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I Will Sue You in FEDERAL COURT!

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Comment Diversions | Comments (80)



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On the top of my list of common movies phrases that I loathe is the one that I keep hearing in the otherwise decent trailer for David Fincher’s The Social Network. During that trailer, for dramatic effect, one guy says to Jesse Eisenberg’s character, “We will sue you. IN FEDERAL COURT!” Why the need to stress FEDERAL COURT? Why so much emphasis on jurisdiction? The difference between state court of federal court is a matter of diversity jurisdiction or applicable law. It’s not like the judges in FEDERAL COURT hand down harsher penalties. In fact, it’s the judges in state courts — the ones elected by a bloodthirsty electorate — that are more likely to deal stiffer fines or longer sentences. Federal judges are appointed. They don’t have to deal with re-election campaigns. So, the next time someone says to you, “I will sue you in FEDERAL COURT,” you just thank them for 1) suing you under the Constitution instead of some obscure Georgia law that some redneck pea-brain enacted back in 1932, 2) for not subjecting you to meaner judges.

Another pet peeve is that whole, “I will take this to the Supreme Court!” Yeah. Sure, you will. That is, if the Supreme Court grants cert, assuming you make it all the way through the appellate level. And then, the Supreme Court only hears around five percent of cases that are filed. So, good luck with that stolen bicycle case. I’m sure it’s high on the list of priorities for the Supreme Court.

All of which brings me to another annoying movie phrase: “I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” How many times have you heard that one? And why do screenwriters still think it’s amusing? It’s not. And just in case you haven’t suffered “I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you,” fatigue, here’s a movie montage.

Do you hate it now?

What recurring movie phrase annoys you?









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Comments

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Posted by: Nicki25 at August 19, 2010 8:48 PM

You're right, Nicki25
I fucking hate that.

Posted by: A-schaef at August 19, 2010 8:49 PM

Damnit, the comment explaining my Nicki25 joke is being held by the powers that be.
It is not my day.

Posted by: A-schaef at August 19, 2010 8:51 PM

Well put Rowles. Do any of these idiot writers have the initiative to at least consult with a knowledgeable source on law before typing all that stupid shit? I'm guessing no.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 19, 2010 8:54 PM

Thats too bad A-schaef...I wonder what Nicki25 said. I guess if they told us then they would have to kill us.

Posted by: Petrie at August 19, 2010 8:54 PM

Now Nicki25 is back.
God damn it, Dustin.
I just look like an idiot now.

(But I'm having a really good time! -- DR

Posted by: A-schaef at August 19, 2010 8:55 PM

You ain't seen nothin yet!

Posted by: aroorda at August 19, 2010 9:02 PM

That and "You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Posted by: aroorda at August 19, 2010 9:07 PM

I still read script submissions on a semi-regular basis that throw in the "I'd have to kill you" line. It is extremely weak. I'm curious, though: does anyone know the original source of the phrase? I just did a cursory Google search and didn't have much luck.

I'm waiting for a screenwriter to riff on it by having the character go ahead and tell the person the secret info and then literally kill him or her just for the hell of it. That morbid joke would finish off the phrase's utility, and we could be done with it.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at August 19, 2010 9:29 PM

In both Wolf Creek and American Psycho the line works rather well.
It all depends on context really. It can be a throwaway line in some shite movie or provide a sense of foreboding or irony in a movie dealing with weightier subject matter.

Posted by: supafly at August 19, 2010 9:31 PM

There are people's lives at stake, Dustin!

Posted by: branded at August 19, 2010 9:38 PM

I have yet to see a law drama where they don't drop this doozy:

Lawyer 1:[asks totally impertinent line of questioning]

Lawyer 2: OBJECTION YOUR HONOR!

Lawyer 1: Your honor [argues total bullshit]

Judge: I'll allow it, but thread lightly Mr. Lawyer 1.


/riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, just like in a real courtroom.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 19, 2010 9:38 PM

"I have a bad feeling about this"......wait, maybe that's only in certain movies.

Posted by: slower lower at August 19, 2010 9:45 PM

I humbly nominate "This isn't funny anymore!" from every horror movie ever made.

When was it funny, you simpering, topless halfwit?

Posted by: Melodie at August 19, 2010 9:45 PM

I couldn't even make it halfway through that video.
So sue me. In Federal Court. Then I'd have to... oh fuck it.

Posted by: Odnon. at August 19, 2010 9:53 PM

Oh yeah, totally forgot you do the lawyer...thingy...with whats-his-face.....whatever.

Let's see...it highly depends on the circumstances. Sometimes lines that are overdone in one movie are perfectly in line in another.

