Things you're tired of seeing in movies

[Jon Kelley]

What kills me the most is not just the unlimited bullets the guns in the cop shows have and boy are there a hundred cop shows. It is that all the characters get behind all these bullet proof props like a stack of crates, a stack of pallets or maybe a plastic empty drum. Could be a stack of cardboard boxes. Inside an office cubicle or even protected by a bullet proof Toyota truck door etc.

I had no idea that so many items could stop a bullet.

Ed

Yeah - world of difference between "cover" and "concealment."

Something I don't see in movies? Shootout in town, one guy's in the street, the other down an alley.

You know what actually makes good cover? Those six-inch kerbs. Lay down behind them. They may not cover everything - but you can cover quite a bit! (Some cities have 9-10" high kerbs - civilians can hide almost entirely, good guys can hide enough of themselves to avoid getting wounded, and still be able to return fire. Incoming fire trying to hit you will usually fall short - meaning that it will ricochet off of the cement and miss you. You may get cement chips on you, but those are smaller holes to deal with. There have been a couple of times that snugging up behind a kerb has saved me!)

 

[Jon Kelley]

+1 for the standard car door can stop a bullet.

When the hero falls from an extreme height into a large body of water and lives, without any significant internal injuries or broken limbs.
Unless you are a skilled diver, and have the discipline to quickly taper your body as you enter the water, you will most likely NOT survive, at least not without serious bodily harm.

How movie gunshot wounds/ stab wounds to the abdomen do not result in a slow, painful death. Yes, I've operated on such people, where miraculously nothing critical was injured, but this is NOT the norm. Even a single hole in the intestine can lead to rapid peritonitis and death, let alone a vascular injury.

Standard? No. DSS "War Wagons," Cadillacs with the "armored" option (I forget the RPO - it's standard,) and some "high-risk" PD cars are likely to have aramid (Kevlar) curtains in the doors to catch bullets - or at least slow them significantly - but I don't recall these being general issue.

Want to take cover behind a car? Hide behind the engine block, best cover you can get without actually leaving.

(I did like the scene toward the beginning of Predator II where Danny Glover propped open the door of an unmarked, then hung 3-4 armor vests over it....)

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How about seeing a beat up, filthy car.
And when our hero opens the door/trunk, the thing is absolutely SPOTLESS inside. Clean, shiny frame and all.
I first saw this in 'Beverly Hill Cop', and again on the 'latest Walking Dead'.

Dunno about "spotless" - but that can be effective urban camouflage...

 

[Riceball]

Something that I'm really tired of hearing in sci-do shows & movies is the term battlecruiser, it gets tossed around constantly like it actually refers to a powerful class of warship when in fact it was more of a failed experiment. For those who don't know, all a battlecruiser is basically a ship with cruiser level armor and battleship level armament, the idea was that it would be able to take on anything its size or smaller and outrun anything heavier than it like a heavy cruiser or battleship. At least that was supposed to be the idea but it generally didn't work out that way and they generally didn't do that well in most fleet engagements.

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[dascoyne]

Something that I'm really tired of hearing in sci-do shows & movies is the term battlecruiser, it gets tossed around constantly like it actually refers to a powerful class of warship when in fact it was more of a failed experiment. For those who don't know, all a battlecruiser is basically a ship with cruiser level armor and battleship level armament, the idea was that it would be able to take on anything its size or smaller and outrun anything heavier than it like a heavy cruiser or battleship. At least that was supposed to be the idea but it generally didn't work out that way and they generally didn't do that well in most fleet engagements.

... that is until they applied the principle in space, no?

 

[p51]

How about in movies where someone in the military asks someone to 'repeat' something they said. You NEVER use that word, that's used for calling in artillery on the last spot they just dropped it into. If you didn't hear something, you tell the person over the phone, "Say again"...
Little things like that drive all vets out of their minds.
That, and someone in the military saying something to someone who outranks them they'd never normally say, starting with, "In all due respect..." What a crock. That never happens!

