D. Cozzalio over @ Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule has thrown together yet another one of his great film aptitude quizzes. These always keep me entertained and make my day go by a hell of a lot faster at work. Here's how I'd respond to this batch. Enjoy fellow film geeks.
1) 2ND FAVORITE COEN BROS
RAISING ARIZONA (1987), coming only after their stunning debut BLOOD SIMPLE (1985). I'm usually a sucker for the earlier stages in filmmaker's careers
2) MOVIE SEEN ONLY ON HOME FORMAT THAT YOU WOULD PAY TO SEE ON THE BIGGEST MOVIE SCREEN POSSIBLE?
That would have to be Herzog's AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD (1972) preferably if it was an incredibly glossy remastered print.
3) JAPAN OR FRANCE?
Dammit, that's like picking between two beloved children. I guess if I was forced to pick, I would have to go with Japan - & not because I think their cinema/filmmakers are necessarily better than France's, but because a lot of my favourite movies each year are consistently from those islands.
4) FAVORITE MOMENT OR LINE FROM A WESTERN
Too many lines to choose from, but my favourite moment from a western is definitely the entire train-station intro sequence from Sergio Leone's ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
And my favourite moment from a more recent western is the train robbery from THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD ('07)...I must like trains.
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?
Definitely the visual arts, or specifically photography. The cinema started out as these simple flickering images. Filmmakers should still be able to convey story & poetry with images alone before they add all that other good stuff.
6) MOST MISUNDERSTOOD
That would have to be Herzog's AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD (1972) preferably if it was an incredibly glossy remastered print.
3) JAPAN OR FRANCE?
Dammit, that's like picking between two beloved children. I guess if I was forced to pick, I would have to go with Japan - & not because I think their cinema/filmmakers are necessarily better than France's, but because a lot of my favourite movies each year are consistently from those islands.
4) FAVORITE MOMENT OR LINE FROM A WESTERN
Too many lines to choose from, but my favourite moment from a western is definitely the entire train-station intro sequence from Sergio Leone's 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?
Definitely the visual arts, or specifically photography. The cinema started out as these simple flickering images. Filmmakers should still be able to convey story & poetry with images alone before they add all that other good stuff.
6) MOST MISUNDERSTOOD
MOVIE OF THE '00s
I think Richard Kelly's SOUTHLAND TALES is almost as misunderstood as SHOWGIRLS was in the 90s.
7) NAME A FILMMAKER/ACTOR/FILM YOU ONCE UNASHAMEDLY LOVED WHO HAS FALLEN FURTHEST IN YOUR ESTEEM
FILMMAKER: Lasse Hallström, Rob Reiner, Fernando Meirelles
ACTOR: Katherine Heigl, Ray Romano, Cuba Gooding Jr.
FILM: THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK. Bear in mind, I was in middle school when this was released theatrically and was just happy to see more dinosaurs.
8) HERBERT LOM
I think Richard Kelly's SOUTHLAND TALES is almost as misunderstood as SHOWGIRLS was in the 90s.
Other contenders: THE FOUNTAIN, UNDERTOW, MIAMI VICE, SPEED RACER, HOLLOW MAN, LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION, MISSION TO MARS, etc.
7) NAME A FILMMAKER/ACTOR/FILM YOU ONCE UNASHAMEDLY LOVED WHO HAS FALLEN FURTHEST IN YOUR ESTEEM
FILMMAKER: Lasse Hallström, Rob Reiner, Fernando Meirelles
ACTOR: Katherine Heigl, Ray Romano, Cuba Gooding Jr.
FILM: THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK. Bear in mind, I was in middle school when this was released theatrically and was just happy to see more dinosaurs.
8) HERBERT LOM
OR PATRICK MAGEE?
Lom grimaced hardest.
9)
Lom grimaced hardest.
9)
LEAST FAVORITE DAVID LYNCH
ABSURD ENCOUNTER WITH FEAR is the only acceptable answer for me personally. And even it as a debut short is rather good.
10) GORDON WILLIS
ABSURD ENCOUNTER WITH FEAR is the only acceptable answer for me personally. And even it as a debut short is rather good.