Probably the line "I love you, too" and any permutations. Sorry, but after Han's "I know", I can't take that line seriously.

A line that I think should be used MORE is "Just take the fucking elephant." In fact, use that in place of the previous one:

"I love you!"
"Just take the fucking elephant!"

There are probably more, but if I tell you, I'd have to kill you.

Posted by: Vermillion at August 19, 2010 9:55 PM

What was that?
Stop it, you guys.
I don't bite...
Do you wanna come up for coffee?
Ooo, I like him.

and of course, my favorite--

Hold my calls/Cancel my appointments.

Posted by: Jim Doggie at August 19, 2010 9:59 PM

I humbly nominate "This isn't funny anymore!" from every horror movie ever made.

Or better yet: "There's a perfectly reasonable explanation for this." Chances are, the explanation is "yo' ass gonna DIIIIIEEEEE".

Or even "He/she/it isn't alive/real/free. They can't harm you now/ever/anymore."

Or really any genre-blind denial of any weirdness happening.

Replace them all with "just take the fucking elephant". Let the warmth flow through your body.

Posted by: Vermillion at August 19, 2010 10:03 PM

You will never get away with this!!
Of course not now anyway after he or she has told you step by step what they planned on doing and not enacting the previously mentioned line of if i tell you I will have to kill you and following through with it!

Posted by: blacksred at August 19, 2010 10:05 PM

My new least favorite is when the bad guy tries to tell us (and the good guy) that this isn't a movie where the "plucky hero" is going to win. (OH MY GOD I CALLED OUT WHEDON NOOOOOO)

What else;

How about when the couple close a door on each or something for the night, and then the girl re-opens and they have a roll in ze hay. You ever tried standing outside her door waiting for a passionate, violent door opening followed by multiple room, knock over everything on the way to the bed sex? Yeah, the neighbor calls the cops, pal.

Somebody always praying right before or during some shit going down. Jesus isn't going to reload my machine gun, pull the pin on the grenade, defuse the bomb, or stop the monster from eating us. He's a little greedy like that.

Kids in movies. They all suck in real life unless they're your own. That's why they're called kids, because everything they do makes you say "are you fucking kidding me!?" Fun fact; they are kidding you. In horrible, horrible, ways.

Posted by: D-Day at August 19, 2010 10:13 PM

I wish they would stop chambering/pumping automatic weapons and shotguns... three hours before they get to the actual location. THERE IS NO NEED to do that until you are actually going to shoot the weapon. What that does is create a very unsafe situation.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 19, 2010 10:24 PM

I gotta thanks Eric Overmeyer for this one who, during a screenwriters' workshop, read out James Ellroy's rules for writing. Among them, Ellroy stipulated that "Hell shall never be raised."

Of course, anytime I hear it now, I think back to this and it gets grating.

Latest example: Chiwetel Ejiofor in Salt going on about how she was going to raise hell.

Posted by: Fredo at August 19, 2010 10:55 PM

What about "This place gives me the creeps" or does that show my age?

Posted by: Peter at August 19, 2010 10:57 PM

It's quiet in here. A little too quiet.

There's a lot of cars in here. A little too a lot of cars in here.

Posted by: Mario Speedwagon at August 19, 2010 11:00 PM

Whatever they're payin'...I'll double it.

Posted by: BillowingBackpacks at August 19, 2010 11:21 PM

my cousin works for the nsa/cia and has, in all seriousness, said "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."

and no, I'm not making this up

Posted by: grendel at August 19, 2010 11:26 PM

In other news, stay tuned, because in our top story tonight, some really good (or bad) news: as expected, in a surprise move yesterday, informed sources say, a world class icon, diva, mother of all motorists, and famed undocumented alien, lauded for putting area residents at risk and in harm's way, but at this point in time behind bars for allegations that — according to sketchy details that, to be fair, have officials and authorities under fire for speaking out — he reportedly engaged in shower activity with all of you folks at 5 am in the morning, underwent surgery, utilized an undisclosed vehicle in torrential rain in a near miss manhunt when it was time for a break, literally fled on foot, completely surprised his mother with a clash with bare naked police behind closed doors, definitely possibly completely destroyed a medical hospital under false pretenses, and is lucky to be alive after, the fact of the matter is, he lent a helping hand to a legendary incarcerated pedestrian lone gunman (the perpetrator who over in a neighboring state, perished in a perfect storm of no brainers and things that went terribly wrong, and was plagued by killing sprees in which he gave 110% only to have his senseless murders marred by the untimely deaths of guys and folks whose fatal deaths came in the wake of auto accidents, and while it may be a mute point, let's everybody touch base on the fact that he was under seige in the wake of unrest after shots rang out in close proximity of the best kept secret on the campaign trail which had authorities reeling up in one place and down in another, and going forward, the alleged aftermath of the death toll for youths behind the podium exceeds those out there, down there, and out in that other place by a two to one margin), is seeking white stuff for those of you that want it, and thus, we'll explain what he did when we'll be back — we'll be right back, after the break and after these commercial messages, and we say "we're back," "welcome back," or "welcome back everybody."