 

[Riceball]

Something that I'm really tired of hearing in sci-do shows & movies is the term battlecruiser, it gets tossed around constantly like it actually refers to a powerful class of warship when in fact it was more of a failed experiment. For those who don't know, all a battlecruiser is basically a ship with cruiser level armor and battleship level armament, the idea was that it would be able to take on anything its size or smaller and outrun anything heavier than it like a heavy cruiser or battleship. At least that was supposed to be the idea but it generally didn't work out that way and they generally didn't do that well in most fleet engagements.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

... that is until they applied the principle in space, no?

Except that in sci-fi shows and movies they never specifically mention that these battelcruisers are the same as old naval battlecruisers, the way they always introduce them they make sound as if it's something really impressive like some sort of super battleship. I think that sci-fi writers just like using the term battlecuiser because they think it sounds impressive and have no idea what kind of ship it actually refers to. The only piece of sci-fi that I've seen use the term properly so far has been the Honor Harrington series, the author, David Weber, actually describes a battlecruiser accurately as a (relatively) lightweight ship with heavy weaponry and not some sort of super dreadnought like ship.

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How about in movies where someone in the military asks someone to 'repeat' something they said. You NEVER use that word, that's used for calling in artillery on the last spot they just dropped it into. If you didn't hear something, you tell the person over the phone, "Say again"...
Little things like that drive all vets out of their minds.

As someone whose job in the Corps involved spending a lot of time talking on the radio I always cringe whenever I hear them say "repeat" over the radio on TV or in the movies.

 

[Solo4114]

I always thought gut wounds take a while to kill you, although I suppose it depends on whether you have sepsis or septicemia or just a through-and through in your stomach.

In either the case of sepsis or septicemia, it'd seem like a truly awful way to go, but I don't imagine it'd be that quick.

By that, however, I mean, like, a matter of hours, rather than a matter of minutes.

The Americans did a pretty good job with that, it seemed, when they had characters take knives to the abdomen. These guys lasted at least a little while before they died.

 

[dascoyne]

How movie gunshot wounds/ stab wounds to the abdomen do not result in a slow, painful death. Yes, I've operated on such people, where miraculously nothing critical was injured, but this is NOT the norm. Even a single hole in the intestine can lead to rapid peritonitis and death, let alone a vascular injury.

I always thought gut wounds take a while to kill you, although I suppose it depends on whether you have sepsis or septicemia or just a through-and through in your stomach.

In either the case of sepsis or septicemia, it'd seem like a truly awful way to go, but I don't imagine it'd be that quick.

By that, however, I mean, like, a matter of hours, rather than a matter of minutes.

The Americans did a pretty good job with that, it seemed, when they had characters take knives to the abdomen. These guys lasted at least a little while before they died.

You're correct, Solo.

To be precise, "peritonitis" technically represents any condition that causes an inflammatory reaction in the peritoneum (the thin virtual space between the internal abdominal viscera and connective tissue layer beneath the surrounding skeletal muscle. The term is often applied synonymously with a bacterial infection because most precipitating etiologies do result in sepsis. Regardless, penetrating injuries often result in bodily fluids (bile, lymph, blood etc) or intestinal contents infiltrating the peritoneum.

Now the peritoneum (as with the pleura surrounding the lungs) is exquisitely sensitive and will typically result in a debilitating degree of physical pain. So, while many abdominal gunshot injuries aren't fatal - they can still incapacitate a subject. I think that's what he meant.

And gunshots (particularly handguns) are remarkably inefficient at inflicting immediate death of an individual without calculated shot placement (e.g. "Head" shot). Fatal abdominal wounds result more often from uncontrolled bleeding (aortic laceration) or the slower process of septicemia. Hemodynamic instability can occur from either process which is also fatal if untreated. But, like you said, it takes time.

But, I believe, penetrating injury to the aorta would often stabilize from "pseudo-tamponade" from surrounding connective tissue. I'll have to defer to blewis here because I'm more familiar with aortic aneurysm rupture than trauma when it comes to this kind of bleed. I welcome some enlightenment here.

