Movies

Why Hollywood Characters Hang Up the Phone Without Saying ‘Bye’

BBG News

Does it bother you just as much as it bothers me? It’s incredibly apparent, unreasonable, and comically frustrating how TV and film characters will end a call without properly hanging up or saying goodbye.

Like, who does that?!

In various types of shows – be it comedies, dramas, action films, or detective stories – you frequently notice a pattern where characters are engaged in a conversation, reach a conclusion, and then suddenly end the call prematurely.

Whether it’s a comedy, drama, action movie, or mystery series, you often witness a common scenario in which characters are having a discussion, reach an agreement, and abruptly terminate the call before it’s finished.

It’s particularly annoying and amusing when characters decide to meet up later but end the call without exchanging farewells or arranging a specific time and location for their encounter.

In a realistic scenario, such ongoing, incomplete dialogues wouldn’t occur. They certainly catch your attention. Now, let me clarify: while films and TV shows don’t represent actual life, it seems unusual that they don’t portray characters bidding farewell in a more natural way.

What gives?

As reported by The Mirror, the reason behind characters on screen not concluding conversations over the phone or saying goodbye boils down to one fundamental aspect: time management in filmmaking.

Michael Jamin, a screenwriter and producer, emphasizes that the key lies in balancing the pace and the allocated duration a show or film is given for its storytelling.

Essentially, it offers both time and cost efficiency. For a scene that needs to last 22 minutes, even a few extra seconds might not pass the mark.

We often film extensively, understanding that not every shot will be perfect. This gives us the flexibility to edit and speed up parts as needed, though we aren’t sure exactly where. It’s like when you’re deciding what to keep during editing – if you remove the goodbye scene, perhaps you can preserve your favorite joke instead. Over time, we even stop writing the goodbyes in the script, knowing we’ll likely cut it later.

If the continuation of the story doesn’t require listening to a full phone call, complete with a farewell, then such a scene can be omitted for the sake of smooth narrative flow.

Oh, okay, cool, I feel better now.

These Deliciously Retro Food Photos Will Make You Hungry for the ’70s

Retro Food

In the 70’s, Mom donned an entire outfit in tartan plaid from head to toe as she prepared meals using colorful flowery kitchenware, as it was fashionable back then to fill each room with multiple patterns.

Retro Food

In a checkered flask and an old, weathered metal lunchbox (a relic from the ’60s belonging to your father), there was a sandwich of peanut butter and jelly along with slightly warm milk. Did any other mother put hot water and a sausage in the flask? A hot dog meal!

Retro Food

1977 finds a lively gathering of ’70s enthusiasts and their sturdy vehicles occupying the parking lot of a Denny’s in Eugene, Oregon – probably pondering Grand Slam meals.

Retro Food

The old-fashioned cash register, complete with numerous keys and boisterous noises, was an integral aspect of dining out in the 1970s, much like the food itself. Leaving the establishment without the cash register’s distinctive sounds signaling your payment would have drawn attention.

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Exiting bustling Interstate 90 in Rapid City, South Dakota, was more appealing than ever before, knowing that delicious food wrapped in paper or cardboard was waiting for you. Styrofoam containers, a common sight later in the 1970s, were yet to appear on the scene.

Retro Food

In the 1970s, bright orange vinyl booths served as the informal seating areas in fast-food restaurants, and if it was a sticky, sweltering summer without air conditioning, you could anticipate that your damp legs clad in shorts would make a noisy commotion as you stood up to depart.

Retro Food

If Mom brought out her decorative flowery pots for cooking, it was a clear sign that the air in the house would soon be filled with the aroma of a dish resembling a casserole, with a bubbly texture and an undeniable ’70s flavor.

Retro Food

The woman who resembles Marlo Thomas is beaming, holding up a Jell-O mold, delighted that there wouldn’t have been a lively ’70s gathering without this wobbly marvel of a gelatin dessert gracing the table instead.

Retro Food

In the 1970s, when beige symbolized a certain flavor… This seemingly dull spread was actually a sign that the party was imminent, with its spray cheese counterpart soon to follow.

Retro Food

Fancy a picnic on the car bonnet? Back in the ’70s, family road trips were all about making spontaneous stops, unpacking lunchboxes, endless sweets and fizzy drinks, and feasting freely wherever the mood struck!

Retro Food

At a ’70s gathering with your spouse, nothing encapsulates the mood quite like a fondue night, filled with joyous laughter, and perhaps a key bowl on standby since the warmth wasn’t limited to just the cheese at this lively suburban event.

Retro Food

1970’s ambiance with a tropical flair! Nothing captured the culinary world like towering mounds of bland melons and a halved grapefruit – adorned, of course, with the iconic ’70s garnish: a plump maraschino cherry.

