Time For Another Spr… I Mean SUMMER Movie Quiz
Film blogger extraordinaire, Dennis Cozzalio of the wonderfully titled Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule site, is another of my long-time follows. His quarterly movie quiz posts are the stuff of legend. Though this year’s Spring version was passed over (something to do with piranhas and Lake Havasu), he has come up with yet another of his cinematically off-the-wall but thoroughly inspired film exams, which are really interview questions, for his readers.
Anyone interested in motion pictures is invited to take part. You can craft and paste the questions and your answers into Blogger’s temperamental comment system in the post. Been there, done that (thank you very much). Or, do as I’ve learned to do: post your answers on your own blog (if you have one) and leave a comment on Dennis’ post with a link back to your answers. So, on to the subject at hand:
PROFESSOR ED AVERY’S CORTIZONE-FUELED, BIGGER-THAN-LIFE, SUPER BIG GULP-SIZED SUMMER MOVIE QUIZ
The questions and my answers are after the jump.
1. Depending on your mood, your favorite or least-loved movie cliché
My least is when the director/screenwriter has the woman, girl, female character always managing to trip or fall when danger/threat/creature beckons. My favorite, though, is when the man, guy, heroic supporting character puts himself in the way of said danger slash threat slash creature as a way of protecting said female (the one he’s just told to “RUN!”, by the way).
My recent revisit with Jurassic Park had both clichés in the same scene: As Robert Muldoon (a memorable Bob Peck) and Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern, who never looked so gorgeously athletic in a movie) head to the maintenance bunker, the former game warden realizes they’re being stalked by the escaped velociraptors. He warns Ellie of this and tells her to run ahead while he prepares a valiant (albeit doomed) counter. What does the heretofore able-bodied Dr. Sattler do right after being barked at to move? Of course, she immediately puts herself on the ground by way of tree trunk, rock… whatever before getting her ass in gear.
“Clever girl.”
2. Regardless of whether or not you eventually caught up with it, which film classic have you lied about seeing in the past?
Ingmar Bergman’s Virgin Spring
3. Roland Young or Edward Everett Horton?
Edward Everett Horton. I always remember him as Mr. Witherspoon from Arsenic and Old Lace.
4. Second favorite Frank Tashlin movie
Cinderfella (Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter would be first)
5. Clockwork Orange– yes or no?
Yes, but it scarred me for life on eye exams.
6. Best/favorite use of gender dysphoria in a horror film (Ariel Schudson)
I had to make sure I knew what the term meant using the inter-tubes on this one. I’m drawing a blank unless you count Tilda Swinton’s archangel Gabriel from Constantine.
7. Melanie Laurent or Blake Lively?
Melanie Laurent, mainly for Inglourious Basterds (plus the fact I wouldn’t watch Gossip Girl even if you paid me).
8. Best movie of 2011 (so far…)
Duncan Jones’ totally unexpected mystery/sci-fi/thriller follow-up to 2009’s Moon still has me in its grip. The last time I experienced anything like that was with the very different Memento by Christopher Nolan. That tells me something. All I know is I can’t wait until David Bowie’s son delivers another film.
9. Favorite screen performer with a noticeable facial deformity (Peg Aloi)
Cary Grant.
“How do you shave in there?” ~ Audrey Hepburn (as Reggie Lampert) while touching the cleft in his chin, Charade
10. Lars von Trier: shithead or misunderstood comic savant? (Dean Treadway)
How about misunderstood shithead?
11. Timothy Carey or Henry Silva?
While I appreciate the unique and striking Timothy Carey, it’s really no contest for me. From movies to TV to voice work (he performed Bane for 1998’s Batman and Superman cartoon series), one of the all-time legendary villain character actors, ever, is the great Henry Silva. Okay, he did have the rare good guy role from time-to-time in things, like The Mice episode of The Outer Limits, original series. Saw him a couple of months ago on the street, and those cheekbones still command.
12. Low-profile writer who deserves more attention from critics and /or audiences
Don Winslow, and hopefully Oliver Stone’s film adaptation of his SAVAGES novel will help to change that.
