were messing around in an old abandoned building that had an elevator and we managed to get into the elevator shaft. One idiot decided to try to climb the cable. He didn't make it two feet before his hands were ripped to pieces!

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

And it's even better when characters slide down those without any gloves on...

 

[Dsimdude]

People, directors, producers, et al..., screwing around with characters, stories, plot-lines from the original (much admired) books from which they shamelessly advertise as having an association with (said book/author) and ensnare/dupe the public into believing so..... looking at you ‘Tom Clancy’s’ “ Without Remorse “.... the latest in a long line of films that should have just come up with it’s own IP, instead of ripping on an established story teller and his works.

I've worked in show business for over 45 years, with many, many Hollywood types. They seem to think that they're better, smarter and can write better than anyone else. They cannot. 99% of the time they just screw it up...

 

[Strikerkc]

When a character encounters a clone, double, or future/past version of themselves and they do that stupid circle each other until they stop and then stare thing. That's so overdone they need to be fined for it! Then the characters always act like they hate each other. I could see if a future version of yourself was crap, but if you encountered a past version, it's you, so I don't know why you'd not like them. Star Trek TNG did this (Cmdr. Riker/"Thomas" Riker), The Orville (Kelly and past Kelly - which is what I just watched), etc. Just stop that already, come up with new ideas!

I don't know, I'd gladly slap the **** out of 25 year old me, with nothing but burning hot rage in my eyes.
And I didn't even particularly suck as a person at 25.

 

[p51]

When people 'whip' the muzzle of a pistol at someone when shooting it, as if it was a Harry Potter wand...

 

[The Goon]

When people 'whip' the muzzle of a pistol at someone when shooting it, as if it was a Harry Potter wand...

How about when they're holding the pistol at waist level (with the elbow bent 90°) and they push the pistol forward every time they fire it, as if they're pushing the bullets out of the gun to make 'em reach the target just that little bit faster.

 

[Laspector]

Here's one maybe members you know more about law enforcement than myself can answer: Are there really that many detectives out there? Almost all cop shows and movies are about detectives. Very rarely are any about actual uniformed cops. I'm not asking if detectives do all the action packed things they do in the movies--of course not.

In most of these movies these detectives are very young. I thought you had to work your way up to being a detective, however I will admit I have no knowledge of the process. Example; I just started of on DCs Titans. Dick Grayson is in his early twenties and he is already a detective. Is that even possible? Can you go straight into the police force as a detective?

I literally work right next door to my city's police station. I've seen enough officers go in and out there that I know most of them just by their faces just because of the frequency that I see them. If there were plain clothes detectives going in and out there all the time I think I would notice.

And cops using their own cars? Just putting the little blue light on top when in a chase ala Starsky and Hutch? Yes? No?

 

[Dsimdude]

How about when they're holding the pistol at waist level (with the elbow bent 90°) and they push the pistol forward every time they fire it, as if they're pushing the bullets out of the gun to make 'em reach the target just that little bit faster.

You see this a lot in 1960's television shows and the like. My guess is that they couldn't afford actual blanks, so the actor does this action so the sound man knows when to put in the gunshots in post.

 

[Riceball]

Here's one maybe members you know more about law enforcement than myself can answer: Are there really that many detectives out there? Almost all cop shows and movies are about detectives. Very rarely are any about actual uniformed cops. I'm not asking if detectives do all the action packed things they do in the movies--of course not.

In most of these movies these detectives are very young. I thought you had to work your way up to being a detective, however I will admit I have no knowledge of the process. Example; I just started of on DCs Titans. Dick Grayson is in his early twenties and he is already a detective. Is that even possible? Can you go straight into the police force as a detective?

I literally work right next door to my city's police station. I've seen enough officers go in and out there that I know most of them just by their faces just because of the frequency that I see them. If there were plain clothes detectives going in and out there all the time I think I would notice.

And cops using their own cars? Just putting the little blue light on top when in a chase ala Starsky and Hutch? Yes? No?

I'm that knowledgeable about the inner workings of police forces but I'm pretty sure that you can't join the police as a rookie and be a detective. I suppose that it's possible to make detective in one's early 20s but that sounds like a bit of a stretch to me.

