Question: Were the cigarettes in the film real or fake (prop, puff, or herbal)? I ask because I know that Natalie Portman was not a smoker before the making of this film started.
raywest
5th Jan 2024
Closer (2004)
5th Jan 2024
My Girl (1991)
5th Jan 2024
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Question: Who and why was the highboy moved to cover the linen closet?
Answer: Mrs. Gardenia, the elderly previous resident, had moved the highboy dresser there to block the closet passageway connecting her apartment to the Castevette's. She was involved in the coven, but after realizing how sinister it was, tried to disassociate herself. The coven later cast a spell causing her fatal coma.
5th Jan 2024
South Pacific (1958)
Question: Why was the "I'm Gonna Wash That Man" number severely hacked about for the film and is not the same as in the soundtrack recording?
21st Mar 2022
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Question: I know that Jeremy Bulloch played both Boba Fett and Sheckil, but I read that someone else was supposed to play Sheckil before Bulloch replaced him. Who was initially supposed to play Sheckil before Bulloch took his place?
Answer: There doesn't seem to be any info on who the actor was that was cast to play Sheckil. The only information I could find was that the original actor didn't show up on the day of shooting, and Bulloch replaced him at the last minute. He was probably a minor actor who mostly worked in bit parts and as an extra.
23rd Mar 2022
Funny Girl (1968)
Question: Nick was supposed to be watching Fanny sing at Keany's, but I just don't see him in the audience shots. Error?
Answer: If you mean their first meeting, most likely it was a deliberate decision by the filmmakers that Nick wasn't seen in the audience. The scene was constructed to introduce Nick and show Fanny's reaction as she opens the dressing room door, seeing him for the first time. Nick being seen earlier would also have lessened the audience's reaction as well.
30th May 2022
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
3rd May 2016
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Question: Near the end when Indiana and Marion are tied to the post and the Germans are about to open the Ark, Indiana closes his eyes and tells Marion to close her eyes so they can't look. But how did he know when they should open them again? He wouldn't know the Ark had been sealed again afterwards unless he took a risk and opened his eyes to see.
Chosen answer: The events were quite loud. Once the noise had stopped, and the sound of the ark slamming shut had been heard, he slowly opened his eyes to check it was definitely safe.
2nd Sep 2023
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Question: How was Blackwood's plan to reclaim America back into British control supposed to have played out, as laid out to Standish? If they got control of the armed forces, would they have attempted an invasion of the United States?
Answer: After killing off England's entire Parliament, gaining control of the government and military, Blackwood would then wage war against the United States, believing the U.S. military was in a weakened and chaotic state following the Civil War. The details were sketchy, but if he actually did intend to reconquer the US, an army would have to invade it.
15th Oct 2023
Designing Women (1986)
The Odyssey - S7-E12
Question: Why would Julia care that Carlene voted for Ross Perot?
Answer: The group, including Carlene, were invited to attend Bill Clinton's inauguration in D.C. Julia was apparently bothered that Carlene is attending a Democratic victory event after she had voted against Clinton and for Perot, an Independent candidate. Julia probably considers it hypocritical and something of a betrayal.
20th Dec 2023
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Question: Why is Harry Bailey wearing a uniform at the end of the movie?
Answer: He left in the middle of the banquet they were giving him for winning the Medal of Honor and immediately flew to Bedford Falls when he heard his brother was in trouble.
Answer: Agree with the other answer but would add that, from a moviemaking perspective, the film was released shortly after the end of WWII when American patriotism was extremely high. The filmmakers emphasized Harry's status as a military hero and George's role in having saved him when they were boys. It visually reminds the audience of who Harry is and what he did.
20th Dec 2023
Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
Question: Why was this movie a box office flop?
Answer: This was the fifth movie in the series, and it was not critically well-received. Most reviews felt it was unoriginal and unfunny compared to its predecessors and should probably have been released straight to video. With tepid reviews, audiences probably were willing to wait until it was available on DVD or streaming. Although not as financially successful as its predecessors, it did make around $408.5 million against a $105 million budget, so it did not lose money.
30th Oct 2023
The Holdovers (2023)
Question: Was Paul Giamatti's lazy eye achieved through practical means or CGI? If it was practical, how exactly did they do it?
Answer: The best information I read was from an online "People" magazine article. Actor Paul Giamatti says he is sworn to secrecy on how the lazy eye effect was achieved, other than to say it was "movie magic." I hope someone finds additional information and shares it here, as I'd like to know more.