Retro Food

A generous portion of meatloaf and quick-made mashed potatoes, along with a side of frozen mixed vegetables, as it’s the 1970s.

Retro Food

The ’70s were all about serving suave looks (and burgers).

Retro Food

This setup is perfect for a party! We’ve got egg salad, tomato wedges, and a festive ham – though I guess the pineapple rings and cherries have been taken off. And to top it all off, there’s some groovy ’70s-style yellow wallpaper!

Retro Food

1970s nautical vibes are back again. A fruit cocktail with cherries and mountains of whipped cream – it’s like a seafaring vessel laden with the flavors of the decade.

Retro Food

It appears as though the individuals featured in the legendary “Buy the World a Coke” advertisement chose to host a lively, tropical-inspired beachside clambake reminiscent of the 1970s.

Retro Food

The perfect symbol of a union is a wedding cake adorned with figurines reminiscent of Precious Moments. While wedding cuisine has evolved significantly since the ’70s, there’s an undeniable sense that these two have been stored away in some Midwestern curio cabinet, waiting to be inherited by their granddaughter.

Retro Food

In the 1970s, turkeys were frequently more like polished wooden figurines than real birds, and this one is an exceptional example. The only thing it lacks is the whir of an electric knife and the aroma of Grandpa’s pipe.

Retro Food

In the 1970s, airline food was not only edible but also elegantly fancy. It was served on white tablecloths with real cutlery (which seems surprising nowadays), and there was a touch of Pan Am’s sophistication. Eating in the sky felt more like enjoying a fine dining experience.

Retro Food

Reminiscent of a lively ’70s summer vibe, there’s nothing quite like the image of a sweaty camper, a barbecue grill producing smoke (undoubtedly with lighter fluid), and a table adorned with red gingham cloth. The aroma of hot dogs and the taste of RC Cola instantly come to mind.

Retro Food

In the 1970s, shrimp cocktails symbolized elegance. Chilled to an ideal temperature, presented in a cup resembling a pudding dish brimming with tangy sauce (which might induce heartburn nowadays), and accompanied by “You’ve come a long way, baby!”

During the 1970s, shrimp cocktails were the epitome of sophistication. Perfectly chilled, served in a cup similar to a pudding dish overflowing with tangy sauce (that might give you heartburn now), and often accompanied by “You’ve come a long way, baby!”.

Retro Food

In this setting with a fake wooden rolling buffet, you found yourself reminiscent of a ’70s school dance. Your palms were growing clammy. Undoubtedly, you were anticipating dishes like Salisbury steak, buttery rolls, and waterlogged green beans. It served as a welcome diversion from the fact that you hadn’t mustered the courage yet to invite Marsha/Linda/Tammy for a dance.

The 10 Best Box Office Bombs of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Gemini Man (2019)

Financial Analysis of Gemini Man

The global box office revenue for Gemini Man was $173.5 million, while its reported budget was $138 million. This suggests that Paramount may have experienced a loss exceeding $100 million due to the high costs associated with filming Gemini Man, such as creating visual effects allowing Will Smith to act alongside his younger self and shooting in High Frame Rate (HFR) technology.

However, the use of HFR by director Ang Lee in Gemini Man was not without merit, as it resulted in breathtaking cinematography and exceptionally clear fight sequences between 2019 Will Smith and a computer-generated double who closely resembled Smith from 25 years ago. Despite some questionable plot twists involving an aging soldier facing off against his clone, the film’s technical aspects were commendable enough to make one wonder about its underperformance. In hindsight, it is likely that Gemini Man will be appreciated as a visually stunning movie, and future generations may find it hard to understand why it did not perform better at the box office.

9. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Title Box Office: $172.4 million

Budget: $168 million

Indeed, while _Furiosa_ may not have been as exceptional as _Fury Road_, it still showcased a daring and imaginative concept from director George Miller, whose movies, big or small, are consistently worth the ticket price. _Furiosa_ boasted some stunning action scenes and an eccentric antagonist in the form of Chris Hemsworth’s future tyrant Dementus. Unlike _Fury Road_, which didn’t achieve massive success on its own, _Furiosa_ fell significantly short of its total earnings. It is plausible that we, as a society, have underestimated the influence of Charlize Theron.

8. The Fall Guy (2024)

Global Box Office Earnings: $180.9 million
Reported Production Cost: $150 million

The movie that left everyone questioning the taste of audiences and sparking heated debates was this one, which led me to write an article titled “What on Earth do People Expect from Movies?” (A little advice: If you want to provoke the entire internet for a couple of days, simply ask them why they didn’t watch a delightful romantic action film starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.) One might wonder if Universal overestimated their budget for this high-stakes thriller adapted from an obscure TV series. Well, it’s likely. However, did The Fall Guy live up to its promises in terms of action sequences and romantic chemistry? Absolutely!

