Quantom X

Question: Why did C-3PO go with them to Geonosis? I always figured protocol droids stayed with their masters unless they were sold?

THE GAMER NEXT DOOR

Answer: Anakin built C3P0, remember? And Anakin had left C3P0 to take care of his mother. However Anakin's mother, Shmi, has now died. So 3P0 is now going along with his creator.

Quantom X

26th Nov 2018

General questions

I just remembered seeing a trailer for a movie years ago that I was curious about but never got to see. I just can't remember the name of the movie or even who was in it now. I think it was either a late 90's film or an early 2000's film. And possibly Patrick Swayze was in it? I can't remember for sure. I may be getting it mixed up with Ghost. Anyways, I remember in trailer that this guy was able to see numbers on people's foreheads. And these numbers indicated when that person was going to die and who was next. Like the lower the number, the sooner they were going to die. I don't really remember much else about the trailer. Does anybody know what movie this was?

Quantom X

Answer: You may be thinking of the 1996 horror-comedy "The Frighteners," directed by Peter Jackson and starring Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace, Jake Busey, and a host of others. Michael J. Fox plays a shady psychic medium (performing fake exorcisms for money) who starts seeing glowing numbers on people's foreheads shortly before they die under mysterious circumstances. Turns out it's the malevolent ghost of a mass-murderer (played by Jake Busey) who is still trying to get the "highest score" of victims, marking them with sequential numbers before he kills them. Michael J. Fox must engage in supernatural battle with Busey to stop the carnage. "The Frighteners" was a technically superior film that didn't do so well at the boxoffice but went on to become a cult classic.

Charles Austin Miller

I looked up a trailer for that, it's not it. But thanks.

Quantom X

Answer: There's an episode of "Medium", s06e09 "The Future so Bright", where Allison sees numbers on people's forehead that tells how long they have to live and all the dead people have "0" on their foreheads. It might not be what you're thinking, but maybe you can look into if "Medium" got the idea from the movie you're thinking of.

Bishop73

Answer: There is a 2012 short titled "Numbers" directed by Robert Hloz that premiered at Cannes Film Festival in which a young man sees numbers floating above people's heads and then meets a girl with the same ability (it's not in English and might not be what you're thinking of so I won't give away any spoilers). There is also a 2007 film, starring Nathan Fillion, called "White Noise: The Light" (sequel to "White Noise") where the main character has premonitions of when people are going to die and tries to save them. But he doesn't see numbers on their heads, as far as I know.

Bishop73

I checked those. Not them either. :/.

Quantom X

Unfortunately, "The Frighteners" is the only movie with that plot.

5th Nov 2018

Jumper (2008)

Question: When Roland was at Millie's apartment, why was he looking at a certain spot in the room? He couldn't have been looking at the jumpscar since it was invisible and he was only able to see it after using the spray.

Answer: It's not entirely invisible. But many people wouldn't see it. However Roland has been doing this for years. Not only is he the leader of the Paladins, but has been highly trained and experienced in his field for a long time. He could see it, as he knew what to look for with his trained eyes, so it was second nature even if most others wouldn't.

Quantom X

30th Oct 2018

Den of Thieves (2018)

Question: Early on we see the crooks put wet cash in a microwave, presumably to dry it. Would that work? I just assume you'd end up with hot wet cash - I would have thought an oven or hairdryer or something would be a better bet.

Jon Sandys

Answer: Considering how microwave ovens work, it seems it would. Microwaves work by bombarding whatever is inside with actual 'microwaves' which works to excite the water molecules within. Paper, and in the case of cash, cotton, wouldn't be affected on its own but the water inside would be. Ever had something wrapped in a paper towel when you microwave it? The cash is not metal, and the water content is what gets heated up inside and evaporated, so I believe it would work.

Quantom X

Answer: There are videos of people drying money in microwaves, but it was a single layer of bills. But it can be tricky because, like wet clothes, it can catch on fire in the microwave if let in too long.

Bishop73

30th Oct 2018

Avatar (2009)

Question: When the humans are escorted back to their ships at the end, why are there Navi wearing human clothing? (Like those are some big shoes) and why are the guns that the Navi are holding so gigantic? Aren't these guns for humans?