20th Dec 2023
Aliens (1986)
Question: I have a question regarding some of the slang used in the film. During the briefing just before the marines go down to the planet, Hudson asks, "Is this going to be a stand-up fight or another bug-hunt?" And what does Gorman mean when he says they think xenomorphs are involved? People say xenomorph is a fancy term for the species of aliens in this film series, however, it's made clear that at the beginning of the movie this is an unknown species, so that term couldn't refer specifically to them.
Answer: In addition to the other answers, I'd like to point out that xenomorph simply means strange or alien form.
Answer: It wasn't exactly an "unknown" species. "The Company," the commercial operation funding everything, knew the alien creatures existed and had wanted them as bio-weapons since the first film. It's unclear what Gorman knew but likely little more than his troops. Burke knew about the creatures and his purpose was to collect one, the same as Ash in the original "Alien." The term "xenomorph" is a general term that could be applied to any extraterrestrial non-humanoid species. Hudson is asking if they're hunting a non-sentient being.
Yeah, Gorman had no clue about the xenomorphs whatsoever. No way. The Company did, Burke is part of the Company, but Gorman isn't. He, like the others, is just cannon fodder. The term is used as you describe it though. You gotta understand that the Company itself probably doesn't know how a full-grown xenomorph actually looks like. Not until Alien 4. They just know there is alien biotech to be claimed.
19th Dec 2023
The Polar Express (2004)
19th Dec 2023
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Question: Dr. Jones is the prime suspect for the murders at Hunter College. He and Helena return from the Siege of Syracuse (212 BCE) to their time (1969 CE) but the actual murderers, Voller and his goons, do not. Assuming Indy isn't awaiting indictment, how do you think they absolved him? We will not accept Helena Paid Off The Police. Although such argument is clever, it breaks our suspension of disbelief. Two murders and assaulting an officer cannot be bribed away in NYC 1969.
19th Dec 2023
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Question: Did Christmas Eve used to be a regular work day? The bank is open, the bank examiner is at the building and loan, and Zuzu had school.
Answer: Did they used to have school on Christmas Eve day?
Answer: Agree with the other answer, but would add that Christmas Eve was never a Federal holiday. It really depends on the individual company or organization on whether to give employees the day off. When I worked for the state, we used to get Christmas Eve off, but that was eliminated when MLK Day became a Federal holiday. Employees then had to use a vacation day if they wanted Christmas Eve off.
Answer: Yes, and it still is. The standard work day was 9:00 - 5:00, and Christmas Eve (not a "holiday") starts at 6:00 PM - after work. Christmas "breaks" may have been extended over the years, though.
17th Dec 2023
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Question: After watching Star Trek: Wrath of Khan recently, something I'd never noticed before... Why does the Kobyashi Maru have 300 passengers? It's an ore-carrier with just over 80 crew. You don't have oil-bearing ships ferrying holidaymakers about now, but maybe in a little over 300 years, things might be different.
Answer: Being that "Kobyashi Maru" is a Star Fleet Academy training exercise for a no-win situation that future officers might face, the details might be somewhat exaggerated for a more dramatic effect. It's conceivable that a civilian transport ship also carries paying passengers. Today's cargo ships also carry some passengers. It's a cheaper, no-frills way for people to travel.
17th Dec 2023
Tales from the Crypt (1972)
Question: At one point in the film, the Crypt Keeper tells the main characters he's trying to warn them about what could happen to them. Why would he tell them this if it's later revealed that they're already dead?
Answer: Basically, it's a plot-twist ending to surprise the audience. Telling the characters that they are already dead and going to Hell would certainly affect their reaction to the situation and it would ruin the shock value for viewers. The Crypt Keeper also has a perverse sense of humor.
18th Dec 2023
Flight (2012)
Question: Whip is talking to co-pilot Ken Evans in the hospital after he wakes up from his coma. When Ken is talking about Whip's health, he mentions him reeking of gin or something. If Whip smelled that bad of alcohol, why didn't Ken alert security before takeoff?
Answer: Possibly misplaced loyalty to a friend/co-worker and wanting to protect Whip's career. Ken may have believed he himself could handle any flight situation that might arise if Whip was incapable; he may have intended to confront Whip later to demand he get help or else he'd report him.
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Answer: Actors are usually required to use movie prop cigarettes or herbal cigarettes that don't contain tobacco or nicotine. These usually contain marshmallow root, passion flower, cloves, or jasmine. While some actors might be smokers, prop cigarettes protect other actors and crew from second-hand smoke, especially during long filming sessions. There is debate about how much safer herbal cigarettes are compared to tobacco.
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