# Stupid errors that crop up repeatedly in TV shows and movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866 "2014-03-29T23:33:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/101 "2014-03-31T03:44:28Z")
Can somebody please link to some photos of microscopes? [The only kind I’ve ever seen are like this one…although maybe not so cute.](http://faizscientific.com/faizhtml/images/hello-kitty-microscope.jpg) ETA: I have seen the blunder of focusing _down_ and not _up._ Hell, I’ve made that mistake… (_Crack!_) ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/102 "2014-03-31T04:05:18Z")
Microscope pics aplenty. [https://www.google.com/search?q=A.O.+microscopes&client=firefox-a&hs=qvU&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CuY4U6\_IFuLLsATnmYDQBg&ved=0CAgQ\_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=910#channel=sb&q=microscopes+labeled&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch](https://www.google.com/search?q=A.O.+microscopes&client=firefox-a&hs=qvU&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CuY4U6_IFuLLsATnmYDQBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=910#channel=sb&q=microscopes+labeled&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch) Some have the eyepiece on a straight tube. These can be used with the arm towards or away from the user, although many have a pivot for tilting. If one tilts the scope, it will be with the arm towards the user. Many scopes have turret-mounted tilted eyepieces that can be rotated for use with the arm towards or away from the user, while some have the eyepiece(s) fixed in a tilt for use with the arm away from the user. I never found which way the arm was (on those scopes with a choice) made much difference in ease of use. However, most of the scopes I had access to were of the type with a single fixed ocular pointed towards the arm, so it can become a habit to use a scope with the arm towards oneself. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/103 "2014-03-31T05:09:32Z")
Many times in scenes that show a television news crew the camera operator will be holding the camera wrong. Lots of times people will inexplicably have their left hand on the handle on top of the camera instead of on the focus ring on the lens. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/104 "2014-03-31T05:24:06Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Similarly, someone has been drugged or hit on the head and is on the verge of unconsciousness. Our view of them is blurred, for some reason. That’s how films work, and part of what makes them more than just a recorded play. The camera can express things as much as the subjects in front of it. You might have the camera in someone’s face if you want to express claustrophobia or some other kind of intense feeling. On the other hand, if you want to express openness or isolation you might have the camera far away and use a wide angle lens. You might focus on one thing or another to show its importance to us, or to a character. The depth of field (how much of the image is in focus at any one time) might tell us about a character’s mental focus - are they aware of their surroundings, or is all their attention on one thing? Or are they unable to focus at all? It’s certainly not an error. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/105 "2014-03-31T05:32:39Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > This is mine too. Has there ever been a dream sequence that got this right? > > I never see myself in a dream, not even in a mirror. I have no sense of what I look like to other people, how could I suddenly have a very accurate idea in my dream? What, you’ve never seen yourself in videos or photos? It doesn’t seem odd to me at all that someone would have a dream where they see themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/106 "2014-03-31T05:34:30Z")
A friend of mine, a doctor, notes that stethoscopes are often worn backward around the actor’s neck. The little earpieces should point forward, not backward. That’s counter-intuitive to people who don’t use them and aren’t familiar with the actual anatomy of the human ear canal. (Another example of profession-specific knowledge; most of the rest of us simply wouldn’t notice.) ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/107 "2014-03-31T05:36:55Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Paper coffee cups. At least put some water in them. It drives me nuts when they are so obviously empty. This! Add anti-gravity backpacks and eye glasses with perfectly flat lenses too. CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/108 "2014-03-31T07:59:50Z")
Great thread. Here’s one that never fails to annoy and appears constantly in horror movies about satanism or demonic possession. It’s the upside down cross, always seen when the devil’s around, sometimes you even watch it as it tips round. Only problem is that there’s nothing at all satanic or blasphemous about the upside down cross. Take a look at the back of the Pope’s ceremonial chair, what do we see? Right, an upside down cross. It happens to be the Pope’s personal symbol, the cross of St Peter, who was crucified upside down at his own request because he didn’t think it fitting he should die in the same way as Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Bragg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Stealth\_Bragg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Bragg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/109 "2014-03-31T10:09:45Z")
> [@Miss\_Mapp](#): > > This is what I was came in to mention. When they show a cat and no matter how passive or friendly kitty is, they feel the need to add the sort of yowling sound that cats normally only make when you accidentally step on their tails. Extra points if the cat shown doesn’t open its mouth during the yowling sound. How about rats or other rodents that squeak continually? I’ve had many pet rats and they hardly ever squeak, sometimes a quick bark when they are fighting or a quiet noise when they are frightened, but that’s it. Drives me mad when they squeak all the time on films or TV :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/110 "2014-03-31T11:48:31Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Great thread. > > Here’s one that never fails to annoy and appears constantly in horror movies about satanism or demonic possession. It’s the upside down cross, always seen when the devil’s around, sometimes you even watch it as it tips round. Only problem is that there’s nothing at all satanic or blasphemous about the upside down cross. Take a look at the back of the Pope’s ceremonial chair, what do we see? Right, an upside down cross. It happens to be the Pope’s personal symbol, the cross of St Peter, who was crucified upside down at his own request because he didn’t think it fitting he should die in the same way as Jesus. Your argument doesn’t necessarily work. > **[Antichrist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antichrist)** > > In Christian eschatology, Antichrist refers to a kind of person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Jesus Christ and falsely substitute themselves as a savior in Christ's place before the Second Coming. The term Antichrist (including one plural form) is found four times in the New Testament, solely in the First and Second Epistle of John. Antichrist is announced as one "who denies the Father and the Son." > The similar term pseudokhristos or "false Christ" is also found in the Gospels. In Matthew (c... ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/111 "2014-03-31T12:55:43Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Eye glasses with perfectly flat lenses too. Or no lenses at all. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/112 "2014-03-31T13:43:21Z")
