General questions about movies, TV and more

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I'm trying to find a movie made in the 90s, in the movie there was two guys (one had curly hair I believe (not 100% sure if he did or not). One of them was with a girl in the beginning of the movie, but she left him on a row boat, so him and his friend had to get home on foot. On their way home, a guy picks them up but pulls out a gun and makes them undress. So they have to get home on foot now in their underwear. Anyone know the title?

Answer: The movie is "Three for the Road" starring Charlie Sheen and Alan Ruck.

I need the title to a movie seen on TV about 30 years ago. The movie ends with a battle between armored knights and a host of archers. I think the archers are supposed to be English longbowmen. The knights get surrounded in the open and the archers kill them all with volleys of arrows.

Answer: Possibly "Henry V," the one starring Olivier.

In most movie previews, it seems like the narrator/announcer voice is the same, or that there is one man who does action movies and one who does comedies. Anyone know the name of this person/people?

Answer: There are at least 5 men that do the voice overs. Don La Fontaine, John Leader, Nick Tate, Mark Elliot and Al Chalk are five that do voice overs. Here is a funny video in which all five star: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLbYaAqtgXg.

Dedderbot

O.K. nobody has been able to give me the title to this movie I rented about 12-15 years ago. The movie was about a woman who wakes up in a desert and has no idea how she got there or why. I remember her finding a resort with people there but either, they don't know her, don't recognize her, or maybe it was they don't acknowledge her. As the story winds it's way through the plot, you find out in the end, the reason the other people are ignoring her, is that the woman had died while parachuting in the desert. I don't remember the actress name, but at the time she was a recognizable face, as was her friend at the resort.

Answer: The movie title is "Siesta" starring Ellen Barkin.

What was the title of a movie where Paul Newman says: "There's more than one way to skin a cat?" I'm sure it's a classic movie dated before the late 70s.

Answer: The movie is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958).

In screenwriting credits with more than one name, what is the difference between "and" and "&"?

Cubs Fan

Chosen answer: An ambersand (&) denotes that the people named wrote the script together, whereas the word AND denotes that the person named rewrote or added to the script. So "Screenplay by Tom & Dick and Harry" means that Tom and Dick wrote the screenplay and then Harry rewrote it.

Madstunts

Early 80's movie or made for TV movie about a girl who is possibly mentally handicapped - thought it was Helen Hunt, but cannot find a description in her filmography to match - who likes Elvis Presley. If I remember correctly, she sends Elvis a letter, and he sends her a huge pink teddy bear. I think she was in a wheelchair. Ending credits roll on a sunset. Any help?

Answer: Diane Lane in Touched by Love.

William Bergquist

My parents have American Beauty on video but I can't watch it because it's an 18. However, my friends mum has it also on video but hers is a 15. Does anyone know why this is?

Answer: According to the BBFC this film (assuming you mean the 1999 film with Kevin Spacey) has always had an 18 rating both for cinematic and home video/DVD release. The trailer is rated 12. Therefore it is anybody's guess as to how your friend's mother's video is rated 15 unless it is an entirely different American Beauty.

Neil Jones

Has there ever been a time that a movie remake has been nominated (or won) for the same Academy Awards as the original?

Answer: I am afraid I can only give you a partial answer. While searching for Academy Awards involving movies that are remakes I found that only two movies that were remakes have ever won the Oscar for Best Picture "Ben Hur" (1959) and "The Departed" (2006).

OneHappyHusky

There is this movie that I can't remember the name of - I saw in on TV back in the mid 90's. It was about a little boy who kept killing his family members. I don't remember much of it but there was a scene where the boy's grandmother was in the hospital on one of those breathing machines and the boy went and unplugged it so she died. I think he also pushed someone else into a pool who drowned. I know it's a long shot but if anyone can help me name this movie, I'd be so appreciative. Thank you.

Answer: Possibly "Mikey" from 1992. http://imdb.com/title/tt0104870/.

Stephen Cooney

I'm trying to find out the name of a film I saw on TV in the U.K. about 20 years ago. From what I remember it comprises a series of images of the world set to quite hypnotic electronic music, lasts about an hour or so and ends with the detonation of an atomic bomb. I believe the name was one word, non-English, possibly the name of an Aztec, Mayan or Incan god. I believe the director may have been Japanese. Can anybody identify this film from this information?

Answer: Koyaanisqatsi fits the description.

tw_stuart

A common scene in action movies is a bad guy getting shot with a pistol, and flying backwards ten feet. I know this defies Newton's third law, "With every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." If the victim flies ten metres, the shooter would also be propelled ten metres. My question is, what would it take to create a handgun that is capable of flinging the shooter ten metres? Like, if the manafacturer had access to any thearetical alloy, of any strength and density, what would it take? How heavy would a bullet have to be, etc.?

