# Summarize a fantastical plot as mundanely as possible **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 22, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623 "2016-07-22T20:32:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Annoying\_Buzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Annoying\_Buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoying_Buzz)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/81 "2016-07-28T01:02:55Z")
Disgruntled office worker spends most of his time playing with himself. Fight Cub ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/82 "2016-07-28T01:19:33Z")
Real description from newspaper TV guide from several decades ago that I have never forgotten: “Witches make trouble for Scottish king and his wife.” ~Not interesting, not terribly accurate description of _Macbeth_. ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/83 "2016-07-28T13:16:18Z")
Some of my favorite movies: Some guys in helmets go rafting. Aguirre Traveler returns home, loses chess game. The Seventh Seal Guy renounces society; dies from malnutrition. Into the Wild ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/84 "2016-07-28T13:41:02Z")
Despite being drugged and raped, and going through a very difficult pregnancy, a woman refuses an abortion and agrees to mother her disabled, disfigured child, to the delight of a religious group Rosemary’s Baby A town proves that stay-at-home wives and mothers are the best! The Stepford Wives An early experiment in human cloning is successful The Boys from Brazil ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/85 "2016-07-28T14:41:29Z")
Oh, and another one: guy gets accused of sexual harassment during picnic, but is cleared in court. A Passage to India ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/86 "2016-07-28T15:45:55Z")
A bunch of friends see their day at the beach ruined when they find out that they have to go and look for a lost kid. Saving Private Ryan ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/87 "2016-07-28T15:59:36Z")
I can’t claim credit for this, but per a previous thread on this topic, and being one of my favorite movies, it has stuck with me; “An American stumbles into the last act of an epic Chinese tale and assumes that he is the hero.” Big Trouble in Little China ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/88 "2016-07-28T17:05:45Z")
A group of pre-teen boys have a campout to celebrate summer’s last hurrah Stand By Me ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/89 "2016-07-28T19:56:25Z")
Two for One: “Uh Oh, Silver!” The Legend Of The Lone Ranger (1981) The Lone Ranger (2013) ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/90 "2016-07-29T00:54:46Z")
Tree hugging eco-terrorist commits theft, murder, and destruction of property: Silent Running ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/91 "2016-07-29T01:53:20Z")
The OP asked for summaries that are mundane. Some of the responses have strayed pretty far from that. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/92 "2016-07-29T02:13:54Z")
A bunch of guys agree to help a friend bring his wife back after she runs off with another man **Troy**. Or _The Iliad_ ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/93 "2016-07-29T02:39:15Z")
Former cop gets angrier and angrier. Mad Max ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/94 "2016-07-29T12:04:47Z")
A servant fixes dinner for her employers. Babette’s Feast ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/95 "2016-07-29T13:49:12Z")
A man takes a boat trip to a camp out. Apocalypse Now ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/96 "2016-07-29T18:29:17Z")
A man sadly has to shoot his pet when it gets loose and causes havoc. **King Kong** ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/97 "2016-07-29T18:34:33Z")
A stray animal wanders in a city and causes problems for the Animal Control professionals. – Godzilla ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/98 "2016-07-29T21:14:45Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > A stray animal wanders in a city and causes problems for the Animal Control professionals. > > – Godzilla …not to mention _The Giant Pet The Lost World_ (1926 version) The Arctic Giant Mighty Joe Young The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms - and a few tons of other Monster On The Loose flicks. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/99 "2016-07-29T22:23:22Z")
A bunch of youngsters drive out to the country and have a big party: Woodstock Another party is ruined by some surly participants: Gimme Shelter ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623/100 "2016-07-30T04:24:40Z")
Law enforcement trainee faces challenging case, gains personal insight. silence of the lambs, training day, point break [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summarize-a-fantastical-plot-as-mundanely-as-possible/760623.md?page=6)