(I forgot where I was going with this.) Oh, yeah. I believe abdominal handgun wounds aren't immediately fatal but are often incapacitating and do carry the risk of being ultimately fatal through complications.

 

[Solo4114]

Yeah, I'd always just heard it as "Gut shots take a long time to kill you." But you're supposed to be in absolute agony while that's happening.

With The Americans, they had two deaths from abdominal punctures. In one case, it was from a punch-dagger, and in the other from what looked to be, like, a 2-3" switchblade. In both cases, it looked like they might've hit intestines, or there was simply too much blood loss to stabilize the victims. In the first case, I THINK they got the guy to a hospital within, maybe, 20-30 min, but he apparently died at the hospital. I forget whether it was blood loss or something else. In the second case, they weren't really TRYING to stabilize the guy, but he died before they thought he would, although after what seemed to be several hours.

Regardless, it looked like an AWFUL way to go. Survivable if you get fast treatment, but if you don't...you'll be in agony.



All of which is why I'm glad I had my appendix out before it burst.

 

[p51]

Another one that drives me nuts, a guy buys it, you see the body, and right next to him, conveniently laying upright, is a photo of his family to show that someone is going to miss him badly now that he's gone.
In the movie "Gravity" it especially drove me nuts, as an astronaut isn't going to make a tether with a photo of his family to look at while he's doing a spacewalk!

 

[GiovanniDekkers]

Different flashbacks of a same event, it really takes the suspense out of a movie.

 

[Wes R]

"tributes" to a franchise that just ends up being a slap in the face of fans. The transformers and gi joe movies do this, especially the new one with Prime in g1 form then suddenly back to his craptastic new semi form.

 

[dascoyne]

Except that in sci-fi shows and movies they never specifically mention that these battelcruisers are the same as old naval battlecruisers, the way they always introduce them they make sound as if it's something really impressive like some sort of super battleship. I think that sci-fi writers just like using the term battlecuiser because they think it sounds impressive and have no idea what kind of ship it actually refers to. The only piece of sci-fi that I've seen use the term properly so far has been the Honor Harrington series, the author, David Weber, actually describes a battlecruiser accurately as a (relatively) lightweight ship with heavy weaponry and not some sort of super dreadnought like ship.

I knew what you meant. The term "battlecruiser" is used by Hollywood as shorthand to represent the epitome of fighting vessels just because it sounds so impressive.

It's actually funny how many times Hollywood overhypes stuff. It's only sad because a lot of folks are suckered into believing stuff.

Overhyped examples:

12-ga shotgun - either clearing a room in a single blast or propelling a subject across a room.

Desert Eagle pistol used in fighting - self explanatory.

Of course any large, bulky weapon is superior simply by size - e.g. when the big villain yanks a machine gun off a tripod and fires indiscriminately and obliterating everything in sight. Typically he's not behind cover, of course. Just once I'd like to see the hero just pop him then get back to business.

Long barreled .44 magnum revolver for combat - same principle. Never mind that the barrel length is more appropriate for hunting. For a while the .454 Casull and the S&W 500 were used in the same way.

SPAS-12 - same deal.

Raptors - aka. velociraptors from Jurassic Park. I love the movie but so many people don't realize that they're actually pretty small creatures and not the badass beasts in the film. Doesn't stop folks from naming everything from large pickups to fighting craft after it.

NOS! - the F&F movies were good fun and taught us that a spray bottle will put your econobox into hyperspace.

Epinephrine - a shot of this (preferably in a stabbing motion through the chest) will virtually revive the dead - even if they've been down without basic CPR for 10 minutes of dialogue. It was funny with Pulp Fiction but other folks started to run with it.

 

[Riceball]

Raptors - aka. velociraptors from Jurassic Park. I love the movie but so many people don't realize that they're actually pretty small creatures and not the badass beasts in the film. Doesn't stop folks from naming everything from large pickups to fighting craft after it.

