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May 2014
News and pop quizzes from your American Film Institute.
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5.31.14: IT’S CLINT EASTWOOD’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
During the first two and a half years of its seven-year run, the title of every episode of RAWHIDE, starring Eastwood as Rowdy Yates, began with the same word. Name it.
Correct! The first episode was "Incident of the Tumblewood."
Incorrect. The correct answer is incident. The first episode was "Incident of the Tumblewood."
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WHAT’S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following song lyrics:
"There's a lot to be said for the Nazis/They are bringing the press into line/They have modernized the cinema/The radio and the Rhine..."
Correct! Peter Donat sings the lyric as Reed Channing in the 1975 film written by Richard Levinson & William Link and Nelson Gidding, based on a book by Michael M. Mooney.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE HINDENBURG. Peter Donat sings the lyric as Reed Channing in the 1975 film written by Richard Levinson & William Link and Nelson Gidding, based on a book by Michael M. Mooney.
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PLACE THE FACE
Drag the headshot below into the correct film poster from one of the artist's movies and the name of the artist will appear below.
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George Chakiris won the Academy Award® for Best Performance in a Supporting Role as Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, in WEST SIDE STORY (1961).
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COMMON DENOMINATOR
What search term or story element do the following movies have in common?
SEX KITTENS GO TO COLLEGE, MACBETH, THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE, STRANGE INTRUDER
Correct! The AFI Catalog lists 26 films with this story element.
Incorrect. The correct answer is sleepwalking. The AFI Catalog lists 26 films with this story element.
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5.27.14: IT’S CHRISTOPHER LEE’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the James Bond villain played by Lee.
Correct! The character appears in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Scaramanga. The character appears in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN.
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5.26.14: IT’S HELENA BONHAM CARTER’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
In what film did Carter play a character named Marla Singer?
Correct! Marla Singer is the lover of Brad Pitt's character, Tyler.
Incorrect. The correct answer is FIGHT CLUB. Marla Singer is the lover of Brad Pitt's character, Tyler.
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THREE-FILM MONTE
Drag the following films into the chronological order of their theatrical release:
Note: The boxes will turn green when the answer is correct; red, when incorrect.
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WHAT’S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following dialogue:
"You think this man is the enemy? Huh? This is a worker! Any union keeps this man out ain't a union, it's a goddam club! They got you fightin' white against colored, native against foreign, hollow against hollow, when you know there ain't but two sides in this world – them that work and them that don't. You work, they don't. That's all you get to know about the enemy."
Correct! Chris Cooper delivers this speech as labor organizer Joe Kenehan from director John Sayles' 1987 screenplay.
Incorrect. The correct answer is MATEWAN. Chris Cooper delivers this speech as labor organizer Joe Kenehan from director John Sayles' 1987 screenplay.
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PLACE THE FACE
Drag the headshot below into the correct film poster from one of the artist's movies and the name of the artist will appear below.
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Julie Taymor is an American stage and film director. Her films include FRIDA and THE TEMPEST. Released in 2007, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE features the music of The Beatles.
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COMMON DENOMINATOR
What search term or story element do the following movies have in common?
AGAINST A CROOKED SKY, KLONDIKE KATE, HERE WE GO AGAIN, RENFREW OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED
Correct! Our AFI Catalog search yielded one more title of a film with "totem pole" in its summary: EYES OF THE TOTEM from 1927.
Incorrect. The correct answer is totem pole. Our AFI Catalog search yielded one more title of a film with "totem pole" in its summary: EYES OF THE TOTEM from 1927.
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WHAT’S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following dialogue:
"Perfection is not just about control. It's also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience. Transcendence! Very few have it in them."
Correct! Artistic Director Thomas Leroy played by Vincent Cassel says this to ballerina Nina Sayers played by Natalie Portman in the screenplay written by Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz and John J. McLaughlin.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE BLACK SWAN. Artistic Director Thomas Leroy played by Vincent Cassel says this to ballerina Nina Sayers played by Natalie Portman in the screenplay written by Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz and John J. McLaughlin.