Answer: Those are actually other Avatars being controlled by their human drivers hence the human clothes and military weapons. This was shown in a deleted scene when those in the Avatar program get into their linking pods and start helping the Na'vi.

Answer: The clothing is likely for modesty around humans or as a respectful thing for them. Since most of the Navi are pretty well nude and the humans are not. I could be wrong on that. Then the weapons they are carrying are the ones they picked up from the armored mechs the enemy solders were using which happen to be just the right size for the Navi.

Quantom X

29th Oct 2018

Ready Player One (2018)

Question: How did IOI figure out how to get the first key? I doubt Wade or his friends sent them an email telling them how to do it.

Answer: They all witnessed Percival and his friends do the race backwards, they just copied the act. Eventually everyone knew how to do it.

lionhead

Answer: Actually, they never got the first key. They even talked about that they didn't need to since Parzival found it. If they did start getting the keys, they would appear on the leader boards also. So only the High Five found it.

Quantom X

Actually they did need to get the key. The second key can only be acquired by someone who has received the first, and the same thing with the third key. Also, the High Five is simply referring to the first five to actually make it onto the leader-board. The simple fact is that once the secret was discovered, it was only a matter of time before it was general knowledge for everyone to do.

Garlonuss

Question: In the second Terminator movie, the Terminator says that he can't self-terminate. When the Terminator is trying to defeat T-X, he manages to destroy himself and her in the process. If the Terminator couldn't self-terminate in the second movie, how come the new one could?

Answer: The difference there would be suicide vs sacrifice. In T2, basically what he meant is he could not commit suicide as it was against his programming. They had beat the T-1000 and had won, but it was too dangerous for Terminator to stick around and knew he had to be destroyed. But he could not purposely do it to himself as it was an act of suicide. However in T3, it was a sacrificial move. The goal of his actions was not to destroy himself, it was to take out the TX and prevent her from reaching John. He had to do this by any means necessary and made a sacrifice play by shoving his core into her mouth and blowing them both up. It wasn't suicide this way, it wasn't self termination. He was taking her out but caused himself to be collateral damage.

Quantom X

Also, after watching that scene again, I'm adding this little tidbit. The Terminator didn't actually die from the thing he did to the TX in that move. If you notice towards the end after the nuclear bombs go off, the fall out ash is falling down around its head and its eyes are still on, slowly fading away. It was badly damaged by its move, but the bombs in the end finished him off.

Quantom X

Answer: For me, T2 was a lot about machines being able to learn so in T3 when he managed to shut himself down it was because he had learned compassion and not to be just a machine following orders as well as understanding how vital it was that John survived.

The_Iceman

Answer: If you listen in the second film, I don't remember if it was cut out of the theatrical film and put back in the extended version or not, John and Terminator are in the desert looking at the guns Terminator says "I have to stay functional until the missions is complete." Once the T1000 is dead Terminator had no other reason to function and thus sacrificed himself. In this film he knows the fuel cell would destroy the TX once that happened his mission was completed and no longer had any real reason to function anyone.

That can't be the case, because by the end of T2 his mission was complete, and he still couldn't self terminate.

21st Oct 2018

Logan (2017)

Answer: I believe he was referring to two things here. The obvious one is dying, however I'm thinking that's less likely. As even though Logan always would heal before and come back, he has "died" many many times in previous events and would have felt that until his body regenerated enough for him to come back. Other than on maybe a religious level and if feeling the soul disconnecting from his body differently on a permanent death, it would be the same. What I really think he is referring to... is love. He is a father now, and accepting of it. His daughter is right there with him and crying over him, something that probably nobody has ever done for him in his life or a very long time. He is feeling that genuine unconditional love for the first time. He gets to experience what it feels like to be loved as a father moments before he dies, and I believe that is what he is referring to.

Quantom X

11th Oct 2018

Criminal Minds (2005)

Answer: I believe you are describing s09e14, "200." Although it was the road side bomb that caused the miscarriage.

Bishop73

Answer: Heartbreaking.

Quantom X

Question: C-3PO tells Han that he noticed earlier the hyperdrive motivator has been damaged. Didn't he try to tell Han this earlier?

Answer: Tried to, yes. But C-3P0 is so annoying and talkative that they tend to ignore him, especially in high stress situations.

