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PROFESSOR RUSSELL JOHNSON'S "MY ANCESTORS CAME OVER ON THE MINNOW" THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS MOVIE QUIZ
It’s been a good long while, relatively speaking, since any of the prestigious SLIFR faculty has been tapped to create a movie quiz for the faithful (if slightly masochistic) readership of this blog. And we figured that in order to find the best person to handle the task of a creating a quiz that would be unprecedented in its volume of questions, one that would cover the breadth of the holiday season, we would have to go to the man or woman who exhibited the sheerest of confidence in the face of an overwhelming percentage of likelihood against one’s projected outcome, someone not at all uncomfortable with flying directly into the harsh winds of posted odds and all good sense. After some debate within these hallowed halls (a debate which partially accounts for the lateness of the quiz’s posting), we felt that the only logical choice was perhaps our most ingenuous and inspired teacher. We turned readily to our most illustriously logorrheic staff member, physics specialist and jack-of-all-trades Professor Russell Johnson, and it is our good fortune to report that he readily accepted this latest in a long line of career challenges. Professor Johnson, who has long since abandoned his given name in favor of that of the lantern-jawed ‘50s contract player whom he uncannily most resembles, and whom gained immeasurable pop culture cachet as the nom-de-plumeless Professor on TV’s Gilligan’s Island (“It used to get me girls,” claims the dotty scientist), came up with several great questions, and some that were determined to be insufficient for the high standards established by other quiz-writing professors who have tried their hand at this game. (Professor Kingsfield left the room in a huff when presented with Professor Johnson’s potential query, “How many Double Stuf Oreos can you eat during a screening of Werckhemister Harmonies?”) So for this quiz Professor Johnson, only slightly miffed at his colleagues’ dismissive attitude, proposed that the student body itself be polled for possible questions that could substitute for the ones rejected from Professor Johnson’s submissions. This turned out to be a smashing idea, and the response was enough to make the professor admit that some of his ideas weren’t all that spiffy. (“That Sutpen kid—give me what he had for breakfast! And Gelderblom—the Kennedy/North juxtaposition is genius. I couldn’t think of anybody but George Lazenby to pair with Kennedy, and that’s for shit!”)
As always, when answering the questions please be sure to cut and paste the questions and write your answers underneath so that when your answers are displayed in the comments section it’s easy to recall what the answer is in reference to. Also, a reminder about Blogger’s relatively new 4,000-or-so character restriction on length of comment. Most of you will need at least two or three separate posts to post your completed answers under the quiz post here at SLIFR. Do not worry about taking up too much space. As long or as short as you want to go, it’s always fun reading your answers and it causes no technical inconvenience or hardship for your complete answers to be posted here. If, however, you have your own blog and would like to post the answers there, that’s cool too—just make sure to leave a link where we can go to read and enjoy them wherever they may be. So, without further ado, we present Professor Russell Johnson’s “My Ancestors Came Over on the Mayflower” Thanksgiving/Christmas Quiz. As the title implies, we here at SLIFR University hope to be receiving your submissions all the way through the Christmas holiday and into the new year. I promise too that I will submit my own answers in a timely fashion before the end of the year. (Professor Johnson may be dotty, but he’s a hothead about missed deadlines.)Have fun, folks!
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1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
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135 comments:
PART ONE OF GREG'S ANSWER
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
The Man Who Wasn't There
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2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Days of Heaven or Never Cry Wolf or Magnificent Ambersons or 8 1/2 or... oh never mind.
...............
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
France for now but I'm getting to know Japan better.
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4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
"People scare better when they're dying."
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5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Origami
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6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Astro Boy
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7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
I never unashamedly loved Mel Gibson but I did like him okay. Now I can't stand the fucker.
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8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom
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9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Wild at Heart
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10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Conrad's great but Gordon did most of my favorite films of the seventies and their look is a big part of why they're my favorites.
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11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Charley Varrick. Favorite is Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
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12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD - Star Trek
Theater - A Serious Man
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13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
The Godfather
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14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
"Mr. Potato Head. Mr. Potato Head!"
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15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Barbara Stanwyck
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16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Maybe.
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17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
"Welcome to Sherwood my lady."
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18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Almost every moment and line from Out of the Past
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19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
The Stunt Man (think about it and the scene will come to you)
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20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Paid 99 cents for Fun with Dick and Jane on Amazon. I want it back.
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21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin
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22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Choose Me
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23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
The Fog of War although most people have probably seen it.
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24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Ric Burns' The Donner Party
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25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
I'll cover this one on my blog.
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PART TWO OF GREG'S ANSWER
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
The great Geraldine Fitzgerald. "Peanuts!"
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27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I'm a dead ringer for Ava Gardner.
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28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Can't think of one right now.
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29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
John Carpenter's The Thing
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30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones
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31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Star Wars. Old people can be useful.
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32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Searchers
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33) Favorite movie car chase.
It's obvious but Bullitt.
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34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
That's a no-brainer: Fight Club. Two hours of cat-fights!
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35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Would you believe... Feldon, of course.
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36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Haven't seen many. I guess I'll say House of Wax.
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37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
I would never do that. Even if you hate someone to remove their art from the world... well, then you can't show it to people to prove it's garbage or hateful or whatever. Art should never be destroyed even if art itself can be destructive at times.
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38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I've changed my mind on many, many movies in my life but none that extreme. I've gone from "like" to "love" or "hate" to "dislike" but never a full 180 degree turn to my knowledge.
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39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Only one made The Earrings of Madame de... and that ends all arguments.
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PART THREE OF GREG'S ANSWER
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
You're not a cutter, I'm a cutter. That's right, I'd be Paul Dooley. And NO REFUNDS!
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41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The reluctant hero.
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42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen, without a doubt.
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43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Joan Collins takes down hubby in Tales from the Crypt then has a cigarette.
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44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Arthur giving Excalibur to Uryens so that he may be knighted and thus be their king.
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45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
The Cult of Ramping.
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46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
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47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Fritz Lang
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48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
National Lampoon's Vacation
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49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
That I actually got to see the two best movies of the year, Inglourious Basterds and A Serious Man in the theatre. That doesn't happen as often with me these days anymore.
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50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
Sorry for the three parts but it's the longest quiz you've done and the comments only allow 4096 characters. Stupid comment character allowance.
Part 1
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie. The Big Lebowski has grown on me, though I didn't like it that much when I first saw it. First for me is O Brother, Where art Thou?.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus) John Woo's full five hour Red Cliff. Not only have I already seen it on imported region free DVD, but I expect the rest of you will hop on the bandwagon when the Region 1 DVD and Blue-ray are released this Spring.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal) As much as I like both, I'm more partial to Japanese cuisine and cinema.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western. "That'll be the day." If it's good enough for Buddy Holly, it's good enough for me.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most? Painting and photography, use of composition. There is more to filmmaking than having the camera in focus.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?). Tears of the Black Tiger. Most western critics are unaware of the tradition of Thai filmmaking that Wisit Sasanatieng had drawn from in making this film.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem. Pat Boone. He was considered something of a local hero when I lived in Teaneck, New Jersey about forty years ago.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee? Or both in Asylum and And Now the Screaming Starts. I give Lom the edge for El Cid and Spartacus, Phantom of the Opera and a fistful of Jesus Franco films.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub) Dune.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom) Willis has been more consistently good and sometimes great.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie. The Killers, because of Clu Gulager's scene stealing, and Lee Marvin beating up Ronald Reagan. Top film, The Beguiled.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters? On DVD, Female by Michael Curtiz, from 1933. In a theater, Yang Yang, a Taiwanese film, part of the Starz Denver Film Festival.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom) Back to question 1: Red Cliff.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse? Default to Deezen, who was hilarious in 1941.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything. Maggie Cheung. See The Iceman Cometh to understand.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no? Yes.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland? No contest, De Havilland.
Part 2
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir. The long take of the holdup in Gun Crazy.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration. What appears to be a "Ken" doll substituting for Michael Gough in the gloriously stupid Konga.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly) I don't remember how much, but it couldn't have been more than two dollars to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a beloved film that I don't much care for.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin? Heflin.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film. Choose Me
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see. More people, not just cinephiles, should see Alain Resnais' Night and Fog.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded. Roger Corman's Attack of the Crab Monsters starring, yes, Russell Johnson.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share. I was shamed for not having seen any Ingmar Bergman films in an early film studies class. I saw virtually everything available at a retrospective at the now defunct Elgin Theater in NYC during my sophomore year.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette) Ann Sheridan. I loved her in City for Conquest.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who? Several people noted my father's resemblance to Maximillian Schell at the time that Judgment at Nuremberg was out.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why? I could have seen Precious in advance, but because of the hype, and because I hated Lee Daniel's previous film, Shadowboxer, I'm in no rush.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience. I liked the scene in Yubari, Japan, in Millenium Mambo, with the walk in the deep snow.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones? Graham, for his early films with Brian De Palma.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever). John Wayne and Clint Eastwood starring in films with screenplays by formerly blacklisted writers.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie. The Searchers. This may sound like heresy to some, but my favorite is Hondo.
33) Favorite movie car chase. Bullitt.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins) Freebie and the Bean.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon? Barbara Steele.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie. Play Dirty
Part 3
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen) Brett Ratner. Just because his films make boatloads of money will never make them good.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it. It took me a while to really appreciate Love with the Proper Stranger.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen) I've seen several of Marcel Ophul's films, but still I have to give it to Max.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality? To quote Groucho Marx, I wouldn't join a club that would have me as a member.
41) Your favorite movie cliché. The young woman who leaves the window open in a vampire movie.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal) Minnelli has made more films I like or love.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence. Paco Plaza's Cuento de navidad.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie. We're talking about virtually every movie starring Setsuko Hara.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal) I would force those kids who've been flocking to the Twilight films to see Let the Right One In.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson? No contest here. Munro.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio) Raoul Walsh.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.) Jacob's Ladder, because it annoyed so many people I knew at the time.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for? Terrific films by John Woo and Marco Bellocchio. Also, AnimEigo put me on their screeners list.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom) Kennedy. I've seen films with North but I had to look up his name on IMDb.
I'm still working on mine, but I wanted to be the first to get this one in:
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club.
I love these quizes. What a a great gift for the holliday. Am I weird for actually printing out the questions and answering them before I type them up? Just checking...
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
That would be O Brother Where Art Thou. I'll never quite forgive Entertainment Weekly for giving it an F rating. (#1: Raising AZ.)
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible?
Wow. All the ones that spring to mind (2001, Lawrence of Arabia, Never Cry Wolf), I have seen on big screens. Lucky me. Well, let's go ahead and say Dr. Zhivago.
3) Japan or France?
France. I'm neither mystical nor neon-lovin'.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
"My name is Sears." "I'm Roebuck. Who's minding the store?" - McCabe & Mrs. Miller
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
The writing, far and away, is the most important. Flash-and-trash blockbusters won't last without a good story. Granted, they're not designed to, but it's always such a pleasant feeling when movie calories aren't empty ones. And the movies that mean the most to people, the ones they hang on to and talk about throughout their lives, are the ones with structure and thought.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Fat Albert was NOT an overly sentimental piece of tripe. It took the ethos of the show ("comin' at ya with music & fun, and if you're not careful, you may learn something before we're done") and gave it a fun twist of fantasy besides. It accomplished exactly what it set out to accomplish, and it serves as a fine tribute to Albert Robertson, the inspiration for Cosby's unforgettable character.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
I've gone from attending Woody Allen movies on opening night to seeing them before their run is over to renting them if I'm so inclined to wondering whether I'm missing anything and then remembering I'm not.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Magee, for the satisfaction he takes in blasting the old Ludwig van.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film?
Of the ones I've seen, Wild at Heart. Of the ones I haven't seen, Lost Highway.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall?
Ohhh, good one. I'll forever cherish Hall for his phantom tears on Robert Blake's face in In Cold Blood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVDxfDNq2VU), but you can't beat what Willis did - not just in the Godfather movies, but his work in All the President's Men (the lighting on Deep Throat, the slowest zoom in the world on a telephoning Woodward) and Zelig (putting Allen into old newsreels long before computers made such seamless work almost mundane) as well. Not to mention - oh, just go to IMDb.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
The Killers. "Lady, I don't have the time."
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: Screwballs, my favorite piece of Canuxploitation. Theaters: Where the Wild Things Are. I loved it. Shut up.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray?
I've heard the Blu-rays screaming, each to each. I do not think that they will scream to me.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Deezen turned down the part of Eaglebauer in Rock 'n' Roll High School - demerit, demerit! Mintz-Plasse, on the other hand, got smacked by an anchorwoman after saying "Come on, you've seen your daughter have sex" to her on the air (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQYD-IEckoc). You have GOT to give it up to the kid for that.
Next: Part II...
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
The easy answer is John Cazale, but I'm going to say George Clooney post-Batman. He puts a spark in pedestrian films, and when he's in a great film, he raises both his game and the audience's involvement.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
I am Jack's enthusiastic thumbs up.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Teresa Wright didn't have an awesome sister.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Orson Welles running down a Dutch-angled alley, pursued by his shadow, in The Third Man.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
I was always rather bugged by the dummy that didn't keep passing the open windows in The Hotel New Hampshire. A moment that significant to the book's theme shouldn't have a mannequin fluttering downward.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it?
Fifty cents for The Second Coming of Suzanne. It was on a two-for-a-dollar DVD, paired with Mitchell. Who'd have thought a '70s Joe Don Baker movie could be so much better than a '70s Richard Dreyfuss movie?
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
I think I'll stick with my Chevy van, and that's all right with me.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I choo-choo-choose Choose Me.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
I can't help thinking that if everyone in America saw Paradise Lost, Damien Echols would be free and a lot of people would be forced to question their beliefs and themselves. I think that'd be a good thing.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
It can't be anything but E.T., can it?
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
In the movie Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Ben Affleck says a J&SB movie is "the worst idea since Greedo shooting first," and I involuntarily leapt out of me seat and yelled, "YEAH!!" Nobody was more surprised than me. Or more embarrassed, for that matter.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Nope - we grew our own mold, thank you kindly.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Since shutting off She's The One twenty minutes in, I've been very content to avoid the directed works of Edward Burns. He's justified my action ever since.
Part III coming up...
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Fargo, Fargo, Fargo.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Pass.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
The Breakfast Club. Proof positive that we can all just get along.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Searchers. Sure, it's better than Rio Bravo, but I like Rio Bravo better. Whattaya gonna do?
33) Favorite movie car chase.
The Bank Dick. The all-time funniest car chase ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UoiJ8Elujg
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film.
Brilliant question! I'd like to see a woman play Cyrano de Bergerac. Actually, let's be honest - I'd like to see a woman play Steve Martin's part in Roxanne.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
I've got 99 reasons to vote for Barbara Feldon.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Would a one-eyed director's work on the 3-D movie House of Wax be the equivalent of a deaf Beethoven composing the 9th Symphony?
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be?
It's Pick-on-Edward-Burns night!
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I went to a campus theater to see The Gods Must Be Crazy, only to find they were showing Dr. Strangelove instead. I couldn't adjust my expectations and walked out. Ah, the folly of youth.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls?
Who was taller?
The fourth and final part, coming up next...
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
I'd want to be a Delta - if I were, I would be Boon - but if I'm going to be honest, I am such a Cyril.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Incredibly slow motion, e.g. Brad Pitt getting knocked out in Snatch.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen?
I prefer Donen's lightness of touch, like in Bedazzled and Two for the Road (both 1967, can you believe it?). Also, he directed the best musical of all time. So there you go.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Pass.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
The way Ben Kenobi closes his eyes for the last time.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
The past few weeks have convinced me that followers of Twilight could use a comfy chair or two.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Hubba hubba! Ahem. I mean, Caroline. I'm a sucker for big eyes. Yeah, that's right - I said "eyes."
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director.
John Ford. Period.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending.
I love Before Sunset's close, with Julie Delpy's slow fade as she dances to Nina Simone. I also love the end of Lost in Translation - what did he SAY to her? But I really don't want to leave this question without giving a mention to John Sayles' Limbo. Yet another great one from the class of '99, this is going to fall through the cracks unless people talk it up, and with an ending like that, it deserves to be talked up.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
The release of Where the Wild Things Are and Fantastic Mr. Fox, two of my favorite books as a kid, and neither one sucking.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
Kennedy, for recognizing the greatness of Cool Hand Luke.
Now to start reading everyone else's answers. Thanks, Dennis.
1. The man Who Wasn't There
2. Drive-In
3. Japan
4. "It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear" Tombstone
5. Editing, nothing like a great 2-hour movie squeezed into 3.
6. Frequency, a film that defies 'genre'
7. Joel Schumacher, from A Time To Kill to Batman
& Robin, sheesh.
8 . Herbert Lom
9. Wild At Heart
10. Gordon Willis
11. Escape From Alcatraz
12. DVD: Men In Black, Theater: This Is It
13. I don't have Blu-Ray.
14. Eddie "you haven't aged a day" Deezen
15. George Clooney, yeah a good pick.
16. I do not talk about Fight Club.
17-18. pass
19. the only death scene I can think of is Rollercoaster.
20. Just for the sake of going to the drive-in,
i saw Date Movie & The Hills Have Eyes (remake).
The movies were free but the drive-in was 400 miles from home, you figure it out.
