Nuking the Fridge is a colloquialism used by U.S. Cinema critics and fans. It has a meaning similar to jumping the shark.
It is used to denote the point in a movie or movie series at which the characters or plot veer into a ridiculous, out-of-the-ordinary storyline. Films that have "nuked the fridge" are typically deemed to have passed their peak, since they have undergone too many changes to retain their initial appeal, and after this point critical fans often sense a noticeable decline in their quality.
It is considered as the movie correspective of what Jumping the shark means for television.
The term is an allusion to a scene in the 2008 film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull of the Indiana Jones series, when the title character Indiana Jones is literally hit by a Atomic Bomb blast while hiding inside a refrigerator in a desperate attempt to escape a nuclear test facility. The fridge is hurled several miles through the sky, and tumbles hard to the ground. The scene was considered so preposterous that many believed it to be an attempt at outdoing the over-the-top action of the classic introduction sequence of the series.
Nuke-the-fridge moments may be scenes like the one described above that finally convince viewers that the film has fundamentally and permanently strayed from its original premise. In those cases they are viewed as a desperate and futile attempt to keep a series fresh.
Origin
The phrase refers to the opening scene in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, first worldwide released on May 22 2008. The infamous scene was seen by many as betraying the normal half-serious tone of the series, by introducing an element of cartoonish factuality and typical excess.
The first public use of the phrase as a direct metaphor is reported to have been on May 24, 2008, on IMDB boards by user beachedblonde.
The phrase has been used more recently outside the realm of popular culture, representing anything that has reached its peak and has turned mediocre. If one thinks a stock or a sports team or a subcultural phenomenon has reached its peak, for example, one can say that it has "nuked the fridge."
It is used to denote the point in a movie or movie series at which the characters or plot veer into a ridiculous, out-of-the-ordinary storyline. Films that have "nuked the fridge" are typically deemed to have passed their peak, since they have undergone too many changes to retain their initial appeal, and after this point critical fans often sense a noticeable decline in their quality.
It is considered as the movie correspective of what Jumping the shark means for television.
The term is an allusion to a scene in the 2008 film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull of the Indiana Jones series, when the title character Indiana Jones is literally hit by a Atomic Bomb blast while hiding inside a refrigerator in a desperate attempt to escape a nuclear test facility. The fridge is hurled several miles through the sky, and tumbles hard to the ground. The scene was considered so preposterous that many believed it to be an attempt at outdoing the over-the-top action of the classic introduction sequence of the series.
Nuke-the-fridge moments may be scenes like the one described above that finally convince viewers that the film has fundamentally and permanently strayed from its original premise. In those cases they are viewed as a desperate and futile attempt to keep a series fresh.
Origin
The phrase refers to the opening scene in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, first worldwide released on May 22 2008. The infamous scene was seen by many as betraying the normal half-serious tone of the series, by introducing an element of cartoonish factuality and typical excess.
The first public use of the phrase as a direct metaphor is reported to have been on May 24, 2008, on IMDB boards by user beachedblonde.
The phrase has been used more recently outside the realm of popular culture, representing anything that has reached its peak and has turned mediocre. If one thinks a stock or a sports team or a subcultural phenomenon has reached its peak, for example, one can say that it has "nuked the fridge."
Examples of a film franchise nuking the fridge:
Star Wars - Jar-Jar Binks says "Ex-squeeze me"
Matrix - When 100 Agent Smiths attack a CGI Neo spinning around on a pole
Spider-Man - When Peter Parker turns Emo and starts dancing around a bar
Batman - When Batman has to fend off a bunch of glowing neon-painted hooligans to rescue Robin after he stole the Batmobile
Star Wars - Jar-Jar Binks says "Ex-squeeze me"
Matrix - When 100 Agent Smiths attack a CGI Neo spinning around on a pole
Spider-Man - When Peter Parker turns Emo and starts dancing around a bar
Batman - When Batman has to fend off a bunch of glowing neon-painted hooligans to rescue Robin after he stole the Batmobile
by Heyitsbeth May 26, 2008
Get the nuking the fridge mug.1. Of or relating to a numen; supernatural.
2. Filled with or characterized by a sense of a supernatural presence: a numinous place.
3. Spiritually elevated; sublime.
4. arousing spiritual or religious emotions
5. mysterious or awe-inspiring Latin numen divine will
The term numinosity isn’t too well-known beyond the academic study of religion and anthropology.
In a sense numinosity is like the more familiar term luminosity.
But numinosity refers to a subtle, spiritual light instead of an outwardly visible light such as the luminosity of the moon.
While numinosity and luminosity may coexist, they remain somehow different.
2. Filled with or characterized by a sense of a supernatural presence: a numinous place.
3. Spiritually elevated; sublime.
4. arousing spiritual or religious emotions
5. mysterious or awe-inspiring Latin numen divine will
The term numinosity isn’t too well-known beyond the academic study of religion and anthropology.
In a sense numinosity is like the more familiar term luminosity.
But numinosity refers to a subtle, spiritual light instead of an outwardly visible light such as the luminosity of the moon.
While numinosity and luminosity may coexist, they remain somehow different.
"The sprinkling of Holy Water was the most numinous moment in the Mass"
"After meditation, Jenny is often filled with great feelings of numinosity."
"After meditation, Jenny is often filled with great feelings of numinosity."
by Jennifire January 21, 2009
Get the Numinosity mug.Nahin has big brown eyes and a big heart. He is a sweet and caring guy. If he ever loves you, he loves you with all his heart. He notices every time you are down and makes sure you are all right. If you have a Nahin never let go of him. Great make out sesh and like to finger girls.
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Get the Nahin mug.1. Random Word used to confuse telemarketers and crank callers.
2. Also used when nothing else is being said in a conversation.
2. Also used when nothing else is being said in a conversation.
by Harpo Hugho Hageman November 3, 2006
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Get the Nahin' mug.An alternative phrase to "nothing burger" for plant-based individuals used to express disappointment after a much-anticipated event.
I was excited to see (insert name of whatever one was anticipating) but it turned out to be a big ol' nuthin' muffin.
Terry turned out to be a nuthin' muffin; I can't believe I thought spending time with them would be awesome.
Terry turned out to be a nuthin' muffin; I can't believe I thought spending time with them would be awesome.
by TeaInTheMoment March 10, 2021
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