Answer: You've answered your own question. It's NOT possible without violating the laws of physics. You'd need some super-futuristic device that stored kinetic energy in the bullet and then released it on impact or a weapon that manipulated gravity. Needless to say, you ain't gonna see it in your lifetime!

Grumpy Scot

Woman counting cards and getting kicked out of casinos had a friend pick her up and take her to the main man that recognizes her talent. Dressing as a man with mustache and plaid suit, she hires other artists to help her break the casinos that ended up killing her friend and had kicked her out of their casinos. Title?

Answer: The title is "Stacey's Knights" - Kevin Costner is the guy that gets killed.

Why, in almost any war movie (from Saving Private Ryan to Starship Troopers), do soldiers keep hitting their helmets with their ammo clips before they insert them? Is it for good luck, or does it have something to do with avoiding jamming?

Answer: It makes sure all the rounds in a magazine are properly seated to reduce the chances of jamming. And if you are wondering, soldiers really do it and it really does help.

Grumpy Scot

I'm trying to remember the title of a movie I rented a few years ago. I don't remember what year it was made but I'm pretty sure it wasn't an old movie, it was probably after 1990. The concept of the movie is there's this guy, the main character, who wakes up one day and finds that everyone on earth has dropped dead. Except, he finds one woman and one other man alive, but that's it. It's just the three of them. The plot of the movie is basically the main character finds the woman and since they think they're the only 2 people left of earth, they figure they have to repopulate the earth. But, then the other guy comes along, who is better looking and more cool than the main guy. I'd really like to find out what the title of the movie was. Hopefully, someone knows. Thanks.

Answer: That sounds like The Quiet Earth (1985).

Grumpy Scot

Looking for info on a movie I was on television years ago. Included in the plot was some sort of zombie theme and a soft drink factory. The movie was in color and the period seemed to be in the eighties. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer: There is a movie called The Stuff from 1985. It involves a yogurt-like dessert that turns people into zombies when its eaten.

Grumpy Scot

I am trying to find the name of a movie that I saw on TV years ago. Phyllis Diller and Sally Field are in it with a large black woman. It was a comedy involving a church and spying. Sally Field drove a station wagon full of kids and a dog, while Phyllis Diller drove a nice car and broke her nails while chasing the bad guys, the black lady was driving a dump truck. I can't remember the whole movie plot, but it had something to do with the church and the ladies were part of the choir I think.

Answer: I think that the movie you're thinking of is called "The North Avenue Irregulars." However, instead of Phyllis Diller and Sally Field, the movie starred Cloris Leachman (who played the title role in the sitcom "Phyllis") and Karen Valentine (she does bear some resemblance to Sally Field).

Chanteuse66

I need help locating a movie that I can't remember the title to. I thought the main actress was Marisssa Jaret Winokur, but looking at her filmography, it doesn't seem to mention it. I saw the movie years ago I think it was on the Hallmark Channel. What I remember is this. Two young women, who are best friends, are at an ice skating rink, not skating they are just talking. When one (whom I thought was Marissa Winokur) sees a young man whom she falls in love with at first site. Finding out all about this man becomes an obsession with her. She finds out where he lives and even rents an apartment across the street from his place so that she can spy on him. She even somehow sneaks into his apt. to find out more info. She does know that they like the same candy which is Sugar Babies. Does this ring a bell with anyone? I just want to find out how the movie started and ended. Thanks.

Answer: The made for TV movie is 'Babycakes' starring Ricki Lake as Grace. She loves a subway conductor, Rob, played by Craig Sheffer. It begins with her seeing him on the subway everyday and falling for him. She eventually orchestrates a way to meet and talk to him, they date, they break up because he has a fiancee, even though he doesn't love the fiancee anymore. Several months later, Rob sees Grace on the subway, chases after her, catches up with her and kisses her. The End.

ChiChi

Answer: Yes, Babycakes. You can watch it on Youtube.

I am looking for any info on a war movie from the late sixties or early seventies. It featured two soldiers being sent to an island to fight the war for their country one on one with the winner transmitting a code back to declare victory. I don't think they took weapons with them but I am not sure. It was more of guerrila war as I do remember the Japanese soldier putting razor blades in a tree trunk laced with bacteria for the American to cut himself on. At one point in the film each country sends another soldier in to help fight, a form of cheating. The original combatants kill their comrades out of respect for each other and the integrity of fight.

Answer: It was called "The Challange" and starred Darren McGavin. I remember it well and would love to get a copy of it.

I remember seeing a movie when I was quite little. It was a b-grade scary flick, where two teens (girl and a boy, I think, and they might be related) are in a spooky old mansion. They are trying to kill the man who owns (haunts?) the house, because he's evil. They get a picture of him, tear it across the neck, and then set it on fire. Does anyone know what this is?

Answer: It's an episode of "Amazing Stories" called "Go To The Head Of The Class" starring Christopher Lloyd.

John Cyr

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