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7 basic plot lines

7 basic plot lines

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The So Fist

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There are 7 basic plot lines that virtually every movie, book and tv show fall into.

My question, i suppsoe, is once you've seen a bunch of each type of plot line, don't you guys get bored of watching the same basic type of movie or show? What do you guys find interesting in a movie/show that is basically the same as things you've already seen?

1. Overcoming the monster -- defeating some force which threatens...
e.g. most Hollywood movies; Star Wars, James Bond.

2. The Quest -- typically a group setoff in search of something and
(usually) find it. e.g. Watership Down, Pilgrim's Progress.

3. Journey and Return -- the hero journeys away from home to somewhere
different and finally comes back having experienced something and
maybe changed for the better. e.g. Wizard of Oz, Gullivers Travels.

4. Comedy - not neccesarily a funny plot. Some kind of
misunderstanding or ignorance is created that keeps parties apart
which is resolved towards the end bringing them back together. e.g.
Bridget Jones Diary, War and Peace.

5. Tragedy - Someone is tempted in some way, vanity, greed etc and
becomes increasingly desperate or trapped by their actions until at a
climax they usually die. Unless it's a Hollywood movie, when they
escape to a happy ending. e.g. Devils' Advocate, Hamlet.

6. Rebirth - hero is captured or oppressed and seems to be in a state
of living death until it seems all is lost when miraculously they are
freed. e.g. Snow White.

7. Rags to Riches - self explanatory really. e.g. Cinderella &
derivatives (all 27,000 of them)!!!

duecer
anybody seen my

underpants??

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[opervjopreem 909c 9245pklzdfdklampdfvopaoaeope

pbbbbllltttt! you just ruined movies for me....THANKS!😠😛

u
The So Fist

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Originally posted by duecer
[opervjopreem 909c 9245pklzdfdklampdfvopaoaeope

pbbbbllltttt! you just ruined movies for me....THANKS!😠😛
Now you know how I feel! Ignorance really is bliss. I used to love movies but invariably i'll be watching something and realize, oh plot #5 again. 😞

P
Mystic Meg

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Originally posted by uzless
There are 7 basic plot lines that virtually every movie, book and tv show fall into.

My question, i suppsoe, is once you've seen a bunch of each type of plot line, don't you guys get bored of watching the same basic type of movie or show? What do you guys find interesting in a movie/show that is basically the same as things you've already seen?

1. Over o Riches - self explanatory really. e.g. Cinderella &
derivatives (all 27,000 of them)!!!
You are a MASTOR DUNGEON MASTOR!

P-

Edit! Oh, this is for Movies... I see.

IC

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Originally posted by uzless
There are 7 basic plot lines that virtually every movie, book and tv show fall into.

My question, i suppsoe, is once you've seen a bunch of each type of plot line, don't you guys get bored of watching the same basic type of movie or show? What do you guys find interesting in a movie/show that is basically the same as things you've already seen?

1. Over ...[text shortened]... o Riches - self explanatory really. e.g. Cinderella &
derivatives (all 27,000 of them)!!!
You forgot boy meets girl.

yo its me
Yo! Its been

Me, all along

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Originally posted by Ice Cold
You forgot boy meets girl.
And the totally question unanswered plot such as Vanila Sky. Man that film was anoying.

M

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Originally posted by uzless
There are 7 basic plot lines that virtually every movie, book and tv show fall into.

My question, i suppsoe, is once you've seen a bunch of each type of plot line, don't you guys get bored of watching the same basic type of movie or show? What do you guys find interesting in a movie/show that is basically the same as things you've already seen?

1. Over ...[text shortened]... o Riches - self explanatory really. e.g. Cinderella &
derivatives (all 27,000 of them)!!!
Could you explain under which category "Mulholland Drive" would fall? If you haven't seen it, go rent it and get back to me.

I'll wait.

rbmorris
Vampyroteuthis

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Originally posted by Mimor
Could you explain under which category "Mulholland Drive" would fall? If you haven't seen it, go rent it and get back to me.

I'll wait.
Also, what about "Sex Warrior Pudding"?

Oh, Manager!!!

M

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Originally posted by rbmorris
Also, what about "Sex Warrior Pudding"?

Oh, Manager!!!
Oh, I think that's definitely a category 1 movie - Overcoming the monster.

😀

yo its me
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Me, all along

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Originally posted by Mimor
Oh, I think that's definitely a category 1 movie - Overcoming the monster.

😀
LOL 😀

yo its me
Yo! Its been

Me, all along

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You'd have to add;

Non-plot film story line, example 'adult' films.

Mixed up story line, example Donnie Darko.

The anoying questions 'story', example Vanila sky.

coquette
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Magnolia is which number?
Eyes Wide Shut is which number?
Sophie's Choice is which number?
Memento?

I don't disagree about the common themes, but I think there are some new ideas from time to time, no?

e
leperchaun messiah

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close enough

u
The So Fist

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To address the above commentors, yes a few films do manage to skirt the 7 basic plot lines. That is why i said VIRTUALLY every movie and not EVERY movie.

Those few movies such as the ones y'all have listed are ones that I like, mostly just because they are differnet.

Although, Donnie Darko is just about overcoming the monster (monster in this case alluding to the drugs the parents in the 80's gave to modify their behaviour with callous disregard to the side effects)

Mulhulland drive was a tribute to an obscure film from a few decades ago that virtually no one caught on to.

Vanilla sky was Overcoming the Monster. Man vs himself. (himself being the monster...hell he was even disfigured to look like a monster!)

u
The So Fist

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Originally posted by Ice Cold
You forgot boy meets girl.
that's THE QUEST.....the quest for love

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