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July 2014
News and pop quizzes from your American Film Institute.
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WIDE SHOT (WEB STORIES THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE)
Sam Ashurst paid tribute to British actor Bob Hoskins (THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT) in this retrospective of “Five Essential Roles” in totalfilm.com. Hoskins died of pneumonia on April 29 at age 71. Best known for his Cockney and gangster roles, his breakthrough came in the British television version of Dennis Potter’s fantasy-drama, PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (1978).
totalfilm.com/features/bob-hoskins-five-essential-rolesIn this month’s cover story, actor Ellar Coltrane (BOYHOOD) names BLUE RUIN, a revenge thriller, as one of his favorite new films. That made us take notice of the interview with BLUE RUIN director/screenwriter Jeremy Saulnier and actor Macon Blair in filmthreat.com. They talk about unchartered territory for screen violence, exposition, Cannes and Kickstarter — a must read for indie fans.
filmthreat.com/interviews/76499/From the British Film Institute (BFI) website, here’s a collection of video interviews in which TV celebrities and LGBT activists discuss their favorite gay films on the occasion of the British Flare: London LGBT Film Festival held in the spring. Among the films cited are: IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK 2 (2000) starring Ellen DeGeneres and Sharon Stone, BEAUTIFUL THING (1996) with Glen Berry and Linda Henry and, intriguingly, REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955) starring Natalie Wood, James Dean and Sal Mineo.
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AFI CLOSEUP: TOM WEST
Tom West, Chief Advancement Officer of the American Film Institute, occupies an eclectic office on the second floor of the Warner Bros. Building on the AFI Campus in Hollywood. In addition to film posters for STEEL MAGNOLIAS, THE THIEF OF BAGDAD and SAFETY LAST!, West displays autographed artwork from events presented by a previous employer — the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC — including "Capturing Nureyev: Jamie Wyeth Paints the Dancer," "Country Music Festival" and "The Mark Twain Prize for Humor."
What do you do at AFI? The job is Advancement, which means finding the resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. What it boils down to is: I’m responsible for all fundraising, all special events and building relationships with organizations and individuals around the country who believe in what we do...and giving them the chance to connect with their passion for the movies in new ways.
What was your best day at AFI? The best day would probably be the day we secured the first fully endowed scholarship for the Conservatory. It’ll be there forever...making it possible for one AFI Fellow each year to attend the Conservatory without the challenge of tuition payments.
Who made that gift? The parents of an alumna, a couple named Jim and Maureen Hackett. Their daughter Mosie Hackett [AFI Class of 2010] was a Screenwriting Fellow at AFI and they wanted to be able to help other talented filmmakers who couldn’t see their way financially to come to a program like AFI without help. The first Hackett Fellow graduated just a few weeks ago and can now pursue work without the burden of student loans. Well, that gift inspired a Trustee to give a second full scholarship, and soon after...the AFI Chairman, Bob Daly, launched a Scholarship Challenge that nearly quadrupled scholarship funding for AFI. I love when very generous people inspire others to go further.
What are you working on today? AFI DOCS, for the most part, and planning for next year. It takes a lot of funders to make a major film festival possible — and there are a lot of moving pieces — from being sure the recognition and stewardship elements are ready, that invitations are ready, lists are correct, things like that. Also finding that last bit of funding.
What aspect of the AFI Mission do you most identify with? It’s education. Hands down, it’s education. You know, the movies have the power to do a lot of things — to inspire us, to bring us together. But the idea that you can take an art form and have people learn through it and experience how we’re living through it — that’s very powerful to me. And my background is the arts and arts education. That’s the thing that drew me here.
How long have you been at AFI? I arrived the first day of AFI FEST in 2010.
What did you do before you came to AFI? What didn’t I do? I worked at the Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra, I was the head of Development for the Segerstrom Center. I am a reformed actor. I did singing telegrams. I was in industrial sales in the deep, deep South — lower Alabama, lower Mississippi, and the Panhandle of Florida. I’ve been a bartender and waiter, a set-dresser, and I worked in an art gallery. Every role taught me something I use every day.
Where did you grow up? Just outside Nashville, Tennessee.
Did you go to school there? Elementary through high school. I went to college at Baylor University for two years, and then finished at the University of Florida.
What don’t your colleagues know about you? Oh, so many things! That I did singing telegrams is one.
Who would you cast to play you in the film story of your life? Wow...Steve James [AMERICAN NINJA], maybe? He’s sort of a big, funny, happy guy. I never thought my life would be interesting enough to be on film.
What’s your favorite movie? An unfair question...I have many favorites — in different ways. STEEL MAGNOLIAS is probably the film closest to my heart...growing up in a Southern family...those women were all archetypes of women that raised me. ALL ABOUT EVE, I will watch anytime, anywhere. What I love about a classic film like ALL ABOUT EVE or PHILADELPHIA STORY is the banter and the wit and the smartness of the characters. And life — even the mundane [part] of life — was beautiful. I thought that was brilliant.
