Here's a handy tip for avoiding a Hack Stamp: If you can be fairly confident a dozen other writers will use the same reference, don't use it. ---

Men in Black 3's arrival in theaters this weekend had plenty of critics pulling out near-identical sentences based on one of the series' more iconic bits of technology -- and a reference that could be employed whether the writer liked the movie or hated it. Can you guess what it might be? Or did you stare into the flash of light and forget?

“You wouldn't need a ‘neuraliser’ to forget Men in Black II … [but Men in Black III is] definitely worth two of your Earth hours.” – Stella Papamichael, Digital Spy

“… enough inspired moments to wipe out memories of the abysmal 2002 first sequel as surely as one of the black-suited heroes’ nebulizers.” – Lou Lumenick, New York Post

“… easily erases the second installment's vague but unpleasant memory.” – John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter

“… this redundant extension of a series that ran out of gas a decade ago doesn’t need a neuralyzer to be forgettable.” – Neil Smith, Total Film

“Look into this device and wait for the flash and forget any talk of sequels, please.” – Linda Barnard, Toronto Star

“… a likable dose of brain-neuralising entertainment.” – Brad Gray, MovieFix

“… at least you won’t feel like zapping yourself with one of the MiB forget-it-all gizmos after watching it.” – Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

“If only the story had unforgettable moments. Or have we been neuralized?” – Peter Paras, E! Online

“… almost good enough to neuralyze your memories of MIB2.” – Matt Neal, The Standard

“Enjoyable enough that you won’t need neuralising afterwards.” – Alex Zane, The Sun (U.K.)