[quote=“nevadaexile, post:13, topic:684866”] [li] **Enhancing photos** - Even though HD is becoming more common place, even it has its limits. You can only “enhance” an image so much before it becomes grainy or pixilated.[/li][/QUOTE] [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LhF_56SxrGk/maxresdefault.jpg "Let's Enhance HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhF_56SxrGk) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/113 "2014-03-31T14:47:27Z")
> [@steveroo](#): > > I hate it when movie/TV detectives march into libraries and demand to know who checked out what book, or what books a person of interest borrowed, and the helpful librarian happily gives them that information. I was a librarian for 30 years and one of the first things you learn is that **circulation records are confidential** and you absolutely DO NOT give up that information without a subpoena or search warrant. > > I can forgive most of the library cliches that you see in movies and TV (mousy librarians, shushing, rubber-stamping books, etc.) but that one just drives me bananas. Not true post-Patriot Act. Of course, that’s why we no longer keep your circulation records. And of course now you freaking _complain about it!_ So our new ILS lets you opt in. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/114 "2014-03-31T15:16:18Z")
Bombs with countdown clocks. And people who can diffuse bombs without seeing them (eg. they give directions over the phone: “Cut the blue wire.”) I’m not a bomb maker myself, but I find it very hard to believe that all people who want to blow up the good guys use the same wire color scheme. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/115 "2014-03-31T15:21:43Z")
Anytime someone on TV or in a movie is knitting, they’re usually holding two giant knitting needles and waving both around like the arms of an old VHF antenna. In real knitting, the needles are usually smaller than pencils, the movements are small, and only one of the needles is moving. Not nearly as telegenic, but once you’ve knitted (or been married to a knitter, as I have), the usual miming of knitting looks dumb as hell. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bellhorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bellhorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bellhorn)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/116 "2014-03-31T15:34:37Z")
The ridiculous (mis)use of Chess in movies and tv. I understand that having a character play chess is used to indicates that a character is “smart,” but would it be too hard to set up the board correctly and to actually have a realistic position on the board? I’ve seem chess boards set up with the the right-hand corner being black, not white. How many times does the dumb guy make his move with “check” and then the smart guy respond with a move and say “check mate!” Yeah, there are legal instances where a move sequence is possible, but they’re rare, and if you freeze-frame the board, that’s not what is happening. Also, I remember the laughable chess game from the Mission Impossible tv show, where one of the good guys is beating a grand master russian by getting computer moves wired in his ear, and mates him in under 20 moves. Even with today’s high speed chess games that is impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/117 "2014-03-31T16:10:53Z")
How about when people in a phone call get cut off, and then they hammer the hook flash as if that might actually magically make the connection come back, instead of guaranteeing that the connection is completely broken. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/118 "2014-03-31T16:10:58Z")
> [@Stealth\_Bragg](#): > > How about rats or other rodents that squeak continually? I’ve had many pet rats and they hardly ever squeak, sometimes a quick bark when they are fighting or a quiet noise when they are frightened, but that’s it. Drives me mad when they squeak all the time on films or TV :dubious: Adding onto that, predators, especially ambush predators, that constantly announce they’re about to attack by roaring. and maybe rearing their head back before charging. (I know that we don’t know this for certain, but it seems a pretty unlikely survival strategy for a T.rex to sneak up on a hadrosaur by the watering hole, then ROAR before charging out willy-nilly for the remaining 50 meters or so it needs to reach the prey) ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/119 "2014-03-31T16:31:16Z")
I still see funeral scenes set in churches with everything draped in black. That went out with the Vatican II council. For the past 50+ years, churches have been decorated in purple for funerals. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/120 "2014-03-31T17:34:16Z")
> [@sbunny8](#): > > Pretty much anything involving locks, lockpicks, etc. is wrong. Heroes pick lock ridiculously fast while using the wrong tools. Locks pop open after being hit with a blunt object. Sometimes after a lock is picked the door opens without turning the handle. Of course I notice these things because I’m a Certified Master Locksmith. I suspect anyone who’s an expert at anything will tend to notice the mistakes which are relevant to their own field. I notice that all the time too and I’m no expert, I’m just a guy that learned how to pick locks on the internet with a small screwdriver and a street cleaner bristle. One of the only times I saw it ‘done right’ was on Psych. Shawn used Gus’ credit card to jimmy a door open and when he handed it back Gus said “Look what you did to my credit card”. Back when I was in college, the dorm doors were _terrible_. I could knock on my friend’s door and push the door open with my CC faster than they could get off the couch. After a while I just started doing that instead of knocking, problem was, I chewed threw about a card a month. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866.md?page=7)