21. pass
22. Mortal Thoughts
23. Anvil: The Story of Anvil
24. Cast Away
25. These quizzes come to mind :0
28. It's not out yet, but Avatar
29. The Day After Tomorrow.
30. Jeffrey Jones
31. pass
32. How The West Was Won
33. The Blues Brothers
34. Bandits (does Thelma & Louise count?)
35 & 36. pass
37. McG
38. KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park
39. pass
40. The Cutters, probably Cyril.
41. "Can you enhance that"
42. Stanley Donen
43. Silent Night, Deadly Night
44. Gene Hackmen in Poseidon Adventure
45. District 9
46-47. pass
48. Death Proof, does Stuntman Mike really die?
49. Liam Neeson, kick-ass action star.
50. George "Dragline" Kennedy.
Kevin: Nope! That's the spirit of the quiz! I love printing them out, turning 'em over in my head 100-210 times, and then having at it! I'm looking forward to your answers!
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie
“Miller’s Crossing”
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
“Lawrence Of Arabia”
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
France, overall, though my Top 10 includes on Japanese film and none from France
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Jimmy Stewart motioning for Richard Widmark to brush the dust from his gloves before he’ll shake hands with him in “Two Rode Together”
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Possibly slightly blasphemous, but music can make or break the best or worst of cinema. To often it’s forgotten that film in an *audio*/visual medium.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
“Mission To Mars”
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Adrien Brody from “Summer Of Sam” “The Pianist” to “Giallo”. That’s a bigger fall that Lucifer.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom: Phantom FTW!
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Eraserheard, but that’s only because all the others are so great. That’s like saying which meat is your least favourite: steak, bacon or venison.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordon Willis. By a lens flare.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
The Beguiled.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: the deeply awful “Obsessed”
Theater: the deeply weird “The Informant!”
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
“All That Heaven Allows”
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Mintz-Plasse because he has yet to succumb a Fred Olen Ray film.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Michael Lonsdale
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Not anymore, sadly.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Wright is right.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
The single-shot escape from the bank heist in “Gun Crazy”
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
[name omitted to protect spoilers] flying out the window in “Dark Passage”
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
UK£0.49p for “Belly Of The Beast” on used DVD.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
“Mrs Parker & The Vicious Circle”
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
“American Movie”
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
“Home Alone 2”
Giles PART 2
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
I once referred to Liam Cunningham as Bruce Payne all the way through a review of “Dog Soldiers” leading to accusations that I believe “all bald men look the same”
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
I’m not well-versed enough to choose, I don’t think.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I’m a weird blend of 80s Patrick Swayze, Robin Williams and the bottom half of David Duchovny’s face.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
“New Moon” because the first one was so vile.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
“Affliction”
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Gerrit Graham, officer,
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Katherine Bigelow.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
“Rio Bravo”
33) Favorite movie car chase.
The opening of Thai action movie “Born To Fight”
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
“Fatal Attraction” or “Basic Instinct” would be delicious liberal-baiting exploitation
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
I plead ignorance.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
“House Of Wax”
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Any of the Toe Tag guys’ stuff (with apologies to Scott Swann!).
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Johnnie To’s “The Mission”
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Max.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
The Warriors, I used to have the big mullet hair.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
A good slow-detonating car bomb.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Shit. Bastards. Er…Donen, even though he had some help.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Robert Zemekis’s redo of “And All Through The House…” for the ‘Tales From The Crypt’ TV series
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
The end of “The Ninth Configuration” (or “The Exorcist” for that matter, they’re kind of interchangeable)
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
“Barbarella”
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Douglas Sirk.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Not a massive fan of the picture, but the ending of “THX 1138” is magisterial
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
The success of “Paranormal Activity” and the announcement of “Hatchet 2”
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
The fat man Kennedy.
It's been a while since I participated in one of these. Oh, how I've missed it.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Barton Fink. It's not really my "second favorite" Coens' movie so much as I consider it an example of "second-tier" Coen filmmaking (with films like Fargo, No Country For Old Men and Raising Arizona as "first-tier Coen work).
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible?
I once had an opportunity to catch Michael Mann's Last of the Mohicans on the big screen, but I chose not to. To this day I have only ever seen that it on a home video format and have always regretted not witnessing the awesome power and beauty of that film in the manner with which it was intended. If there was one theatre-going experience I could reverse, it would be that one.
3) Japan or France?
Germany.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
The following exchange from Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven:
"It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have."
"Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming."
"We all got it coming, kid."
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
I don't know that it's the "most important" element, but the one art form films employ which I would have to say I personally value the most would be music.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Crash
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner, Robert DeNiro and Harrison Ford come to mind.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Chief Inspector Dreyfus.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film?
Haven't seen enough of his work to really have a "least favorite" yet.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall?
Impossible. There is no way on Earth I could ever choose between these two masters of modern movie imagery. That's like trying to choose which of your parents you love more.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: Land of the Lost (ugh)
Theatre: A Christms Carol
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray?
Schindler's List probably.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Why, Eddie Deezen of course because he was in that wonderful piece of filmmaking known as..... Wargames. :-)
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
NOBODY should be allowed to be as good at what they do as Daniel Day-Lewis is at acting. Seriously, watching that man work is like watching Pollock paint or listening to Charlie Parker play and I always consider it a real privilege to do so.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yes, but with a caveat. I think Fight Club is a brilliant film, but I often wonder if a lot of the people who love it don't do so for the "wrong" reasons (I have a similar theory for The Big Lebowski).
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia. No contest.
To be continued in Part 2...
Part 2
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
I love that last shot in Double Indemnity where Edward G. Robinson flicks the match on with his fingers in order to light Fred MacMurray's cigarette. That simple little act just speaks volumes about their relationship and it is one of the greatest final moments of any film (noir or otherwise).
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
It's not really a "death" scene, but I've always thought that the dam jump from The Fugitive lost a little bit of its power because of the obvious use of a dummy (Runner-up: the chariot race in Ben-Hur).
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it?
Since I used to take home movies from the video store for free, I've literally spent nothing in (terms of money) watching a number of crappy films and still regretted it (mostly for wasting of my time). I would rather pay $20 to see a great film than watch a horrible film for free any day.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Helsing
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
The Moderns is an interesting film, I think, about the nature and definition of art.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Once again, I am obviously biased by the fact that I know the director and my sister did the music score, but still I think Clear Cut: The Story of Philomath, Oregon should be seen by more people.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Swiss Family Robinson: the movie that made me want to live in a luxurious tree house.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
This last Halloween, my wife and I were visiting my brother-in-law and his wife when a couple of their friends popped by and invited us all to play "Scene it" with them. At one point I was so far ahead that I started "throwing" some questions hoping to give our hosts more of a chance (because they clearly wanted to win; it was, after all, their game and I think it was an issue of pride). Anyway, I ended up winning by a LOT of points I think they were a little upset by it, because apparently they haven't visited with my brother-in-law and his wife since. I'm pretty embarrassed about that.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald?
Geraldine, because she was in Arthur.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
My youngest brother is the spitting image of that kid from Slumdog Millionaire.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
There's a few. Freddy Got Fingered, Hostel 2 and New Moon immediately spring to mind.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
John Carpenter's The Thing
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Why, Ed Rooney of course!
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Roland Joffe's The Mission for demonstrating that not all Christians are arrogant, selfish, sanctimonious hypocrites.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
Probably The Searchers (Stagecoach would be #1).
33) Favorite movie car chase.
As cliched as it sounds, gotta go with The French Connection. That chase still packs a wallop even today (while the chase from Bullitt, no doubt thrilling in its day, feels slightly more dated now).
To be concluded in Part 3...
Part 3
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film.
In an age of ever-evolving gender roles, sexual politics and identity crises, I would actually like to see another contemporary "body-switch" movie done... only this time instead of having two females switch bodies (as in Freaky Friday) or two males switch bodies (as in Vice-Versa), I think a male and a female switching bodies (perhaps a husband and wife on the verge of divorce) could be interesting.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
"If we take the left exit, turn around and come up on them, we'll be able to surprise them."
"99, if you don't mind, I'd like to be the one that plans this."
"Right, Max."
"You see, what we're going to do is take the left exit, turn around and come up on them, which should surprise them."
"Good thinking, Max."
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Sorry. Haven't seen any of his films... although a quick peek at IMDB shows me that he is an eye-patch wearing director.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be?
That's too easy: Michael Bay.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Believe it or not, I did not care for Raising Arizona when I first saw it. I just didn't "get" it. When I told this to my friend Tucker, his response was: "You need to see it again." He was right.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls?
Any major Woody Allen fan would have to go with Marcel for giving us The Sorrow and the Pity.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Even though I've yet to see Animal House, as a former college resident of Eugene, Oregon, I gotta go with Delta Tau Chi.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
I always liked the car that wouldn't start at the most inopportune time.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen?
Donen for directing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and co-directing Singin' in the Rain.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Gremlins has far too many great choose from: the Christmas tree attacking Frances Lee McCain, Mrs. Deagle sailing out the upstairs window in her chair, Phoebe Cates telling why she hates Christmas... classics all.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Jeremy Irons choosing to stay with the villagers in Roland Joffe's The Mission.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
Rubin and Ed
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
You got me on this one.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director.
Since I haven't really seen any of Andre de Toth's films I'm gonna have to go with the only other eye-patch wearing director I know of: John Ford.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
You can't really go wrong with Blade Runner (the Director's/Final Cut of course). Is he a replicant? Isn't he? Who knows? Maybe.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
That I now have a wonderful wife to watch movies with.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
"Hmm. That's the red-light district. I wonder why Savage is hanging around down there."
"Sex, Frank?"
"Uh... No. Not right now, Ed."
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Fargo, after Miller's Crossing.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
I make a point of seeing any movie where it would make a difference on the big screen first, which is why I haven't seen Kwaidan yet. The movie I believe loses the most on the small screen as opposed to the big is Point Blank.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Since I would guess 90% of the foreign language movies I love are in either Japanese or French, this is a nutcutting choice. The thing is, about 90% of the Japanese movies I love are in just one genre, but I love the living daylights out of that genre, so I'd take Japan.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Favorite line: "That'll be the day." (The Searchers)
Favorite moment: Blondie's last farewell to Tuco in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Consider The Godfather and consider its source. In plot and dialog the movie is taken almost directly from the novel. Every line you remember, every great moment in the movie, can be found in the book. The book is a very effective potboiler, but that's all it is. The movie strikes us as a supreme work of art. What is it that accounts for this difference? I think there could be only one answer: the art of acting. I don't see what else in cutting or lighting or production design could account for a difference this profound, and much of the art of directing lies in shaping the art of the actor. The actor of course needs art to make art out of, but he or she is the one ultimately that makes it live.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
The movie I seem to like more than most other people is Intolerable Cruelty. It's fatally flawed because the love-conquers-all theme it attempts to adopt in the last reel is in the language of family law irreconcilable with the cynicism of the movie up to that point, but up to that point it is almost Preston Sturges reborn.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem, which dovetails into:
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Terry Gilliam has hit a very bad patch. I think I paid something like five dollars for the DVD of Tideland, and if there ever was a movie I'd like to un-see, that's it.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Technically this falls outside of the question, but the second season of Twin Peaks. Not concluding the Laura Palmer storyline in the first season was the biggest creative mistake he ever made.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
You look down the Willis filmography and you say, That's great, that's great, that's great, that's great . . . The next guy just can't win.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Charley Varrick. Invasion of the Body Snatchers would be first. I think those are the only two that made much of an impression, to be honest. The opening montage of Casablanca is memorable.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
On DVD, The 39 Steps (Hitchcock naturally). In the theaters, A Serious Man.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Chimes at Midnight, which is now available only in compromised versions.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Seem pretty interchangeable, actually.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Orson Welles. Nowadays, Ian McShane.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Havilland, but it's not a pressing issue.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
I think I've given this answer before, but it's in Out of the Past when Jane Greer says "I don't want to die," and Robert Mitchum replies, "Neither do I, baby, but if I do, I want to die last." No genre ever had a better or more succinct summation of its essence.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Death of the Toe Cutter in Mad Max.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Either one could be Exhibit A of the decadence of the Hollywood studio system and its ability to develop stars in the postwar era.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
The Moderns, but I'm not a fan.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Ken Burns' Empire of the Air.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Mad Max 2.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
I think confessing to the porn films that get to you would reveal more about yourself than you'd like. In which case, I would prefer not to share.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Geraldine Fitzgerald for being English. Sort of a pick 'em otherwise.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
When people ask me what I look like, I tell them "I look like the fat guy in Cheers. Not the main fat guy, the other fat guy." Paul Wilson, his name is. He must have been in some movie sometime.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Woody Allen's Manhattan, for two reasons that might strike you as odd. First, I developed a smoldering if impotent personal anger at the sort of New York chauvinism that expresses itself through attacks on Los Angeles, and this smoldering was at its highest Mt. Vesuvius pitch around the time of Annie Hall, which of course is a prime example. This animus expressed itself in part in making a point of not seeing Manhattan, the other half of Woody's brief plateau. Secondly, there was a certain point where I realized that I was missing the entire career of Meryl Streep, not out of any distaste for her personally but out of a lack of interest in the kind of upper middlebrow prestige picture she tends to appear in. Once I realized this I took a perverse pleasure in maintaining this negative achievement. I felt somewhat sullied if I even saw her in a trailer. Anyway, this became a further a reason not to see Manhattan. I gave up this anti-quest when she appeared in an Albert Brooks movie, though I think the only other picture I've seen her in since is Adaptation. As for the anger thing, it's not so much that I've overcome it as resolved to practice the Zen exercise of not giving a shit. The truly perverse thing is that I've seen every Woody Allen movie before Manhattan and (aside from the ones where he's pretending to be Ingmar Bergman because fuck that) I've seen almost every Woody Allen movie afterwards, up until there was just no point. Despite all evidence to the contrary I still get the feeling when I see Woody Allen's face on the screen that I'm going to have a good time at the movies. I no longer am making a point of not seeing Manhattan. I have a copy of the DVD on the shelf. But I still haven't gotten around to seeing it yet.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Fargo, edging out McCabe & Mrs. Miller. Emotionally, Last Year at Marienbad.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones, probably even without Deadwood.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Cinema is more apt to be the cause, don't you think?
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Searchers and Red River are the two sides of this coin, and when flipped it always comes up The Searchers for me, so Red River comes second.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Why fight it, The French Connection. And Popeye Doyle is still more spiritually palatable than Harry Callahan. Favorite movie vehicle chase is The General.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
I think His Girl Friday is the rare example of an empty stunt that turns out to have substance, and I doubt that could be repeated.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Feldon. This would probably be the case even if I reminded myself who Barbara Rhoades is.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
I dunno, IMDB says he directed a Maverick episode. Not really on my radar screen.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Not my frame of reference. It's not as if you have to see a movie you don't like. Generally you're expected to pay for the privilege. What I guess I find most objectionable is the sort of movie where horrible crimes are committed for the sole purpose of justifying your enjoyment of the sadism of the revenge exacted, but I can't say I've never enjoyed a revenge movie.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I wouldn't say I hated it at first or love it now, but Little Murders seemed a far better movie when I saw it this year than it did the last time I saw it some 30 years ago. There are certain works of art that you can't fully appreciate until you've experienced a requisite amount of unhappiness. I'm not thinking of Little Murders so much when I say that as Waiting for Godot.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Really not a meaningful comparison. Both did movies that were indispensable, Max made more of them than Marcel, but they fall in different categories. Howard Hawks or John Ford is a meaningful comparison, this isn't.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
The Deltas, are you kidding? In my dreams, Boon. In reality, Flounder. And thank you so very much for reminding me.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Happy endings.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Now this is a meaningful comparison. I believe it comes down to a choice between Meet Me in St. Louis and Singin' in the Rain, and at the risk of sounding sappy, there is such love in Meet Me in St. Louis. The movie most comparable to it in my mind is Children of Paradise. Balance of career goes to Minnelli too. Bedazzled is the wild card, but really, that could have been just as good without Donen.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
"Back for Christmas" from Alfred Hitchcock Presents, says Cheaty McCheater.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Rick and Captain Renault walking off into the fog. I think half the answers to this question would have Le Marseillaise playing in the background. I also have a soft spot for Helen Morgan walking off into the night in Show Boat, but that's more from the stage than from the movies.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
One law for the lion and ox is oppression.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
I don't even have the strength to look these up anymore.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
John Ford. If Fritz Lang were in the room I'd say him, but really, John Ford.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
The Italian Job, Michael Caine edition.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Turner Classic Movies just went HD in my area. On the big screen I'm most thankful that Quentin Tarantino had a big hit. Really, though, the keynote of 2009 at the movies is mild disappointment. Most of the movies I had expectations for didn't meet them.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy.
PART ONE OF ALONZO'S ANSWERS
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
The much maligned/forgotten "Hudsucker Proxy". I've always loved it as a great screwball comedy, but I recently came to the realization that (content-wise) it would be a great movie for kids. So I guess I now know what little C.C.'s first Coen Brothers movie will be (and "Miller's Crossing" will have to come much MUCH later).
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
The director's cut of Ridley Scott's "KIngdom of Heaven". I'd waited so long for an epic movie to made about the Crusades, but I never made it to the theater to see it.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
I have exactly three Cirterion discs in my collection, and they're all from the Land of the Rising Sun (Mishima, Yojimbo, Seven Samurai).
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
The last lines from "The Professionals": J.W. Grant: "You bastard." Rico: "Yes, Sir. In my case an accident of birth. But you, Sir, you're a self-made man."
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Cinematography, which just the mention of this makes me want to go watch "Visions of Light" again.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
I thought Dennis made a good case for "Speed Racer", and I really enjoyed it once I finally got around to seeing it.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
I don't know if "esteem" is the right word, but I am dissapointed that Winona Ryder and her career has never really gotten going again.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
I'll give it to Magee for being in "Zulu".
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
I really wanted to like "Inland Empire", but I just couldn't get into it.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Willis, for both "The Godfather" and "Zelig".
