This 60 Second Quiz Will Reveal How Much Of A Movie Buff You Are
- by Ursula Nizalowski
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or a film critic, we absorb a lot of information when we go see a movie. Some of it sticks in our mind after the experience, while the rest is quickly forgotten. Although this can be remedied with a second or third viewing of the film-in-question, nothing beats the first experience. It’s a magical moment that can either be experienced alone or with other people, depending on whether you see the movie in the theaters or in the comfort of your own home, which can’t be replicated at any other time.
The emotions you feel and the thoughts that rush through your head are all simultaneous in the moment yet it ends up feeling like a blur by time you leave the theater or finish watching it on your TV screen/laptop. Yet a few things are retained, and perhaps you might be inclined to look up further information on the movie.
Then the more movies you see, the more information you’ll retain and be able to impress others with your cinematic knowledge. If that describes you, then you’re probably a Movie Buff. Now try answering these questions in 60 seconds or less and we’ll see how much of a Movie Buff you truly are!
What was Rocky's nickname?
Sports movies have been around for a long time, with the original 1951 Angels in the Outfield (which inspired the 90s version) being one of the earliest examples. But modern sports films draw their influence primarily from Rocky, the 1976 hit starring Sylvester Stallone as an average boxer who decides to prove himself in a title match against longtime winner Apollo Creed. The film was so successful that it spawned numerous sequels throughout the years, though some were worse than others or downright silly in the case of Rocky IV.
What was Cobb's Totem in the film Inception?
One of the most visually impressive films to come out in recent decades apart from Avatar was Christopher Nolan’s Inception. What seems like a standard heist movie quickly takes a turn for the surreal when most of the action takes place not in the real world but in someone’s subconscious mind. Led by the mysterious Cobb, a group of specialists must travel through several layers of mentally projected landscapes to reach their goal while carrying special items called Totems which help them retain their sanity.
Who starred in Gladiator?
Movies about Ancient Rome and Gladiator battles have been around since the early days of cinema, though they were more popular during the 1950s and early 60s. A few noteworthy films that came out during this time were Ben-Hur, which told the story of a man who loses everything and becomes a chariot racer, and Spartacus that focused on gladiators in general. But after that, these kinds of movies lost popularity until the 2000 film Gladiator came along and inspired several historical drama TV shows.
Does the African American protagonist of Get Out live in the end?
Among the various tropes associated with horror films, the most negative one is the tendency for a character of ethnic minority (usually African American or Hispanic) to be the first to die in a film involving monsters or a psychopathic killer. While low-budget horror flicks rely on this trope more often, it does crop up in a few well-known movies such as The Shining. However, there are a few exceptions which include: Night of the Living Dead, Snakes on a Plane, Event Horizon, Anaconda, and others.
Which song did The Greatest Showman earn a Golden Globe for?
Despite the mixed reviews it got, The Greatest Showman has resonated very strongly with audiences in general. One of the reasons for this is the catchy songs that are scattered throughout this colorful musical which is loosely based on historical events regarding the establishment of Barnum & Bailey’s Circus as well as the life of P. T. Barnum himself (played by Hugh Jackman). In fact, the soundtrack was so good that one song won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
Who played as The Joker in the 1989 Batman movie?
Despite the success of the 1978 Superman film, it was overshadowed by another superhero film which came over a decade later in the form of the 1989 Batman movie. Directed by Tim Burton, who had gotten big after directing Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and Beetlejuice, this film turned into a massive hit which inspired several sequels and a reboot series. This film also introduced the first interpretation of The Joker that was darker compared to the lighthearted version from the Adam West Batman show.
Which species does the shark from Jaws belong to?
Apart from Star Wars, the other major movie that defined the Summer Blockbuster was Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Set at a seaside town, things quickly turn ugly when a teenage girl turns up dead on a beach. Though the coroner rules she was killed by a shark, the town’s mayor refuses to have the beaches closed fearing it will scare away the tourists. But as the attacks continue, the town’s police chief an oceanographer and a hunter have no choice but to catch the shark themselves.
Which film influenced Paranormal Activity the most?