10) GORDON WILLIS
OR CONRAD HALL?
When it comes to color cinematography, I think Conrad L. Hall, second only to Vittorio Storaro, is the best D.P. in film history. Like Gregg Toland and James Wong Howe before him, He paved the way for so many contemporary greats.
11) 2ND FAVORITE DON SIEGEL
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956), after the brilliant and disturbing BEGUILED (1971) of course.
12) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW ON DVD/BLU-RAY? IN THEATERS?
Dvd : SESSION 9
Blu-ray : GOMORRAH
Theatrically : THE ROAD
13) WHICH DVD IN YOUR PRIVATE COLLECTION SCREAMS HARDEST TO BE REPLACED BY A BLU-RAY?
Coen brother's MILLER'S CROSSING off top of my head.
14) DEEZEN
When it comes to color cinematography, I think Conrad L. Hall, second only to Vittorio Storaro, is the best D.P. in film history. Like Gregg Toland and James Wong Howe before him, He paved the way for so many contemporary greats.
11) 2ND FAVORITE DON SIEGEL
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956), after the brilliant and disturbing BEGUILED (1971) of course.
12) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW ON DVD/BLU-RAY? IN THEATERS?
Dvd : SESSION 9
Blu-ray : GOMORRAH
Theatrically : THE ROAD
13) WHICH DVD IN YOUR PRIVATE COLLECTION SCREAMS HARDEST TO BE REPLACED BY A BLU-RAY?
Coen brother's MILLER'S CROSSING off top of my head.
14) DEEZEN
OR CHRISTOPHER MINTZ-PLASSE?
"Hey, Chris. Ed Deezen called, he wants his nerd DNA back." only kidding. I actually think Deezen is kinda annoying in everything I've seen him in, & Mintz-Plasse has much better comic timing & dramatic range in my book.
15) ACTOR/ACTRESS WHO YOU FEEL AUTOMATICALLY ELEVATES WHATEVER PROJECT THEY ARE IN, OR WHOM YOU WOULD WATCH IN VIRTUALLY ANYTHING?
Benicio Del Toro and Samantha Morton.
16) FIGHT CLUB -- YES OR NO?
That would be a big YES. One of the first films I saw in my youth that convinced me mainstream cinema could operate on some level of subversive entertainment.
17) TERESA WRIGHT
"Hey, Chris. Ed Deezen called, he wants his nerd DNA back." only kidding. I actually think Deezen is kinda annoying in everything I've seen him in, & Mintz-Plasse has much better comic timing & dramatic range in my book.
15) ACTOR/ACTRESS WHO YOU FEEL AUTOMATICALLY ELEVATES WHATEVER PROJECT THEY ARE IN, OR WHOM YOU WOULD WATCH IN VIRTUALLY ANYTHING?
Benicio Del Toro and Samantha Morton.
16) FIGHT CLUB -- YES OR NO?
That would be a big YES. One of the first films I saw in my youth that convinced me mainstream cinema could operate on some level of subversive entertainment.
17) TERESA WRIGHT
OR OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND?
Olivia for sure.
18) FAVORITE MOMENT
18) FAVORITE MOMENT
OR LINE FROM A FILM NOIR
Though not my favorite Noir-- It doesn't get much better to me than Bogie as Sam Spade in MALTESE FALCON, and the way he and O'Shaughnessy bounce lines off each other. "Chances are you'll get off with life in prison. That means if you're a good girl, you'll be out in 20 years. I'll be waiting for you. If they hang you, I'll always remember you." And his expertly wry delivery. Classic ice-cool Bogart.
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 zombie Ken Foree tosses over the 2nd floor railing in Romero's classic DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978). It falls so lifelessly and ridiculous, and then 40mins later Savini actually falls over the same rails as a real stunt. Priceless movie treasure.
20) WHAT'S THE LEAST YOU'VE SPENT ON A FILM AND STILL REGRETTED IT?
I've gotten into a handful of free screenings of movies I've regretted & even received free dvds that I wished I hadn't watched afterwards, but on one particularly terrible day in 2000, I spent a whole dollar of my own hard-earned allowance on DUNGEONS & DRAGONS at my local Cinemark dollar theatre. It hurt so bad!