13. Movie most recently viewed theatrically, and on DVD, Blu-ray or streaming
Theater: Takeski Miike’s 13 Assassins
Blu-ray Disc: Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood
DVD: DEVIL
Streaming: Shinobi No Mono
14. Favorite film noir villain
Robert Mitchum as Rev. Harry Powell in NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
15. Best thing about streaming movies?
Availability. That’s important for the films that have yet to make it to DVD or Blu-ray Disc (Blake Edwards’ Experiment in Terror had a run with Netflix for a bit). Plus, the side benefit are the films sometimes arrive in the correct aspect ratio, especially if that’s wrong on the retail media. Too many Region 1 discs have that fault. Walter Hill’s Johnny Handsome and Don Siegel’s Charley Varrick come to mind. Each are criminally cropped on their U.S. DVDs. Hopefully, more films will become available to streaming (only JH is streamed of those mentioned above, but only at 1.33:1 for the moment). Some, like for the highly underrated Hickey & Boggs, you really do need to use the streaming option since the VHS and DVD versions as so woeful.
16. Fay Spain or France Nuyen? (Peter Nellhaus)
France Nuyen, if for nothing else than being talented, a beauty, and for her memorable roles in Star Trek and I SPY (which influenced me no end as a kid in the 60s).
17. Favorite Kirk Douglas that isn’t called Spartacus (Peter Nellhaus)
His Jack Burns in Lonely are the Brave.
18. Favorite movie about cars
John Frankenheimer’s Ronin [with thanks to J.D. for reminding me of that with his recent film review].
19. Audrey Totter or Marie Windsor?
Marie Windsor, but I have a thing for brunettes.
20. Existing Stephen King movie adaptation that could use an remake/reboot/overhaul
It. They’re supposedly re-doing this… hopefully they’ll improve on that inane spider-thing in the TV adaptation.
21. Low-profile director who deserves more attention from critics and/or audiences
Already answered this in question 8, Duncan Jones.
22. What actor that you previously enjoyed has become distracting or a self-parody? (Adam Ross)
Madonna… okay, who am I kidding. I’ve always hated her film work. The obvious answer would be Nic Cage, but he continues to intrigue what with the great time I had with Drive Angry. So, I’ll go with… Adrien Brody. There, I said it.
23. Best place in the world to see a movie
Given the recent upheaval with this landmark theatre, and since I live in LaLa Land, could it be anywhere else?
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
24. Charles McGraw or Sterling Hayden?
Sterling Hayden was never more badass than here.
25. Second favorite Yasujiro Ozu film
I’ve not seen a one (and I should fix that), but I’ve always heard great things about Tokyo Story.
26. Most memorable horror movie father figure
How about the Devil in Rosemary’s Baby?
27. Name a non-action-oriented movie that would be fun to see in Sensurround
I don’t know… maybe Pulp Fiction.
28. Chris Evans or Ryan Reynolds?
The last time, I picked Ryan Reynolds. But, now I’m going for Chris Evans because Capt. American keeps looking better and better (plus his Scott Pilgrim work helped).
29. Favorite relatively unknown supporting player, from either or both the classic and the modern era
Since Breaking Bad returns for its fourth season next month, that would be Giancarlo Esposito. The man is great in everything he’s in.
“What does a man do, Walter? A man provides. And he does it even when he’s not appreciated, or respected, or even loved. He simply bears up and he does it. Because he’s a man.”
30. Real-life movie location you most recently visited or saw
The Formosa Cafe (L.A. Confidential)
31. Second favorite Budd Boetticher movie
The Tall T (my favorite remains Seven Men From Now).
32. Mara Corday or Julie Adams?
I’ll go with Linda Darnell for the block, Peter.
33. Favorite Universal-International western
34. What’s the biggest “gimmick” that’s drawn you out to see a movie? (Sal Gomez)
From way back when, it was Sensurround for Earthquake. More recently it was due to James Cameron’s 3-D tech in Avatar (which is almost unforgivable today with what studios are shoveling upon us in poor follow-up).