Though the Found-Footage genre of horror movies has become an annoying cliche these days, there are a few films that handle this premise well. In particular, the first Paranormal Activity film managed to use minimal special effects to effectively scare people (before the sequels overdid it) and that’s one of the reasons it was so popular in the first place. While this may seem like an original concept, there was one other Found-Footage film which did it first back in the late 90s.
Was Frankenstein the doctor or the monster?
While Victor Frankenstein may have been a box-office bomb, we still have the original 1931 Frankenstein movie to look back on. Considered a classic among the various horror films Universal Studios made during the 1930s, it was based upon a Victorian novel of the same name written by Mary Shelley as part of a private literary contest which other Romantic authors like Lord Byron participated in to pass the time while vacationing in Switzerland. It is as much as horror story as it is a moral tale.
What was the Fifth Element?
Foreign films, particularly those from Europe, have generally been considered by critics to be better than movies from the United States. After all, it was in Europe that film movements such as German Expressionism and the French New Wave got their start from. Yet only a handful of European films are widely known in the US, such as The Seventh Seal where a knight plays a game of chess with Death. But one of the most divisive films out there is The Fifth Element, a French sci-fi film starring Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich.
Was the Heart of the Ocean necklace recovered in Titanic?
While its attempt at blending fiction with reality is dubious at best (such as the Heart of the Ocean necklace), James Cameron’s Titanic was undeniably successful both financially and critically until Avatar surpassed both of those elements 20 years later. Not only was the movie’s success attributed to the performances of its two romantic leads Jack and Rose (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet respectively) but also the visuals which were quite impressive at the time. Another contributing element was the film’s soundtrack, in particular Céline Dion's “My Heart Will Go On”.
What mental condition does the protagonist in Memento have?
Mental conditions as portrayed in films is always a double-edged sword of accuracy. While some go for the simplified version of a mental illness that has more complexities than one would be led to believe, others portray it in a negative way and end up not being accurate at all. As a result, very few films actually portray the mental condition they’re highlighting accurately and among them is Memento, a critically acclaimed thriller about a man that can’t remember anything that happened to him recently.
Apart from Ripley, who else survives in Alien?
Horror films related to aliens are nothing new. First, you had Invasion of the Body Snatchers in 1956 which was more or less a metaphor for communism. The same year, Forbidden Planet was released that had horror elements with an invisible monster stalking the outside of a spaceship though it never goes inside. But the most popular space-related horror movie in recent memory is Alien. Known for its intense gore and impressive effects, this film hasn’t really been surpassed since its inception.
What segment in Ready Player One was a tribute to Stanley Kubrick?
Being the creator and producer of films that have had a significant influence on pop-culture in general, Steven Spielberg was naturally a perfect fit to direct the film adaptation of Ready Player One which is chalk-full of pop-culture references. The final result, while positive for the most part, has left critics feeling overwhelmed by the myriad of stunning visuals and underwhelmed by the film’s lackluster characters. But among the references made, a few stood out more than others including one that served as a tribute to the late director Stanley Kubrick.
How does Vito Corleone die?
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather trilogy of films is considered essential for any lover of cinema. Taking place over several decades, it details the legacy of the Corleone mob family. First it began with Vito, an Italian immigrant who fled after his father was killed by a local crime boss. But after a series of events, Vito became the Don of his own mafia and was eventually nicknamed “The Godfather”. Several years later, an assassination attempt is made on Vito’s life leading his oldest son Sonny to take his place.
Which film technique gave The Wizard of Oz its colorful look?
Based on a Frank L. Baum novel of the same name, The Wizard of Oz is considered a universal classic in film history. Its imagery is well-recognized (being one of the first films to be in color), its songs are still remembered today, and it has inspired several other films. From The Wiz, which didn't do well despite having an all-black cast, to Oz the Great and Powerful’s attempt at being an homage to the original 1939 film while also serving as an unnecessary prequel to it.
Who was the first African American to earn an Academy Award?
Though African Americans may be getting a lot of headway in terms of starring in a variety of successful films, this wasn't always the case. Back in the early days of Hollywood, they were usually cast in minor or supporting roles that often resorted to stereotypes. The perfect example of this is Gone with the Wind, which has been criticized for its glorification of slavery despite being considered a classic and it was the first film to give an Academy Award to an African American actor.
