The 5 Worst Cliche Movie Lines

We've all heard them; those movie lines used over and over again on our favorite (or not-so-favorite) films. This is a collection of five that annoy me the most!

"In English, please."

Science is awesome, but sometimes it's not enough. For instance when I have to explain why my character Joe woke up this morning with superpowers. For that, I need pseudo-science. But since my viewers won't understand the long explanation with big words I made up, I can just have another character reply "In English, please". That way, I'm then free to pretend to dumb it down for them...and my viewer.

"It's Just Crazy Enough to Work"

So you're writing a movie. You have this really awesome scene in mind, but one problem: this would NEVER work in reality. But this is the movies; we can work around that! Simply have one of your characters utter this phrase and suddenly, anything seems possible.

"I can explain...This Isn't What It Looks Like"

You just got home from work. It's been a long day. As you open the front door to your house, you're ready to relax. But wait; something doesn't seem right. There are strange noises coming from upstairs and the house is a wreck. As you walk up the stairs, several voices can be heard screaming and shouting. You burst into your bedroom to a group of men gathered around a circle where two roosters are attacking each other furiously. Your husband/wife appears, with fists full of cash, and exclaims "I can explain! This 

isn't what it looks like!" Seen it a thousand times.

"You Look Like You've Seen a Ghost"

After all the commotion of your spouse starting a cock fighting ring (it WAS what it looked like), you decide to get away. Luckily your friend at work has a cabin in the middle of nowhere. When you first walk in, it seems nice enough. But after a few hours, it's clear you're not alone. Strange bumping noises and disembodied shreaks are cutting into your beauty sleep. Finally, you leave your room to investigate. As you look down the dark hallway, you suddenly make out shining white figure. You get closer as it becomes clearer. The King himself, Elvis Presley is performing in your hallway. When you see your friend next, he says "You look like you've seen a ghost". You did...and he's overrated.

"Whatever You Do, Don't Look Down"

You went for a leasiurly hike in the Himalayas when suddenly you lost your footing. You find yourself dangling on the side of a mountain, saved only by a thin branch. As you struggle not to fall, your friend runs up and calls out to you, offering their hand. You reach out but barely miss it. And then, as your branch begins to droop and certain death is only a few inches away, your friend calls out "Whatever you do, don't look down". Yeah, thanks for that.

What are your favorite - or least favorite - cliches?