As for detectives using their own cars, that I highly doubt. For one, the dept. would probably have to deal with the headache of paying the detective for their mileage if not also general wear and tear. Then there's the matter of having your car identified as a police car, even worse when you have something as flashy and identifiable as the car used in Starsky & Hutch. It wouldn't take very long for every crook and low life to keep an eye out for that car and when they see it, they know that cops are around. Then when you drive it home, people might see it on the road and follow you home or if they happen to be in or around your neighborhood, just an all around bad idea if you ask me.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Yeah I always thought you had a certain amount of years you have to serve as a street cop before you're ever offered the chance to be a detective. Maybe it works differently in each dept., I don't know.

I remember watching an old episode of COPS and they raided a house and they found a C3 Corvette and a Desert Eagle pistol. The detective said "I'm going to drive that car and carry that gun!"

 

[Pumpkinhead]

Arnold, especially Terminator movies.

 

[Ron]

Speaking of cops, when they commandeer a vehicle from a citizen during a chase.

Is that actual protocol? Are they legally able to do that?

 

[Strikerkc]

Speaking of cops, when they commandeer a vehicle from a citizen during a chase.

Is that actual protocol? Are they legally able to do that?

I always took that as falling more under the "How convenient that the hero is never charged for their numerous terrible crimes committed while in pursuit of the villain" trope.

I cannot think of any power that allows any law enforcement to legally take and use the property of an uninvolved bystander. There's some qualified immunity stuff that keeps law enforcement from getting dinged for damaged property and injury while honestly trying their best to do their job; but that's not "Gimmie yo Car!" level stuff.

I also like to think that most of the folks that hop out of their cars and give them to the cops are upside down on their payments, and also want a great excuse to skip work that day.

 

[somerset fox]

I always took that as falling more under the "How convenient that the hero is never charged for their numerous terrible crimes committed while in pursuit of the villain" trope.

This is something I’ve always pondered over. Our hero is mistakenly detained by his/her boss for a perceived wrongdoing, and then effects an escape, which involves beating up his colleagues. Bond does it all the time. does the assaulted guard, when they come around report the assault to their supervisor, making a complaint? Does M have a long list of offences for Bond to ‘TIC (take into consideration) when he eventually hands in his Walther and 00 card?

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Speaking of cops, when they commandeer a vehicle from a citizen during a chase.

Is that actual protocol? Are they legally able to do that?

Yes—even outside “The Land of Make Believe” where they play “Cops n’ Robbers”, but in front of a camera:

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

This is something I’ve always pondered over. Our hero is mistakenly detained by his/her boss for a perceived wrongdoing, and then effects an escape, which involves beating up his colleagues. Bond does it all the time. does the assaulted guard, when they come around report the assault to their supervisor, making a complaint? Does M have a long list of offences for Bond to ‘TIC (take into consideration) when he eventually hands in his Walther and 00 card?

Well if it was the Daniel Craig Bond, they probably were so shocked that Bond was driving a KIA that they forgot all about the assaults!

 

[Treadwell]

"Slinging the bullet out" is a thing done on stage---they put baby powder in the barrel and the motion shoots out "smoke". Some of the actors doing it in movies might have the habit from stage work. Some. I'm sure most just are doing it wrong.

Similarly: actors who over-mime recoil. A handgun will make your hand kick a little, but not send your arm over your head.

 

[Dsimdude]

"KA-CHOW! KA-CHOW!"

 

[Riceball]

"Slinging the bullet out" is a thing done on stage---they put baby powder in the barrel and the motion shoots out "smoke". Some of the actors doing it in movies might have the habit from stage work. Some. I'm sure most just are doing it wrong.

Similarly: actors who over-mime recoil. A handgun will make your hand kick a little, but not send your arm over your head.

They won't unless you're shooting something like a .500 Magnum. Then that's going over just about everybody's head unless you're built like Arnie was in his prime.

 

[AJK001]

I still remember firing a .357 magnum for the first time. I was not prepared for the kick but it still only went up about a foot of so. I actually felt the recoil more in a .380 PPK.