Is "Play it again, Sam" an actual quote from Casablanca?
At the height of World War II, several films came out in response to it. Some were shallow propaganda movies with racist elements (particularly towards the Japanese), while a few achieved iconic status. The most famous one of all is Casablanca, which takes place in the city of the same name in Morocco at a night-club owned by American expatriate Rick Blaine who has a black pianist named Sam working for him. But things get complicated with the arrival of Ilsa, Rick’s old flame, who asks Sam to play a special song for her.
What does the title of Double Indemnity refer to?
Made at the height of Noir films, Double Indemnity is considered a classic in this genre known for its emphasis on shadow in terms of lighting (hence the name) as well as its melancholic characters and intense but bloodless violence. Though the style of these movies is consistent, the actual stories vary with the tendency to either be detective or crime-related tales. Double Indemnity falls into the latter category as it’s about an insurance salesman who falls for a woman that plans to murder her husband for money.
Where does the paraphrase "We don't need no stinkin' badges!" come from?
More often than not, movie quotes will get paraphrased or summarized. The main reason for this is because either a film is so old that no one remembers the exact words or it simply gets misinterpreted. A good example of the former is “We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!” which is actually a summary of the line “We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges”. The line itself comes from a 1948 film about a group of men looking for gold in Mexico while dealing with bandits and nature itself.
What phrase did the robot Gort respond to?
One of the earliest UFO-based movies was the 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still. It tells of a human-like alien named Klaatu who arrives on Earth along with the robot Gort. After initial hostility from the US soldiers, Klaatu explains he has a message that must be delivered to the entire world. But when his demands are ignored, he’s forced to take drastic measures which gets him in trouble with the authorities so he tells the woman Helen a phrase that Gort will respond to.
Which early sound movie was referenced in Singin' in the Rain?
With the rise of television as the popular form of entertainment, movie theaters were suffering as a result. So Hollywood started putting together a lot of big-budgeted spectacle musicals including the very popular Singin’ in the Rain. While primarily known for its hit songs, it’s also noteworthy for its portrayal of Hollywood’s transition from silent pictures to sound-based ones starting in the late 1920s. Though the movie focuses on a fictional studio and film that’s under development, they do make a reference to an actual sound film that came out in 1927.
Did Thorwald actually murder his wife?
Apart from Psycho, the director Alfred Hitchcock made several other great films including Rear Window. Based on the short story “It Had to Be Murder” by Cornell Woolrich, it’s about a wheelchair-bound photographer named L. B. “Jeff” Jefferies who passes the time spying on his neighbors through the rear window of his apartment. But one night he hears a woman’s scream from an apartment belonging to Lars Thorwald, a jewelry salesman who has a bedridden wife. Thinking Thorwald murdered his wife, Jefferies tells his girlfriend Lisa about it and she sneaks into Thorwald’s apartment to find evidence of this.
Which incident proved that Queeg was crazy in The Caine Mutiny?
During World War II, the Captain of the USS Caine is relieved despite being popular with the ship’s crew and replaced by a new one named Phillip Francis Queeg. He hopes to enforce discipline in the crew which has become more lax as of late. But several incidents that follow lead communications officer Thomas Keefer to believe Captain Queeg might be crazy. He tries to convince Stephen Maryk, the executive officer, of this who at first dismisses Keefer’s claim until another incident convinces him otherwise.
What was the verdict of the jury in 12 Angry Men?
One of the best courtroom dramas of all time, the 1957 12 Angry Men film puts the same number of jurors (who are never referred to by name) in a room for almost the entire movie’s runtime. They are forced to be there because they must decide the fate of the defendant, who is a delinquent that supposedly stabbed his father to death. While most of the jury assume this is an open-and-shut case, there is enough reasonable doubt to indicate the defendant’s innocence in the matter.
Who directed the Dollars Trilogy of films?
While Western movies were starting to lose popularity in the United States during the 1960s, a group of directors from Italy revitalized the genre in the form of Spaghetti Westerns. Known for their gritty realism and intense violence, they proved to be quite popular in the US. Among the various ones that were made included three films known as the Dollars Trilogy. Made by the same director, they revolved around a nameless hero (played by Clint Eastwood) who gets mixed up in a variety of money-related schemes.
