Saturday, May 30, 2009

Film List - Quiz!

For this month's 'Film List', I thought I'd throw out a challenge to try to identify these (fun, but mostly, I admit, somewhat obscure) film quotations. Recognising the film they come from is, of course, the key thing; but you can give yourself a bonus if you can name the actor who spoke the line, and a highly-deserved double-bonus if you can name the character.

There is also a mystery link - which may be of some help, if you can get one or two of them straight off.



"I don't know how to run a newspaper. I just try everything I can think of."


"In 1966, I went down to Greenwich Village, New York City, to a rock club called 'Electric Banana'. Don't look for it. It's not there any more."


"Sometimes, the spaghetti likes to be alone."


"I'm a Derek. Dereks don't run."


"If I win, I get to take you home. If you win, you go home with me."


"Who would cross the Bridge of Death
Must answer me these questions three
'Ere the other side he see."


"Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty."


"Of course he's willing to die. You think we do this kind of work because we're scared to die?"


"The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."


"That wasn't no miss, Vargas. That was just to turn you 'round, so I don't have to shoot you in the back."



I'll post the answers in a week or two (probably in the 'comments' below). Good luck.



Update: I've now posted the answers here.

10 comments:

stuart said...

"The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."

I want to say 'The Gate of Heavenly Peace', although I know it's not the answer.

Well, I've tried, really I have. But they elude me. Some sound familiar, though.

Froog said...

You might kick yourself. I reckon there are two or three that everyone has seen.

The 'link' is that they're all spoken by actors who are also the director of the film (and in almost all cases, a contributing writer as well).

gary said...

Isn't No 3 Tony Shalhoub in Big Night?

Froog said...

I believe it's Stanley Tucci, but yes, you've got the right film, Gary.

Livia said...

I'm pretty sure that "I'm a Derek"... is Peter Jackson in his early oevre, Bad Taste. And obviously he's called Derek.

Livia said...

(Happy memories of showing it and Brain Dead and Meet the Feebles in a triple bill at university film society)

Froog said...

Well spotted, Livy. Surely the greatest zombie film ever! I'm surprised and disappointed that more people don't recognise that line.

ben said...

Zoolander! 'Wetness is the essence of beauty' is Zoolander. I watched it again just last week.

tony said...

Well, I recognise the first one and the last, but the others are much too obscure.

When are you going to post the answers?

Froog said...

Patience, dear readers, patience. A complete list of answers will be provided next weekend.