21) VAN JOHNSON
Though not my favorite Noir-- It doesn't get much better to me than Bogie as Sam Spade in MALTESE FALCON, and the way he and O'Shaughnessy bounce lines off each other. "Chances are you'll get off with life in prison. That means if you're a good girl, you'll be out in 20 years. I'll be waiting for you. If they hang you, I'll always remember you." And his expertly wry delivery. Classic ice-cool Bogart.
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 zombie Ken Foree tosses over the 2nd floor railing in Romero's classic DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978). It falls so lifelessly and ridiculous, and then 40mins later Savini actually falls over the same rails as a real stunt. Priceless movie treasure.
20) WHAT'S THE LEAST YOU'VE SPENT ON A FILM AND STILL REGRETTED IT?
I've gotten into a handful of free screenings of movies I've regretted & even received free dvds that I wished I hadn't watched afterwards, but on one particularly terrible day in 2000, I spent a whole dollar of my own hard-earned allowance on DUNGEONS & DRAGONS at my local Cinemark dollar theatre. It hurt so bad!
21) VAN JOHNSON
OR VAN HEFLIN?
I'll have The Van Heflin.
22) FAVORITE ALAN RUDOLPH?
Of the few I've seen, AFTERGLOW. Which features my favorite Julie Christie performance to date.
23) NAME A DOCUMENTARY THAT YOU BELIEVE MORE PEOPLE SHOULD SEE?
Too many to name honestly, but I really feel like I can't champion Laura Dunn's poetic THE UNFORESEEN enough.
I'll have The Van Heflin.
22) FAVORITE ALAN RUDOLPH?
Of the few I've seen, AFTERGLOW. Which features my favorite Julie Christie performance to date.
23) NAME A DOCUMENTARY THAT YOU BELIEVE MORE PEOPLE SHOULD SEE?
Too many to name honestly, but I really feel like I can't champion Laura Dunn's poetic THE UNFORESEEN enough.
24) IN DEFERENCE TO THIS QUIZ'S PROFESSOR, NAME A FAVORITE FILM WHICH REVOLVES AROUND SOMEONE STRANDED
You could argue that the film is more about walking than being stranded, but Gus Van Sant's haunting and enigmatic GERRY is my favourite.
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 used to go to Bible study with my girlfriend's late father and a group of his friends at our local Dixie House cafe. He being much older than the average teen's father, they were all a group of senior citizens and I in my early 20s. Afterwards, we would always talk about whatever topic and one day Favorite War Movies came up. They were always trying to remember what year this or that movie came out & who starred and directed & were very surprised by my nerdy encyclopedic recollection of all details from their favorite "old guy" pictures off the top of my head. Was like they had found their own movie trivia Rain Man. I was a little embarrassed when they started to put together the fact that I had way too much time on my hands in my private life.
You could argue that the film is more about walking than being stranded, but Gus Van Sant's haunting and enigmatic GERRY is my favourite.
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 used to go to Bible study with my girlfriend's late father and a group of his friends at our local Dixie House cafe. He being much older than the average teen's father, they were all a group of senior citizens and I in my early 20s. Afterwards, we would always talk about whatever topic and one day Favorite War Movies came up. They were always trying to remember what year this or that movie came out & who starred and directed & were very surprised by my nerdy encyclopedic recollection of all details from their favorite "old guy" pictures off the top of my head. Was like they had found their own movie trivia Rain Man. I was a little embarrassed when they started to put together the fact that I had way too much time on my hands in my private life.
26) ANN SHERIDAN
OR GERALDINE FITZGERALD?
I've had a crush on Ann Sheridan since I was old enough to get wood.... Which was 4 years ago!
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 Buelito, god rest his soul,. dead ringer for Anthony Quinn.
28) IS THERE A MOVIE YOU HAVE PURPOSELY AVOIDED SEEING? IF SO, WHY?
TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON aka THE TAINT LIGHT 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. Because I saw the first one.. So boring. And the two leads have forced on-screen chemistry.
29) MOVIE WITH THE MOST PALPABLE OR OTHERWISE EFFECTIVE WINTRY ATMOSPHERE OR AMBIENCE?
