# MASSIVELY improve a movie/TV show by changing ten seconds or less **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 16, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386 "2010-10-16T23:58:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/41 "2010-10-18T20:56:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Big Band Theory Is that the one with the two Caltech guys who live across the hall from Glenn Miller? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/42 "2010-10-18T20:59:31Z")
_ **The Princess Bride** _ - include the scene from the book in which Buttercup orders the palace guards away as the group make their escape. Give the poor girl SOMETHING positive to do in the entire movie. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/43 "2010-10-18T22:01:34Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > 😕 > > She looks like my youngest niece did at 12. Except at least my niece had a pretty face. > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > No. That would have taken away from the emotional point of the scene: Spock’s sacrifice. I’ve never in one thread disagreed and agreed with someone more in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/44 "2010-10-18T22:13:30Z")
I’m surprised no one’s brought up _The Mist_. IMHO, you could cut ten seconds just prior to the final scene, or the final scene (I confess I don’t know if that’s more than ten seconds). Leaving both those pieces in makes it too maniacally sadistic. Of course ending it like the novella would be best, but would require more reworking. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/45 "2010-10-18T22:13:45Z")
Completely remove the voice-over narration at the beginning of **Dark City**. (Or just mute it, like I always do when showing it to people) **Dave**. There’s a final scene where Kevin Kline is actually preparing to run for office, working from the ground up. The final shot is Ving Rhames, the Secret Service guy, standing in front of his door, guarding him. They should have had him wearing a v-neck sweater, which would have perfectly delivered on a conversation Dave made with Ving Rhames earlier in the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/46 "2010-10-18T22:44:16Z")
> [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](#): > > I’m surprised no one’s brought up _The Mist_. IMHO, you could cut ten seconds just prior to the final scene, or the final scene (I confess I don’t know if that’s more than ten seconds). Leaving both those pieces in makes it too maniacally sadistic. Of course ending it like the novella would be best, but would require more reworking. I thought the ending of the movie was a lot better than the ridiculous ending of the novella. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/47 "2010-10-18T22:49:04Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > No. That would have taken away from the emotional point of the scene: Spock’s sacrifice. Hmmm… Been a while since I’ve seen it; I’ve always missed the element of Khan knowing he’s lost, and I don’t necessarily agree that Spock’s story would have been undermined. I think it would depend on the editing. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/48 "2010-10-19T00:12:50Z")
Highlander 2 (yes it exists) add a scene to the end where Connor McLeod wakes up in bed (with Suzanne Pleshette, obviously) and realizes it was all a dream. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/49 "2010-10-19T00:29:28Z")
Opening scene of LOST: plane crashes into ocean, killing all aboard. The end. (just kidding! :D) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/50 "2010-10-19T00:54:31Z")
No, no. Don’t apologize. That would have been better than what we got. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/51 "2010-10-19T01:20:00Z")
_Unbreakable_: Yes, it’s a Shyamalan movie, and yes, it does sort of have a surprise ending - but I thought Shyamalan actually delivered on the premise of the story (“What if superheroes were real and lived among us?”) effectively. What I did not understand was why he chose to undermine the impact of the final reveal by throwing up a succession of title cards explaining the further actions and disposition of Bruce Willis’ David Dunn and Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Price. It should have ended when Dunn shakes Price’s hand, and realizes Price is his counterpart, his supervillain. As Dunn walks away, Price’s voice echoes after him, “They call me Mr. Glass!” ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/52 "2010-10-19T06:34:50Z")
Quantum Leap: keep the finale’s epilogue except for the very last bit of text (Sam never returned home). Sphere: When Dustin Hoffman finally gets inside the titular sphere, actually show, the inside of the sphere… Every movie: have a scene after the credits. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/53 "2010-10-19T07:19:03Z")
In the first episode of _Lost_ they all die in the crash. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/54 "2010-10-19T07:43:52Z")
> [@Just\_Ed](#): > > _Unbreakable_: Yes, it’s a Shyamalan movie, and yes, it does sort of have a surprise ending - but I thought Shyamalan actually delivered on the premise of the story (“What if superheroes were real and lived among us?”) effectively. What I did not understand was why he chose to undermine the impact of the final reveal by throwing up a succession of title cards explaining the further actions and disposition of Bruce Willis’ David Dunn and Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Price. It should have ended when Dunn shakes Price’s hand, and realizes Price is his counterpart, his supervillain. As Dunn walks away, Price’s voice echoes after him, “They call me Mr. Glass!” Actually, that WAS the original ending! But test audiences apparently hated the ambiguity of it and so they added the ending text. For what it’s worth, I agree with you. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/55 "2010-10-19T07:44:28Z")
> [@Gil-Martin](#): > > Wesley Crusher dies. Any episode. Didn’t that already happen 1st or 2nd season (Riker becomes a Q briefly)? Granted, he gets better. I actually didn’t mind Wesley so much except the finale episode where he’s an uberjerk. Usually he’s just slightly annoying, or else put into a situation which he seems annoying by association but really it’s the adults who are being dickish. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > In a deleted scene, he was shown working directly on the alien computers at the secret lab and translating their software on to his Mac. Who needs it? 1) It’s a friggin popcorn movie. 2) Any computer can interface with any other computer if you have the right protocols. 