Quantom X

Question: At the end did they ever actually survive or did all those Z's on the island kill Kenneth and everyone else?

Answer: It's left ambiguous and for the audience to decide. We don't actually see what happens and there wasn't an official sequel. So maybe they did, maybe they didn't.

Quantom X

Question: If Overgirl is Supergirl from Earth X, and Supergirl gets her powers the same way that Superman does, from sunlight, then how is The Ray, whose powers are based on using yellow light, able to hurt her with his powers? Wouldn't his blasts help her?

Quantom X

Answer: My understanding is the Ray uses pure light for his powers while Superman and Supergirl get their power from the solar energy of a yellow sun, not yellow light.

Bishop73

I see. But if it was from pure light, wouldn't his powers have a white glow and not a yellow glow?

Quantom X

Most likely just a styling choice. I just know the basics details of his powers and not sure why it comes out yellow (or if it's even stated.) Perhaps for the the same reason the sun appears yellow, short wavelength light becomes scattered.

Bishop73

25th Sep 2018

General questions

I just remembered a movie I saw a few years ago. I want to say it came out in the mid 00's but it might have been later or even earlier. I think it was about some kids living in an underground civilization in a city that was built to help them survive long enough for the nuclear waste lands that were now the Earth's surface to become inhabitable again. But for some reason they had stayed underground for thousands of years longer than they were supposed to and the city was starting to malfunction and becoming a danger. I seem to also remember giant mutant moles causing them problems also. And in the end of the film they get to the surface and are surprised to find that it's covered in green plant life and perfectly suitable for life now. What movie was this?

Quantom X

Chosen answer: "City of Ember", a 2008 film based on the 2003 book. Considered a box office flop.

Bishop73

Ah! That is the one. Thank you. I had forgotten about this film till it suddenly popped into my mind again. I remember liking it a lot and wanted to find it again.

Quantom X

Question: Would any company in their right mind build a theme park (or any business for that matter) on a private island with a volcano? I know populated areas like Hawaii just assume the risk, but wouldn't a company that has the money to purchase their own island do their due diligence and make sure they won't be prone to a major catastrophe like that?

Phaneron

Answer: As it was stated in the film, the volcano had been dormant for many many years. Presumably even since well before the events of the first Jurassic Park movie in the early 90's. It was only recently, between the events of this film and the prior Jurassic World that the volcano had its surprise re-awakening.

Quantom X

For sure, but dormant simply means that the volcano could one day erupt again, so wouldn't it be pretty foolish to gamble on building a multi-billion dollar theme park with the hope that the volcano will never again erupt?

Phaneron

One would think. But just look at our world's history. Like Pompeii, an entire civilization wiped out cause they lived at the base of a dormant volcano. And then even in more recent history. Mount Saint Helens, which I've actually been to and seen the exhibits and footage of it's destruction. Foolish, yeah. But that doesn't stop us from still doing it repeatedly.

Quantom X

I think it's been made pretty clear over the course of all the films that the people building these parks did not exactly think everything through properly. They took a gamble on the volcano, and they lost.

wizard_of_gore

Answer: The volcano has nothing to do with reality. It is a plot device more than twenty years after the original movie. It is contrived for the purpose of telling a new story. Trying to give a logical or scientific explanation is pointless.

raywest

21st Sep 2018

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Question: How did the symbiote become so big? In the beginning it was tiny, and at the end it was huge. And why didn't Peter do something when the symbiote took over Eddie? He could problably hear him scream downstairs.

Answer: The symbiote feeds on emotion and possibly the environment around it. It latched onto Peter while he was having an emotional nightmare and that fueled it as it bonded with him. It had plenty of time to grown on him and Eddie by the end of the film. And as far as Peter hearing Eddie, Peter was ringing a large church bell while practicality standing inside it. It was loud and huge. It would have still been giving off noise while Peter was up there recovering in the time it too for Venom to fall down onto Eddie. Also with a huge bell ringing that loudly right by Peter's head undoubtedly would have messed with his hearing for a few minutes. He probably had a headache and his own ears ringing from it for a good while, preventing him from hearing Eddie even if the bell was quiet after.

Quantom X

20th Sep 2018

Mouse Hunt (1997)

Question: What year does this movie take place?