7. Beau Is Afraid (2023)

Title Analysis: Box Office Performance and Budget of “Beau Is Afraid”

The film “Beau Is Afraid” managed to earn $11 million at the global box office, a significant amount considering its three-hour runtime was likened to a panic attack. This revenue is noteworthy but falls short compared to what director Ari Aster’s previous indie horror hits (“Hereditary” and “Midsommar”) garnered. The film’s earnings also pale in comparison to its production budget.

Despite the difference between its earnings and budget, “Beau Is Afraid” is still hailed as a masterpiece that offers insight into living with anxiety.

6. The Last Duel (2021)

Alteration:

Global Box Office Collection: $30.6 million
Reported Budget: $100 million
Ridley Scott attributed the poor box office performance of The Last Duel to uninterested “millennials” who prefer cell phone content. However, it’s more likely that the film’s underperformance was due to Disney, its new owner after Fox, showing little enthusiasm for promoting it.
Despite the reasons behind its failure, The Last Duel was one of Scott’s finest works in recent years. It is a contemplative drama set in medieval France about the conflict between Matt Damon’s Jean de Carrouges and Adam Driver’s Jacques Le Gris. Initially a dispute over wealth and power, the rivalry escalates into a matter of life and death when de Carrouges’ wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) accuses Le Gris of rape. The screenplay by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Nicole Holofcener is told in a Rashomon-inspired manner, with the central story being retold from each of the three main characters’ perspectives, highlighting their differing or intriguingly similar viewpoints. The cinematography by Dariusz Wolski was stunningly beautiful, and the final duel was one of the best action sequences in recent memory.

5. Tár (2022)

Global Box Office Revenue: $29.2 million
Reported Production Cost: $35 million
Tár garnered rave reviews, made numerous top-ten lists by critics, and received multiple prestigious awards such as the New York Film Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award. Despite these accolades, its performance at the box office was disappointing. Regardless of the critical acclaim it received, audiences seemed indifferent towards this gripping tale about a prominent symphony conductor (played by Cate Blanchett) whose life spirals out of control amidst a series of public scandals. It’s unfortunate when a movie as excellent as this one fails to attract theater-going audiences.

4. Annihilation (2018)

Global Box Office Earnings: $43.1 million

Reported Production Cost: $55 million

A recurring trend in this list is the popularity of thought-provoking science fiction films, despite their high financial risks. These films can be creatively rewarding when crafted by the right talent. In the instance of the unsettling film “Annihilation”, it boasts a compelling source material by Jeff VanderMeer and a daring director in Alex Garland. Known for challenging his audience, Garland doesn’t shy away from pushing viewers out of their comfort zones, even if some may question the price tag associated with such experiences.

3. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023)

Box Office Performance and Analysis

Global Box Office Earnings: $21.4 million
Reported Production Budget: $30 million
This film, based on a beloved bestseller, boasts an impressive cast and a renowned director. It was truly exceptional, ranking among the top movies of 2023. One might wonder if viewers expected such greatness from the book, but they would be mistaken. Perhaps modern audiences no longer flock to character-rich, emotionally resonant films in cinemas? I sincerely hope this isn’t true. I genuinely hope people will discover this film. It deserves a place among every teenager’s movie-watching routine. I fervently hope it finds its audience.

2. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Global Box Office Earnings: $267.7 million
Production Budget: $185 million
Denis Villeneuve’s visually striking adaptation of Ridley Scott’s exploration of life in a damaged future not only modernized its dystopian technology, but also stayed faithful to the original film’s aesthetic. The movie showcased a heartfelt performance by Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard. The initial Blade Runner wasn’t particularly successful, so it was unclear why anyone expected different results for a sequel that closely linked to the first movie’s plot and its debated ending. However, I’m glad someone felt this project was worthy of investing a substantial amount, as the final result was stunning.

1. The Fabelmans (2022)

Global Box Office Earnings: $45.6 million

Reported Production Budget: $40 million

Steven Spielberg’s personal life story was transformed into one of his most remarkable films in his career – yet, it became one of his fewer box office successes. The film The Fabelmans offers everything that people often complain is missing from modern cinema: mature content featuring outstanding performances, excellent writing, visually captivating storytelling, and no superheroes to be found. Personally, I haven’t heard more positive feedback about a recent movie than for The Fabelmans; everyone I recommended it to absolutely loved it. However, the general public did not flock to see the film; The Fabelmans barely managed to recoup its modest $40 million budget.

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2025-05-21 00:28

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