I know what you mean, raptor is pretty overused these days and the family of dinosaurs that the velociraptor belongs to isn't named after them but after the dromaeosaur. However, in all fairness to the USAF and Lockheed Martin the F-22 Raptor was likely named after the family of birds that include the eagle, falcon, and the hawk.

 

[dascoyne]

I know what you mean, raptor is pretty overused these days and the family of dinosaurs that the velociraptor belongs to isn't named after them but after the dromaeosaur. However, in all fairness to the USAF and Lockheed Martin the F-22 Raptor was likely named after the family of birds that include the eagle, falcon, and the hawk.

y'know, in the midst of all the dinosaur hype that hadn't even occurred to me. That makes a lot more sense.

The sad thing is that I work at Travis AFB. lol.

 

[Solo4114]

I knew what you meant. The term "battlecruiser" is used by Hollywood as shorthand to represent the epitome of fighting vessels just because it sounds so impressive.

It's actually funny how many times Hollywood overhypes stuff. It's only sad because a lot of folks are suckered into believing stuff.

Overhyped examples:

12-ga shotgun - either clearing a room in a single blast or propelling a subject across a room.

Doesn't that depend on the pattern and range, not to mention the length of the barrel?

Desert Eagle pistol used in fighting - self explanatory.

Of course any large, bulky weapon is superior simply by size - e.g. when the big villain yanks a machine gun off a tripod and fires indiscriminately and obliterating everything in sight. Typically he's not behind cover, of course. Just once I'd like to see the hero just pop him then get back to business.

Long barreled .44 magnum revolver for combat - same principle. Never mind that the barrel length is more appropriate for hunting. For a while the .454 Casull and the S&W 500 were used in the same way.

SPAS-12 - same deal.

I saw a guy firing a -- no joke -- brass-plated DE (I think in .357, but it might've been .50AE). Guy must've brought EVERY gun he owned to the range that day (including a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 which just looked...goofy). And he managed to catch a bit of hot brass on his face, too. It was kinda funny. Although, the lanes WERE kinda tight, and my friend ended up catching some brass in his shirt pocket.

I don't claim to be a firearms expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I understand that there's a REASON (several, actually) you don't see every cop or soldier packing a high-calibre sidearm, and instead has a .40 or 9mm.

I actually think that a lot of the reason why Hollywood goes for these weapons is purely based on looks without any regard to functionality or role. Sometimes they just go with a weapon because it's unusual looking, like how they liked using AUGs and Calicos in sci-fi films in the 80s. I seem to recall some movie (The Package, I think?) where Tommy Lee Jones was an assassin tasked with sniping some Russian diplomat or general or something...and he was using an AUG to do it. Maybe it was a nod to the Golgo-13 manga/anime/films? I dunno.

There's definitely a dividing line, though, between action films where the goal is simply SHOOT LOTS OF BULLETS vs. actually practicing what I gather is more tactically sound firearms discipline -- like controlling your fire, using cover (not just concealment), and little things like reloading for reasons other than a dramatic pause.

NOS! - the F&F movies were good fun and taught us that a spray bottle will put your econobox into hyperspace.

You mean this stuff?

I know what you mean, raptor is pretty overused these days and the family of dinosaurs that the velociraptor belongs to isn't named after them but after the dromaeosaur. However, in all fairness to the USAF and Lockheed Martin the F-22 Raptor was likely named after the family of birds that include the eagle, falcon, and the hawk.

Yeah, the F-22 was, I think, named for birds of prey. Which would make more sense, considering velociraptors, you know, can't fly.

 

[dascoyne]

Doesn't that depend on the pattern and range, not to mention the length of the barrel?

I can't recall any pattern that's realistically going to take down multiple targets - especially at the distances described in movies (10-12 yards). The shotgun in combat is basically a fast way to put multiple projectiles into a single target with the associated degree of stopping power. The ideal combat shotgun actually has a tight pattern so it's effective for longer distances, I believe.