35. Favorite actress of the silent era
I can only answer with Lilian Gish.
36. Best Eugene Pallette performance (Larry Aydlette)
Friar Tuck, The Adventures of Robin Hood.
37. Best/worst remake of the 21st century so far? (Dan Aloi)
Easy. 2006’s The Wicker Man for the worst — “My eyes!“. I’m surprised to say it, but last year’s Let Me In is the best (I now see why Stephen King talked it up).
38. What could multiplex owners do right now to improve the theatrical viewing experience for moviegoers? What could moviegoers do?
Multiplex owners: stop booking 3-D anything.
Moviegoers: texting below seat-level is still texting — stop it!
To see all of my answers to every SLIFR movie quiz I’ve participated in, click here.
It Rains... You Get Wet 
18 Responses to “Time For Another Spr… I Mean SUMMER Movie Quiz”
Ah, Source Code. That may very well have been my answer for best 2011 movie, but my theater lost power with about 30 minutes to go, and I never caught up with it again, so now I need to wait for DVD/BD. Frustrating!
Also, Rosemary’s Baby is an excellent answer for the father figure question…
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Thirty minutes to go on Source Code?!? That was bad — the best parts were ahead of you. When you finally finish it, let me know what you think of it. Thanks for the kind word, Mark.
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How funny! Had my theatre lost power with 30min of Source Code left I would have a much better opinion of the movie. This is turning out to be “most loved movie of 2011 that Rachel found disappointingly flawed.” Ah well…
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Ha! That’s okay, Rachel. I know in another parallel universe I actually appreciate Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and you like Source Code ;-). Thanks.
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Great answer on the dysphoria question. And I’m starting to think I’m the only one online who’d rather watch Charles McGraw than Sterling Hayden.
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Welcome, Ivan! Charles McGraw was a great character actor, and I was always glad to see him in movie I was watching. While everyone naturally thinks of Kirk Douglas in Spartacus, I also remember McGraw (along with Woody Strode) well in the picture. Thanks for the comment, my friend.
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My favorite part of these movie quiz posts is that, if not for a few key films/actors, I would have to guess this was solely focused non-American films because I never know why anyone is or have heard of any of these movies. I enjoy feeling like I’m getting a film education as I read through them.
I quite like Lilian Gish myself. And Ronin is always first out of my mouth when anyone talks about car scenes in movies. I still remember the first time I saw it and how blown away I was. Sadly, my two compatriots were not similarly entertained; they left halfway through to chat in the lobby while I finished up the movie.
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These quizzes are a blast. They are interviews with no wrong answers which introduce readers and participants to some really talented bloggers and film aficionados. And because of this one, I teed up Ronin for another viewing last night. It seems you and I both were riveted by the film in our initial viewing. Loved it then and now. Thanks for your comment, Rachel.
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I have read a partial of this post last night, I think I stopped at 20something.
Wow…what a difficult meme, I will probably able to answer only half of it, I don’t know most name in those questions.
Moon has been mentioned several time as good movies, I should try searching for it.
I think the one that needs to be remade from SK adaptation is The Shining with story as close as possible to the book.
thank you for sharing those great answer, Michael.
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I do recommend both of Duncan Jones’ films, Novroz. The Shining would be a good one for a remake — the TV redux in ’97 was an earnest attempt, but… Thank you very much for your kind words and comment, my friend.
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Love your answers for 14 and 17 (though I’d go Paths of Glory personally, he’s remarkable in Lonely are the Brave and that film deserves some more recognition).
You got me excited for when Drive Angry makes it up my queue, I love inspired crazy Nic.
I love Esposito too, another reason to finally get around to watching Breaking Bad
I just starting delving into Boetticher’s films two years ago when that Columbia box set came out, I loved Tall T, have not seen Seven Men from Now, must rectify that soon
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Paths of Glory is a great film and role for Douglas (can’t argue against it). Definitely, check out Drive Angry — along with Breaking Bad, Kevin. Esposito shows up late in season 2, but the series is among the best cable TV has offered in the last few years. Let me know how you like Seven Men from Now. Thanks, my friend.
