Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share The Warning Signs That A Movie's Going To Be Unwatchable

People Share The Warning Signs That A Movie's Going To Be Unwatchable
Alfred Derks from Pixabay

Few things are as dissatisfying as a bad movie.

It's even worse when you can tell the movie will be bad, when you can see it coming but you're already on a train with no signs of stopping.

Or maybe you're just one of those suckers who feels a need to stick it out until the end (much to your repeated regret).

Bad acting and bad writing are two of my pet peeves, by the way.


But there's plenty out there that annoys the average filmgoer, as we were reminded once Redditor Thats_What_She_Said asked the online community:

"What's a sign that a movie is going to be bad?"


"If it isn't strong enough..."

"Showing what is obviously the best part/climax in the trailer. If it isn't strong enough to catch my interest with the lead-up, it's likely gonna suck."

Mr_Lumbergh

So frustrating! The worst. This is why I don't watch trailers. Ever.

"An exposition..."

"An exposition in which one character explains everything that's going on to another character that should already know what is going on."

smartypants

Don't you love that?

"I know we drove for what might have been 40 minutes and that I had plenty of time, but I won't tell you what's going on until 20 seconds before we rob this bank!"

"If it's being released..."

"If it's being released in January. That isn't the case every time, just most of the time."

[deleted]

Ah, yes. The dumping ground after Oscar season.Typically, the worst of the worst comes out at this time.

"If you are a fantasy movie..."

"Whenever they start promoting their movie by constantly comparing it to one of the all-time greats in the genre. If you are a fantasy movie and you have to state in the advertising that you are great just like Lord of the Rings, it makes me think your movie is probably crap. Because you are not LOTR."

Eriador12345

Everyone wants to present another Lord of the Rings but there hasn't been anyone able to match Tolkien... at least not yet.

"It means the studio..."

"Critics did not receive an advance screening in order to write a review. It means the studio is hoping to at least recover an opening weekend of ticket sales before word gets out."

cyrano111

This is a big one. If the critics don't even get a chance to see it, then that typically doesn't bode well.

"The preview shows a girl..."

"The preview shows a girl who's Just Too Focused On Career to find love going back to her small hometown for whatever reason."

pamplemouss

But don't worry, she'll leave everything she cares about for this scruffy man's man wearing flannel and she'll learn the true meaning of Christmas!

"Usually..."

"The near-constant advertising. Usually the exact same spot played before every video on YouTube."

MCAdventurer

Excessive advertising will absolutely make not want to watch your movie. EVER.

"It just screams desperation..."

"If it opens with a narration starting with, "I know what you're thinking..."

It just screams desperation from a crowded writer's room."

FutureLost

Some people probably need to go back to screenwriting class. We hate cliches.

"When you've basically seen..."

"When you've basically seen the entire plot of the movie and all main scenes in the trailer."

Aerionne

Again: Don't watch trailers! You'll set yourself up for disappointment!

"When the trailer..."

"When the trailer just has a bunch of random shots of things going on and has the characters saying really vague cliche lines like "Everything you've ever known is about to change" or "This is only the beginning" or "It all comes down to this" and the trailer concludes with you not knowing a single damn thing about the premise.

Dashed_With_Cinammon

You guys can absolutely agree with all of these, right? Face it––you've sat through more bad movies out there than you've ever cared to. All that wasted time; you're an expert at picking out bad movies now! Well done!

Have some observations of your own? Feel free to tell us about them in the comments below!

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

AOC Has Mic Drop Response To MAGA Republicans Who Try To Mock 'Democratic Priorities'

New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued a powerful rebuke against President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, pointing out why mocking things like affordable housing and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "Democrat priorities" ultimately hurts Republicans.

Ocasio-Cortez, speaking during a CNN town hall alongside Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, accused Republicans of refusing to work to end the government shutdown, stressing that the country’s health care system could collapse if Republicans refuse to meet Democrats’ demands in negotiations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from New Berlin Public Library's 'trust fall' skit
@newberlinlibrary/Instagram

Wisconsin Public Library Has Internet Cackling With Unexpectedly Hilarious 'Trust Fall' Video

When we think of the library, we think of books awaiting us on the shelves—but the New Berlin Public Library in Wisconsin is here to remind us that public libraries contain so much more.

This library in particular contains a "Library of Things," in which the public can access otherwise expensive items for free, like boardgames, learning resources, and even Halloween costumes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dave Taylor
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

GOP Rep. Blames Coordinated 'Ruse' After Swastika Image Is Seen Displayed In His Office

Ohio Republican Representative Dave Taylor demanded an investigation after a swastika image was found on display in his Washington, D.C., office, and blamed it on a "targeted" "ruse."

Politico obtained a photo from a virtual meeting showing a distorted image of the American flag—its red and white lines altered into the shape of a swastika— pinned to what appears to be a cubicle wall behind Angelo Elia, a staffer for Taylor. Beside it hung a pocket Constitution and a congressional calendar. Elia’s involvement in the incident, if any, remains unclear.

Keep ReadingShow less
A kitchen counter with appliances all over it
sink beside window
Photo by Arun Clarke on Unsplash

Everyday Items People Didn't Realize Were Super Expensive Until They Had To Buy Them

As children, we dream of becoming adults.

Living our own lives in our own homes, no longer under the rules and regulations of our parents.

Keep ReadingShow less
deceased family dog named Chop
KFOX14/CBS4

Popular Account 'We Rate Dogs' Unloads On Border Patrol For Killing Family's Beloved Dog During Search

As the internet evolved, certain social media accounts became known for providing wholesome, feel good content, like I Can Has Cheezburger?, The Dodo, and We Rate Dogs. Unsurprisingly, all three focus primarily on animals, offering amusing or heartfelt stories, videos, and memes as an escape from the trials and tribulations of daily life.

But the folks at We Rate Dogs recently took a departure from their usual content.

Keep ReadingShow less