What is the song most people remember from Easy Rider?
During the 1960s, counterculture films were extremely popular. They not only spoke to the young generation of rebels, but also they represented a significant cultural movement as a whole. Though we use the term ‘hippies’ to describe these people, that’s not what they called themselves even at the time. Among the various ones that came out, only a few of them are remembered to this day and one such example is Easy Rider. Released in 1969, this film stars well-known actors Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper as motorcyclists who travel cross-country with a lot of drug money.
What was the Overlook Hotel built on top of in The Shining?
One of Stephen King’s best-known works, The Shining is a terrifying story about a family trapped in a remote hotel during winter which is supposedly haunted by ghosts. Though the psychic abilities of the son seem to prove this, many scholars have argued this is the result of cabin fever especially in regard to the father’s spiraling into madness which leads to his eventual attempt at murdering his wife and son. Now while most people remember the Stanley Kubrick film based on this book, King himself wasn’t happy with it.
Which test did Blade Runners use to tell Replicants apart from humans?
Though a number of films have been made based on his works, very few people seem to know the name Philip K. Dick. A science-fiction author who was popular during the 1960s and 70s, he wrote a number of famous books including The Man in the High Castle (which the Amazon mini-series is loosely based on) and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The latter novel was adapted into Blade Runner, a 1982 hit sci-fi film directed by Ridley Scott which changed a number of elements from the book but retained it in spirit.
What Sword & Sorcery movie was a big hit before Lord of the Rings?
While many consider The Lord of the Rings trilogy to be the peak of fantasy films, the genre itself isn’t relatively new. Back in the 1920s, there were a few notable fantasy films though many of them were remade into more recognizable versions later such as Disney’s Peter Pan which was more or less a remake of the 1924 version. Then there were the Greek Mythology films such as Jason and the Argonauts, but none of them quite achieved the same fame as an 80s film that defined the Sword & Sorcery genre until Lord of the Rings came along.
Who directed the film adaptation of Dune?
Apart from Philip K. Dick, another notable science-fiction author is Frank Herbert. Known for the epic saga Dune, which tells of a planet where a valuable source called Spice is mined and the tale of a man who finds his destiny there, it was very much entrenched in the time it was written but contains many universal elements that still resonate with modern audiences. Unfortunately, the only film adaptation that exists did so poorly at the box-office back in 1984 that the director didn’t want any association with it.
Where did the Goonies get their name from?
Though Treasure Island may have gotten people invested in a good treasure-hunt story, and National Treasure took it to a whole new level there was a little film in between called The Goonies. Considered one of the quintessential kids films of the 80s, it focuses on a group of children searching for some lost treasure in order to save their homes from getting demolished by an expanding country club while being pursued by an Italian crime family who also want the treasure for themselves.
What is the Gimp?
Quentin Tarantino is known for making films that are extremely intense to watch but also critically acclaimed. From the bridal revenge movie Kill Bill to the gritty heist film Reservoir Dogs, he has a distinct style that makes him quite the auteur when it comes to directing. But one of his better-known films is Pulp Fiction, a self-aware crime story about two hitmen that double-cross their boss over the contents of a briefcase (which is never revealed by the end of the film).
Which fictional restaurant mentioned in Forrest Gump became real?
It’s not unusual for a popular film to inspire something in the real world, such as a tourist attraction or a theme-park ride. For instance, while Waterworld didn’t succeed well at the time of its release it did inspire a Universal Studios theme-park show called Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular which is still active to this day. But what is unusual is for a restaurant chain to be based on an entire film, which was the case for Forrest Gump, a postmodern tale of a man with below-average intelligence that has a surprisingly eventful life.
Who directed Jupiter Ascending?
Space Operas have been a common trope in Science-Fiction stories, but not so much in films. The most famous one to date is Star Wars, which blends advanced technology with mysticism as it chronicles the story of one individual’s triumph against a greater evil. Otherwise, the only other films that fully embrace this genre are David Lynch’s adaptation of Dune (the epitome of Space Operas) and the recent Jupiter Ascending. Sadly, both of these films did poorly at the box-office and were given negative reviews by critics.