the twist rule
modern movies have largely become a joke of “how many layers of ‘twist’?” Think i have it down to a simple method now, made easier if you’re watching via medium that tells you how much time’s remaining.
generally, the max “twists” will be three. assuming 5 minutes for credits, when the movie appears to be over at 12 remaining, reverse villain(s) and hero(es). nineteen remaining, villain(s) and hero(es) are as they appear. twenty-six, add another flop, with apparently benign characters mixing in at the end.
yeah, it gets more complicated on the timing and character prominence, but that’s a good rule-of-thumb for boredom and disgust. oh, and if it’s a heist movie, throw in a “damn, you handed me an empty/worthless package when i had the gun on you” for every 12.7 minutes remaining, and multiply final smirk factor by 1.8. then watch the diet-coke lemmings say, “great twist!”