John Carpenter's THE THING almost makes you shiver in summertime.
30) GERRIT GRAHAM OR JEFFREY JONES?
Even though the scumbag got busted for despicable stuff, a few of Jones's characters will always have a fond place in my memory. Especially the moronic father in BEETLEJUICE.
31) THE BEST CINEMATIC ANTIDOTE TO A CULTURAL STEREOTYPE (SEXUAL, POLITICAL, REGIONAL, WHATEVER)
Sigourney Weaver in ALIENS (1986). Who says women can't be action film heroes? I'd take her over Arnie or Sly any day.
32) 2ND FAVORITE JOHN WAYNE MOVIE?
MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE (1962). THE SEARCHERS is numero uno. Need I say more, Pilgrim?
33) FAVORITE MOVIE CAR CHASE?
I love the way Frankenheimer shot his chase scenes in RONIN (1998). Especially the BMW VS Peugeot sequence.
34) IN THE SPIRIT OF HIS GIRL FRIDAY, PROPOSE A GENDER-SWITCHED REMAKE OF A CLASSIC
I've had a crush on Ann Sheridan since I was old enough to get wood.... Which was 4 years ago!
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 Buelito, god rest his soul,. dead ringer for Anthony Quinn.
28) IS THERE A MOVIE YOU HAVE PURPOSELY AVOIDED SEEING? IF SO, WHY?
TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON aka THE TAINT LIGHT 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. Because I saw the first one.. So boring. And the two leads have forced on-screen chemistry.
29) MOVIE WITH THE MOST PALPABLE OR OTHERWISE EFFECTIVE WINTRY ATMOSPHERE OR AMBIENCE?
John Carpenter's THE THING almost makes you shiver in summertime.
30) GERRIT GRAHAM OR JEFFREY JONES?
Even though the scumbag got busted for despicable stuff, a few of Jones's characters will always have a fond place in my memory. Especially the moronic father in BEETLEJUICE.
31) THE BEST CINEMATIC ANTIDOTE TO A CULTURAL STEREOTYPE (SEXUAL, POLITICAL, REGIONAL, WHATEVER)
Sigourney Weaver in ALIENS (1986). Who says women can't be action film heroes? I'd take her over Arnie or Sly any day.
32) 2ND FAVORITE JOHN WAYNE MOVIE?
MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE (1962). THE SEARCHERS is numero uno. Need I say more, Pilgrim?
33) FAVORITE MOVIE CAR CHASE?
I love the way Frankenheimer shot his chase scenes in RONIN (1998). Especially the BMW VS Peugeot sequence.
34) IN THE SPIRIT OF HIS GIRL FRIDAY, PROPOSE A GENDER-SWITCHED REMAKE OF A CLASSIC
Would like to see a remake of Lang's YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE (1937) with a lady in Fonda's role. Keep the depression era setting though. Possibly a lesbian romance?.
35) BARBARA RHOADES
35) BARBARA RHOADES
OR BARBARA FELDON?
Feldon.
36)
Feldon.
36)
FAVORITE ANDRE DE TOTH?
Though not his best, HOUSE OF WAX (1953) is my favorite. I can pop the dvd in anytime and have a good time.
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 OEVRE WOULD IT BE?
I guess Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Those jackasses make Uwe Boll look like Orson Welles. And there's nothing worse to me personally than comedy that is so overtly mean-spirited.
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?
DONNIE DARKO. I didn't quite understand where Richard Kelly's marvel of a debut was aesthetically or spiritually coming from as a kid, and simply brushed it off hipster quirk. Saw it again in 2004 and was completely captivated. Inspired, even.
39)
Though not his best, HOUSE OF WAX (1953) is my favorite. I can pop the dvd in anytime and have a good time.
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 OEVRE WOULD IT BE?
I guess Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Those jackasses make Uwe Boll look like Orson Welles. And there's nothing worse to me personally than comedy that is so overtly mean-spirited.
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?
DONNIE DARKO. I didn't quite understand where Richard Kelly's marvel of a debut was aesthetically or spiritually coming from as a kid, and simply brushed it off hipster quirk. Saw it again in 2004 and was completely captivated. Inspired, even.
