Tag: 2008

Quiz: Movies ’08, In Memoriam Montage Edition

6-February-09 / James Callan

Round 7 at the Old Pequliar on Jan. 6, 2009

For a half point each, identify the movie each question is asking about, and the star from that movie who died in 2008.

1) What 2008 blockbuster is now the second-highest-grossing film domestically, second only toÂ Titanic?

2) The first movie to earn $100 million at the box office, and the highest-grossing film before Star Wars, was what 1975 horror film?

3) What 2002 documentary inspired a 13-minute ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, and a chorus of boos and cheers at the 2003 Academy Awards ceremony?

4) The screenplay for what dark 2003 Christmas comedy received an uncredited rewrite from Joel and Ethan Coen?

5) What 1999 drama, its director’s final film, originally featured Harvey Keitel and Jennifer Jason Leigh, who had to be replaced because of the long production?

6) Rotten Tomatoes says Sylvester Stallone’s worst movie is The Specialist, but in Stallone’s opinion, his worst is what 1992 comedy where he plays a police detective?

7) Fantagraphics’ most popular graphic novel ever was re-released this year in a Special Edition that included the screenplay for what 2001 coming-of-age comedy/drama?

8) According to Debbie Reynolds, the two hardest things she had to do in her life were childbirth and making what classic 1952 musical?

9) Called Kingdom of the Sun when production started, what 2000 animated movie generated a direct-to-DVD sequel focused on the character Kronk, as well as a TV series?

10) On the American Film Institute’s list of the top American comedy films, what 1974 film beat out Young Frankenstein as the funniest by Mel Brooks?

Quiz: Politics ’08

6-February-09 / James Callan

Round 6 at the Old Pequliar on Jan. 6, 2009
Average score:

1) In August, Obama denied having an “e-mail relationship” with what famous young attractive supporter?

2) What name completes this quartet: Sidney, Louise, Robinette, and what?

3) The Republican National Convention got started a day late because of what natural disaster?

4) After Prop. 8 passed, what prominent official encouraged gay marriage advocates to “never give up. They should be on it and on it until they get it done”?

5) She didn’t buy the $250 cookie recipe, but what department store was nonetheless the biggest recipient of Sarah Palin’s wardrobe shopping spree?

6) What financial services company was not too big to fail, declaring bankruptcy the same day John McCain declared that the “fundamentals of our economy are strong”?

7) John McCain said “I’ll have my staff get to you” when Politico asked him about what?

8) Early in December, Barack Obama caused a minor kerfuffle when he was spotted using what device during his cardio workout?

9) “There’s a place in Hell reserved for women who don’t support other women,” said Sarah Palin, sharing a Madeline Albright quote that she’d recently discovered where?

10) What esteemed fake president did Paris Hilton consult for advice on her campaign for the fake presidency?

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Quiz: Seattle 2008

18-January-09 / James Callan

Round 2 at the Old Pequliar on Jan. 6, 2009
Average score: 7.67/10 (21 teams)

1) Thanks to a corrupted computer file, Pyro Spectaculars had to manually do what?
2) Who declared on Western Washington billboards that “four dollars is dumb” and “large is the new grande”?
3) What local sports franchise was defeated in round 1 of the Northwest Knockdown championships by a team from Chicago?
4) In January, local women Anne Levinson, Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder, and Dawn Trudeau banded together to buy what?
5) After Bill Gates mostly retired from Microsoft, he appeared in a TV commercial shopping for shoes with what ’90s celebrity?
6) What were Barons, Bison, Energy, Marshalls, and Wind?
7) Two Seattle-based Fortune 500 companies were acquired by other companies last year. Name the two companies, for a half point each.
8) A Rainier Beach resident died after being punched in the face during an argument that started because he was tending a garden he’d planted where?
9) Local resident Casey Knowles made news when footage of her sleeping turned up in a commercial for what?
10) Which presidential candidate won February’s Washington Republican caucus?

Quiz: International News 2008

18-January-09 / James Callan

Round 1 at the Old Pequliar on Jan. 6, 2009
Average score: 7.24/10 (21 teams)

The first quiz of 2009 was entirely devoted to stuff that happened in 2008.

1) Come this January 20th, who’s going to be living at 10141 Daria Place, Dallas, TX?
2) As of February, whose only remaining title is First Secretary of the Communist Party of his country?
3) A factory girl working on a Chinese assembly line had her smile splashed ’round the Internet when a British man discovered 3 photos of her the first time he turned on what device?
4) Scientists at UC Berkeley announced that they’d invented what Harry Potter-esque article of clothing?
5) In February, Kosovo declared its independence from what country?
6) What country currently has troops scheduled in Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
7) When Pope Benedict XVI visited the US in April, representatives of what religion were invited for the first time to an ecumenical prayer service with the pope?
8) In March, Chloe Marshall became the first of what kind of model to make the finals to the Miss England contest?
9) China won more Gold medals than any other Asian nation at the 2008 Olympics. Which Asian nation came in second, including Golds in men’s and women’s archery, men’s taekwando, and men’s baseball?
10) In September, the view from Little Diomede island became famous because of what unusual characteristic?

The Year in Questions

31-December-08 / James Callan

A whole bunch of very good questions I’ll try not to repeat on my 2008-in-review quiz next Tuesday*.

Ben Schott, you’ve done it again.

*January 6 at the Old Pequliar in Seattle. If you’re in town, come!