Idioms

film

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blue film

A film that contains graphic sexual content. The use of "blue" to mean lewd or indecent dates from the mid-1800s, though the origin is unclear. A lot of kids at school got in trouble for trading blue films. I remember the video store down the street had a section of blue films for adults that they would keep behind a black curtain. What are you doing with a blue film? If Mom catches us with that, we'll be grounded for months—and we'll have to go to Confession!
See also: blue, film

cult film

A film that has a passionate fan base despite lacking critical acclaim, box office success, or mainstream interest. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Big Lebowski, and Plan 9 from Outer Space are often cited as examples of cult films. A lot of cult films are considered to be "so bad they're good." Why are you surprised? Mom hasn't seen a lot of popular, mainstream movies, let alone cult films!
See also: cult, film

film at 11

cliché Primarily heard in US.
1. A phrase used in broadcast journalism during clips of news stories that are to be featured in greater detail later (when a news program airs, traditionally at 11 PM) Coming up tonight—doctors who let their pets perform surgery. Film at 11. Our reporters were the first on the scene as firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze in a high-rise apartment building. Film at 11. "Film at 11"? Ugh, I can't stay up that late—can't they just tell me how that bus accident happened now?
2. Used by extension to indicate something not at all newsworthy. A: "Don't you think that's interesting?" B: "No, not really. 'Local boy discovers big pit in a field. Film at 11.'" Oh yeah, I did great on that test. "D-student gets his first F! Film at 11!" Ugh. Why do you have that camera in my face? "Mom eats breakfast, film at 11"? No, I don't think so.
See also: 11, film

film out

To transfer or convert images into a traditional film print from some other source, such as digital files or magnetic tape. A large section of the course teaches you the methods involved in filming out the frames you shoot on digital cameras, even though movie theaters project digitally themselves. A: "Wait, why would I want to film out my digital photos?" B: "You wouldn't, but an actual photographer might want to." I have access to a darkroom, if you ever want to film out those old negatives.
See also: film, out

film over

To begin to display a film, a thin membrane that can develop on the surface of some things. Ew, don't eat that soup—it's been sitting out so long that it's filmed over. Gross, has that pudding filmed over? If you don't want that custard to film over, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Don't expose it to the air.
See also: film, over

popcorn film

A film that is entertaining to watch but is generally not of a very high quality or rich in emotional or intellectual depth. A: "So what film do you want to go see later?" B: "I don't feel like watching anything too heavy or complex—let's just see whatever popcorn film is out."
See also: film, popcorn

snuff film

A film that shows the actual murder or death of a person. Although snuff films are illegal, they are still widely circulated on the black market. The death scenes were so realistic that the director and producers were actually arrested at one point for making a snuff film.
See also: film, snuff

tentpole film

A film with a very large budget and production value that is meant to provide substantial revenue to the production company. Big blockbusters used to be quite the rare cinematic event, but we've gotten to the point now where there's a tentpole film coming out nearly every weekend of the year.
See also: film, tentpole
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

film over

[for something] to develop a film on its surface. The windows had filmed over because of all the humidity. Her eyes filmed over with the cold.
See also: film, over
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

snuff film

n. a film that records an actual death or killing. Some of these snuff films have a loyal following of real sickies.
See also: film, snuff
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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For Williams, seeing Werner Herzog's historical film Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1973) at the age of 14 was a turning point in his life.
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