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5.20.14: IT’S CHER’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
What year does the film MERMAIDS (1990) take place?
Correct! The film is set around the time of the Kennedy assassination.
Incorrect. The correct answer is 1963. The film is set around the time of the Kennedy assassination.
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PLACE THE FACE
Drag the headshot below into the correct film poster from one of the artist's movies and the name of the artist will appear below.
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Peter Ustinov (1921-2004), an actor, director and writer, won two Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscars® for TOPKAPI and SPARTACUS.
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5.18.14: IT’S TINA FEY’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Fey plays a math teacher.
Correct! She plays Ms. Norbury who is accused of selling drugs in the 2004 comedy.
Incorrect. The correct answer is MEAN GIRLS. She plays Ms. Norbury who is accused of selling drugs in the 2004 comedy.
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COMMON DENOMINATOR
What search term or story element do the following movies have in common?
INTO THE WILD, PIPE DREAMS, NORTH COUNTRY, RED SNOW
Correct! All are set in what is now the 49th state.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Alaska. All are set in what is now the 49th state.
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5.16.14: IT’S PIERCE BROSNAN’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Brosnan's character refers to himself as "a facilitator of fatalities."
Correct! For his role as hit man Julian Noble, Brosnan was nominated for a Golden Globe Award®.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE MATADOR. For his role as hit man Julian Noble, Brosnan was nominated for a Golden Globe Award®.
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THREE-FILM MONTE
Drag the following films into the chronological order of their theatrical release:
Note: The boxes will turn green when the answer is correct; red, when incorrect.
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5.14.14: IT’S GEORGE LUCAS’ BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
What does THX 1138 signify in the 1971 Lucas film by that title?
Correct! Robert Duvall plays the role.
Incorrect. The correct answer is the ID of a worker who handles radioactive materials. Robert Duvall plays the role.
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WHAT’S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following dialogue:
"The main trouble is there are too many people who don't know where they're going and they want to get there too fast!"
Correct! James Gleason as Sylvester utters the line in the screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood and Leonardo Bercovici.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE BISHOP'S WIFE. James Gleason as Sylvester utters the line in the screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood and Leonardo Bercovici.
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PLACE THE FACE
Drag the headshot below into the correct film poster from one of the artist's movies and the name of the artist will appear below.
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Steve McQueen (1930-1980) was an ultra-hip leading man of the ‘60s and ‘70s. He was nominated for an Academy Award® for his role in THE SAND PEBBLES.
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COMMON DENOMINATOR
What search term or story element do the following movies have in common?
PAPILLON, MONDO CANE, FRIDA, VANISHING WILDERNESS
Correct! They appear variously on a tattoo, a dinner plate, a body cast and, as one might expect, in a nature documentary.
Incorrect. The correct answer is butterflies. They appear variously on a tattoo, a dinner plate, a body cast and, as one might expect, in a nature documentary.
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THREE-FILM MONTE
Drag the following films into the chronological order of their theatrical release:
Note: The boxes will turn green when the answer is correct; red, when incorrect.
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5.9.14: IT’S CANDICE BERGEN’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the character Bergen played both on television and in the movies.
Correct! Bergen played Carrie's editor at Vogue in both the TV and film versions of SEX AND THE CITY.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Enid Frick. Bergen played Carrie's editor at Vogue in both the TV and film versions of SEX AND THE CITY.
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WHAT’S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following dialogue:
What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient... highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it's almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed – fully understood – that sticks; right in there somewhere.
Correct! Leonardo di Caprio says it as Cobb, a thief of subconscious ideas, in the screenplay by Christopher Nolan.
Incorrect. The correct answer is INCEPTION. Leonardo di Caprio says it as Cobb, a thief of subconscious ideas, in the screenplay by Christopher Nolan.
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PLACE THE FACE
Drag the headshot below into the correct film poster from one of the artist's movies and the name of the artist will appear below.
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Sharon Stone plays Lori, who is married to Arnold Schwarznegger’s character, Douglas Quaid/Hauser, in the 1990 sci-fi adventure.
