film



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.
See also: blue, film

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

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

film at 11

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). Although it was once reserved for serious news stories, the phrase is often used now in a joking or sarcastic manner in conversation or news parodies. A five-alarm fire engulfs a historical landmark—film at 11. Ooh, Jill and Megan are fighting again! Film at 11!
See also: 11, film

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

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

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Virgilioveer-JEE-lyo (Italian), beer-KHEE-lyo (Spanish)Italian, Spanish
Cadwgankah-DO-gahnWelsh
MaxwellMAKS-welEnglish
Tzion-Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Bonitus-Late Roman
StÉPhanieste-fa-NEEFrench