And you can't say that on WGN-AM either.

Posted by: Kahntahmp at August 19, 2010 11:33 PM

I got to get me one of these.

Posted by: sheshakes at August 19, 2010 11:41 PM

What I'm tired of is "I'm too old for this shit."

Posted by: mechadave at August 19, 2010 11:42 PM

My new least favorite is when the bad guy tries to tell us (and the good guy) that this isn't a movie where the "plucky hero" is going to win.

Especially egregious in that it is rarely ever TRUE. It turns out it really IS that kind of movie.

Anotehr one:

"Why didn't you (blank)?" "You didn't ask."

Fuck you in the ear, ass. I shouldn't HAVE to ask. Volunteer the information, numbnuts.

Posted by: Vermillion at August 19, 2010 11:47 PM

"I'm here to clean your pipes."

Just so fucking cliche.

Posted by: admin at August 19, 2010 11:48 PM

Not THOSE movies, admin.

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at August 20, 2010 12:26 AM

Posted by: Kahntahmp at August 19, 2010 11:33 PM
---
I thought you were Adventureman for two minutes.

Posted by: , at August 20, 2010 12:41 AM

Sick... and tired as hell of hearing every dime-store villain/antagonist exclaim "IMPOSSIBLE!" when the story leaps all the plot holes in a single lurch as the protagonist recovers from a beating to the last inch of his life/solves difficult puzzle/overcomes all odds and survives.

Posted by: oroboros at August 20, 2010 12:45 AM

How about the "get ready/prepare to __" as in "Get ready for adventure" or "Prepare to be destroyed!" I always want to shout at the screen "Wait! Wait! I'm not ready yet ... Hang on ... okay, I'm prepared!"

Posted by: Leftylad at August 20, 2010 1:07 AM

"he's off the grid..." and "enhance..." (thankfully the new season of Futurama used it in a perfect way

Posted by: tj at August 20, 2010 4:18 AM

i'd tell you, but then i'd have to bury you in paper work in appelate court

Posted by: idleprimate at August 20, 2010 5:25 AM

"I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."

Top Gun?

Posted by: mswas at August 20, 2010 6:28 AM

Anytime the forrest/woods/swamp etc becomes dead silent just before the monster attacks. This happens in books, movies, TV, you name it. I just have a hard time thinking crickets are really that attuned to the location of ax wielding psychos.

Posted by: TylerDFC at August 20, 2010 6:44 AM

"That's not a good sign" is my peeve.

I don't mind the court lingo, but then again I am addicted to almost every variation of Law & Order. Except for 'Trial By Jury' that one stunk up the joint.

Posted by: Teresa at August 20, 2010 7:08 AM

A few other sidebar pet peeves:
- the aforementioned beating within an inch of the hero's life yet they can ALWAYS get up to go ONE MORE ROUND!
- Everyone has the upper body or as MAC (Sunny in Philadelphia) says the core strength to hang on to a helicopter leg, pull himself into the copter and beat the hell out of everyone after not just 10 minutes ago being so beat to a bloody pulp the bad guys thought he WAS DEAD!!

Posted by: blacksred at August 20, 2010 8:00 AM

Definitely "you didn't ask", also "threw up in my mouth a little", "get out of there", & anything from Juno that makes its way into the lexicon.

In other news, I really liked the dialogue in that Greenberg movie:

"Who's Vic?"
"Victor, my son."
"Oh VICTOR. I didn't recognize the diminutive."

Posted by: the new transported man at August 20, 2010 8:11 AM

Vermillion: "just take the fucking elephant" all day every day.

Posted by: the new transported man at August 20, 2010 8:13 AM

1. "Anytime the forrest/woods/swamp etc becomes dead silent just before the monster attacks. This happens in books, movies, TV, you name it. I just have a hard time thinking crickets are really that attuned to the location of ax wielding psychos."

Posted by: TylerDFC at August 20, 2010 6:44 AM

Actually, that really happens. We have a lot of wildlife around my house, and whenever a big bad animal stumbles through, all the animals and insects shut up. It's eery.