3) Super powerful and therefore arrogant aliens. Surely no conquerable planets will have developed programming skills. The aliens ALREADY revealed their protocols by interfacing with our satellites. Not a huge leap in general, and given it’s popcorn status, a microscopic leap. > [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > **Carnivale** – I would get rid of the last couple of scenes in the finale. So Jonesy’s shooting and Justin’s resurrection would not have happened. Well.. yeah, but product of unexpected cancellation. > [@Lumpy](#): > > The original Terminator movie: show Sarah Connor getting a parking ticket. Clever! > [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > On a more serious note, Roger Ebert gave _Thelma and Louise_ three and a half stars Also clever! I’ve also felt that, films were close to great, but fell short of the mark for one reason or another (usually pacing + editing + soundtrack). Sometimes, falling just short of the mark of greatness makes a film worse than never aspiring in the first place. Unfortunately. > [@blondebear](#): > > Opening scene of LOST: plane crashes into ocean, killing all aboard. The end. No! That was the reason people hated the flash-sideways. The flash sideways was fine until Christian Shepherd made his revelation (and except for him and the actor who plays Jack, no one else knew about it anyway) so let’s just cut out the scene between Jack and his father. So that the sideways-flash becomes an alt universe rather than… > [@Just\_Ed](#): > > _Unbreakable_: What I did not understand was why he chose to undermine the impact of the final reveal by throwing up a succession of title cards explaining the further actions and disposition of Bruce Willis’ David Dunn and Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Price. Maybe I don’t remember it well? I thought that the flashBACKS about Mr Glass were stunning to me and revelatory and essential. However, I don’t remember any title cards depicting future events. > [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > In the first episode of _Lost_ they all die in the crash. Nooooooo!! That’s the whole reason people hated the sideways flash! ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/56 "2010-10-19T12:40:48Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I’ve long thought a few good movies could have been great movies with just a little change in a key scene. Either to help set up the plot better or to just add a small scene that really makes you go wow. > > For example… > > In **Death Proof** , the three stuntwomen leave the actress with the hillbilly when they go out on their joyride and are chased by Stuntman Mike. The actress is never mentioned again and there’s an underlying “She’s gonna get raped and/or killed” feeling to the whole exercise. I thought it would have been the perfect ending to cut back to the actress and find out she’s trying to kill the hillbilly. Preferably drenched in blood and carrying a chainsaw. It would have been hilarious! > > On that note, in **Zombieland** : > > Billy Murray’s death would have got an extra shot in the arm if Jesse Eisenberg had shot him a second time after they already knew he was dead and then said “Double tap.” (one of his rules). > > Finally, a plot related one. In **Terminator Salvation** , the machines looking for Kyle Reese is a complete plot hole. At this point in the timeline, he’s just a kid who’s not even a part of the resistance. The only way they could know is if they included a short scene featuring Helena Bonham Carter’s computer program showing Sam Worthington the police files from 1984 with Kyle Reese and the T-800. > > What are your ten second additions that would make a movie/TV show go from good to great? Another with Terminator Salvation, when John Connor finally meets the Arnold Terminator, he says “I wondered when you’d show up!” ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/57 "2010-10-19T13:02:23Z")
I would add a ten-second explanation of the history of the Maurader’s Map into the movie version of **Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban** , or the line “Don’t call me coward!” to **Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince**. What are otherwise the two best movies of the series are nearly ruined by leaving out key moments. The latter is nearly unforgivable. That line, to me, is the whole point of that scene and quite possibly the whole point of the series. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/58 "2010-10-19T16:06:14Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Completely remove the voice-over narration at the beginning of **Dark City**. (Or just mute it, like I always do when showing it to people) You could just buy the Director’s Cut. It’s more or less just the original minus the spoiler-iffic beginning. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Bongo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a9adbd/32.png) [@Winston\_Bongo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Bongo)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/59 "2010-10-19T16:34:42Z")
_ **Signs** _: Add a line or two at the end revealing, or at the very least suggesting, that the invaders were not space aliens, but demons/supernatural beings sent to test the faith of humanity. It works much better with the spiritual theme of the movie, and dispenses with the story’s most ginormous plot hole, i.e. what kind of idiot aliens would invade a planet covered in a substance deadly to them (while wearing no protective clothing, to boot). Yes, I know some fans insist the creatures _were_ intended to be demons all along, but there’s nothing explicit in the movie itself that would imply that, and there should be. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386/60 "2010-10-19T16:43:55Z")
> [@Winston\_Bongo](#): > > _ **Signs** _: Add a line or two at the end revealing, or at the very least suggesting, that the invaders were not space aliens, but demons/supernatural beings sent to test the faith of humanity. It works much better with the spiritual theme of the movie, and dispenses with the story’s most ginormous plot hole, i.e. what kind of idiot aliens would invade a planet covered in a substance deadly to them (while wearing no protective clothing, to boot). > > Yes, I know some fans insist the creatures _were_ intended to be demons all along, but there’s nothing explicit in the movie itself that would imply that, and there should be. That the [del]invaders[/del] raiders are aliens is only the opinion of the characters, who believe that because they’re 21st-century persons rather than 18th-century ones. The characters in fact know nothing about their motivations or aim. I think they’re aliens in fact, but not an invasion force. They weren’t trying to conquer anything, and capturing humans was only incidental. All the aliens on the ground going through a passage rite to prove their bravery. That is why they were weaponless (discounting the poison at least one coudl admit, which might have been a natural ability) and why they were naked on a world rich in their version of kryptonite. It was _supposed_ to be inordinately difficult for the raiders. ETA: Another reason I prefer the movie without the line **Winston** suggests is that I think the story works better if the Mel Gibson character and his family never know what the raiders want. They shouldn’t, because it’s not an adventure movie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massively-improve-a-movie-tv-show-by-changing-ten-seconds-or-less/557386.md?page=4)