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
"Two Mules for Sister Sara". I remember watching that quite a few times of Saturday afternoon TV when I was a kid.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
On DVD, it was "Grey Gardens" (the HBO TV Movie). In the theater, it was "Bright Star".
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
That would be a hard choice, but I do know that when they finally re-release "Fantasia" next year I'll find it difficult to not pick up the blu-ray edition and get myself a player.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
I haven't seen any of Mintz-Plasse films, but he's got to be less anoying than Deezen.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Jeff Bridges, who've I been a big fan of since way before his current career renaissance.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yes.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia, who will always be Maid Marian.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Hell, ANYTHING from "The Big Sleep", but I'll pick one: Vivian: "My, you're a mess, aren't you?" Philip Marlowe: "I'm not very tall either. Next time I'll come on stilts wear a white tie and carry a tennis racket."
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
I've mentioned it before, but I wouldn't mind in the slightest if the upcoming DVD release of "The African Queen" cleans up the curddy rear projection.
PART TWO OF ALONZO'S ANSWERS
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I saw plenty of 50 cents matinees in Tallahassee during 2001, but I don't think any of them were bad enough that I regretted the loss of four bits.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Johnson, for "The Caine Mutiny".
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
"Trouble in Mind", and I'm still pissed off about my VHS copy being stolen two years ago.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Not that it's a little-seen documentary NOW, but it would be cool to have Ken Burns "The Civil War" required viewing in classrooms.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Such films are actually a favorite of mine. I don't know if it's my favorite, but "Alive" was very well done.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Well, this time around, that would be questions #26, #36, #39 and #46. I'm averaging around five question per quiz that show I know far less than I should.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Eh, I got nothin.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Pictures of my Dad when he was young have a strong resemblance to Henry Fonda, which I still get a kick out of when I see one of those old photos.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Although I've seen my share of movie violence and can report not being scarred by it, I have to admit that I'm not particularly interested in some of the most notorious ones ("Salo" and "Funny Games" spring to mind).
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
I thought "The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" did that pretty well (Of course, there is very little that movie DIDN'T do well).
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones, though it now occurrs to me that he would be a good fit for question #7.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
I thought Robert Duvall's "The Apostle" did a great job showing earnest southern Christianity without resorting to the usual tropes. Fantastic film.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
"Quiet Man" is the favorite, so the second would have to be the only other one in my collection, "Rio Bravo".
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Nearly any sequence from "The Driver".
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
I can't think of one, but Mrs. Mosley just piped up that a reverse gender "Superman" might be interesting.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
I have to go with Feldon.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Sorry. Don't know the man.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
I have no director I hate that much (Though Tony Scott might come close).
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
There are few films I really hate, and those that I do I rarely go back to again.
PART THREE OF ALONZO'S ANSWERS
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Don't know either of the gentlemen.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Delta Tau Chi, for which I'd probably be Hoover.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
In any movie involing a heist or some sort of elaborate plan, you can be sure of this: If the plan is described in detail for the audience before hand, then one or multiple things will go wrong in its execution. If the plan is kept partialy or completely secret from the audience, it will generally go off without a hitch.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
I have to go with Stanley for being able to direct both "Singin in the Rain" AND "Saturn 3"!
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Can't think of one.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
I'll go the geeky route and say Spock at the end of "Wrath of Khan"
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
I know that I was highly irritated in college by "Rocky Horror" fans. I've mellowed since then (but I still haven't seen it).
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
I don't know enough about either to judge.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Now THAT'S a specific question! That being said, I have no idea.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
I liked the ending for "No Country For Old Men" just fine (and, I suspect, I would have liked the final episode of "The Sopranos" too if I had watched the series).
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
The birth of little C.C., natch.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
Part one of Daniel L.'s answer:
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
RAISING ARIZONA. (LEBOWSKI is numero uno). I love their thrillers as well, but those don’t excite me nearly as much as the comedies.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
France.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Final moments of RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY, with Joel McCrea collapsing out of the widescreen frame to his death.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
When a film can draw on the wide human canvas that one sees in great novels, it’s terribly exciting. THE GODFATHER PART II is one of the finest examples, as is JULES AND JIM.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
GHOST TOWN is a really fine example of a modern, mainstream romantic comedy. I’m not sure it was misunderstood, necessarily, but not enough people saw it.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Nicolas Cage. Do I really need to explain why?
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Magee, for CLOCKWORK ORANGE. I admit that I’m not terribly familiar with Lom.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
DUNE was terrible.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordy!!!
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
COOGAN’S BLUFF. THE SHOOTIST is number one.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
On DVD: NO MAN OF HER OWN. Great little pre-code picture with Lombard and Gable. In theaters: FANTASTIC MR. FOX. Best Wes Anderson picture since TENENBAUMS, maybe RUSHMORE.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
THE GODFATHER COLLECTION.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
N/A
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Normally I would say Gene Hackman, but it seems he’s retired now. I’ll choose a young actor: Michelle Williams has been compelling in everything I’ve seen her do. She even made a somewhat hackneyed role in THE BAXTER seem interesting.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
No, no, no. Until I saw the brilliant ZODIAC, I absolutely despised David Fincher, and it was mainly due to FIGHT CLUB.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Wright.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Bogart, as a screenwriter, imagining how he might have killed the murder victim in IN A LONELY PLACE, had he actually done it. (oops, spoiler?)
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
For some reason, I instantly thought of the body thrown off a rooftop in the Spike Jonze video for the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.” I think that was intended to be noticeable as fake, though.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
$1.99 for a VHS copy of BLACK CAESAR. Crap.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Johnson.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
MRS. PARKER AND THE VICIOUS CIRCLE.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
THE SORROW AND THE PITY.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
LIMBO. An underrated John Sayles picture that features a terrific performance from a young actress named Vanessa Martinez.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Can’t think of one. I wear my nerdiness with pride.
Part two of Daniel L:
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
N/A
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I had a great uncle who looked like William Demarest, although I didn’t realize it until after he was dead when I started watching P. Sturges films.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
2012. I don’t mind a good action flick, but I’ve become less and less tolerant of the boom-boom-crash-crash variety of blockbuster filmmaking.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Final act of MCCABE & MRS. MILLER.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jones.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
JUNEBUG offered a view of the South that was exciting to me in that it diverged from both the sentimental (SWEET HOME ALABAMA) and the broke-down shack gothic stuff (SLINGBLADE, David Gordon Green pictures).
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
RED RIVER. THEY WERE EXPENDABLE is the fave.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
John Frankenheimer’s RONIN has several great ones.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
I’m at a loss.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
N/A
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
HOUSE OF WAX.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Michael Bay. An obvious, but nonetheless wise choice.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY left me a bit cold on first viewing, but now I think it’s one of our finest modern thrillers (and Minghella’s best work to boot).
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Marcel.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Delta Tau Chi. The same.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
When a character is talking on the phone and the person on the other end of the line hangs up, you get an instant dial tone, even though this never happens in real life.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Donen.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
N/A
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
I’ll nominate the whole of the aforementioned THEY WERE EXPENDABLE, which is a movie entirely based on the theme of self-sacrifice.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
Does JUNO count as a cult movie? I’d love to destroy that negative.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
N/A
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
John Ford.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Antoine on the beach in THE 400 BLOWS.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
That INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS turned out to be so good. I had nearly given up on QT, but damn that was a great flick.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
PART ONE EDJ
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Raising Arizona choosing between it and Blood Simple was a terrible choice. But this funny, beautiful movie holds so much of what I love about the Coens in it while simultaneously acting as a showcase for the heart they’re accused of not having. If this isn’t a humanist movie I’ll eat my hat. The Coen’s may mock the absurd little details of people but never the stuff that matters to them. And when HI’s dream plays out at the end, even though its absurd, its genuinely moving, I hope it comes true.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Shock Corridor.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Ooh this is tough. If criticism and preservation where included I’d have to go with France. But I’m just going to go by the movies and pick Japan. At the end of the day there are only two French filmmakers who I truly couldn’t live without (Truffaunt, Melville) There are several Japanese ones.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Favorite Line comes from Ride The High Country, “Hell, I know that. I always did... You just forgot it for a while, that's all.” The moving climax to one of my favorite films.
Favorite Moment has to be the final showdown in For A Few Dollars More. The best of the trilogy and I will duel at dawn to defend it. The multiple emotional climaxes happening, Morricone’s haunting score. The look on Van Cleef’s face. The sheer style of Leone. It was one of those formative movie going experiences that hooked me for life. Sheer cinematic bliss.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
I’d have to go with Photography. The Ability to compose and juxtapose are really cinema in its essence.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Vanilla Sky Cameron Crowe’s so ahead of his time on this one its not even funny. He’s the only filmmaker who understands just how much of our head space Pop Culture has co-opted. Our ideals of love are curtisy of Truffaunt, Father’s via Gregory Peck, Romance, Bob Dylan. This film is a landmark and a touch stone, a bravura visual work and touching character piece to boot.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
I don’t really have one. I find that nothing ever really erases the affection I have for a particular artist, even when they’re actively destroying their own work (Lucas). Even when I no longer respond to what I once loved, I still retain my affection for the time it meant so much to me.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Asylum gives Lom the edge.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Dune remains an unredeemably muddled mess. Apologists be damned. Though the scene where Sting prances around in Blue Panties whilst the Baron murders a eunuch has its charms.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Hall.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Charley Varrick. Its like a lost Cormac McCarthey novel as reimagined by Richard Stark (happy ending aside).
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: Son Of Frankenstein
Theater: An Education
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Probably my import copy of Bullet In The Head (is that even out on Region 1 DVD yet)?
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Mintz-Plasse, Role Models shows potential for him to eventually be more then McLovin.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Kate Winslet and Mark Ruffalo in the modern day. Most of the classic star’s presence (Cagney, Mitchum) will get me to watch anything no matter how dreadful the reputation.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yes.
http://thingthatdontsuck.blogspot.com/2009/11/fight-club-10-year-on.html
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Wright.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Moment: Marlowe attempting to put on his pants in Murder My Sweet.
Line: “You’re like a leaf that the wind blows from Gutter To Gutter”
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
I’m awful partial to the guy in the wheelchair rolling down the stairs with a hatchet embedded in his face in Friday The 13th Part 2.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
DVD - 5.00 Dollars Strange Days. Not because I thought it was bad, but because it really did upset me. And I’m a pretty cold fish when it comes to screen violence. It’s the only film I’ve ever returned on moral grounds. I didn’t want it in my house.
Movies – Free: Transformers. Christ I’m upset I wasted anytime at all on that travesty. Proud to say I didn’t get fooled again.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Heflin
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I’m aware of no such thing.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
The Z Channel. It’s the most loving valentine to cinema I know. As well as a moving portrait of a broken man. It brings up such conflicted emotions because I recognize so much of myself in Jerry Harvey, we share a lot of history. In a lot of ways this movies was an intervention. But one I don’t mind watching over and over again.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Naked Prey.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Oh God yeah. I always make sure to put a quota on my film conversation “in mixed company” and have given up mentioning movies on a first date all together.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Fitzgerald.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
My uncle is the white Samuel Jackson. Looks, body language, even speech rhythms. It’s uncanny.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Transformers 2. See above. It’s only films that are time wasters that I avoid seeing altogether. Even if I have some hestation going into a film (A lot of Almodovar is that way just because I don’t feel like luxuriating in Anti-Catholic land for a few hours) It’s more of a “I’ll see it someday.” Then a “I won’t see it.”
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Fargo.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jones.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
A genius director (see Kurosawa)
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
El Dorado. Wayne. Mitchum. Hawks. The most incogrinous, out of nowhere, racist Chinese joke in the world performed by James Caan. What more does one need?
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Normally I’d say The Road Warrior, but I’m going to go with The Matrix Reloaded, because people don’t acknowledge that scenes specatacle admid all the other baggage that film has.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
True Romance.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Feldon.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
House Of Wax. Play Dirty also deserves mad props.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Its a cliché but probably Michael Bay, not because his films are loud crass and dumb. All three can occasionally be admirable qualities. But he has had a detrimental effect on film Grammar. I’m sure he’s shot some of the greatest action scenes ever filmed. Too bad you’ll find no evidence of this in his actual movies.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Deadman, and the few other Jaramusch films I’d seen at that point. Watching Stranger Than Paradise was like finding a key that allowed me to understand just what the hell he was trying to do.
Another notable is American Werewolf In London. Still think it ends with an anti climax, but the rest is golden.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Max.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Delta housem because fat drunk and stupid is away to go through life son.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Minnelli was an interesting and ahead of his time filmmaker. Donen made two of the most perfectly entertaining films ever made. Donen for the win.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Does Jack Skellington’s moonlighting as Santa Claus count?
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Jesus in The Last Temptation Of Christ “It IS ACCOMPLISHED!” I know it’s a corny choice, but as the film burns and Gabriel’s score comes in I can’t help but be moved anew.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Kaelites. Or rather that particular breed of Kaelite who thinks its there job to never enjoy anything, act as contrarians for the sport of it, and think the canon is a waste of time. Basically Armond White.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro, I have an odd affection for Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
De Toth.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Zodiac. No one knows. The past swallows another mystery without so much as a burp of indigestion.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Coraline. That something so delicate beautiful and idiosyncratic exists makes me glad. As does the fact that Neil Gaiman now has a decent Adaptation from his work. I’d give an arm for Selick to give Sandman the same treatment.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Kennedy
Damn I missed number 40.
A good case of Righteous Revenge never hurt anyone.
I'd also like to amend my Eye Patch answer to Raoul Walsh. I didn't know he wore one, and Roaring Twenties is the greatest pre Godfather Gangster movie ever made.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Barton Fink.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Japan.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Gregory Peck, to Joseph Cotton, in Duel in the Sun: “Shut up, big words!”
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Photography. It all sort of starts there, right?
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Superman Returns. Widely dismissed as too long and boring, but I thought it was a beautiful, romantic approach to the character and the mythology.
Runner-up would be Gangs of New York, which is a masterpiece, however flawed.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Robert Zemeckis. Dude has a lot of great movies under his belt. His last three are definitely not among them.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Usually, when I have no idea who either person is in one of these “x or y” questions, I look them up on imdb and, if I still have no idea who they are, just pick based on whoever has the superior filmography. This time I’m just going to fess up to having no idea who either guy is, and leave it at that. Sigh.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Wild at Heart.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Willis.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Dirty Harry. I guess Invasion of the Body Snatchers is probably by favorite. I need to see more of his films, though.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: The Battle of Algiers
In theater: 2012
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
The Thin Red Line. The existing DVD looks fine, but that movie in Blu-ray would probably melt my brain.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Neither, thanks.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Chiwetal Ejiofor. Whether he’s supporting Denzil Washington in Inside Man, carrying Redbelt with ease, or reacting to CGI tsunamis in 2012, the guy always brings it.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yes.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Teresa Wright.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Thelma Ritter’s final scene in Pickup on South Street.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Pass.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I’m sure I saw some terrible movie for free, but I can’t come up with anything right now. I did, however, pay full price - $10.50, I think – for Blindness, which is definitely one of the worst movies of the decade, and the only film I’ve ever walked out of.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Heflin.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I’ve only seen one of his directorial efforts – Afterglow – and didn’t like it at all, so I’ll reach back to his screenwriting career instead and go with Buffalo Bill and the Indians.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Street Fight. It’s about the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, NJ. Anyone who wonders why it’s so hard to actually change things in this country should watch it.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Hell in the Pacific!
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Nah. The closest to either one is when I go off on some film nerd tangent and realize the person I’m talking to has no clue what I’m talking about. But I rationalize that as being more embarrassing for the other person than it is for me… It is, right? Right…?
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
No clue, alas.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
When I was in college it was decided that I looked an awful lot like Jeremy Davies, which led to way too many Spanking the Monkey jokes. I was not pleased.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Cannibal Holocaust. It just sounds like something I wouldn’t enjoy, like, or appreciate on any level.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
A Simple Plan is the first thing to spring to mind. The ice floes at the end of Way Down East are pretty rad, too.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jones.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Stereotypes usually just get replaced with new stereotypes.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
Rio Bravo, with my favorite being The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Death Proof, especially the ships mast portion.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Carrie.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Feldon
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
I’ve only seen Day of the Outlaw, but that’s an excellent film and I have no problem with it being my de facto choice.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Fernando Meirelles. The guy’s a con artist.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Bottle Rocket. For whatever reason, I almost never like Wes Anderson movies the first time I see them.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Max.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
As Groucho Marx once said, “I’d never belong to a club that would have me as a member.”
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Cussin’ grannies. Never gets old.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
I guess I’ll go with Donen, the scrappy, eager to please kid, over Minnelli’s refined older brother hiding behind a cloud of cigarette smoke.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Gremlins
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Spartacus. You know, the “I’m Spartacus” business. Gets me every time.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Star Wars. It’s a fun movie but the Star Wars superfreaks are the worst.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Too ignorant to have an opinion one way or the other.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Ford, I suppose.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
The Passenger.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
That I was able to go to the Toronto film festival for the second time this year.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Kennedy.
my answers can be seen here:
http://ledfloyd18.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/slifr-thanksgivingchristmas-quiz/
that required alot of thinking.
Answers Part 1
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
The Big Lebowski (Blood Simple still has my top spot)
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible?
Twilight Zone: The Movie (for the John Landis prologue more than anything)
3) Japan or France?
Japan
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
"Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy" from The Outlaw Josey Wales
Or the scene with Tuco in the bath tub in The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - "When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk."