2. I'd like to nominate "Just hold me," but I think that's a soap opera thang.

3. I'd also like to nominate soap opera face. You know that face they make at the end of every scene where their mouth hangs open and they seem to be saying, "Nuh-uh!"

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2010 8:35 AM

4. I also hate it when an army of bad guys attacks the one good guy, and they'll patiently wait to fight him one by one, as he kills them off one by one. Have they never played "kill the man with the ball?"

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2010 8:38 AM

"In a world . . ."

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2010 8:39 AM

@BWeaves

You suck!!! That is no way to honor the Life and Career of the scariest voice in Movie trailers, Don LaFontaine.

Posted by: Kahntahmp at August 20, 2010 8:51 AM

"Let me just get our IT guy to enhance the photo."

Then the tech takes a tiny web-resolution photo and blows it up to a clear 8x10 print quality photo.

NO YOU CANNOT DO THAT!!!! it is unpossible

Posted by: mswas at August 20, 2010 9:11 AM

There are too many of them!
(followed by)
...blood curdling scream sound byte used and reused by science fiction movies until the end of time. This scream is almost always emitted by an Asian male when his spaceship is either blown up or crushed by said "them." Why is he always Asian? Why does he always scream the same scream? Why are there always too many of them? (blood-curdling scream of frustration)

Posted by: sheshakes at August 20, 2010 9:18 AM

You know what line I'm tired of hearing in every single stupid movie I see? "Go take a big wet shit on yourself." I'm so over it.

Posted by: Great Mango at August 20, 2010 9:23 AM

I get the feeling that this post was brought to us by Mrs. Pajiba-hyphenate.

My chosen scenario:
The scenario of Dude #1 holding a gun at Dude #2 while #1 interrogates #2. Then #1 gets pissy and takes the safety off the gun and shouts the same question again.

So….the safety was on the whole time? What was the point of waiving your gun in their face? OK, *now* I get it. Now you’re serious. I see.

Posted by: Scully at August 20, 2010 9:27 AM

The whole 'Why didn't you tell me/us?' with the highly irritating response 'You're on a need to know basis and you didn't need to know' or whatever stupid 'spin' they put on it to try and make it funny. It just irritates the hell out of me.

Posted by: Cadence at August 20, 2010 9:29 AM

The phrase "...only one man can stop them/save her/etc..." from the trailer of pretty much every action ever earns my scorn.

Posted by: grinningdog at August 20, 2010 9:44 AM

What really pisses me off is when movies actually say the sentence,
"This ISN'T a movie!"
Hell, it was funny the first couple times, but now it just wants to make me hurl.

Posted by: FlashIsBack at August 20, 2010 9:44 AM

sheshakes, may you be referring to the Wilhelm Scream? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_scream

It's not always used by Asian males and was actually first used by a soldier getting dragged to his death by an alligator. Since then it's a little fun pop up often seen in Lucas films (Indiana Jones & Star Wars) and since these films are so beloved by nerds, nerdy filmmakers often nod to their heroes by using the silly sound effect.

It may be old, but I loves it.

Posted by: Kayanne at August 20, 2010 9:55 AM

thought of another one
"This is above your pay grade"

or

Who knows how high up this goes!!

Posted by: blacksred at August 20, 2010 10:01 AM

There is a certain soundbyte of children's laughter that is used in every damn commercial ever. I hate it! Use a different sound byte! Get the children who are actually in the commercial to laugh and fucking record that!

Posted by: ERM at August 20, 2010 10:03 AM

"I'll still respect you in the morning."

OK, that wasn't actually in the movie, but in the movie theater bathroom stall.

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2010 10:06 AM

Have they never played "kill the man with the ball?"

Posted by: BWeaves at August 20, 2010 8:38 AM
---
You mean "smear the queer."

Posted by: , at August 20, 2010 10:19 AM

Dustin - I hear you on the legal poetic license. It drives me absolutely batshit. Hey, it's probably the most documented profession in the damn country - LOOK IT UP. I believe I've mentioned this on this shit, but that ridiculous movie "Family Man" with Nick Cage had Tea Leoni as a "non-profit lawyer." You seriously didn't run that script by a single lawyer? Because if you had you'd know that it's "public interest lawyer", you frigging fools. And, believe me, you'd much rather be a defendant in federal than state court (at least in NY).

I can't even imagine the butchery of the lay version of medicine, engineering, etc.

Posted by: samantha t at August 20, 2010 10:19 AM

What? Well, it was 40 years ago, when "queer" meant geek or nerd or oddball. So shove your PC.

Posted by: , at August 20, 2010 10:20 AM

It'd be great if somebody snarled back "Not under Rule 56, you won't."