Answer: There's not really an answer, because the film has sort-of a nebulous timeframe given its cartoon-like atmosphere. Ex. Everything is old fashioned in design, including architecture and clothing, but current technology is also present. It's not really meant to take place in the "real world" or a specific timeframe, so much as be a silly throwback to old comedies and especially old Laurel and Hardy films. So, the best answer to your question would be that it just sort of exists in its "own" time, so to speak - an amalgam of different time periods all put together for maximum comedy impact.

TedStixon

Adding to this, the Wikipedia page on this movie states that... "The film is set in a humorously indeterminate 20th-century time period, with styles ranging from the 1940s to the 1990s."

Quantom X

"Mouse Hunt" was not modeled on 1930s Laurel and Hardy films so much as it was a direct retread of 1940s "Herman and Catnip" and "Tom and Jerry" cartoons, which spawned many knock-offs over the decades, from "Coyote and Roadrunner" cartoons to live-action comedies such as "Home Alone" and others.

Charles Austin Miller

17th Sep 2018

I Am Legend (2007)

Question: When fixing up and preparing the house defenses, why is Neville so pressed for time? What type of preparing does he do?

Answer: He has to make sure that he's back at his home with plenty of time to lock everything down, sound proof the establishment, and make sure no lights are visible from the outside. His place of residence has to appear like any other place in New York at the time as deserted and with nobody there. If the Night Stalkers saw any evidence at all that that was where he was living, they would attack like they do later in the film. Neville is military trained, so punctuality and having a set schedule to do things is pretty well ingrained into him now. And by giving himself plenty of time and room for error, he can take care of any contingencies that arise and any repairs to make sure everything is ready before the creatures come out.

Quantom X

Neville also uses gallons of chemicals (possibly chlorine bleach) every afternoon to cover his scent in the immediate vicinity of his home. Apparently, the Night Stalkers and their dogs have a keen sense of smell, particularly for uninfected humans.

Charles Austin Miller

I yeah, that too. I forgot about that. Though in fairness that wasn't really explained in the movie. But a lot of stuff from the comics was left out of the movie as well.

Quantom X

Question: What did Windu mean when he said "We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku?"

Answer: He means he and the other Jedi will not let themselves be captured and held for ransom or used as leverage against the Republic.

Quantom X

3rd Apr 2017

Lexx (1997)

Show generally

Question: Why do the robot heads get attached to human bodies?? Doesn't make sense when you consider how much more advanced they could make robot bodies for such. Also, why not put human brains in robot bodies? We know they have that ability.

dizzyd

Answer: From what I'm seeing, the answer seems simple. The robotic heads allow the control of the body they need. However, no mater how advanced you make a robot's body, it will never quite be as flexible and versatile in it's movements and actions as a flesh and blood human body can be in most cases. And if they do put the effort into creating a robotic body with the capabilities they need, and be durable enough to last... it would cost a lot of money. The Cluster has a large influx of constant prisoners that they use for feeding the Lexx and other needs, so human bodies are easy to come by and in vast quantities. Them simply producing robotic heads with the ability to interface with the human nervous system and placing them on the decapitated bodies of expendable prisoners is a hell of a lot more cost effective and easier to do with the technology they have. It's just a cheaper, more effective option for them to have thousands fo 790 Units in production and use without the cost of manufacturing a fully functional and durable robotic body for them.

Quantom X

30th Aug 2018

Alien (1979)

Question: A bit puzzled as to why Ash tried to kill Ripley by stuffing a rolled up magazine in her mouth when he could have strangled her in seconds.

Answer: I believe this was another subtle way for the film to depict that Ash was malfunctioning or at least not fully processing correctly and having problems. It was showing a brutal savagery to his motions as well as an artistic choice for the moment.

Quantom X

Answer: This is just one possibility among many, but Ridley Scott suggested Ash may have been developing latent sexuality that he was not equipped to handle through his programming, and perhaps not physically either; his use of a rolled-up magazine may have come about because he was not constructed with a penis (I had to stop myself from making a pun about "hardware").

TonyPH

I always wondered about this. It always struck me as a little Freudian. Also, notice the picture of the topless lady on the wall - an interesting detail when combined with the phallic paper.

Jack Vaughan

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