Or Pike Bishop ordering the Wild Bunch "If they move, kill 'em"
I have more favourite moments in westerns than in any other kind of movie. I can't narrow it down to less than this three-way split.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Comics - To quote Harvey Pekar "They're words and pictures, and you can do anything with words and pictures"
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Wonder Boys, which should have recieved all the praise and awards that was lavished on the turgid American Beauty instead.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Roman Polanski - I always thought I could judge the art, and not the artist. Turns out that I can't.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom, for twitching and ticcing his way through The Pink Panther movies.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Blue Velvet (and I really like Blue Velvet)
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordon Willis
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
It's a toss-up between Charley Varrick and Escape From Alcatraz (Dirty Harry is my favourite)
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: The Zombie Diaries
Cinema: Bunny & The Bull
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Is "None" an acceptable answer?
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
McLovin trumps the complete works of Eddie Deezen
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Paddy Considine
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
10 years ago - Yes. Now - not so much
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Havilland
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
The opening sequence of Touch of Evil
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
The bullet-riddled face of Adolf Hilter in Inglourious Basterds was pretty bad.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Ignoring press-screenings, I spent a mere £1.50 going to see the Jude Law remake of Alfie, and I'd pay £150 to have that experience expunged from my brain.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Choose Me - Teddy Pendergrass and Keith Carradine? You can't beat that combination.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Orson Welles: The One-Man Band (Oh, and The King of Kong too)
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Back To The Future
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
See my answer to question 28
Answers Part 2
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Geraldine Fitzgerald
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I have been told, at various times, that I look like John Travolta, Elvis Presley, Bruce Campbell, Andy Garcia and Eddie Munster. It's a hair thing.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Citizen Kane - I've had to stop myself watching this so many times now I've lost count. It can't possibly live up to all the adoration, and I want to avoid inevitable disappointment. And I'm a huge Welles fan to boot. One day...
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
John Carpenter's The Thing
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones and not just for Ferris Bueller's Ed Rooney or Amadeus, but for going so far over the top as to make Howard the Duck as insanely enjoyable as it is. (That's not sarcasm - I love Howard the Duck)
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Up's ass-kicking septugenarian Carl Fredricksen
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Shootist (My favourite is Rio Bravo)
33) Favorite movie car chase.
The combined might of Chicago's police force, Illinois Nazis and the Good Ol' Boys bear down on the Blues Brothers.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Fatal Attraction
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
I confused myself by accidentally conflating Barbara Rhoades with Barbara Eden. No matter - Agent 99 is the undisputed champ here.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
House of Wax
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
George Lucas, for the havoc wrought in the aftermath of Star Wars and the slow, painful decline of narrative cinema. (I'd still want to hold on to Howard the Duck, though)
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
The Exorcist - I first saw it on a grungy, scratchy pirate video and I HATED it. And then I saw it years later in a theatrical re-release and it was like watching an entirely different film. Now one of my favourite movies of all time.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Marcel, for Hotel Terminus alone.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
The Warriors - I'd prefer to be Swan, but I suspect that I'm a little closer to Ajax.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
One final big score
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen - Funny Face! Charade! Blame It On Rio! And the finest episode of Moonlighting ever.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Margot Kidder teaches a cop how to spell fellatio in Black Christmas
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Rick Blaine says goodbye to Ilsa so that she can run off with that boring Laszlo guy in Casablanca
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Withnail & I
Answers Part 3
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Sam Fuller
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Some Like It Hot - I really need to know if Jack Lemmon and Joe E. Lewis consummate their relationship.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Moon - Not only that Duncan Jones got this made, but that it found an audience.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy, for Cool Hand Luke and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot if nothing else. Frank Drebbin can keep Alan North.
Great quiz, Dennis!
My answers are posted here.
Deb's answers - Part 1 of 3
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Barton Fink.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Lawrence of Arabia.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
France.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
It’s got to be Gary Cooper throwing down his badge in High Noon.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Costume design.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Far from Heaven—misunderstood in that it was given credit for being far more perceptive/important/trenchant than it actually was. I’d rather watch a real Doug Sirk movie any day.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Woody Allen.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Patrick Magee.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Lost Highway.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Conrad Hall.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Two Mules for Sister Sara.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: Gaslight. Theater: Sex and the City (which is the same answer I gave to your last quiz—as I said then, I don’t get out to the movies very much).
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Well, before I can answer that, I’d have to get a Blu-ray player and a big-screen TV—and, unless I win the lottery this week, that ain’t gonna happen.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
It would require Google for me to even know who they are.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Ida Lupino.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
No.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Havilland.
Deb's answers - Part 2 of 3
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Discussion of horse racing between Bogart and Bacall in The Big Sleep.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
I’m assuming this is not referring to cheapies, but big budget films; so I have to go with (SPOILER) Madeline’s and Judy’s deaths in Vertigo. I love the movie, but it’s obviously a dummy being tossed from the bell tower.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
A couple of bucks for Nacho Libre at Dollar General—on the other hand, my kids loved it.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I think Choose Me is the only one I’ve seen.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Harlan County U.S.A.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Castaway with Oliver Reed—although, in fall fairness, his character was intentionally stranded on a deserted island.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
In 1986, I got into a heated debate with a co-worker about the meaning of the term “movie montage.” It turned out he was right and I had to eat crow...but a couple of years later we got married and we’ve been married for over 20 years now, so I can’t complain.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Ann Sheridan (always loved her voice).
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Oh yes, I’m often mistaken for Rita Hayworth in Gilda. Put the blame on Mame, boys....
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
I’m not sure I get the meaning of this question since “purposely avoided” is just a matter of not going to the theater or not turning on the television. No one is going to drag me to 2012 or New Moon against my will. That being said, I’ll be avoiding 2012 and New Moon.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Fargo.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones, despite his recent legal troubles.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Lilies of the Field.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Bullitt (is that too obvious?)
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Glengarry, Glen Ross.
Deb's answers - Part 3 of 3
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Feldon.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
I think House of Wax is the only one I’ve seen.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
It seems rather harsh to remove an entire oeuvre, but surely those Michael “that blowed up real good” Bay movies would not be missed.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (forgive me, I was young).
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
I suddenly realized I’ve spent my entire life thinking they were the same person. Oh dear.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
I’d like to be Katie, the girl Karen Allen played in Animal House.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Paper grocery bags that always have a loaf of French bread sticking out of the top.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
I try not to associate Christmas with horror movies, so have not seen anything in the “Slay Bells” genre.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
When Camille (Greta Garbo) gives up her lover (Robert Taylor).
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
I’ve never seen the slightest bit of redeeming value in torture porn movies. If I could wave a magic wand, the “Saw” franchise would never have been.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro. Coincidently, I watched The Spy Who Loved Me after Thanksgiving dinner yesterday.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
John Ford.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Mulholland Drive or Magnolia, I can’t narrow it down.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
This year and a number of years previously--Turner Classic Movies.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy.
Yo, Professor: my answers are now on Flickhead.
Great quiz as usual. My answers are now posted at Only the Cinema.
PART I:
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
MILLER'S CROSSING
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
I can't think of anything contemporary that would really answer that question. If it were one of the older roadshow films, then yes, there are a couple of titles to name.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Japan
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
The climatic stand-off in THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Production design
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
SOUTHLAND TALES
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Sam Raimi
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Patrick Magee
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
WILD AT HEART. Some good sequences, but overall, I think it's one of his lesser works. The WIZARD OF OZ references just really irk me, also.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Conrad Hall. I fell in love with his B/W work on OUTER LIMITS, IN COLD BLOOD and INCUBUS.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
CHARLEY VARRICK
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD - INK, a really ambitious no budget sci-fi/fantasy. Highly recommended
Theatres - MOON, which surprisingly actually got to my town recently.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Don't plan to upgrade to Blu-Ray until the price of the discs and machines come down a bit more, and I upgrade my tv to flatscreen.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Eddie Deezen
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Judi Dench can really class up a movie. I wouldn't say I'd watch her in anything, but she did make CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK bearable whenever she was onscreen and had business.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Definitely, YES.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Teresa Wright
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
"I'll give her your love, Steve" - Timothy Carey in CRIME WAVE. The tone in which it's said...
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
In BLOODSUCKERS (aka VAMPIRE WARS), 2/3rds of the way in, several bodies are discovered, discarded hosts of a life form. Eventually, one of these parasites is found and questioned -- the effect is accomplished by a hand puppet, with a voice over laid in.
I just fell in love with the chutzpah.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Nothing - but I resented my time being wasted. Has happened more times than I like to count.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Von Dexter (see William Castle films for the reference)
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Sort of an oxymoron... I don't think I've ever seen an Alan Rudolph film in its entirety.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
NOTHING
PART II:
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
No, not really.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Geraldine Fitzgerald
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Unfortunately, no.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Well, most of the Michael Bay/ Emmerlich/ Cameron big-budget, eye-candy crapfests. I can't even enjoy them ironically, so why give them my cash?
Including Cameron may be a bit unfair... but he mainly uses special effects to dress up a mediocre script, which has been his M.O. since TERMINATOR 2.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
SNOW ANGELS
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Hard choice... but I'll have to go with Gerrit.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Any Blaxploitation film.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
BRANNIGAN
33) Favorite movie car chase.
THE ROAD WARRIOR
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
BAD BITCH - the gender switch remake of BAD LIEUTENANT.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Feldon
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
CRIME WAVE
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
James Cameron. As good a technician as he is, I don't think that anything would be harmed if all of his films disappeared for good.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Has not happened as of yet - although there have been a lot of films I loved when I first saw them, and now I'm either indifferent or disdainful towards. Most of the turds have remained as such, as turds do.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Have not seen any work by either man.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
If I were in a club, it would probably be Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids' club.
Hey, hey, hey!
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Another oxymoron...
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen, for CHARADE, BEDAZZLED and SATURN 3.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
GREMLINS comes closest, though I'm not that big of a fan of the movie (GREMLINS 2, on the other hand... but it's not Christmas themed). Anytime the gremlins are onscreen,
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Jon Voight, screaming at the elements on top of the RUNAWAY TRAIN, doomed for collision.
PART III (!):
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
J. J. Abrams, and his Douchebag Cinema.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Might as well ask who's your favorite special effects guy with one hand?
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
The end of CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Thankful that, despite the state of things, projects such as SLEEP DEALER, MOON, INK, and others do find a way out to an audience.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
PART ONE
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Hmm, if The Big Lebowski is my favorite then I'd say Miller's Crossing is my second favorite. But Fargo is the best.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
North By Northwest
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Japan for movies; France for art museums.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Tough pick, this being one of my favorite genres. For a moment, maybe Dean Martin singing "My Rifle, My Pony and Me" in Rio Bravo. But it could also be the first shot of the Ringo Kid in Stagecoach or the long opening sequence of Once Upon a Time in the West, particularly the squeaky windmill. Or possibly that bit in My Darling Clementine when Walter Brennan and Henry Fonda square off for the first time.
Old Man Clanton: I guess you'll be headin' for California, huh?
Wyatt Earp: No, I figured on stickin' around awhile. Got myself a job.
Old Man Clanton: Cowpunching?
Wyatt Earp: Marshallin'.
Old Man Clanton: Marshallin'? In Tombstone?
[laughs]
Old Man Clanton: Well... good luck to ya, Mister...?
Wyatt Earp: Earp. Wyatt Earp.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Being a writer, probably the writing, but also being a lawyer, perhaps the lawsuits.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
I'm pretty sure that if there's a most misunderstood movie of the Naughties, I'm the one who misunderstood it because I can't think of any particular movie from the decade that I would champion that doesn't already have its champions. Ask me this question again in ten years ...
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
You know, after I saw Kate Beckinsale in Cold Comfort Farm, the BBC version of Emma, Shooting Fish and The Last Days of Disco, I was expecting big things. Underworld ain't it.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom. You know you're in trouble when you find a picture of Patrick Magee and still don't remember him ...
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Dune.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordon Willis
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
The Big Steal (with a wonderful pairing of Robert Mitchem and Jane Greer). Behind only Invasion of the Body Snatchers on my Don Siegel list. Not saying it's the second best by Siegel, just my second favorite.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: Theodora Goes Wild, one of my favorite Irene Dunne comedies; in the theaters: 2012 (not quite the four-star masterpiece Roger Ebert and the Washington Post billed it as, but passably fun-stupid.)
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
I have this sneaking suspicion that Blu-Ray is already the movie equivalent of a nuclear-powered buggy whip and in another five years when we can download anything straight to our HDTVs we'll look at all those DVDs and Blu-Rays on our shelf the same way I look at the video tapes in my basement, as candidates for a landfill.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Hmm. Fingernails on the chalkboard or a dentist drilling teeth? Let's see, the lesser of two annoying evils: Eddie Deezen.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Two different questions. Among the living, George Clooney, I guess, in the sense that he's watchable in almost anything.
PART TWO
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
I'll get to this one in my blog around 2042 -- I'm reserving judgment until then.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Havilland, who played key roles in a couple of classics, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Gone With The Wind, and who also turned in one of the best performances of the 1940s in The Heiress.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Out of the Past: "Baby, I don't care." Or generally, anything with Jane Greer in it.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Do I get booted out of the quiz for admitting that off hand, I have no idea?
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I saw Dr. Giggles for free and feel I spent too much on it.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin was the better actor, but frankly I prefer to watch Van Johnson, who came across in real life as such a modest, unassuming guy, there's a lot of good will built up on the screen.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
I'll give The Endless Summer a boost when I get around to writing about one day.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Not saying it's great filmmaking, just fun filmmaking.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
What, you mean like other than practically every time I open my yap about movies and somebody winds up looking at me like Nipper the dog on those old RCA labels? I'd say never really. I am long past the age of pride.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
I guess Ann Sheridan, although for what purpose, I'm not sure, since I never have much desire to see her on screen.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I'd say Katie-Bar-The-Door physically resembles Liv Ullmann, although personality-wise she's more like a cross between Maureen O'Hara and Myrna Loy ...
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Never got around to seeing Life is Beautiful, and haven't wanted to, but if I live long enough, I'll end up biting the bullet.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
The Thing From Another World.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Surprisingly tough question, actually. I love Graham in Used Cars but for a body of work, I'll go with Jones.
PART THREE
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
I'd say that Mickey Rooney's performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's has the perverse ability to embarrass even the most hardened bigot.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Quiet Man, although splitting hairs between it, Stagecoach, Red River, The Searchers and Rio Bravo depends mostly on what I'm in the mood to see.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Bullitt. Watch it everytime I stumble across it.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
You know, I thought of one just the other day. Really. I just can't remember off hand what it was. I would like to see Out of the Past told from the point of view of Kathy Moffitt sometime, which isn't the same thing, but I do think she's the most potentially sympathetic of all of noir's femme fatales.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Feldon
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
I guess I'd have to say House of Wax by default
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
I'm willing to give up Adventures in Babysitting to say Chris Columbus, who has made more pure crap that can't be avoided (for example, Stepmom at 30,000 feet) than anybody else I'm likely to unwillingly run across.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Apocalypse Now, I hate to admit. That's the problem with being a teenager, you don't know anything.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Max Ophüls for The Earrings of Madame de ... and a lot of other things. Great director.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Delta Tau Chi. Personality-wise, I think of myself as a combination of Hoover and Stork ...
PART FOUR
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The predictable payoff of any romantic comedy worth its salt. Heck, even the ones not worth their salt.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen. If I were choosing based on only a part of any of their movies, I'd say Minnelli based on the first half hour of An American in Paris (through "I Got Rhythm"), but for a body of work or even a single complete movie, Stanley Donen.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Well, unless something like the Ghost of Christmas Future in one of the versions of A Christmas Carol qualifies as a Christmas-themed horror sequence, I can't say this is a combination of genres that really appeals to me.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Favorite? Humphrey Bogart at the end of Casablanca. An obvious choice, but then it's obvious for a reason.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
I can't say I begrudge anyone their cult movie since there's no law requiring me to join in. Have it.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
I just wrote about Raoul Walsh this morning, but if I can include a director who from time-to-time wore an eye-patch, John Ford.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Sometimes the problem with saying "favorite" is that I then have to sort through five thousand movies in my head and come up with the one and often it depends on what kind of mood I'm in anyway. I wouldn't say the ending of the 1982 remake of The Thing is my favorite ambiguous ending, but it happened to pop into my mind, perhaps for a reason.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
If by that you mean giving thanks for this year's movies, probably Inglorious Basterds. If for something movie-related that happened to me this year, it would be falling in love with silent movies.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
No Country for Old Men, just barely behind Fargo.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Probably Lawrence of Arabia.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Of what I know, Japan is a bit more uneven but I'd rather give up my favorite French films than my favorite Japanese films.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
It's more of a set piece, but the train robbery scene in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is spectacular.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Literature.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
I'll share the love for Intolerable Cruelty. Outside of that, I think Punch-Drunk Love is worthy of more attention.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Probably a few Holocaust-themed films (Life Is Beautiful, Schindler's List). It always felt like I was supposed to have a reverence for films dealing with that topic, and now I can't help but be incredibly critical of anything related to it. Not sure what explains the shift, though.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
I couldn't place either name right off the bat, but now I can't choose between them. Magee in better films, but Lom in roles I remember more. I guess it's Lom, for the role in Spartacus, as well as for being in Hopscotch, but it's really a toss-up.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. Feels too soap-opera-y, though I think that's somewhat the point.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordon Willis for Manhattan alone.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Escape from Alcatraz, behind Two Mules for Sister Sarah, which are the only two I've seen.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
On DVD, How Tasty Was My Little Frenchman, last night. In the theater, The Men Who Stare at Goats.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
I don't mind how most of my films look in high-def, but maybe a Tarkovsky film, like Solaris. Anything to make the colors more brilliant would be worth it.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Mintz-Plasse. Superbad wins it for him. (Haven't seen any other films he was in.)