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5.6.14: IT’S GEORGE CLOONEY’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Before becoming a film star, Clooney appeared in several TV series. In which series did he appear in the most number of episodes?
Correct! Clooney appeared in 19 episodes as Detective James Falconer.
Incorrect. The correct answer is SISTERS. Clooney appeared in 19 episodes as Detective James Falconer.
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COMMON DENOMINATOR
What search term or story element do the following movies have in common?
THIEF, THE CHEAP DETECTIVE, UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT, FAMILY PLOT
Correct! The AFI Catalog summary of each film contains the word.
Incorrect. The correct answer is diamonds. The AFI Catalog summary of each film contains the word.
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THREE-FILM MONTE
Drag the following films into the chronological order of their theatrical release:
Note: The boxes will turn green when the answer is correct; red, when incorrect.
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WHAT'S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following dialogue.
"That is what I love you for. That I can make fun of you."
Correct! Elizabeth Taylor's Frances Andros says this to Richard Burton as her husband Paul Andros in the script by Terence Rattigan.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE V.I.P.s. Elizabeth Taylor's Frances Andros says this to Richard Burton as her husband Paul Andros in the script by Terence Rattigan.
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PLACE THE FACE
Drag the headshot below into the correct film poster from one of the artist's movies and the name of the artist will appear below.
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Bob Balaban is an American character actor known for such films as CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, GOSFORD PARK and BEST IN SHOW. He played folk concert promoter Jonathan Steinbloom in A MIGHTY WIND.
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5.1.14: IT’S WES ANDERSON’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the Anderson film in which a girl is costumed as a raven.
Correct! Suzy is costumed as a raven for a production of "Noyye's Fludd" when Sam first meets her in the girls' dressing room.
Incorrect. The correct answer is MOONRISE KINGDOM. Suzy is costumed as a raven for a production of "Noyye's Fludd" when Sam first meets her in the girls' dressing room.
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DEADLINE LOOMS FOR MEMBER SEAT BENEFIT AT FONDA TRIBUTE
AFI members have until May 15 either to upgrade or join at the 5-Star level to qualify for the member seat benefit at AFI's 42nd Life Achievement Award Tribute honoring Jane Fonda on June 5. These complimentary tickets to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood include Mezzanine 1 seating with a private black tie reception, tribute show and keepsake tribute book. Look at how much fun the people in these photos from last year's tribute are having!
Now it's your turn. Click the renew/upgrade or the join option here, or call the Membership line at 1.800.774.4234.
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AFI MEMBERS ARE FIRST IN LINE FOR AFI DOCS TICKETS
Held annually in the nation's capital, AFI DOCS will take place June 18-22, 2014. The festival presents the year's best documentaries – a diverse slate ranging in topics from national politics, education and health to films on music, sports, nature and culture. Screenings and events take place in Penn Quarter as well as the AFI Silver Theater. The member advance ticket window for AFI DOCS will be open May 28-June 1 while tickets go on sale to the general public on June 2. Even better, 2-Star members and higher receive a 10% discount on festival passes – yet another reason to join AFI or upgrade your membership today.
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WIDE SHOT (WEB STORIES THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE)
What's your favorite hotel? Do you have clever things to say about the Algonquin in New York? Do your memories revolve around the Carousel Bar at the French Quarter's Hotel Monteleone? Do you even remember where you stayed in Vegas? How about your favorite movie hotel? This list of seven locations from a filmschoolrejects.com pictorial ought to get the conversation started. "Hey, what about the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel…and the Grand Budapest…and don't overlook the Overlook!"
filmschoolrejects.com/features/7-movie-hotels-we-want-a-reservation-for.phpMatthew Dessem's piece from thedissolve.com shines a light on the important work of film preservation and the tough decisions facing today's archivists. So if you want to grasp this important subject and find out what LTO stands for, read on.