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I lie a lot about Ingmar Bergman.
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Hehe… Thanks, Marianne.
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Hi, Michael:
Great work, Sergio!
#1/ Least loved movie cliche?: The over use of the word “Easy!” when moving someone injured or approaching a yet unexploded bomb.
#2/ Lied about film?: ‘Ran’ when it first came out. Saw it at the Maryland U Student Union about two years later.
#3/ Young or Horton?: Edward Everett Horton.
#4/Frank Tashlin: ‘Caprice’.
#5/Clockwork Orange?: Yes
#6/Gender Dysphoria?: I don’t know what that means. Gender bending? Diana Rigg in ‘Theater of Blood’.
#9/Facial Deformity?: Gotta be the great grand daddy of all thugs. Rondo Hatton!
#10/ Lars von Trier?: Makes my teeth itch!
#11/ Carey or Silva?: Carey. For his Pvt.l Ferol alone in ‘Paths of Glory’. Besides his other superb work with Kubrick.
#14/Favorite Noir Villain?: Orson Welles’ Harry Lime in ‘The Third Man’. Runner up. Kirk Douglas’ Whit, in ‘Out of the Past’.
#16/Spain or Nuyen?: Nuyen. She was great as a recurring agent and girlfriend of Robert Culp in NBC’s ‘I Spy’.
#17: Kirk Douglas: Jack Burns in ‘Lonely are the Brave’. Runner up, Jonathan Shields in ‘The Bad and the Beautiful’.
#18/Cars?: I’m going Old School with ‘Thunder Road’! There’s something about Good Ol’ Boys and their wheels that makes films better. Runner up. ‘Dirty Mary Crazy Larry’.
#19/Totter or Windsor?: Windsor.
#20/Steven King?: ‘Salem’s Lot’. Excellent early effort that needs some fine tuning.
#21/Low profile director?: Rian Johnson. Expecting many great things from him!
#22/Self parody?: Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller. Zach Gallifanakis.
#24/McGraw or Hayden?: Are you kidding?…. Hayden!
#26?Father figure?: Christopher Lee’s Lord Summerisle in the 1973 original ‘The Wicker Man’.
#27/Surround Sound?: William Castle’s ‘The House on Haunted Hill’.
#29/Favorite unknown?: George Dzunda. Supern character actor whose time is due. Exceelent choice with Giancarlo Esposito, Michael!
#30/Location?: The Adelphi Roller Rink featured in the film, ‘Scorpio’ from 1973.
#31/Budd Boetticher?: ‘The Tall T’… Just behind ‘Ride Lonesome’.
#32/Corday or Adams?: Corday. “It’s as big as a Battleship!” from ‘The Giant Claw’!
#33/Universal Western?: ‘Journey to Shiloh’. With Harrison Ford and a lot of writing, music and directing talent that’s big today.
#36/Eugene Pallette?: ‘My Man Godfrey’. Followed closely by ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’.
#37/Remake?: ‘Wicker Man’. With ‘Red Dawn’ a very close second!
#38/Experience improvements?: Kill, burn and destroy the refuse of 3D
anything! Blowguns with tranquilizer darts for obnoxious viewers, texters, cellers and tweeters in the audience!!!
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Once more, some fantastic quiz answers, Kevin! Loved your one for surround sound. I’ve posted them over at Dennis’ blog, as well. Thanks, my friend.
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Great answers here! I always enjoyed these quiz posts! Oh I’m sooo with you about your pet peeve “…when the director/screenwriter has the woman, girl, female character always managing to trip or fall when danger/threat/creature beckons.” Sooo true isn’t it? Every time it happens I always scream ‘come on!!!’ 😀
Oh and yes I enjoyed Source Code too, such a surprise as I usually don’t even like Jake G. but I do love Vera Farmiga 😀
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Good to hear, Ruth :-). Thank you so very much for the read and comment!
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