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Emmanuelle Béart. I've adored her going on maybe twelve or so years now.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Not so much. Can't bring myself to hate it, but I'm entirely indifferent to watching it again.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
I don't know anything with De Havilland in it, other than Gone with the Wind, but Wright would likely win in any case.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Pick a scene from either The Third Man or M, cause I sure can't decide.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
A lot of James Bond films come to mind (bad guys falling off of cliffs and what not). I know there are others, but I can't access them at this moment.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I got Bergman's The Serpent's Egg as part of a box set and still had a hard time coming to terms with it.
Part 2:
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin in a walk.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I've only even heard of Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, so let's move along.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Greenaway's Rembrandt J'accuse, maybe? I've got nothing.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Probably not my favorite, but how about Cobra Verde. It gets better every time I watch it, at least.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Nothing too bad. I took a class on drama and had seen pretty much all of the films the professor referred to, was the only person who had seen them, and didn't like any of them.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Nope, nothing.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I don't think so.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Nah, I'll watch anything once. (Well, I avoid most of what comes out initially, but not on principle– just because it doesn't look good.)
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Into Great Silence. That monastery just looks cold. (The sledding sequence is great, though.) Winter Light comes in second place.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Well, I've seen some of Jones' films, but still, nothing. (Seem to be an awful lot of toss-ups this time around.)
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Maybe In the Heat of the Night. A bit straightforward, but not as blunt-object-over-the-head as Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
*sigh* I just don't get this guy. I kind of like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and beyond that I'm almost entirely indifferent. We'll say The Searchers to avoid getting into too much trouble.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
The Blues Brothers, particularly the one with the chase in the mall.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
I can't think of anything, but I'm certain everyone else's ideas will be good.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
And again. Feldon this time, for Get Smart.
Part 3:
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
I have seen zero of his movies.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
What a spiteful question. I can't think of anyone.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I couldn't finish 8 1/2 the first time around, and now it's one of my two favorite Fellini films, but I don't think I actively hated it. Maybe some day I'll be able to tell you something that applies, but for right now, nothing.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
I haven't seen any of Marcel's films, but I'm not too into Madame de…, which is the only Max Ophüls film I've seen.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
I have no idea who the Cutters or the Warriors are, and would never make it in Delta Tau Chi.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Someone else alluded to this, but anything with an elderly character breaking the elderly stereotype works for me. (Adam Sandler's piano student in The Wedding Singer is my personal favorite.)
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
I guess it's Donen. That's a nice little surprise.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Gremlins.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Anthony Hopkin's hand in Titus.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Probably something more than a cult, but torture porn-ists would be forced to repent.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Outside of the small part in The Spy Who Loved Me, I can't place either of them. But really, can you choose incorrectly?
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
I didn't know Fritz Lang had an eye patch (did he wear it in Contempt?), but if other people say so, that's good enough for me.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Can I say The Shining? It's not entirely ambiguous, but it brings a smile to my face every time.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Movies.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy. Nice to have one that I don't have to think about too much.
Hey Dennis. I posted my answers to your quiz on my blog. Link below!
http://thelongvoyagehome.blogspot.com/2009/11/professor-russell-johnsons-my-ancestors.html
Another fantastic movie quiz, Dennis. I've post my answers here. Thank you.
Gavin Breeden, part 1
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
This could fluctuate among Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, or No Country for Old Men depending on the day. I'm gonna have to go with Fargo. Don't ask me what number one is.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
2001: A Space Odyssey
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
France.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
The seemingly eternal run sequence in the cemetery at the end of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. It goes on so long that it becomes funny, then it just seems courageous.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Photography. We probably wouldn't even know Kubrick today if he hadn't been a photographer first. His films, for me, are 60% about his shots.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
The Fountain
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Nicolas Cage. Raising Arizona, Leaving Las Vegas, Adaptation: Terrific! The last few years, not so much.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Patrick Magee. I'll never forget his face in A Clockwork Orange. Scary.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Wild at Heart.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordon Willis if all he'd ever done was Manhattan and The Godfather I'd still pick him.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
I've only seen Dirty Harry, so it's my favorite, second favorite, and least favorite at the same time.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: The Shining
Theater: Fantastic Mr. Fox
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Don't have Blu-ray player yet. Not really familiar with it. But I can only imagine Terrance Malick's The Thin Red Line would be spectacular in it. Any Malick for that matter.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
I'd consider watching Daniel Day-Lewis in almost anything.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yes.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Teresa Wright for no reason.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
The last scene of China Town.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Brad Pitt in Meet Joe Black is all that's coming to me.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Naked Lunch. Rented for free from library. I'm willing to get it another chance some day, but, man, I did not get this movie.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Johnson
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
(Cheating) Nashville. He was assistant director.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Errol Morris' The Thin Blue Line. It shows how good and suspenseful documentaries can be. My favorite.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Rear Window works, I think.
Gavin Breeden, part 2
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Whenever I admit that I've only seen one John Wayne movie. (See Q&A #32 below.)
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Ann Sheridan
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Someone the other day told me my beard makes me look like Mark Ruffalo. Funny, I'm not sure I remember seeing him with a beard in any of his movies.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Precious. I'm not into watching torture.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
I just finished watching The Shining and I did turn the heat up during the movie. Although, The Thing is one of my favorite horror movies and also very chilly.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones. Just for being Principal Rooney.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Philip Seymour Hoffmann's Father Flynn in Doubt aginst the stereotypical on-screen Christian, which is usually one of the following: crazy, judgmental, stoic, boring, or just plain stupid. Meanwhile, Father Flynn loves God, loves people (and isn't awkward with them), and loves eating, drinking, smoking, and general merriment. (I'm assuming Father Flynn is innocent of the things of which he is accused.)
Gavin Breeden, part 3
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
I've only seen one, The Searchers. (See Q&A #25 above.)
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Gotta go with Bullitt. I still remember my dad showing this to me as a kid.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Ingrid Bergman runs a tavern in Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart, her former lover, comes to town with his new gal pal. Basically the same.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Rhoades. For Soap.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
N/A
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Michael Bay must be stopped. I probably wouldn't have said this before Tranformers 1 and 2.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Waking Life.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
N/A
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
N/A
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The cliche wherein we see someone getting a phone call and realizing they need to be on the other side of town immediately followed by seeing them in what seems like 5 minutes later at the place they need to be when we know it would have taken an hour. I call it the "no traffic" cliche.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Gremlins.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Wall-E getting crushed to help them get back to Earth.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
All the stoners who love Super Troopers.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Andre De Toth, I guess.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
The one on my mind recently is A Serious Man.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Movies that make me think and feel. Movies that make me glad to be alive.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
Part I.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Miller's Crossing (1990)
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
The Brides of Dracula (1960)
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Japan. I like the food more and I'm fascinated by Japanese culture. I've traveled there three times but each time I discover new and fascinating things about the people and the country. And of course they've also produced many of my favorite movies!
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Eli Wallach confronting his brother (a priest) in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966). Their exchange is one of my favorite moments in any movie ever.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Photography
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
I call a tie between Irreversible (2002) and Hostel Part II (2007). Although Antichrist (2009) seems to be joining their ranks.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Dario Argento is making it hard for me to care about him lately. I'll always admire him and I always spot a flash of brilliance in his worst films which makes me even more annoyed with the man since he still has "it" but "it" just seems harder for him to sustain at any level. I don't think he's made a good film since 1987. After 13 years I'm just wondering what the hell happened?
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom. I like Patrick Magee a lot but Herbert Lom is just amazing. Totally underrated character actor with incredible range.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Wild At Heart (1990)
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordon Willis
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
The Killers (1964)
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: A Christmas Tale (2007)
Theater: Antichrist (2009)
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
I don't own a Blu-ray player so nothing's screaming at me.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Ed Helms
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Klaus Kinski. I find even the worst films he was in - and he was in many - to be watchable thanks to his presence.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yes. It gave Helen Bonham Carter (an actress I love when she has the right material) the best role she's had in 10 years. I wish she would stop wasting her abilities in movies with partner Tim Burton and start working with directors like David Fincher again.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Both
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Every moment and line in The Maltese Falcon (1941) is golden.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Having recently watched Twins of Evil (1972) again I'll mention that terrific scene where Peter Cushing chops off his niece's head. Great stuff!
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
A went to a free showing of Highlander 2 and had to leave before the movie ended because it was so damn bad. My biggest regret is is that I had to drive into the city and paid for gas + bridge fare to watch it.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
The Moderns (1988)
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Hotel Terminus (1988) was the first film that came to mind so I'll mention it. Plus it ties in to the Marcel Ophuls question below.
Part II
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
I can watch Doug McClure get stranded in the Land that Time Forgot, At the Earth's Core or with The People That Time forgot any day of the week.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation?
Never. I'm never embarrassed about what I don't know. No one should be ashamed of their limits and no one should try to pretend they know more than they do.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Geraldine Fitzgerald
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I'm related by blood to George "Spanky" McFarland and my brother looked EXACTLY like Spanky for awhile when we were growing up. It was eerie!
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Rob Zombie's Halloween remake. Don't care.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
A Simple Plan ('98) came to mind
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Harold & Maude for overcoming agisim stereotypes and showing us that love knows no rules.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Searchers
33) Favorite movie car chase.
The one in Bullitt
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
My brain is going blank. I think just seeing the word "remake" has shut it down.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
I like Agent 99 but I've got to give it to Barbara Rhoades.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
House of Wax
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Rob Zombie
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
The Searchers
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Both
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
The Warriors. I'd strive to be as cool as Swan but in truth I probably have more in common with hot-headed Ajax & goofy Vermin.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Gloved killer + knife as seen in countless giallo films
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Both
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
I've got to give it to the Christmas sequence in the original Tales of the Crypt ('72) where Joan Collins murders her husband and an insane Santa shows up as a pseudo Angel of Vengeance.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
The Bride of Frankenstein where the monster sacrifices himself & his love while uttering the immortal line: "We belong dead."
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
The recently born cult of The Room ('03)
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Nicholas Ray
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson)
Lots of my favorite films have ambiguous endings. A few favorites include; The Birds ('63), 2001: A Space Odessey ('68), Cure ('97), ETC.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
I'm thankful Criterion released a batch of previously hard to see Japanese films on DVD
Part III.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy for the easy win. He's been in a hell of a lot of good movies and I can't believe he's still alive. He's like Ernest Borgnine. They've both been alive forever and they've both always been "old guys" in my mind.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Tough to choose, but I’ll go with Miller’s Crossing (behind The Big Lebowski).
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Playtime
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
I’ve been on a huge Japanese movie kick lately, so I’ll give Japan the edge based on
Harakiri and my newfound admiration for Tatsuya Nakadai.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
The look from Pike before all hell breaks loose at the end of The Wild Bunch.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Having recently watched Kagemusha and Ran, I’ll say painting.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
I was surprised by the negativity towards Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which I saw
three times in the theater. I could easily go with something I found overpraised, like
Slumdog Millionare, which I found kinetic, but unpleasant to watch.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
I’d love to see DeNiro get engaged with a role again.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
I’ll take Magee for Barry Lyndon.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
I really disliked Wild at Heart, which disappointed because I entered the theater with
high expectations. I’ve never watched it again. Dune is no bargain, either.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
I just read a long interview with Willis that I found entertaining, so I’ll give him the edge.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
I need to see more, but I’ll say Dirty Harry (behind The Killers).
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
Blu – Enter the Dragon (the supplements are playing right now).
DVD – Downhill Racer (thought it was OK)
Theater – Public Enemies (I watch almost everything at home now, but better or worse).
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
I’d like to see The Thin Red Line be given the Criterion treatment.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
I’d say neither, but I’ve seen Deezen in more pictures (not sure that’s a good thing).
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
If he seems like he wants to be there, Bill Murray.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
I’m a no on Fight Club; I’ve watched it a couple of times and don’t think it justifies its
twist in a satisfactory way. I liked the book a lot.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Haviland
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
The first thing that popped into my head was, “Would you like me to tell you the little
story of right hand/left hand?”
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
I got nothing
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I didn’t spend much on the Where the Buffalo Roam DVD, but it wasn’t worth it.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
I’ll take Heflin; I really liked him in 3:10 to Yuma.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I’ve only seen a couple, so I’ll say Choose Me.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
I have a soft spot for Dogtown and the Z Boys, but I’d say everyone who hasn’t should
see Hoop Dreams.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Does it have to be on an island? My first thought was James Stewart stranded in his
wheelchair in Rear Window (although he had Grace Kelly in peak form for company).
I’ll say 2001, since I just got the Blu-ray.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
I once insisted that Eli Wallach played the Bad.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
I’ll pick Sheridan strictly for Angels with Dirty Faces.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Not really
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
The Passion of the Christ doesn’t interest me on many levels.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
The Dead comes immediately to mind.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
My first inclination is Jones for a better, overall resume.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
“The Wire” may not be strictly cinematic, but it hits all those bases.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
Harder than I thought: The Searchers is my favorite, followed by She Wore a Yellow
Ribbon narrowly defeating The Quiet Man.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
I didn’t like the picture, but I found the bit in Death Proof with Zoe Bell on the hood
to be exhilarating.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Being Milla Jovovich
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
99, I guess
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Day of the Outlaw
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
It’s fun to have some of these people around to drive us nuts.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I don’t usually come off hate, but I have definitely not been ready for certain pictures.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Max, for his gliding camera.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
The Wanderers
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Dwarves in dream sequences.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Minnelli
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Pass
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
The Seven Samurai
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
How are they still making Saw sequels?
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Munro, based solely on Google images
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Got to go with John Ford
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Two-Lane Blacktop
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
This year, Inglourious Basterds was a pleasant surprise.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy, for Cool Hand Luke.
Dennis, belated congrats on your five-year anniversary. My answers to your quiz (my first; what have I been waiting for?) are here.
Fun as always, Dennis. I've posted my answers at my blog, here.
Now it's time to go read all the other responses!
OK, first part of my answer :
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Fargo
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible?
PlayTime
3) Japan or France?
Being a Frenchman : Japan.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
"When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk."
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Literature.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Man On Fire (I am a Tony Scott apologist)
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Amidst the many possibilities : Michael Moore.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Magee
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film?
It begins and ends with Dune.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall?
Willis
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
The Beguiled.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD : The Remains of the Day
Theater : Vincere
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray?
Ran
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Mintz-Plasse is the only one I'm even remotely familiar with.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Oh, this one is killing me. But... Let's say Christopher Walken? (It would've been Ron Perlman, but then I watched Stephen King's Desperation).
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Bring it on.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Wright.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
"In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock."
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s).
There was a pretty hilarious one in a movie called Murder By Phone with Richard Chamberlain. The dummy wasn't Chamberlain, but still...
Second part :
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it?
About 3€ for Meet The Fockers.
But I witnessed the worst horror of my life in the form of The Real Cancun for free.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Pass.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Mrs. Parker and The Vicious Circle
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Mr. Death
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Barton Fink, in a way.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
One where my knowledge of movies caused me embarassment : I was debating with friends about the Underworld sagas, when I said that those were basically cheap Matrix knockoffs. They said I was hallucinating, and I was riled for 10 minutes.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald?
Geraldine Fitzgerald
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Someone said I looked like Edward Norton... But he was drunk. I'm a little closer to a young Lance Henriksen.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Right at the top of my head : Capitalism : A Love Story. See answer 7.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
My brains went through Fargo, and Il Grande Silenzio, The Shining, before stopping at Robert Altman's Quintet, because it's the only thing THAT movie achieved.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
I pick GG over JJ.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Mr. Mom.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Shootist
33) Favorite movie car chase.
The French Connection. Well technically I don't know if it's eligible since it's a train being chased...
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film.
A Clockwork Orange
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
BFF!
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
House of Wax, the only one I remember seeing.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be?
Friedberg & Seltzer out.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Pulp Fiction.
Last part
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls?
I'm only familiar with Max.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Pass.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
"Well, that's my last big heist before I retire."
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen?
Vicente Minnelli.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Does Gremlins count?
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Donnie Darko's time travelly death.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
I'm against cults on a general basis but would never kill any one. Havong said that, I would gladly give a good kick in the crotch to anyone who tries to make me watch another torture porn flick.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director.
John Ford (Runner-Up : Raoul Walsh).
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending.
Barton Fink : So what's in the box? What will Barton do? And what about the script, is it good or bad? Where is Karl Mundt, now? What happened to Barton's parents? Who killed Audrey and W.P.?
And what the hell is THE LIFE OF THE MIND?
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
The Hurt Locker for creating such a fully realized anti hero.
Up for the emotion it brought me.
In The Loop, for its endless creativity in the... insult department.
Vincere and Les Herbes Folles, which proved that after 70 you can do daring, fearless work of art even better that any given youngster.
Inglorious Basterds for its care and precision and above all its sense of playful fun.
Coraline for being three-dimensional even in its non-3D format.
I'm a very grateful fella.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
George.
Homework posted at my site, teach.
PART 1
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Raising Arizona
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible?
My Darling Clementine
3) Japan or France?
Japan
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Rio Bravo — Dean Martin and the blood dripping into the glass on the bar
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Photography — for composition, lighting and texture
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s.
I don’t think I got any of them.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Steven Spielberg
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom, for the Pink Panther films
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film?
Wild At Heart
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall?
Conrad Hall
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
That’s like asking which of your kids you’d throw into a volcano.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD — Man Of The West
Theatres — It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray?
Anything in black and white ‘Scope
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Eddie Deezen
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Currently working — Steve Buscimi
All-time — Joe McCrea
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Maybe — Haven’t seen it.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Havilland
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
The combine scene in Border Incident
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s).
Any time Ray Harryhausen puts an animated guy in a dinosaur’s mouth
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it?
