A disproportionate number of married males in films are working on a big project for an architecture firm. In a drama, the male must take a scale model of the project home and stare at it in the middle of the night. In a comedy, a child must accidentally break it.
If a couple is about to kiss and there is no music on the soundtrack, that kiss must be interrupted before initial docking of lips.
When a superhero goes to a bar in civilian clothes, he or she must be interrupted before finishing the first drink.
In any film featuring an ensemble of Italian-American characters, there must always be a Tony and a Vinny.
People who are proficient in computer hacking must hit their keyboard more swiftly and loudly than ordinary users.
Everyone who uses a computer must never misspell their user name or password and should also be spookily good at guessing aforementioned details of others. Usually on the third or fourth try.
A retired secret agent or freelance hit man can always be counted upon to return for one last job.
In any movie set in deep space, the first character to be shown sweating must be the character that later ruins the mission for everyone.
In any scene set in a school staffroom, at least one teacher must be shown reading a newspaper in an openly bored and disillusioned manner.
A disproportionate number of child characters in computer animated films are orphans. The only remaining memento of their dear departed parents must be a framed black-and-white photograph.
PS. No pictures, but I still thought they were funny