I am aware that different aspect ratios were used by studios since the early 1950s, but why is it that dramatic or action films are usually shot in 2.35:1, while comedies are usually shot in 1.78:1?
Answered general questions about movies, TV and more
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I watched this TV series a very long time ago, and am dying to know what it's called, as it was FANTASTIC. It was about a girl who travelled back in time, using a sundial. It was historical and set in large grounds.
Chosen answer: The series you're referring to was called "Moondial", and aired in 1990. You can read more about it at http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-24751/.
This may be kind of long, so apologies in advance. I'm trying to find the title of a movie, possibly a telemovie, for my aunt. We saw it some years ago on TV, but never caught the title. It started with a struggling actress house-sitting for a wealthy friend, possible a judge or lawyer. The same day she starts house-sitting, a guy that the judge/lawyer put in jail is released (or escapes) and comes hunting for revenge. He comes to the house and asks for judge/lawyer's wife, with the plan of kidnapping and ransoming her. The actress, who has been going through the women's nice clothes, says that she is the wife (she's "practising" acting) and the guy comes in the house and ties her up and tries to get her to tell him where her husband is. The actress tries to tell him she isn't Mrs. Judge/Lawyer but the guy doesn't believe her and they go on arguing for the majority of the movie. At the end, they fall in love of all things and the very last scene we see is the criminal guy watching her on TV. This may sound kind of sketchy, but if anyone could help me, I'd be very grateful.
Answer: It's proabaly 'A House in the Hills.' Check out the plot at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107147/plotsummary.
What are "regions"? I have tried to access Easter Eggs on my DVDs only to find out they are the wrong region. Why are DVDs produced differently according to these regions and how many are there?
Answer: Regions were introduced because of different release dates - for example, many DVDs are released in the USA well before other countries, and if people can buy the DVD before it's even released in the cinema, the studios lose revenue. However, multi-region DVD players are now easily available. More info is here: hometheaterinfo.com/dvd3.htm.
I love the song 'I've Got A Name' by Jim Croce and am sure I've heard it in a movie or on a movie soundtrack. Could anyone please help me in locating said movie?
Answer: According to IMDb, that song was in the movie "The Last American Hero". (1973) Unfortunately, there is no soundtrack recording for this movie. It's also used in Invincible with Mark Wahlberg, during the opening credits.
Is it true that in all Disney movies there is a sex related slip in or reference?
Answer: There have been many cases of films such as The Little Mermaid and Lion King in which people were convinced Disney put some reference in. This site explains many of the references people claim they have heard or seen in Disney films http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/films.asp.
I saw a movie one time where a man was running through a park and being chased by birds (and it's NOT the movie The Birds), and he seeks shelter in a gazebo type structure and when he looks up he sees that there is no roof and they start pooping on him. Anyone out there have an idea what movie this is? It's at least fifteen years old.
Answer: High Anxiety by Mel Brooks. It's a spoof of the Hitchcock films.
Some years ago I watched a film, now I know this sounds strange, but some Electricity Pylons sort of came to life and started walking on a mission. The story seemed to revolve round a little boy if my memory serves me right. Does anyone know what the film was?
Chosen answer: Sounds a lot like The Iron Giant.
In many films, I have read, (and actually seen in the films) that an actor/actress onscreen mouths the words another actor is saying. It happens in Home alone 1, one of the Harry Potter films and in the latest Bond film. Why does this happen?
Chosen answer: I can't give a definite answer, but all I can think is that they've rehearsed the scene so often that they know other people's lines (possibly leading up to their own cue), so mouth along with them without even realising it, and no-one else notices. Kind of like during the filming of the Phantom Menace - Ewan McGregor was making lightsaber noises during the fights and wasn't even aware he was doing it until someone pointed it out to him!
There is a movie about someone who has to marry by a certain day in order to inherit lots of money. He ends up falling in love, and at the end of the movie, doesn't marry the woman in order to prove he loves her and isn't marrying her just for the money. But the next morning, she reveals that she is actually a millionaire. It's not, repeat NOT, "The Bachelor", starring Chris O'Donnell. Anyone know the title of the movie?
Answer: I believe the movie you are talking about is the Buster Keaton film "Seven Chances". The premise of the film is he has to meet a woman and marry her by 7pm.
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Chosen answer: The correct ratio's actually 1.85:1 (1.78:1 is 16:9, which is what's used for home widescreen). The simple answer is that 2.35:1 (cinemascope) gives a broader picture, ie. more screen space to work with, which lends itself better to more visual presentations, be they action-packed or period dramas. Cinemascope is also more expensive, so lower-budget films will opt for the more regular format. I'd also argue that your generalisations are incorrect - just looking at the technical specifications for the first two films I thought of on the IMDb, 21 Grams was shot in 1.85:1, while Dodgeball was shot in 2.35:1.