Witches Of Eastwicke — sometimes free is very costly
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin — one of the most underrated actors ever
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Trouble In Mind
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Tales Of The Rat Fink
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
The Three Godfathers
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation?
While on a date, I got a long, stupid call from some very drunk friends to end a movie trivia argument. Can't remember the question, but the answer was Steve McQueen. (This was before iPhones and stuff made geeks like us obsolete.)
PART TWO
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald?
Ann Sheridan
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
After Kenny Roger’s surgery, I have a cousin who looks more like Kenny Rogers than Kenny Rogers does. Plus, my wiseass friends say my glasses give me a distinct Wally Cox-ness.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Anything with Tom Cruise — because Tom Cruise is in them
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
McCabe And Mrs. Miller
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Gerrit Graham — Used Cars should have earned him some sort of honorary something or other
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype.
Randolph Scott makes me proud to be a Southerner.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Searchers
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Bullitt
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film.
Mrs. Majestyk
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Rhoades
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Can only cut it down to three.
Favorite Western: Day Of The Outlaw
Favorite non-Western: Crime Wave
Favorite Randolph Scott: Carson City
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be?
That’s easy — Kevin Costner
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
This hasn’t happened with a film, but with lots of records.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls?
Max
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
None of the above — I’d go for the Thunder Riders from Phantom Empire
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
How women running from The Mummy (Lon Chaney in particular) always fall down so The Mummy can catch them.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen?
Stanley Donen — for Bedazzled
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Santa Claus covered in Gremlins
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
This probably doesn’t count, but Sinatra in Von Ryan’s Express
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
Rocky Horror Picture Show
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
This is getting so hard! Coin toss says Caroline Munro.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director.
De Toth, Ford, Walsh — who can say? This begs the question: if Ed Wood lost an eye and wore a patch, would his movies have been good? If so, give me a stick and point me towards Tony Scott!
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending.
Sorcerer
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
The Beverly's double bill of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein and Ghost And Mr. Chicken (even though I didn’t attend)
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
George Kennedy
See what happens when you don't go online for a couple of days? You ended up being the 76th post!
1) Raising Arizona.
2) Rosemary’s Baby.
3) France (though it’s close).
4) The opening of “Once Upon a Time in the West”.
5) Art… I’m talking painting here.
6) “Crash” (not the great Cronenberg flick, the Haggis one), because too many people think it’s good.
7) Nicolas Cage (Raising Arizona, Vampire’s Kiss vs. Now)
8) Magee.
9) “Dune”. I always suspected that it might be ahead of its time and that a rabid cult would discover it. I revisited it not so long ago. I was wrong.
10) Willis.
11) Dirty Harry.
12) “Fear No Evil” (1981). “Fantastic Mr. Fox”.
13) None. I just can’t commit to another goddammed format.
14) Mintz-Plasse.
15) Paul Rudd. So far…
16) Yes!
17) Teresa Wright… without a Shadow of a Doubt (that joke has to have already been made, right?).
18) Is “I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang” a noir? It sure feels like it to me. If so, it’s the last line here and the disappearing act that follows it.
19) “Vertigo” for best and worst.
20) $2.99 (plus tax) on “Queen Kong”.
21) Johnson.
22) I’ve only ever seen “Roadie” because of Blondie and “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle” because of Jennifer Jason Leigh. Of the two, “Circle”, but really nothing that wowed me.
23) “Salesman”.
24) “The Wrong Man”.
25) Only when I read online comments from fans of Euro Cult flicks that really know their stuff. Sheesh, that well is deep!
26) Fitzgerald.
27) My mom in her younger days was a bit old school Mary Tyler Moore and my dad in his younger days was a bit old school Steve McQueen.
28) So many. Most of them action flicks that confuse explosions with excitement.
29) “Black Christmas” (1974). Brrrrrr.
30) Sometimes these comparisons seem so freakin’ mean. My answer: Graham.
31) “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), because the lead actor is African American and it’s never mentioned and wasn’t even intended. Duane Jones was cast because he was the best actor for the role.
32) “Red River”.
33) “To Live and Die in L.A.”.
34) Jeez, every initial idea I had has been done, and then I remembered I’d had it in mind a few years ago to work on a gender reversed version of “Showgirls”. That, I think, would be fantastic.
35) Barbara Feldon.
36) “House of Wax”.
37) Spielberg. Not for what he’s made, but for what he’s wrought. I like a lot of his movies and even love a couple of them, but they’ve made the word of film a dumber place. I’m with Jodorwsky.
38) My hate is fairly consistent, but it took me a while and a couple of viewings to “get” one of my favourite flicks – Dr. Strangelove”
39) I dunno… let’s go Marcel.
40) Delta Tau Chi, ‘cause those National Lampoon guys were creative back then.
41) Hooker with a heart of gold.
42) Donen for “Singin’ in the Rain”.
43) “See #29. If this picture doesn’t make your skin crawl… it’s on TOO TIGHT.
44) Preacher Hackman at the end of “The Poseidon Adventure”. OTT, and I love every second of it.
45) “The Vanishing Point”.
46) Caroline Munro for everything she’s in. And why did she never get to play Vampirella?!
47) Did De Toth wear one? Him then.
48) “The Birds”, ‘cause it’s such a “what the?!” moment.
49) “Inglourious Basterds”, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, and “Where the Wild Things Are”.
50) George Kennedy for every freakin’ Airport movie there ever was.
My fifty cents - http://morealegendblog.blogspot.com/
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
FARGO. Even the laziest man in Los Angeles County can guess what my favorite is.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible?
THE NAKED PREY, which I saw many times on TV and VHS over the years. I was so pinwheeled to finally see it in its original aspect ratio on the Criterion DVD. It’s gotta be a great adventure on the big screen. I’ll also say STARCRASH, not because of seeing it on a big screen necessarily, but because it would be a fun experience with a crowd of hundreds of fans.
3) Japan or France?
Jet Jaguar’s home country of Japan.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
“If that’s a Bible, you read it. If not, you drop it.”—Dean Martin to Robert Mitchum in FIVE CARD STUD (may be paraphrased).
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Storytelling
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s.
THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE. Just kidding. I don’t have an answer for this.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Dennis Miller. How depressing what has happened to him.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
I have to go with Inspector Dreyfus’ slow descent into madness in Blake Edwards’ Pink Panther films
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film?
Am I the only one who doesn’t like Lynch films? I’ll go with DUNE, which was so ugly, boring, and incomprehensible (the theater gave us a glossary to follow along with) that I’ve never forgotten it.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall?
I’m going with Hall, because he didn’t direct the execrable WINDOWS. On the basis of their cinematographical skills, they’re probably a tie.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
CHARLEY VARRICK.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
Blu-ray: Severin’s HARDWARE. Theaters: BOONDOCK SAINTS II (and I’ve never seen BOONDOCK SAINTS I).
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray?
My all-time favorite film: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. What is Paramount’s problem? Do they not like money??
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
The Deez!
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
I could make a very long list here, but Lance Henriksen is the first name that comes to mind. No matter what DTV dud it is, I will probably Netflix it if he’s in it.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Nah.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Can I say Thelma Ritter?
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
My mind is blank.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Michael Craig’s dummy that is exploded by Steve Railback’s machine gun in TURKEY SHOOT/ESCAPE 2000 is one of the funniest death scenes ever.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it?
I’ve only walked out of a theater once in my life, and I didn’t even pay admission: COPS & ROBBERSONS.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
I always thought Johnson was a lightweight (THE CAINE MUTINY’s clear weakness), and Heflin is great with Glenn Ford in 3:10 TO YUMA.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I think ENDANGERED SPECIES is the only Rudolph film I’ve seen, for some reason.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
SICKO couldn’t possibly be more timely, but HARLAN COUNTY, U.S.A. still is as powerful as ever three decades later.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
MACON COUNTY LINE
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Nope
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald?
I’ll go with Ann.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
People tell me I look like a combination of Tom Cruise and Paul Newman. What?
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
I have avoided most of the current trend of so-called “torture porn” horror movies, including all Rob Zombie’s films (which may or may not qualify). Frankly, they don’t sound “fun” to me, and while I have little problem per se with horror movies that aren’t fun (THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE comes to mind), life is too short to spend any of it intentionally seeking depression.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
The recent WIND CHILL was the first that came to mind, but MCCABE & MRS. MILLER did this the best.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Graham, because he was in USED CARS, where he performed the most amazing stunt I have ever seen in a film.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Breaking the rules to include FREAKS AND GEEKS for the way the series portrayed its “freak” and “geek” characters realistically and sympathetically, but also its view of the Midwest, for once not being portrayed as populated by quaint rubes.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Stuart Whitman bashing around Montreal in STRANGE SHADOWS IN AN EMPTY ROOM is the greatest cinematic car chase that no one has seen.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film.
An all-chick THE THING (John Carpenter’s version) might be interesting.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Rhoades is a terribly underrated ‘70s sexpot, but there’s only one 99.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
HOUSE OF WAX!
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be?
I would no sooner recommend a film be destroyed than a book be burned. Even Michael Bay’s and Andy Milligan’s films deserve to live and be seen by those who wish to.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I won’t say I hated it before or love it now, but I have grown to appreciate the good stuff in Spielberg’s messy 1941: the special effects, the score, the stunning musical number, some of the performances, Mifune, Christopher Lee and Slim Pickens together.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls?
I have no opinion either way.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Being from a small Midwestern town, I certainly identify somewhat with the Cutters.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Cars that explode incredibly easily. Sometimes they drive over a cliff and explode in midair!
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen?
Donen.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
GREMLINS.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Gene Hackman at the end of THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE gets me every time.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
As previously noted, I wouldn’t want to take away any movie or anything else that brings others pleasure, but the cult that worships Jesus Franco as a competent filmmaker baffles me.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
No knock on Miss Carlson, but Caroline Munro is one of the five sexiest women who ever walked the Earth. Now if you had asked me to pick between Munro and Barbara Bouchet, I’d still be here deciding on Labor Day.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director.
Wait, we’re back to de Toth again?
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending.
Carpenter’s THE THING.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
That so much exists on DVD and Blu-ray, films I never thought I would ever see when first learning about them in the pages of Michael Weldon’s essential THE PSYCHOTRONIC ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FILM in 1983. How could I have know all those obscure slasher flicks and European genre classics would one day be so accessible?
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
An unfair question, really. I have to go with Big George, although if I can only judge according to their respective work with Leslie Nielsen…I don’t know, Alan might get the nod.
My answers to the quiz can be found at my blog:
http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2009/12/slifrs-thanksgivingchristmas-movie-quiz.html
Mine.
My answers can be found on my blog, Dennis, accompanied by a fine selection of YouTube clips and pictures of naked ladies:
http://www.directorama.net/2009/12/02/a-quizical-look/
http://pinkmoose.blogspot.com/2009/12/1-second-favorite-coen-brothers-movie.html
My answers can be found here at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear...
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
This is getting so hard!...
Hey now!
Here's mine: http://ferdyonfilms.com/2009/12/professor-russell-johnsons-my.php
This is my first one! Mine: http://kristinsbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-2009-slifr-quiz.html
This is probably the third or fourth quiz I've participated in, but the first one I can answer on my blog. My answers are here.
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for another great quiz! My answers are here. Happy holidays!
Part 1:
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Barton Fink, probably (maybe No Country, and I haven’t gotten around to A Serious Man yet). Favorite’s The Big Lebowski.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. In a perfect world, I’d see it in a theater weekly, possibly rotating with Once Upon a Time in the West.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
France. I haven’t seen as much Japanese film, but they’d be hard-pressed to top Marienbad, 2 or 3 Things, Beau travail, L’Atalante, and, of course, Rules of the Game.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
I want to say every moment directed by Sergio Leone, but if I must pick, the opening of Once Upon a Time in the West.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Painting and photography. Impossible to pick.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
This is a toughie, but one contender is certainly Marie Antoinette.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Sam Mendes. I was young and impressionable, and he was fancy and slick. But Away We Go really seals that coffin for me.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
I’ve only seen Lom in Night and the City and Spartacus, and Magee in A Clockwork Orange, so I abstain.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
I still haven’t seen Dune or The Straight Story, but those aside, my least favorite Lynch film is Industrial Symphony No. 1, followed by Wild at Heart. The rest I adore.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
A cinematography question! Gordon Willis, no question.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
I’ve just seen one so far: Invasion of the Body Snatchers, possibly my favorite ‘50s sci-fi.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
In theaters – The Road, which I found exhausting and surprisingly cleansing. Who cares if it’s not quite as great as the novel? On DVD – The Baxter, after rapidly devouring the recently released complete series of The State. As for The Baxter, I loved its originality, but it’s no masterpiece.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Christopher Mintz-Plasse.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
There is certainly nobody that automatically elevates anything, but I’d gladly watch Bruno S. in anything. Guy’s got a perfect track record.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
It’s been too long...
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Teresa Wright.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
The shot of William Holden dead in the pool in Sunset Blvd.
Part 2:
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
All I can think of is the chemistry safety video we had to watch in school. They sure had a hard time making that flammable dummy roll over.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Not sure I regret having seen anything, per se, but I’ve wasted too much time on mediocrity, plenty of which I’ve seen for free.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin. By default, but still.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Not there yet.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
My Winnipeg for its imagination.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Touching the Void. It’s a decent documentary (entertaining without really exploring), but a phenomenal true story.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Not that I can think of, but the night is young.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Man, I never get to answer these, because I’m not schooled enough yet. So I’ll answer a different question: Liv Ullmann, Harriet Andersson, or Bibi Andersson? Liv Ullmann, of course.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
Not off the top of my head.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
I’m probably not alone, but it takes a lot of activation energy for me to finally watch a long, long movie. I bought Satantango on the cheap in Europe this summer, and I keep wanting to watch it but finding it impossible to sit down and do so. Same goes for most of Rivette’s filmography. Someday.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
The Road’s on my mind, having seen it recently and freezing throughout. But really, and I’m not joking, McCabe and Mrs. Miller. I don’t care how fake that snow can look, watching it, I can’t help but feel cozy in the saloon and frozen stiff outside.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones by default.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
To be honest, all I can think of are blatant stereotypes in film: Birth of a Nation, Million Dollar Baby, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Ooh, Borat. Yeah?
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
I am not a John Wayne fan, but I do appreciate two of his performances. First is Stagecoach, and second is Rio Bravo.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Honestly not a huge fan of either Bullitt or The French Connection. Remove the word “car” and I can say Don’t Look Now.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Can you imagine how different The Graduate would be with a Barbara Braddock and Mr. Robinson? Or, for a not-so classic, The Girlfriend Experience redone as The Boyfriend Experience. Like Hung, I suppose, but filtered through Soderbergh’s worldview.
Part 3:
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Max von Sydow, Erland Josephson, or Gunnar Bjornstrand? Don’t make me choose! Okay, Von Sydow by a hair, but mostly because I’ve seen him outside of the Bergman oeuvre.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Haven’t seen any yet.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Ouch. It took me a while, but Michael Moore, and I often agree with his larger points. It’s just that his brand of spectacle is only contributing to a political discourse increasingly unconcerned with fact.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I have had such moodswings, but mostly because I’ve only been a real cinephile for a few years, so the only examples that spring to mind are cases where I saw something before I was ready, notably Godard and Apichatpong Weerasethakul. But Vampyr is a film I’ve gone from boredom to love with in just three viewings.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
I haven’t seen any Marcel Ophuls films, but he’d be hard-pressed to surpass Max. Letter from an Unknown Woman is one of my all-time favorites.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Not sure what The Warriors are from, but (unfortunately?) I basically am a latter day Cutter. Not sure who I most resemble…personality-wise possibly Dennis Christopher’s character, but mostly by default (definitely not Quaid, Haley, or Stern).
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Hmm…great question. I’ll say my favorite cliché is the good guys winning, if that qualifies. As much as I go into every postapocalyptic movie wanting Mother Nature to triumph, if just for the spectacle, I never quite want all the good guys to die.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Vincente Minnelli on the whole, but Singin’ in the Rain is the best of either.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Haven’t seen any, I don’t think. Instead, I’m gonna say Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, with some thrilling action sequences against a Christmas backdrop.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Mufasa’s death. I was eight, but I’m so grateful to have seen The Lion King in theaters.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
The latter-day Eastwood fans, specifically the cults of Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Christopher Lee.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Not sure what my options are. My perceptions of older directors’ faces come mostly from the Directorama comic.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Inland Empire? I’m not sure that counts because I’m not sure it’s ambiguous because I’m not sure what happens, which is primarily why I love it.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
35 rhums. Also In the Loop, and thereby, The Thick of It.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
No clue.
Dennis
I've lurked at your blog for awhile (it's great!) but this is my first time commenting. I took the liberty of taking your quiz and posted my answers at my blog. (and I'm sorry that I can't seem to figure out to make the word "blog" in the last sentence into a hyperlink. Please excuse my ignorance.) Anyway your quizzes are great fun.
Finished! I've posted it at my blog... great fun as always, but we ought to get some kind of credit for these things! I've had classes with less work...
First of all, forgive me for my lack of film knowledge, particularly of the classic kind. I have not taken one of these quizzes in a while due to this disability even though the blogger is my beloved husband.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Raising Arizona. First is Big Lebowski.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Seen only on home format by me? Or just not available except in home format? Confused.
“Greed.”
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
For war, or cuisine? I’m Japanese, so I’ll say Japanese.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
- Well, can't you see that's the last act of a desperate man?
- We don't care if it's the first act of "Henry V."
