Cubs Fan

Trivia: The sound of Watto's wings flapping is a looped recording of sound designer Ben Burtt opening and closing an umbrella.

Cubs Fan

6th Jul 2005

General questions

How long do feature films usually run in theaters before they are released on DVD/VHS?

Cubs Fan

Chosen answer: They typically vary from film to film. It used to be a period of at least 6-7 months before they released them for rental or sale. These days however many are being released quite soon after their release, in some cases even as quick as 2-3 months (The Ray Charles film "Ray" was a recent one). The time it takes all depends on how the studio wants to distribute the film.

Lummie

Trivia: The Mel's Drive-In restaurant seen in the film had been closed for a number of years. It was re-opened for filming, and demolished shortly after the movie was completed.

Cubs Fan

Trivia: The film was released on March 16, 1979. Coincidentally, the nuclear disaster at Three Mile Island occurred fewer than two weeks later.

Cubs Fan

20th Jun 2005

MacGyver (1985)

Trivia: As the series wore on, Dana Elcar began going blind as a result of glaucoma. This condition was eventually written into his character, as well.

Cubs Fan

Trivia: At one point, Robin makes a reference to John Ashcroft "[losing] to a dead man." This is actually true - the "dead man" was Missouri governor Mel Carnahan. Carnahan was running for Senate, but died in a plane crash three weeks before the election. It was too late to remove his name from the ballot, but the voters elected Carnahan, anyway. His term was served by his widow, Jean.

Cubs Fan

13th Jun 2005

The Punisher (2004)

13th Jun 2005

Hamlet (2000)

Trivia: The only lines that are not from the original Shakespeare play are messages played by machines.

Cubs Fan

13th Jun 2005

Star Wars (1977)

Trivia: James Earl Jones' name did not originally appear in the ending credits. At the time of the film's release, Jones felt he hadn't done enough for the film to deserve a credit. His name was added for the film's re-release.

Cubs Fan

Trivia: The aircraft carrier that Uhura and Chekov find is actually the USS Ranger, standing in for the USS Enterprise. The Enterprise was at sea during filming.

Cubs Fan

Trivia: Frank Oz's performance as Yoda impressed George Lucas so much, Lucas spent thousands of dollars on a campaign to nominate Oz for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. However, the Academy shot this down, feeling that puppeteers are not "actors."

Cubs Fan

Trivia: Boba Fett's name is never mentioned. Throughout the film, he is referred to only as "Bounty Hunter."

Cubs Fan

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith trivia picture

Trivia: George Lucas makes a cameo appearance during the opera scene. He is the blue faced being, named Baron Papanoida, that you see outside Palpatine's box. It marks Lucas' first and only appearance in any of the Star Wars films; also in that scene is Lucas' daughter Amanda and her boyfriend. Lucas also reportedly provides the sound of General Grievous' coughing.

Cubs Fan

Trivia: This was the first Star Trek spinoff after the animated series to last fewer than seven seasons. The fourth (and final) season ended in May of 2005.

Cubs Fan

Trivia: In the ending credits, Jabba the Hutt is jokingly credited as playing "himself."

Cubs Fan

17th May 2005

Manhunter (1986)

Chosen answer: It was done to capitalize on the success of "The Silence of the Lambs," which made Hannibal Lecter a household name.

K.C. Sierra

16th May 2005

Taxi Driver (1976)

Trivia: Gary Oldman was originally supposed to provide the voice of General Grievous, but he backed out after learning the film was to be made outside of the Screen Actor's Guild, of which he is a member.

Cubs Fan