39)
MAX OPHULS
OR MARCEL OPHULS?
Max Ophüls, no doubt.. MADAME DE is one of the best films ever made.
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 guess I would have to be Rembrandt cause we both have a fro and we have similar skin complexions. I would be a little less gay though. Well, maybe not.
Max Ophüls, no doubt.. MADAME DE is one of the best films ever made.
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 guess I would have to be Rembrandt cause we both have a fro and we have similar skin complexions. I would be a little less gay though. Well, maybe not.
41) FAVORITE MOVIE CLICHE?
I always get a kick out of when bad guys in action films are terrible shots with guns. The bullets or rockets always explode around the hero but never inflict any damage.
I always get a kick out of when bad guys in action films are terrible shots with guns. The bullets or rockets always explode around the hero but never inflict any damage.
42) VINCENTE MINNELLI
OR STANLEY DONEN?
Although I think Donen's SINGIN IN THE RAIN (1952) is the greatest musical ever made, I like many more of Vincent Minnelli's films. Especially MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944).
43) FAVORITE CHRISTMAS-THEMED HORROR MOVIE OR SEQUENCE?
Joe Dante's GREMLINS (1984). Especially the scene where the mom is attacked in the kitchen while "Do You Hear What I Hear" is playing on the phonograph.
44) FAVORITE MOMENT OF SELF- OR SELFLESS SACRIFICE IN A MOVIE?
Pvt. Witt at the end of THE THIN RED LINE (1998). Don't wanna spoil it, just watch the movie..
45) IF YOU WERE THE CINEMATIC SPANISH INQUISITION, WHICH MOVIE CULT (OR CULT MOVIE) WOULD YOU DECIMATE?
REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA .
46) CAROLINE MUNRO
Although I think Donen's SINGIN IN THE RAIN (1952) is the greatest musical ever made, I like many more of Vincent Minnelli's films. Especially MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944).
43) FAVORITE CHRISTMAS-THEMED HORROR MOVIE OR SEQUENCE?
Joe Dante's GREMLINS (1984). Especially the scene where the mom is attacked in the kitchen while "Do You Hear What I Hear" is playing on the phonograph.
44) FAVORITE MOMENT OF SELF- OR SELFLESS SACRIFICE IN A MOVIE?
Pvt. Witt at the end of THE THIN RED LINE (1998). Don't wanna spoil it, just watch the movie..
45) IF YOU WERE THE CINEMATIC SPANISH INQUISITION, WHICH MOVIE CULT (OR CULT MOVIE) WOULD YOU DECIMATE?
REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA .
46) CAROLINE MUNRO
OR VERONICA CARLSON?
Munro.
47) FAVORITE EYE-PATCH WEARING DIRECTOR?
Nick Ray without a doubt.. Fritz would be a close 2nd.
Munro.
47) FAVORITE EYE-PATCH WEARING DIRECTOR?
Nick Ray without a doubt.. Fritz would be a close 2nd.
48)
FAVORITE AMBIGUOUS
MOVIE ENDING?
The last act of CAST AWAY (2000). and the last 10 minutes resonates with me on a spiritual level.
49) IN GIVING THANKS FOR MOVIES THIS YEAR, WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR?
I'm thankful for Sam Raimi making a punch-drunk horror comeback with DRAG ME TO HELL and for the cinematic arrival of Duncan Jones and his heady sci-fi romp MOON. Also thankful for Netflix releasing "watch-instantly" on the Playstation 3.
50)
The last act of CAST AWAY (2000). and the last 10 minutes resonates with me on a spiritual level.
49) IN GIVING THANKS FOR MOVIES THIS YEAR, WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR?
I'm thankful for Sam Raimi making a punch-drunk horror comeback with DRAG ME TO HELL and for the cinematic arrival of Duncan Jones and his heady sci-fi romp MOON. Also thankful for Netflix releasing "watch-instantly" on the Playstation 3.
50)
GEORGE KENNEDY
OR ALAN NORTH?
George.
(Feel free to post your answers in the comments section below. I'd like to hear how you guys would respond.)
George.
(Feel free to post your answers in the comments section below. I'd like to hear how you guys would respond.)