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what
they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Question... too... hard... for... my... simple... mind.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
“Burn Before Reading”
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Nicolas Meyer/Bruce Boxleitner/Susan St. James
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom - so funny
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
The second half of “Lost Highway”
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Sorry. Don’t have the time to figure out the difference between the two. I’m sure they’re both very talented men.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Ashamed, but I’ve only seen one Siegel movie, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” so obviously no second favorite.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD - a concert documentary about Sigur Ros, makers of beautiful Icelandic music.
Theater - “A Serious Man.” Saw it before but not in color. Wonderful, odd, funny, disturbing and best of all, mysterious movie about Jewishness, God’s intentions and the importance of F Troop.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
“Days of Heaven”, but it screams quietly and moodily.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Mintz-Plasse. Deezen is like Screech to me.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or
whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Ewan McGregor even though he’s been in a lot of questionable movies lately. But he could just be standing there for 90 minutes and I would be happy.
Juliette Binoche
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
No, but thank you for asking.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Don’t know enough about Teresa Wright, but De Havilland always struck me as being a bit soggy, so Wright.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Phyllis: There's a speed limit in this state, Mr. Neff. Forty-five miles an hour.
Walter Neff: How fast was I going, officer?
Phyllis: I'd say around ninety.
Walter Neff: Suppose you get down off your motorcycle and give me a ticket.
Phyllis: Suppose I let you off with a warning this time.
Walter Neff: Suppose it doesn't take.
Phyllis: Suppose I have to whack you over the knuckles.
Walter Neff: Suppose I bust out crying and put my head on your shoulder.
Phyllis: Suppose you try putting it on my husband's shoulder.
Walter Neff: That tears it.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Any appearance of Overly Puffy Asbestos Man in a man-on-fire scene.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
“Blank Check” from the ‘80s, I believe. And I got paid to watch it too.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Who do you think you are, Van Johnson?
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
The Fog of War. Made me so angry and sad, but everyone should see it, I think.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Can’t think. I did like “Cast Away.” Can’t get Gilligan’s Island out of my head. I really hated that show.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Whenever I write on my husband’s blog, I keenly feel my lack. Well, like right now.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Don’t know Ann Sheridan, so Geraldine Fitzgerald even though she makes me a little nervous for some reason.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
No.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
“Orphan.” Dennis has told me never to read about/see/hear anything about this movie.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
“The Shining”
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones for “Ed Wood,” even though I hear he’s a bit creepy in real life.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Any film that shows Asians being not good at math, being not shy, not driving badly, but being strong, easy to understand, not dance-fighting, not inscrutable. Though I loved the man in “Serious Man”, the father of the “disgruntled South Korean” student saying in non-idiomatic English, “Please, accept the mystery.”
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
“Stagecoach,” “Red River” being my favorite.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
I don’t know if this counts since there are so many different modes of transportation involved, but the end of “Super Cop 2.”
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Maybe “Body Double”. Or really, any Brian De Palma movie. (Sorry, hubby)
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Don’t know Rhoades. Had a childhood crush on Barbara Feldon.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Never having seen any De Toth film, “House of Wax” just for the inspiration and good humor of having a
one-eyed man direct a 3-D film.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
I wish I could say Adam Sandler, but he’s not a filmmaker. How about Terence Davies? But I’ve never seen his “House of Mirth,”one of my favorite books of all time. I had a cinematically traumatic experience with “Distant Voices, Still Lives” which I found so boring and taken with itself that I wanted to hunt down Davies and, well, at least give him a wedgie.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Good but hard question. “Couples Retreat.” No, just kidding! I can’t think of anything.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Don’t really know the difference, so I’ll go with Marcel, since I like that name better than Max. Once again, my film knowledge is very scant. Just reminding everyone
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
The Cutters. Delta Tau Chi is too rowdy for me. Warriors way, way too violent. Cutters were introspective, but fun-loving. I’d have to be the Daniel Stern character because he kind of holds back more.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
Montage set to music, but has to be the most perfect song for the images and perfectly timed.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen! Oh, “Singing in the Rain”! What would I do on sad days without you?
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Can’t even think of one Christmas-horror movie. I’m not the key audience for it, I guess.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Great question that should have a million answers. I can’t think!
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Death cinema made only to show the many ways people can be tortured or killed. B-Movies, gore porn or whatever. Don’t enjoy that.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Don’t know either women, but I’m sure they’re both very nice.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Andre De Toth. For reason, see # 30.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
“The Graduate.” “A Serious Man” (again) and “A History of Violence.”
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Movie-wise or real life-wise? I assume movies. That “Up” was good enough for me to sit through it four times. That the first 20 minutes of “Inglorious Bastards” (sorry if I mis-mispelled it) was the most amazing thing I saw this year.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom
George Kennedy because “Earthquake” was one of the funniest movies of all time.
OK, here is mine: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2009/12/lets-get-quizzical.html (I gave up trying to do it as a hypelink).
Holy schneike! This is one hell of a collection so far, and I know of several others firsthand that are still in the composition stages (including mine). Professor Johnson must be proud at this kind of turnout, especially since the quiz was so loooooong...
Pat: You've probably had several people pipe in on this, but there are a couple of ways you can do links in comments. It used to be that the only way I could get them to work in comments was to go to www.tinyurlcom and turn them into a shrunken alphanumerical URL that Blogger would, for some reason, accept when it wouldn't take the actual address.
But lately it has been accepting full addresses too. So either try the TinyURL version or the real thing like this:
1) Start with an open arrow key (like this: < )
2) Then insert this code: a href=http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2009/12/lets-get-quizzical.html
3) Then follow with a closed arrow key. IMPORTANT TO NOTE that there should be no spaces between any of these items.
4) Again, with no space, follow with some sort of text--
"YOUR LINK HERE"
5) Then again, no space, followed by an open arrow key, a back slash (/) another "a" and a close arrow key.
(I would just type all this out, but if I do it creates a link instead of showing you the code!)
Here's the result when I combine them: Pat's answers
Hopefully that'll work!
And Thom, once again, a woman after my heart, quoting Blazing Saddles as her favorite line from a western. I am very happy and honored that both you ladies overcame your resistance and joined the ranks this time around. You may have self-professed gaps when it comes to the questions, but you bring your wits, and that's what matters! Thanks to both of you for making this a better place to hang around.
And to everyone else who I haven't had a chance to interact with-- this is too good a list from which not to do an extensive highlight reel. Just off the top of my head, Brian Doan's response to the question about a film you initially hated and came to love was just flat-out beautiful. Everyone here honors this blog with their presence!
I'm in! Here's My Quiz.
Hey, I'm new to the site, and it's great, and so is this quiz!
Here are my answers.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
"The Cooler" - technically not a Coen Bros. movie, so it fits.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Possibly nothing. We pretty much hate movie theaters.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
It's not just Kurosawa and Ozu vs. Truffaut and Godard, but for total corpus, I vote Japan. The breadth and width of the samurai movie genre alone guarantees it.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
"Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness." Or the opening barfight from "Destry Rides Again" (almost any moment from that movie).
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
I'm going with visual composition - the look of a frame. The most basic.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Woody Allen. I can't tell if his quality has fallen off or if the skeevieness of his private life has put me off.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom - unless you mean Patrick MacNee?
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Gee, it turns out I've never seen anything but the "Twin Peaks" TV series and "Dune". So, I guess "Dune".
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Pass.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
"Dirty Harry" - Favorite is "The Big Steal".
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: "Star Trek: The Reboot". In theater - same as last time: the Hollywood premier of Larryt Blamire's "Dark and Stormy Night": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245091/ RELEASE THIS MOVIE ON DVD! So I can buy it.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
We don't have Blu-ray, so it's a moot point. We've got lots of VHS tapes that aren't released on DVD still - how about "Hot Shorts", Firesign Theater's What's-Up-Tiger-Lily-ization of a bunch of Republic serials.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
McLovin. But really, anyone who isn't Eddie Deezen. (OK, I liked him with Rainbeaux Smith in "Laserblast").
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
It's funny, I like everything I've seen Brendan Fraser in. Even if it is really a turkey, his niceness seems to make it all OK.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Heck, no. Only happy movies for me.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
I've heard of De Havilland, so...
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
"I'll have few bad nights, but I'll get over it."
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
The decapitation at the end of "The Omen" (is that the right movie?) is so obviously a process shot that it is shocking and funny.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I was an usher at the opening of "What's Up Doc?". Free and not worth it.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Helfin for now. We just saw "Act of Violence" w/ him and Robert Ryan.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
"This is Spinal Tap"
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
I was trying to decide between "Swept Away", "We're Not Dressing", "Admirable Crichton" and all that ilk. Then my wife said: "Robinson Crusoe on Mars".
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Trying to hold my own in a film discussion with Time film critic Jay Cocks.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Ann Sheridan - she wasn't in "Arthur".
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
My brother looks like Tom Selleck.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Yes - thousands. All depressing, gross or horrible movies, plus all sticky, sentimental trite and tacky movies. It's a wonder we can watch anything.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
"Pathfinder" - filmed in Lapland in Saami, the Lap language. Haven't seen the remake w/ Vikings and Indians.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffery Jones: "Too many notes, your majesty". Also, "Mom and Dad Save the World".
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Orlando Jones in "Drumline" who counteracts the stereotype that black musicians are cool.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
"Rio Bravo" - Favorite is "El Dorado".
33) Favorite movie car chase.
We tried, but we couldn't beat "Bullit".
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
Put Michelle Rodriquez in the Vin Diesel role of "The Fast and The Furious" (any version) - or even in the
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Agent 99.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Pass.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Dino De Laurentiis.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
We weren't at all impressed by Mel Brook's "History of the World Pt. I", but have grown to love it for the catchphrases "Count DeMONET!", "It's good to be da king", and the Inquisition number.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Oh, Max, every time.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
We pretty much were members of DTX - except OUR house was really fun and goofy, not lame like those guys. They had Bluto, but we had a Bolo (if you're reading, you rock!).
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The woman warrior in action flicks.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen - we love his style. Whereas Minelli is vulgar, garish and sentimental. The only Minelli I will accept is "The Pirate".
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
"Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" - horrible enough for me.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
I actually don't know what movie this is from - saw just a few scenes in a bar. American soldiers or mercenaries invade an Asian village. An elder pulls out a machete and chops off his own hand, and cauterizes the wound in a fire. The children grab the soldier's gun barrels and press them to their own heads.
44 cont) Basically, the villagers showed no fear of dying or pain, totally throwing the bad guys off until the good guys showed up. If you know the name of this, let me know - maybe starring Dolph Lundgren?
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
I'll go with the torture porn horror genre. Actually, it's existence doesn't bother me so much, but since I have the power...
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Pass.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Pass.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
"The End. Or IS IT?!?!"
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Netflix. I swear, it's my life.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Can I write in Harrison Page, Capt. Trunk from "Sledge Hammer"?
I love these quizes.
Here are my answers!
Thanks again for these, they're tons of fun...
Wow, this is the most outrageous hooky day ever, answering your quiz. I had to do a little "women's lib" to some of the questions, but it was all part of the fun!
http://bit.ly/5Pag1B
Mark: Always a pleasure to have your answers as part of this little roundelay! Thanks for the link!
Susie: The "women-libization" job you did on this quiz was great! What a nice surprise to get your comment. Do you mind my asking how you stumbled upon my little workshop? I left a comment on your site regarding some of your specific answers. Thanks a ton for joining in the fun and infusing it with your spirit, Susie. I hope you'll become a regular, and not just for the quizzes!
My friend who does the "Oh Crap I Have a Crush on Sarah Palin" site, took your quiz to her blog, and I was instantly hooked!
Can I apply for a grant to just sit around and do your quizzes all day? This is my new avocation.
Here's a link to the OCIHACOSP blog-- I don't think she ever actually posted here, but instead over at Ivan G. Shreve's place. I hope she will become a regular here too.
As for your new avocation, maybe there's a book in it as well as a ton of government dough! ;)
Again, welcome, Susie!
1) Second-favorite Coen
A Serious Man (Blood Simple came first and as a favorite stays first)
2) Movie seen only on home format that you'd pay to see on biggest screen
Interesting question--sorry I don't have a ready answer.
3) Japan/France
France
4) Favorite moment from a western
Gil Westrum (Scott) leaving Steve Judd (McCrea) to "go it alone" and saying, "I'll see ya later"; the horses beyond, the autumn trees; Ride the High Country
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon...
photography
6) Most misunderstood movie of 2000s
Taking Woodstock
7) Filmmaker you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Fellini, alas
8) Lom or Magee?
Lom ... natalny* (*cf. The State Secret, a delight)
9) Least favorite Lynch
Wild at Heart
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall?
...Willis was crucial to several directors finding their way to a distinct style; Hall may have been the more versatile. Say Willis for his early period and Hall for his post–Guillain-Barré work.
11) Second-fave Siegel movie.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (numero uno: Charley Varrick)
12) Last movie you saw on DVD? In theaters?
Invictus (screener); Nine (End of Days is near!)
13) Which DVD screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray?
Once Upon a Time in the West
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Deezen called me his pal, so him.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever they're in, or whom you'd watch in virtually anything.
Cate Blanchett; Jeff Bridges
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Can't talk about it.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Wright, whom I am glad I had the opportunity to tell I loved her.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
At the beginning of T-Men, Moxie (Charles McGraw) leaning forward out of pure black shadow, then leaning back, remaining invisible right before our eyes.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)
A twofer: in Ulmer's Girls in Chains, the guy thrown off the dam at night, amid longshots of dam workers going about their business--in daylight
20) Least you've spent on a film and still regretted it?
0 (Hell Ride press screening)
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Heflin—he got away from MGM
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film
Trouble in Mind
23) Documentary more people should see
The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On
24) Favorite film revolving around becoming stranded.
Five Came Back
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Finding myself on a panel with stupid reviewers.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald?
Way to play second-tier Warner stars against each other! Fitzgerald, for surviving Bette Davis.
27) Do you or any family member physically resemble movie actors?
My mother thought my father looked like Melvyn Douglas ('30s-'40s), and I got that. But three years after his death I was moved by Bill Hunter's resemblance in Newsfront.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
The list grows ever longer (another Fame?!), but: Fahrenheit 9/11. Loathed Bowling for Columbine and Moore's number at the Oscars.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry ambience
Winterbottom's The Claim
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Graham. Beef rules!
31) Best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
W.C. Fields
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie
Angel and the Badman (preceded by a tie among a dozen insuperably great films).
33) Favorite movie car chase
The Lineup
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film.
Sorry, blanking…
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
99 forever
36) Favorite De Toth movie.
Pitfall
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory?
Alan Parker.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again and fall in love with it.
Never happened, but I did grievously underrate Point Blank the first time. (I was drunk).
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls?
There's a question here?
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble?
Ale & Quail Club; aim for Bill Demarest, probably end up as Robert Greig.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
In almost any serial, same guy walks past the building whenever they show the exterior of FBI headquarters, or whatever.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen?
Minnelli excelled at something besides musicals.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence
Refuse to cite Black Christmas, so pass.
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice
Gonna go with Joe Calleia in Five Came Back.
45) If you were the Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
Attendees of Chicago singalongs.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Never really noticed 'em.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director
To answer Andre DeToth is the only way to avoid choosing among Ford, Lang, and Walsh.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending
The reference to offspring in Buñuel's Él.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Kathryn Bigelow finally getting the respect she deserves.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
North. Kennedy can't forbear pushing.
Alright, Dennis, I'm FINALLY done. My answers can be found here. Thanks for such a great, brain-burning quiz.
Finally done as well. Posted here on my blog so I don't have to chop it up into a gazillion pieces.
Great fun as always Dennis...Now to start reading through the huge backlog of other people's answers.
Kevin, Bob: Thanks for putting up with this endurance test! You guys are, in addition to most-welcome quiz-takers, the boot in the butt I need to get me going on my own answers, which I loftily promised before Christmas. Okay, I'll get on it... but first I gotta go read the ones you guys posted. (Dillydally, dillydally...)
Hi, Dennis. As always, I've posted my responses at my site here.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Intolerable Cruelty.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Anything Welles – Touch of Evil, The Magnificent Ambersons, Citizen Kane.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Well, I have more familiarity with French films since that’s my background, but I’d want to see more Japanese films before making a call. I don’t want to start an international incident.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
I haven’t seen enough Westerns to answer this question. Watching 40 Guns (Quarante Tueuers) as part of class at my French university was as close as I’ve gotten to the genre – talk about lost in translation.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
I’m a very verbal/wordy person, so writing – whether the source material or the script – is the most important to me.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
See my answer to question 1. I don’t understand why this movie got so much flak when it came out. It’s a real heir to the 30’s screwball comedies, and has the best credit sequence outside of Saul Bass’s work. (P.S. After reading the others’ answers, I’m glad to see I finally have allies on this one!)
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Probably Wes Anderson. I loved his first three films but haven’t enjoyed his recent efforts.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Now we’re wading outside my character actor comfort zone.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Mulholland Drive is the only one I’ve seen, and I didn’t really care for it, so I guess that qualifies.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Hall.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Like I said, I really need to catch up on my Westerns.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: The Lookout, which I liked. Theaters: Up in the Air, which I loved.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Fantasia
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Mintz-Plasse
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Julianne Moore or Peter Sarsgaard. And in the comedy realm, Parker Posey.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yes! I was actually planning to re-watch and revisit it. Somewhat tangentially, I had a friend who became obsessed with the character of Marla Singer when this movie came out, and completely altered her personal style/personality to ape the character. I’m pretty sure she also started smoking at this point. We’re no longer friends, but not because of that.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Teresa Wright, mainly for her performance in Shadow of a Doubt.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
“I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me.” -In a Lonely Place
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Plan 9 From Outer Space OWNS this question.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
$0 when I got Amarcord from the library. I just barely made it through.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
I have a weakness for musicals and love the former in The Good Old Summertime.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
The Same River Twice by Robb Moss
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Depends on your definition of stranded. Does Catherine Deneuve, stranded in her apartment in Repulsion, count?