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7.31.14: IT’S WESLEY SNIPES’ BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film for which Snipes won the 2011 Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Correct! Snipes plays Caz, an ex-con and friend to an undercover cop played by Don Cheadle
Incorrect. The correct answer is BROOKLYN’S FINEST. Snipes plays Caz, an ex-con and friend to an undercover cop played by Don Cheadle
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7.30.14: IT’S ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Schwarzenegger made an uncredited appearance during his second term as California’s governor.
Correct! He played the role of Trench, which he reprised – this time with credit ¬– in THE EXPENDABLES 2 after he had left office.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE EXPENDABLES. He played the role of Trench, which he reprised – this time with credit ¬– in THE EXPENDABLES 2 after he had left office.
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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:
"She will tear up the whole town until she finds Harry."
Correct! The prediction of Dr. Isaac Cushing in the screenplay by Mark Hanna proves to be literally true.
Incorrect. The correct answer is ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN. The prediction of Dr. Isaac Cushing in the screenplay by Mark Hanna proves to be literally true.
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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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Tilda Swinton, a Scottish actress and model, won the Oscar® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as a corporate executive in MICHAEL CLAYTON (2007).
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7.26.14: IT’S SANDRA BULLOCK’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the Bullock film that’s partially set in Alaska.
Correct! She plays a Canadian-born editor who forces her assistant to marry her to avoid deportation and visits his family in Sitka.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE PROPOSAL. She plays a Canadian-born editor who forces her assistant to marry her to avoid deportation and visits his family in Sitka.
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COMMON DENOMINATOR
What search term or story element do the following movies have in common?
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, CARRIAGE TRADE, TIP ON A DEAD JOCKEY, SECRETS OF THE GODS
Correct! The location plays a role in each of the films along with many others that have Cleopatra and mummy in their titles.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Egypt. The location plays a role in each of the films along with many others that have Cleopatra and mummy in their titles.
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7.24.14: IT’S JENNIFER LOPEZ’ BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Lopez’ character asks, “What color are my eyes?”
Correct! Michael Vartan, as Dr. Kevin Fields, answers correctly and in exquisite detail in the 2005 film.
Incorrect. The correct answer is MONSTER-IN-LAW. Michael Vartan, as Dr. Kevin Fields, answers correctly and in exquisite detail in the 2005 film.
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7.23.14: IT’S DANIEL RADCLIFFE’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Before he became famous as Harry Potter, Radcliffe appeared as a Dickens character in a television movie. Name him.
Correct! In 1999, he played the young David Copperfield in a cast that included Ian McKellen and Maggie Smith.
Incorrect. The correct answer is David Copperfield. In 1999, he played the young David Copperfield in a cast that included Ian McKellen and Maggie Smith.
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7.22.14: IT’S DANNY GLOVER’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the country in which his film BOESMAN AND LENA (2000) takes place.
Correct! Glover played Boesman opposite Angela Bassett in the film based on Athol Fugard’s play, which was adapted by director John Berry.
Incorrect. The correct answer is South Africa. Glover played Boesman opposite Angela Bassett in the film based on Athol Fugard’s play, which was adapted by director John Berry.
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7.21.14: IT’S ROBIN WILLIAMS’ BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Who played Williams’ love interest in THE BIRDCAGE?
Correct! Williams and Lane play a gay couple attempting to act straight in order to win the approval of a conservative couple.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Nathan Lane. Williams and Lane play a gay couple attempting to act straight in order to win the approval of a conservative couple.
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WHAT’S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following dialogue:
"There is now, in my mouth, this sharp chain — and it never comes out."
Correct! The line is spoken by psychiatrist Martin Dysart played by Richard Burton in the screenplay by Peter Shaffer, based on his play.
Incorrect. The correct answer is EQUUS. The line is spoken by psychiatrist Martin Dysart played by Richard Burton in the screenplay by Peter Shaffer, based on his play.
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7.19.14: IT’S BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the scientist Cumberbatch played in a 2004 TV movie.
Correct! The film’s title was HAWKING and Cumberbatch was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award as Best Actor in the title role.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Stephen Hawking. The film’s title was HAWKING and Cumberbatch was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award as Best Actor in the title role.
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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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7.17.14: IT’S DONALD SUTHERLAND’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Sutherland once claimed that his breakthrough came as “one of the bottom six.” What film was he referring to?
Correct! He played the mentally slow Vernon Pinkley in the 1967 war adventure.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE DIRTY DOZEN. He played the mentally slow Vernon Pinkley in the 1967 war adventure.
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7.16.14: IT’S WILL FERRELL’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Which American president did Ferrell play on the TV series DRUNK HISTORY?
Correct! He also played George W. Bush in several other TV shows.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Abraham Lincoln. He also played George W. Bush in several other TV shows.
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7.15.14: IT’S FOREST WHITAKER’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Whitaker plays a famous jazz musician.