I saw a guy firing a -- no joke -- brass-plated DE (I think in .357, but it might've been .50AE). Guy must've brought EVERY gun he owned to the range that day (including a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 which just looked...goofy). And he managed to catch a bit of hot brass on his face, too. It was kinda funny. Although, the lanes WERE kinda tight, and my friend ended up catching some brass in his shirt pocket.

funny as it seems, I don't have a problem with folks owning oddball, blinged out firearms if it gives them pleasure to own or shoot. I just have a problem with folks who think that novelty guns or hunting pistols are the epitome of fighting arms.

I actually think that a lot of the reason why Hollywood goes for these weapons is purely based on looks without any regard to functionality or role. Sometimes they just go with a weapon because it's unusual looking, like how they liked using AUGs and Calicos in sci-fi films in the 80s. I seem to recall some movie (The Package, I think?) where Tommy Lee Jones was an assassin tasked with sniping some Russian diplomat or general or something...and he was using an AUG to do it. Maybe it was a nod to the Golgo-13 manga/anime/films? I dunno.

The Besson film La Femme Nikita also had the sniper AUG ... and a DE. But I like the film regardless.

You just reminded me that the 80's and 90's also saw the dual Skorpions, dual Tek-9s and MAC 10's/11s.

 

[Solo4114]

I can't recall any pattern that's realistically going to take down multiple targets - especially at the distances described in movies (10-12 yards). The shotgun in combat is basically a fast way to put multiple projectiles into a single target with the associated degree of stopping power. The ideal combat shotgun actually has a tight pattern so it's effective for longer distances, I believe.

That'd make sense. It'd also make sense why a combat shotgun would operate in pump or semi-auto (like the Spas-12 or Benelli M1). I'm trying to think of movies where a shotgun took down multiple targets with a single blast. Maybe with a sawed off double barrel or something? Nothing's coming to mind, though.

funny as it seems, I don't have a problem with folks owning oddball, blinged out firearms if it gives them pleasure to own or shoot. I just have a problem with folks who think that novelty guns or hunting pistols are the epitome of fighting arms.

I didn't have a problem with it, per se (nobody did), but it sure seemed goofy.

Although my friend and I were firing old WW2 bolt action rifles, which some might think is goofy, too. What got me, though, was having a "tough" gun and then getting popped on the forehead with hot brass from it.

The Besson film La Femme Nikita also had the sniper AUG ... and a DE. But I like the film regardless.

Maybe Steyr made a sniper version? I dunno. It might also have been that I think the handle has an integrated 2x or 1x scope. Still, I'd figure something like an SVD would make more sense and still would've looked reasonably exotic back in the 80s.

You just reminded me that the 80's and 90's also saw the dual Skorpions, dual Tek-9s and MAC 10's/11s.

Wow, yeah, you just mention those and all I can picture are guys like a very young Ahnold, and Kurt Russel with long hair.

 

[dascoyne]

Although my friend and I were firing old WW2 bolt action rifles, which some might think is goofy, too. What got me, though, was having a "tough" gun and then getting popped on the forehead with hot brass from it.

I love shooting firearms connected to history! No goofiness there.

Maybe Steyr made a sniper version? I dunno. It might also have been that I think the handle has an integrated 2x or 1x scope. Still, I'd figure something like an SVD would make more sense and still would've looked reasonably exotic back in the 80s.

Yeah. I donno either.

Which reminds me of all those films where a sniper movies where the weapon is broken down into multiple parts - including a separate barrel that is separate from the receiver on which the optics are mounted. I'm not a precision shooter but I'm pretty sure I'd want to zero my optics again if the barrel just came off the receiver.

I remember some serial-killer movie where the guy whipped out a Spyderco knife with a serrated blade and dramatically deployed the blade slowly one-handed using the thumbhole as if it's supposed to be intimidating. I just about fell out of my chair laughing. The name of the movie is escaping me.

 

[Treadwell]

Summary of 80% of the posts in this thread:

"Firearms are often used incorrectly."

COVERED.