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Besides these quizzes? Well, I tend to reference old movies that people don’t know a lot, and usually only my best friend gets it when I quote Valley of the Dolls or something.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Pass.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I have several:
1. My best friend is named Chris O’Donnell, and he vaguely resembles the actor. He enjoys telling people that he is him, but that he had a really rough summer .
2. My likeness to Jodie Foster is remarked on a lot, to the point where in high school, people called me “Clarice” and “Panic Room.”It only got worse when I dated a guy who played John Hinckley in a school play. I happen to think Jodie Foster is really unattractive, so I never took it as a compliment.
3. While watching “Lord of the Rings,” my friend Ari told me I looked like the actress who played the queen of the fairies, at which point another friend walked in, looked at the screen and said, “Man, that Cate Blanchett sure is wolf ugly.”
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
I’m totally uninterested in Avatar and I felt the same way about Star Trek. I don’t like most sci-fi (Star Wars is one exception) and I don’t like the kind of movies that everyone is talking about and you feel almost badgered into seeing.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
As opposed to the warm-and-fuzzy Christmas-y kind, I like the heist-in-the-snow genre (was actually just thinking of writing something about this), as in Fargo, The Lookout, A Simple Plan.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jones, for his involvement in Howard the Duck alone. I have to respect a solid career choice like that.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Not sure if I’m answering this correctly, but Anna May Wong’s career really defied stereotypes about Asians and women at the time. Maybe it doesn’t seem as groundbreaking now, but in the 30s and 40s it was.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
This is the embarrassing part where I admit I’ve never seen any. Something to remedy in 2010.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
What’s Up, Doc?
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
9 to 5 with male employees and a female boss might be hilarious. I’d also like to see a screwball comedy where the man is the zany one and the woman is the uptight, scientific one (the reverse of the formula seen in Bringing Up Baby, The Lady Eve and What’s Up Doc?)
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
I’m not familiar with either of their work.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Haven’t seen any.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
That would be like burning a book for me. Even the people I don’t like deserve their creative outlet and audience. That said, it would be nice to see the whole “Saw/Hostel” torture genre go far, far away.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Can’t think of one.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Pass.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
I’d want to be in the Heathers or the Plastics, actually.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The horror movie cliché where the “good girl” always survives.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Ooh, this is a toughie as I really love both, but while Minnelli has a great visual style, Donen’s are witty and intelligent too – the whole package. Advantage Donen.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Nothing specific comes to mind, but Bogie always does a mean self-sacrifice.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Again, I’m not into decimating but I don’t get the overwhelming love for Tarantino or Almodovar. The former is a clever-hokey collagist, the latter ‘s movies always strike me as weird and sexist. But at least you can say they each have carved out a recognizable style.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
N/A.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Douglas Sirk.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Donnie Darko.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for? The opportunity to see great movies like An Education and Up in the Air. Also Netflix instant (though I’m still not used to watching stuff on a computer.)
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Kennedy. Love him in Charade.
Dennis, I might be a month behind, but the holidays ain't over yet! I've posted my quiz answers here at my site:
http://mss.typepad.com/blog/2009/12/holiday-quiz.html
Happy holidays.
Hey, Michael, you're ahead of me! The window for my completing my own pre-Christmas deadline for submission of these answers is dwindling, to say the least! Thanks for dropping 'em off!
My pleasure, Dennis. I love these quizzes -- I don't always have time to take 'em, but even if I don't, I still enjoy reading all the responses.
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Big Lebowski is number one, so let’s see – I feel like it ought to be Fargo, but truth be told, I think it’s Raising Arizona.
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible?)
I think it would have to be a Jacques Tati film – there’s so much going on in the picture, and it seems such a shame to be seeing it so small. Mon Oncle is my favorite, but the one where I think the big screen might be most desirable is Playtime.
3) Japan or France?
France. I still haven’t gotten to where the stylized acting in some of the older Japanese films doesn’t bother me.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Gary Cooper realizing he’s going to be all alone at High Noon.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Well, music, not surprisingly (since that’s what I do for a living!). It’s always wonderful to see what well-written or -chosen music can do for a scene (and drives me berserk when it’s wrong).
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
How about There Will Be Blood. Either the people who really like it are misunderstanding it, or I am. : )
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Penelope Ann Miller. Loved her in everything, oh, 20 years ago. Then I saw her interviewed somewhere, and I thought this couldn’t be the same person. Now when I see her roles, I see that interviewee, and I can’t figure out what I saw before (well, maybe I can …)
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom’s a lot more familiar to me from the Pink Panther movies, but his role as Louie in The Ladykillers seals it in his favor.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film
I haven’t seen many (Mulholland Dr., Straight Story, Blue Velvet, Elephant Man, and one episode of Twin Peaks). Of those, I suppose Blue Velvet creeped me out enough to make it least favorite.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall?
I’ve seen a lot more of Gordon Willis’ films, and when I think of them, I get a picture in my mind of the look of the film – I think that means it’s Willis. : ) Props to Hall, though, for being the son of the author of Dr. Dogbody’s Leg!
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
I’ve only seen one, so I guess I don’t have one. : ) Escape from Alcatraz was OK.
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD: Star Trek. Just as much fun as it was in the theater. I’ve got to say, I think it’s my favorite of the many Star Trek films.
Theater: Sheez, I guess it was Public Enemies (I’ve been kind of busy lately). Felt cold and mechanical (and when it’s 108 degrees out, that’s saying something) – I was not much impressed.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray?
I’ve yet to enter the world of Hi-Def, so nothing’s screaming. River Tam might be able to pick up a few whispers, though.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
I have seen a film with Deezen in it.
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett (at least until Benjamin Button), probably John Turturro too.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Not yet. One of these days I’ll feel up to watching it.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia was in a Raffles movie, so I have to go with her!
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
The ending of The Maltese Falcon.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
The one that comes to mind is the Nazi tank commander in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade -- looked like a stuffed dummy to me!
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I saw the German film Rheingold for free through German club in college – ugh.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Johnson, hands down. And that’s not even taking into account that I know someone named Van Johnson. He looks kind of different though.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I’ve watched half of one – so I guess it’s the first half of Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Koyaanisqatsi usually gets labeled a documentary – I’m not sure that really describes it. It’s more of a long-form music video contemplation of how our world has become filtered through our technology, and the estrangement of people from each other that results. Probably even more apropos today than when it was made in the early 80s. In the commentary track, the filmmakers say they weren’t taking sides on any issues in the film – I don’t buy it. If nothing else, the music takes a stand. And when one of the translations of the title is “A way of life that demands another way of living”, I think it’s clear. In any case, it’s a great film.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
How about Father Goose? I got me ten fine toes to wiggle in the sand …
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
At one time I was quite convinced (and adamant about it) that Jeffrey Tambor and Vincent Schiavelli were the same person. : )
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald?
Wow, it appears I’ve never seen anything with Ann Sheridan in it, and only Fitzgerald’s later films. Geraldine Fitzgerald it is then.
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
My niece looks kind of like Keira Knightley.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Several, I suppose. You’ve already mentioned one, Fight Club -- just seems so violent, I don’t know if I’d be able to take it. I typically avoid horror films, unless they’re so bad they’re funny. And I can’t imagine that the remake of Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is any better than the original, so haven’t bothered with that either.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
One that comes to mind is the ending of Amadeus. Nothing says winter like central Europe. : ) And it captures the bleakness of midwinter, fitting the story beautifully at that point.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
It’s hard to vote against someone who was in Island of the Alive, but that’s the only thing I’ve seen him in, and I’ve enjoyed Jeffrey Jones in a lot of things – for instance, as the out of place yet somehow still fitting emperor in the aforementioned Amadeus.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Local Hero
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
I haven’t seen many. The only one I’ve seen I can say I’ve actually enjoyed is, strangely enough, Hatari! Hmm, I suppose The Searchers would be a grudging second.
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Probably the gratuitous excess of The Blues Brothers -- final one the most, but the mall chase ain’t bad either. : )
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film.
Hmm, can’t think of any serious answers. Maybe The Triumph of the Will?
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
I can’t place Barbara Rhoades, so I’ve gotta go with 99, although Barbara Rhoades had a guest spot on Quark -- I loved that show, for some inexplicable reason.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
I loved the TV show Maverick, so it would probably be the episode he directed.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be?
Shoot, I’ve given away albums and regretted it within a year. I am a confirmed historian – save it all!
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Well, I wouldn’t say I fell in love with it, but I really disliked Gone with the Wind the first time I saw it. A friend of mine was doing her dissertation, which was related to psychoanalytic film criticism, and I watched it with her – she wrote a whole chapter on it, and I must say, with her observations, and an improved ability to take in a long movie, I enjoy the film now.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls?
The Sorrow and the Pity is great, and I’ve never seen a Max Ophuls movie, but I still have to give him the edge for filming The Bartered Bride and other musical performances so early in the talkie era.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
It’s been so long since I saw the Cutters (and I don’t know the Warriors), so I’d have to go with my Duck roots and go with the Delta house – Flounder probably fits me well.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The glamour shot at the female lead’s first entrance is kind of nice.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen?
Donen for the movies (especially Singin’ in the Rain), Minnelli for the moments (the American in Paris ballet, “Dancing in the Dark”).
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
“Now I have a machine gun, ho ho ho”
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Gary Cooper sticking around to defend the town in High Noon is hard to beat.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate?
I’ll maintain my historian posture and say “Save them all!”
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
I’ve seen The Spy Who Loved Me, so I’ll vote for Caroline.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director.
Alfred Hitchcock wearing an eyepatch.
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending.
Does Being There count? Not sure “ambiguous” is the right word for that though. Well, of things in my short-term memory, one that is somewhat ambiguous and yet felt absolutely right to me was No Country for Old Men.
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
That they’re still running, even though I hardly ever get a chance to patronize them.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
Police Squad! trumps The Naked Gun by 2 crumpled garbage cans.
1)Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Miller’s Crossing
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Alien, mostly because I’ve missed several opportunities to see it on the big screen.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Not sure how to choose between nations, except to say that I feel a stronger personal affinity with the New Wave filmmakers than Kurosawa and Ozu.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
Julie Christie drifting into an opium haze at the end of McCabe and Mrs. Miller.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Photography aside, I believe that a film, like music, should ideally be the result of a collaboration between various elements for a cumulative emotional effect.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
I skipped Birth during its theatrical release due to the mostly dismissive reviews, which now seem like a puerile and reductive response to such a complex and delicate film.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
I was a huge Kevin Spacey fan during his ‘90’s hot streak, from Glengarry Glen Ross to American Beauty; he’s only made one movie since that I really liked. I still hope he’ll turn it around, though.
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Magee
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
I like/love them all to some degree; I guess the Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is my “least” favorite, though mixed with the erratic and silly bits are some of Lynch’s best moments.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
A tie, but if I have to choose, Gordon Willis.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
The Beguiled
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
On Blu-ray, Inglourious Basterds – even better the second time. In theaters, The Fantastic Mr. Fox – a little slight after The Darjeeling Limited, but undeniably charming.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Easily Lawrence of Arabia.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
McLovin’. What, no Screech?
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Kate Winslet can make a turdburger like The Reader compelling.
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
It doesn’t seem as deep as it did when I was 16, but yes.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Havilland
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Harry Lime’s introduction in The Third Man
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
The only scene that comes to mind right now is the little boy’s skull getting crushed (obviously a melon) in The Toxic Avenger.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
I was paid $75 to work on The Game Plan and it was still painful to sit through.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Meh.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
I tend to not like documentaries that people “should” see, especially if they end with a list of things you should do. But if you haven’t seen Gates of Heaven, you should.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
E.T.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people who know I’m into movies treat me like a walking IMDb, quizzing me on release years and who directed what. I usually shrug it off, but I did get pretty tired of being known as “Kevin Bacon guy” in high school.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Geraldine Fitzgerald
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
When I was a little kid, my mom looked uncannily liked Sigourney Weaver in Aliens – and honestly, if my mom were in Ripley’s situation, I have no doubt she’d get the job done.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
I’d avoided both Salo and Cannibal Holocaust until about a year ago. The former was not quite what I expected, the latter was just what I expected.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Thank you for reminding me that it’s about time for my annual winter double feature of The Shining and The Thing.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones. Who else could believably play Emperor Joseph, Ed Rooney and the Dark Overlord? I hope we see more of him again soon (quoth the Mattress Man – “You think you can be a pervert and not pay for it?”)
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Walter and The Dude. One’s a neocon, the other’s an aging radical, but they put aside their differences for bowling and the things that really matter.
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
Rio Bravo
33) Favorite movie car chase.
It’s an obvious answer, but every time I watch The French Connection, I’m convinced someone is really going to get hurt this time.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
In the Company of Women
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Feldon
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
House of Wax
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
My first thought, obviously was Michael Bay, but I sort of wouldn’t want to erase The Rock. So let’s go with Gary Marshall.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Barry Lyndon. It was the one Kubrick film that was too misanthropic for me, but when I had to watch it again for an assignment, I realized that it does indeed have a heart.
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Max Ophuls
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
The Deltas. And these days I’m starting to look like D-Day.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The spy or assassin or Chigurh walking calmly away from a car or building as it suddenly blows up.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Vincente Minelli
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
As much as I love A Christmas Story, wouldn’t it be great if another channel ran 24 hours of Black Christmas as counterprogramming every year?
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
The moment in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest when MacMurphy looks towards the open window and his chance for escape, then wordlessly decides to finish what he’s started.
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Apologies to all my friends and loved ones who love this movie, but I fucking hate The Boondock Saints.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
I was going to say Sam Peckinpah, but a quick Google image search reminded me that he did not, in fact, wear an eye patch. It feels right, though, doesn’t it?
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Zodiac
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
The “Cat People” scene in Inglourious Basterds – for reasons far too abstract to explain here, it will always feel like 2009 to me.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
Part 1:
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Raising Arizona
.............
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
The Godfather Part II
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Close call, but Japan.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
"Just as sure as the turning of the earth". Honorable mention to "We all got it comin', kid."
...............
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Visual arts (photography/painting)
............
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
pass
..............
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Robert Zemeckis. Showed promise early on, but later got gimmicky and overly commercial.
.............
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom
..............
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Dune, no question.
................
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Love 'em both, but slight nod to Willis.
................
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Escape from Alcatraz
..............
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
DVD - Enfants du Paradis
Theater - Avatar
..............
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Lawrence of Arabia
..................
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
McLovin. I always found Deezen just plain annoying.
..................
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Claude Rains
..................
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Can't talk about it.
...................
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
de Havilland
.....................
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
"The stuff that dreams are made of."
.....................
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
pass
.................
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Years ago, saw a bad exploitation flick called "Brainwash" at a bargain matinee (I think it was $2.00 or thereabouts). Awful piece of exploitative crap.
...............
Part the second:
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Johnson
..............
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Welcome to L. A.
................
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
Man on Wire or Spellbound, take your pick.
................
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Castaway (I know I'm in the minority, but I liked it).
..................
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Can't remember one.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Fitzgerald
.................
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
I was once told I looked like Bill Murray in a photo
..............
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Transformers 2
...............
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
McCabe and Mrs. Miller
.................
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jones
..................
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
My Cousin Vinny.
.....................
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
The Quiet Man
................
33) Favorite movie car chase.
To Live and Die in L. A.
................
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
That's a no-brainer: Fight Club. Two hours of cat-fights!
Part the Third (and last)
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
I like the Cyrano suggestion someone else posted.
....................
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Feldon
...................
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
House of Wax
.....................
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
This one's too easy: McG.
................
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
I saw The Godfather when I was 12 and found it boring. Now, it's easily one of the greatest films ever made.
.................
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Marcel
..................
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Delta Tau Chi/probably Bluto.
.............
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The hero facing a big challenge on his last day before retiring.
.............
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Minnelli
..............
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
pass
...............
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
................
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
The cult of Fargo. Sorry folks, I *hated* that film with a passion.
...............
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Caroline Munro
...............
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Easiest of all the questions: John Ford.
............
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending.
Sorcerer
............
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
That it was, on balance, a good year, even with a Mc AND a Michael Bay flick!
...........
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Kennedy
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why? The Passion of the Christ (2004) I have no stomach for torture
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience. Fargo
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Wedding in Gallilee
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
“The Shootist”
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Duel
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins) Odd Couple with more sexual tension
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Barbara Feldon
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
Man on a String
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen) Henrie Verneuil
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Raging Bull
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen) Max Ophuls
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Delta Tau Chi fraternity Boon
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
555
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Stanley Donen
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Gremlins
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
"Turtles Can Fly"
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
“scarface”
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
“Caroline Munro”
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio) “John Ford”
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
“Lost Highway”
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
“District 9”
50) George Kennedy or Alan North? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
George Kennedy
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
“The Man Who Wasn’t There”
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus) Kurosawa’s “Ran”
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
Japan
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
High noon, during the gunfight you see for a fleeting moment an AC unit in one of the windows.
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Photography
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s. Caché
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Jane Fonda
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Herbert Lom
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
Twin Peaks
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Gordon Willis
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Telefon
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters? Iron Man and Precious
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
“Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
Maggie Gyllenhall
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
No
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
Olivia De Havilland
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Opening sequence “Touch of Evil”
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
Jaws
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Alexandria... New York
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
Trouble in Mind
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
“Sicko”
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
Hell in the Pacific
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Yes, taking this quiz. I thought of myself as a movie buff but I have no idea who a 3rd of these people are.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette) Geraldine Fitzgerald
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who? My father-in-law; Steve Martin
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