Posted by: samantha t at August 20, 2010 10:47 AM

We also need to hear more of "I was hiding under your porch because I love you".

Posted by: Pea at August 20, 2010 11:55 AM

I kind of love 'getthemouttathere...GET THEM OUTTA THERE!' paired with grabbing of mic/radio much to the annoyance of assembled technicians with who's gadgets the frustrated President-With-A-Heart-of-Gold is messing.

Can HOW a line is said be included? That shouting with your teeth bared/clenched thing Gerard Butler has launched is just ridiculous and it seems like men have forgotten how to be manly since you didnt need to bare your teeth to be masculine like, five fucking years ago so why is it suddenly a pre-requisite?!

Posted by: Nadine at August 20, 2010 12:02 PM

....takes on his toughest assignment to date: (big reveal to be something ordinary, generally kid related)

For a particularly egregious example, watch the trailer for "The Spy Next Door" with *big sigh* Jackie Chan.

I taste bile when I hear that line or a variant used.

Posted by: alphawhiskey at August 20, 2010 12:22 PM

Maybe it's because I'm not a lawyer, but the misuse of legal terms doesn't bother me. I assume most people don't know what the fuck they're talking about when they yap about anything to do with legal proceedings, so I don't take it seriously when they say shit that makes no sense.

But “I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you” definitely deserves a face punch. Or a crotch punch. Or both.

Posted by: Slash at August 20, 2010 1:16 PM

"You and I both know..."

This is used WAY to much, in TV and movies, and makes me want to punch the screen every time I hear it. Lazy writing.

Posted by: Riles at August 20, 2010 5:08 PM

Not really a line but I hate when they break a code, 1 character at the time... Especially when the last ones take the longest...

Posted by: foaly at August 20, 2010 5:57 PM

"I'M coming with you!"

"No!"

Because really, extreme danger is best faced alone.

Also, variations of: "I got the commissioner on my ass, and the mayor's office breathing down my neck, and the press is...." Who the fuck cares?

Posted by: Janis at August 20, 2010 6:05 PM

You asked for phrases but a lot of commenters expanded on that, so I will too: every FUCKING time someone walks up to a microphone to speak, there's 0.75 seconds of feedback. Then everything is perfect. Assholes.

Posted by: Uriah Creep at August 20, 2010 10:44 PM

10 seconds into the montage, I rolled my eyes.
20 seconds, I let out a sigh of exasperation.
30 seconds, I wanted to bang my head against the wall.
40 seconds, I banged my head on the computer monitor begging to make it stop.

Posted by: Maggi at August 21, 2010 12:19 AM

Let's do this thing.

Posted by: JLRoberson at August 21, 2010 8:36 AM

"Been there, done that".

I dont know where that came from (movie or no?) but that phrase and end any time now.

Also: "See you in hell" was great in Unforgiven, too played out anywhere else.

And yeah, why point a gun a villian/hero/bystander, ask your question, get smart-ass/no response..THEN click/load your weapon and ask again?
If you cant be threatning with just a gun in their face, you arent threatning. :O)

Posted by: shitsandquich at August 21, 2010 9:48 AM

Anytime someone in a military movie is moving the troops out and starts screaming, "Let's go!! Let's GOLET'S GOLET'SGOLETSGOLETSGOLETSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I'm not sure why this annoys me, but it does.

Posted by: Rowen at August 21, 2010 11:28 AM

"Not good...not good..." - especially from a child actor using a too-old-for-his years voice.

Posted by: Paul B at August 21, 2010 12:05 PM

I have been married to two lawyers - not at the same time. I hate the term "pre-nup." Lawyers call it "ante-nuptial agreement."
Remember your Latin. 'Ante' means before.

Posted by: Arkansan at August 21, 2010 6:08 PM

"I have been married to two lawyers - not at the same time. I hate the term "pre-nup." Lawyers call it "ante-nuptial agreement."
Remember your Latin. 'Ante' means before.

Posted by: Arkansan at August 21, 2010 6:08 PM"

How do I just know you're an idiot gold-digging bitch who dropped out in the 8th grade?

Posted by: JackRandom at August 22, 2010 8:29 PM

"You're luggage"
That line is so overused.

Posted by: homeslice at August 22, 2010 10:36 PM

"I'd like that."

Uttered by EVERY female character EVER, it wrecks my head! I have never once uttered this insipid phrase & don't know anyone who has. HATE it!

Lazy lazy lazy writers.

Posted by: onewing at August 23, 2010 8:22 AM

I just HATE it when the bad guys come around or catch up to someone and they say "WE'VE GOT COMPANY"

Posted by: bubblegumshoe at August 23, 2010 8:48 AM