thedissolve.com/features/exposition/429-film-preservation-20/Film poster art continues to excite us. Yes, we've covered the subject in these pages before, but here's an entirely new batch of graphics from Scene 360, the online Film and Arts magazine, that will flood your bloodstream with those marvelous movie endorphins.
illusion.scene360.com/design/56838/cool-movie-posters-of-2014/ -
AFI CLOSEUP: LINDA ARELLANO
Linda Arellano, Manager of AFI Productions, manages to smile at her editing console even when she's "slammed" by a busy production schedule. We managed a few minutes with her in her second floor office in the Manor House on the Institute's Hollywood campus where film posters celebrating ROCKY and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND fill one wall, and a set piece from the 2004 AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Meryl Streep leans against another.
Where did you grow up? I was born in Nayarit, Mexico, but I came here when I was four years old with my family, and I've been a Californian ever since.
Where did you go to school? I went to Cal State, Northridge – in the Valley. I got a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Television Arts.
Is that where you learned to edit film and video? It is. The program I was in is called Multimedia Production. As part of the course requirement, I took all sorts of different classes – screenwriting, editing, even Web design.
What did you do before you came to AFI? While I was in college, I worked at an optometry office as a receptionist and a technician. I would do all the preliminary tests patients have done before getting an eye exam and help people choose their glasses.
Still trying to get the picture right? Yes.
How long have you been at AFI? I've been here about seven years.
What do you do at AFI? I'm the Manager of AFI Productions. In addition to managing day to day operations of the office, I work as an editor and assistant editor on a variety of projects throughout the year. This includes any of our television shows like the AFI Life Achievement Award, events like AFI Fest, as well as any videos we're asked to create for internal use.
What was your best day at AFI? I would say it was probably my first AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Mike Nichols in 2010. I didn't work on the production side as much back then. My time was divided between AFI Productions and AFI Special Events. And it was my first real taste of what it took to put that show together for that big day. It was just really exciting to see what was happening on both sides, and to see it all come together.
What editing job are you most proud of? By far, it's been the montage for AFI Awards, the March of Time. That's an historical montage featuring clips from the past 10 decades of film production, this year counting from 1914, then 1924, et cetera.
This year's was fantastic, by the way. Thank you. It's always so amazing to go back and see all the films from decades ago, to experience, to look through, to find a clip that's representative of that film and that time. The emotion that comes through in that montage is always unbelievable. And we get a lot of compliments for it.
Do your clips appear on the AFI website, AFI.com? They do. For example, after AFI AWARDS, we place the March of Time montage and interviews with artists online. AFI Awards is a much more low-key event that's not televised or open to the public, but it's so much fun for the artists and it's great to provide an inside look at what went on for everybody who was not able to attend. It's also right at the beginning of awards season, so people get to see some great stuff. The artists always talk about films that will probably win Oscars® later on. It's just a lot of fun. We also get to show things from the AFI Archive in American Film™ that a lot of people have never seen before, which is really great. I think it's really valuable for the members and the film community at large.
What are you working on today? Actually, we just shot a fourth episode of AFI'S MASTER CLASS. That's a series of specials devoted to collaboration presented by Turner Classic Movies. We shot yesterday, so today I'm doing a little bit of assistant editing for that – importing and looking through footage.
What don't your colleagues know about you? I don't think a lot of people know that I had a brief stint as a thespian. I did a lot of plays my junior and senior year of high school, and I took some theater classes in college before I chose my major. I played Sandy in my high school's rendition of "Grease."
What's your favorite movie? There are a lot of favorites because I love watching movies. I love a lot of movies that just bring me in emotionally and I can just get wrapped up in. But one of the first that I felt that way about was AMÉLIE [2001]. I think it was because I saw this character that I had never seen on the screen before who was quirky and did things like sticking her hand in a bag of beans because she liked the feeling. She noticed things that most people don't notice about other people – just everyday things around her and in the environment. And I just remember being in awe of that and the color and the inventiveness. It just came together in that film really nicely.
Did you relate to that character personally? I kind of did, yeah. She's odd and thinks about the world a little differently than probably most people do. I understand that. She's also a great hero to look up to.
