mighty fine trivia by James Callan

Tag: star wars

Quiz: Movies ’08, In Memoriam Montage Edition

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 to  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?

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Quiz: Speak German in 10 Easy Lessons

Round 2 at the Old Pequliar on October 7, 2008

The correct answer to each of these questions will be a German loanword — that is, a German word adopted into English, such as zeitgeist or schadenfreude.

1) In heavy metal, once you “get the led out,” what are you left with? 
2) You can support humanitarian clowning at what Patch Adams institute that takes its name from a common blessing?
3) Though he doesn’t have a lot in common with the Rosenheim manifestation, or the Freeling family’s “TV people,” in the Harry Potter universe, Peeves is what kind of magical creature?
4) Nixon went to China because of what pragmatic diplomatic policy advocated by Henry Kissinger?
5) A German who longs to see the world would say they’ve got Fernweh. But an American a yen for travel–or Bjork, R.E.M., or Megadeth–says they have what desire instead?
6) What subgenre of electronica gets its name because it incorporates sounds like CD skipping, hardware noise, system errors, and other technological malfunctions?
7) It could have been named for Engis, Belgium or Forbes’ Quarry, Gibraltar, but what extinct species instead takes its name from the German valley where the third fossil specimen was discovered?
8) Oval, D, offset-D, and pear are four common shapes of what piece of equipment that often holds mountain climbers, cavers, or keys?
9) John Williams put the opera in space opera by composing what Wagnerian themes for Luke, Leia, Darth Vader, Yoda, the droids, and even the Jawas?
10) “Don’t hit people,” “be aware of wonder,” and “flush” are three lifelong lessons Robert Fulghum first learned where?

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Movies

1) John Mayer’s Grammy-winning 2003 hit single does not appear in what drama inspired by porn star John Holmes that was released the same year?
2) Wes Craven directed again, but Kevin Williamson had to let someone else write the screenplay for what 2000 film in which, as one character puts it, “all bets are off”?
3) What 2003 sequel is the second film in which Demi Moore kills Bruce Willis — but the first one where she does it after their divorce?
4) In what 1986 film — one of his funny ones — is Woody Allen’s character saved from suicide when he watches the Marx Brothers film Duck Soup?
5) What 2001 comedy features Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gus Van Sant on the set of Good Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season?
6) The fictional band Ming Tea, featuring Susannah Hoffs and Matthew Sweet, performs musical interludes and the song “BBC” in what 1997 comedy?
7) What 1980 comedy included so many car crashes it ended up in the Guinness Book of World Records–until it was dethroned by its own sequel 18 years later?
8) Harry Connick, Jr., won his first Grammy for his jazz male vocal performance on the soundtrack of what 1989 comedy?
9) In 1977, Pauline Kael wrote: “The film is enjoyable in its own terms, but it’s exhausting, too: like taking a pack of kids to the circus. There’s no breather in the picture, no lyricism; the only attempt at beauty is in the image of a double sunset.” What film was she dissecting?
10) What actor or actress appeared in all nine of these movies?

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