1. Masked Mole

    Masked Mole Senior Member

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    Awful Writing in Film and TV

    Discussion in 'Entertainment' started by Masked Mole, Apr 28, 2015.

    Someone recently asked people's opinion on TV shows with good writing. I wanted to ask people what movies and shows have the worst writing they have ever seen.
    Some of mine:
    The Room (a classic for bad writing)
    Twilight Saga
    Mortal Kombat Movies
    I would be interested to hear your opinions.
    MM
     
  2. Shbooblie

    Shbooblie Senior Member

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    The Room, oh my gosh. Unbelievably bad. So funny though.
     
  3. Masked Mole

    Masked Mole Senior Member

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    "I did not hit her, I did not! Oh . . . hi, Mark."
     
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  4. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    There was a time in the late 80's where it seemed every film or TV show was trying to create a buzz-word that would be picked up by the zeitgeist. Kowabunga... I'll be back.... Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker! Trippindickular.

    It made for a lot of painfully self-conscious dialogue in popular 80's movies. Not all 80's were so-afflicted, but many. Too many to name. :)
     
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  5. Lemex

    Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor

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    The Room - never has something been more apt for 'Fantastically awful'.
    LOST - Terribly written pretentious claptrap.
     
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  6. Lilith_Duat

    Lilith_Duat Member

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    The Following.
    Which is sad, because I really wanted to love that show. I made it a season and a half before I gave up.
    But, seriously, the first 10 minutes "I read your file, you don't play well with others..."
    And the fact we're supposed to think this cult leader is charismatic, charming and intelligent when the acting and writing proved otherwise. Ugh.
     
  7. outsider

    outsider Contributor Contributor

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    I had the distinct misfortune some time in the fairly recent past of watching what I think was the worst film not only I, but the world, has ever seen.
    It starred Nicholas Cage, so admittedly was at something of disadvantage anyway. Left Behind was the name of this turgid pile of piffle. The most ridiculous premise, coupled with the worst script and singularly most incomprehensibly stupid plot man has ever encountered equated to actual mind rot, I can attest. That was two hours of my life I'll never see again. Avoid at all costs.
    Really, it's that bad.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2015
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  8. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Okay, I want to see it now! :geek: Anything that bad has got to be good....

    I know, I know ...I have been warned. Actually I've never seen anything with Nicholas Cage in it that I thought was much good. He seems to pick clanger after clanger.
     
  9. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

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    I know Mamma Mia was hugely popular - but c'mon... Some of the jokes in it made me cringe.

    Man of Steel was awful as well. Granted I was actually recommended it and told it was supposed to be fantastic. I don't think I would've hated it half as bad if I hadn't actually been expecting a remotely decent film. It tried - it really, really tried - but gosh, none of it made sense, it's filled with American cliches, and my husband and I could predict pretty much the next line of dialogue in many of the key scenes. I get that the aero fight or whatever it's called is supposed to be epic, but it only looks good so many times to crash through building after building. There were no stakes at all from start to finish and what attempt at depth of character was cheesy and highly predictable. Complete waste of time.

    I've probably offended a whole horde of Superman fans now. Please don't kill me... :brb:
     
  10. outsider

    outsider Contributor Contributor

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    @jannert: It was akin to the classic car crash scenario. You know you really shouldn't look but somehow you're compelled to. I kept thinking 'it must get better'. It didn't. I really can't articulate how shite it actually is.
     
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  11. PiP

    PiP Contributor Contributor

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    Dare I say 'East Enders' is one of the worst TV soaps followed by 'Desperate Housewives'. (This comment will probably land me on the naughty step)
     
  12. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    JJ Abrams' Star Trek. Oh dear, what a dumb script.
     
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  13. Masked Mole

    Masked Mole Senior Member

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    Interesting to hear that. I have not seen the film, personally. Therefore, I can't pass judgment myself. Most people think Abrams will be the savior for Star Wars.
     
  14. Jack Asher

    Jack Asher Banned Contributor

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    It's not just bad writing, it's bad science fiction, and really bad Star Trek. When people see the insignia on my vest they ask how excited I was for the new Star Trek and I have to ask them if they have a half an hour to listen to me talk about it.

    Long story short: that's not how black holes work, and Star Trek is fucking better than that.

    The movie was actually based on these fucking novels.
    My colleagues at cracked.com made a nice summation a couple of months before the movie came out.
    http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/5-reasons-nicolas-cages-new-film-will-be-crazier-than-usual/
     
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  15. Selbbin

    Selbbin The Moderating Cat Contributor Contest Winner 2023

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    Well, since he didn't write Star Trek, I think it's a non issue.

    Star Trek was written by the guys who wrote Transformers, while Star Wars was written by J.J and the guy who wrote The Empire Strikes Back, so....

    Don't confuse directors with writers.
     
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  16. Masked Mole

    Masked Mole Senior Member

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    I wasn't saying that Abrams wrote Star Trek.
    However, it is fascinating to hear that the same people that wrote Transformers also wrote the Star Trek films.
     
  17. Gigi_GNR

    Gigi_GNR Guys, come on. WAFFLE-O. Contributor

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    Speaking of The Room, one of my friends is actually working on Tommy Wiseau's new sitcom "The Neighbors." Weird as hell.
     
  18. Gawler

    Gawler Senior Member

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    TV Shows:
    Will and Grace (a comedy with no humor),
    Lost (miss 1 episode an you completely lose the plot),
    Neighbours (a soap opera, so expectations are low to start with, even then it falls short)

    Movies:
    Hudson Hawk,
    King Kong (Peter Jackson version, an absolute abomination)
     
  19. plothog

    plothog Contributor Contributor

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    The worst movie I've ever seen was a straight to DVD effort staring Stephen Seagal called Attack Force.

    Some of the flaws derive from the fact that apparently in post production they decided that the film shouldn't be about an invasion by space vampires but about a super drug which turns people violent.
    As such, much of the dialogue is badly dubbed. Most the time Stephen Seagal has a different voice though some lines they've left intact which only goes to highlight it isn't him the rest of the time.
    All sorts of other oddities. The lingering shot of the Eiffel Tower during a film set in Romania is baffling.
    My favourite moment is when they discover on a computer that the villains have released a drug into the water supply. The heroes respond by blowing up the computer with a grenade and then the water supply never gets mentioned again.
    All this sounds sort of amusing but for the most part it's dull, full of boring dialogue and very drab cinematography.
     
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  20. Lemex

    Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor

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    Yeah, that film was awful. I'm waiting for the day everyone realizes just how lame and corny things like Superman are.

    There, now I've seriously annoyed someone. :p
     
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  21. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

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    Hehehe it does sound funny. Sounds worse than World War Z :D hey, remember the time when injecting yourself with a lethal virus with no cure was a good idea? :geek:
     
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  22. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

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    Aw, what was wrong with King Kong? I liked it! A little dragged on, but...

    As for bad soaps, Neighbours isn't the worst. Eastenders is!! :blech: every Christmas somebody has to die... meh.

    Btw what's The Room?
     
  23. Selbbin

    Selbbin The Moderating Cat Contributor Contest Winner 2023

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    It cannot be described. But you can see the trailer:

     
  24. Shadowfax

    Shadowfax Contributor Contributor

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    Sooner or later they'll run out...please, God!
     
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  25. Shadowfax

    Shadowfax Contributor Contributor

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    Raid on Rommel - one of the (many) films that Richard Burton DIDN'T get nominated for an award for.

    Much of the footage was re-used from Tobruk.

    Probably the best of the dialogue was the (unsubtitled) German!
     

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