Correct! Whitaker plays saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker in the 1988 Clint Eastwood film.
Incorrect. The correct answer is BIRD. Whitaker plays saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker in the 1988 Clint Eastwood film.
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7.14.14: IT’S JANE LYNCH’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Lynch plays a Mother Superior.
Correct! Lynch’s character runs the orphanage where the stooges grew up.
Incorrect. The correct answer is THE THREE STOOGES. Lynch’s character runs the orphanage where the stooges grew up.
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7.13.14: IT’S HARRISON FORD’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which the character played by Ford is in Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Correct! Ford plays Brooklyn Dodgers team executive Branch Rickey who broke the color barrier in baseball by hiring Jackie Robinson.
Incorrect. The correct answer is 42. Ford plays Brooklyn Dodgers team executive Branch Rickey who broke the color barrier in baseball by hiring Jackie Robinson.
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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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Mickey Spillane (1918-2006) wrote the screenplay and starred as hard-boiled private eye Mike Hammer in this 1963 film directed by Roy Rowland.
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COMMON DENOMINATOR
What search term or story element do the following movies have in common?
SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT; BLUE SUNSHINE; THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN; TALES FROM THE CRYPT
Correct! In the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 17 film summaries contain the phrase, including these four.
Incorrect. The correct answer is homicidal maniac. In the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 17 film summaries contain the phrase, including these four.
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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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7.9.14: IT’S TOM HANKS’ BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Who directed Hanks in his first feature film?
Correct! The film was HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE, a 1980 horror film about a serial killer who stalks bridal parties.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Armand Mastroianni. The film was HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE, a 1980 horror film about a serial killer who stalks bridal parties.
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7.8.14: IT’S KEVIN BACON’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Bacon's character is hypnotized.
Correct! After he's hypnotized by his sister-in-law, Bacon's character, Tom Witzky, starts to see haunting visions of a girl's ghost in the 1999 horror mystery.
Incorrect. The correct answer is STIR OF ECHOES. After he's hypnotized by his sister-in-law, Bacon's character, Tom Witzky, starts to see haunting visions of a girl's ghost in the 1999 horror mystery.
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WHAT’S THAT FROM?
Name the movie that includes the following dialogue:
"If you are fighting, stop fighting. If you are marching, stop marching. Come back to me. Come back to me is my request."
Correct! Nicole Kidman makes this request as Ada in the film set during the waning days of the Civil War. The screenplay is by director Anthony Minghella from the book by Charles Frazier.
Incorrect. The correct answer is COLD MOUNTAIN. Nicole Kidman makes this request as Ada in the film set during the waning days of the Civil War. The screenplay is by director Anthony Minghella from the book by Charles Frazier.
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7.6.14: IT'S SYLVESTER STALLONE'S BIRTHDAY! LET'S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Which Stallone film recently opened on Broadway as a musical?
Correct! The show stars Andy Karl as fighter Rocky Balboa. Stallone co-wrote the book with Thomas Meehan.
Incorrect. The correct answer is ROCKY. The show stars Andy Karl as fighter Rocky Balboa. Stallone co-wrote the book with Thomas Meehan.
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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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Dorothy Lamour (1914-1996) was known as "The Sarong Girl" and gained popularity as a "straight woman" in the road movies of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
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7.4.14: IT’S EVA MARIE SAINT’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Saint's character says, "It's going to be a long night."
Correct! As Eve Kendall, she says this to Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill on the train to Chicago, adding, "And I don't particularly like the book I've started."
Incorrect. The correct answer is NORTH BY NORTHWEST. As Eve Kendall, she says this to Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill on the train to Chicago, adding, "And I don't particularly like the book I've started."
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7.2.14: IT’S TOM CRUISE’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the film in which Cruise plays an M.D.?
Correct! He plays Dr. William Harford, whose medical expertise comes in handy when a nude young woman nearly overdoses at a private orgy in the film by Stanley Kubrick.
Incorrect. The correct answer is EYES WIDE SHUT. He plays Dr. William Harford, whose medical expertise comes in handy when a nude young woman nearly overdoses at a private orgy in the film by Stanley Kubrick.
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7.2.14: IT’S LINDSAY LOHAN’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the project in which Lohan did NOT play herself?
Correct! She played the character of Stephanie on the show, and appeared as herself in the others.
Incorrect. The correct answer is LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (Season 5, Episode 201). She played the character of Stephanie on the show, and appeared as herself in the others.
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7.1.14: IT’S DAN AYKROYD’S BIRTHDAY! LET’S CELEBRATE WITH A SCREEN TEST!
Name the character for whom Aykroyd supplied the voice in the animated feature LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY'S RETURN (2013).
Correct! James Belushi played the Cowardly Lion; Kelsey Grammer, the Tin Man; and Tom Kenny, the Munchkin Suitor.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Scarecrow. James Belushi played the Cowardly Lion; Kelsey Grammer, the Tin Man; and Tom Kenny, the Munchkin Suitor.
