Unpromising premises

Cafe Society
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A lot of movies have premises that, if stated baldly or slightly misstated, sound really unappealing. The obvious example is probably The Big Lebowsky: Three losers attempt to convince rich veteran to buy them new rug. The show is more than that, but my thumbnail synopsis isn’t entirely unfair, either. So let’s begin:

The Wizard of Oz: Farmgirl slips into coma while destitute adoptive family looks on.
Star Wars, original trilogy: Ignorant farmboy assists mercenary, gays in revolution.
Star Wars, new trilogy: Ignorant ex-slave becomes government functionary.
Citizen Kane: Old man loses sled.
Omega Man: Epidemic causes skin condition.
Titanic: Young man convinces attractive young woman to have sex with him, pose nude for sketches.

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I’m gonna help you out some. All tag lines, or “premises” can be boiled down to, “Just trying to get laid” or “Just trying to get rich”.

Some are a combination of both, but the story is the same.

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** Gone with the Wind**: Rich bitch eats turnip; doesn’t like it.

The Day the Earth Stood Still: Out-of-town tourist visits Washington, D.C.

2001: Space Odysset: People try to find the owners of a big black box

The Lord of the Rings: Hobbit has a problem with some jewelry, and tries to return it to where it was made.

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'Tis a better fit in Cafe Society, so off you go!

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And your little dog, too!

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Of Mice and Men: Two vagabonds look for work during the depression.

Man in the Moon: Comedian becomes bad guy wrestler, gets cancer.

Newsies: Child labourers sell newspapers, sing.

As Good As It Gets: OCD novellist annoys neighbours.

The Sound of Music: Austrian family moves to Switzerland, sings.

Halloween: Disturbed child comes home for reunion.

First Blood: Viet Nam vet has trouble adjusting to life as a civilian.

Cloak and Dagger: Young boy explores his imagination inside an Atari commercial.

Tron: A computer program experiences a few bugs.

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So… this premise sounds “really unappealing” how? :wink:

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Pulp Fiction - some guys deliver a suitcase
Kill Bill - a woman kills her ex husband
Driving Ms. Daisy - a guy drives this lady around

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X-men a parapalegic tries to stop a holocaust survivor from causing damage to national monuments.

Jaws: two fishermen search for a bigger boat.

Snakes on a Plane: …

Hmm…I just can’t seem to think of an unpromising premise here. They’re SNAKES! And they’re on a PLANE! Jesus man, it’s just got everything!

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The Shining- A man works through emotional issues with his family.

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Forrest Gump: Mentally handicapped guy waits for bus, tells stories.
Apollo 13: Business trip goes awry.
Good Morning Vietnam: Radio personality delivers news, teaches English class.
School of Rock: Slacker play guitar.
The Wall: Boomtown Rats singer does some drugs.
Indiana Jones: Archeology!

An uncomfortable commercial airline flight gets even more uncomfortable. (Note: I haven’t seen the movie.)

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Casablanca Bar owner runs into old girlfirend

Godfather Nice young man resists going into the family business

Indiana Jones Anthropoligist investigates rare artifacts

Planet of the Apes NRA spokesman finds beach litter

Psycho Young woman learns she should have booked trip through AAA

High Noon Newlyweds’ honeymoon delayed

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The Hobbit: Bilbo finds a ring.
The Lord of the Rings: Frodo destroys it.

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Peter Pan: Flighty kid dresses in green hotpants and hangs around with young boys and a fairy.

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[insert title here]–serial killer kills many people in a variety of disgusting ways

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Schindler’s List: A factory owner hires some new workers.

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Autumn Almanac: Ya got me! That is a hell of a lot more appealing than what the movie was supposed to be about.

Batman: Rich orphan plays dress-up.

Superman: Illegal alien orphan plays dress-up, dodges idiotic INS agents.

Spiderman: Working-class orphan plays dress-up.

Patton: Military man goes on long trip through Africa, Europe.

Tora! Tora! Tora!: It’s often good flying weather in Hawaii, even in December.

The Ten Commandments: Torah! Torah! Torah!

Birth of a Nation: White men form, use clubs in the south.

M: Man enjoys whistling in the evening.