erik lundegaard

Wednesday September 23, 2009

Your Summer Movie Quiz — Answers

If you missed yesterday and want the questions, scroll down. Or go here.

1. Which two summer releases made the most money overseas?
The correct answer is D) “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” “Harry Potter” has grossed $625 million abroad—the 8th-most a film has made overseas—while “Ice Age 3,” which grossed $195 million domestic, killed overseas, grossing $674 million, or the 3rd-most money any film has made abroad. “Ice Age 3”! Only “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” ($742 million) and, of course, “Titanic” ($1,242 million) have grossed more abroad.

The overseas numbers thus far:

2. According to the documentary “Food, Inc.,” what is added to almost everything we eat and drink?
The correct answer is A) Corn. Mark Whitacre mentions the same thing in “The Informant!”

3. In “Wolverine,” after Logan’s half-brother Victor tells him, “We can’t let you just walk away!” and Logan begins to walk away, what do the murderous team of mutants do to bring him back?
The correct answer is D) Nothing. They let him walk away.

4. Who’s Richard Greenfield?
The correct answer is C) The market analyst who downgraded Disney’s stock earlier this year because he predicted a bad outing for Pixar’s “Up,“ which is currently the third-highest-grossing movie in the U.S. Its overseas totals ($124 million) lag mostly because the film hasn't opened yet in Germany (late Sept.), the UK (October) and Japan (December).

5. In what way is the new “Star Trek” similar to the original “Star Wars”?
The correct answer is E) All of the above. J.J. Abrams knows you go with what works. 30 years ago.

6. “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” is currently ninth in terms of domestic gross, with over $401 million. But where does it place when you adjust for inflation?
The correct answer is C) 67th, just behind “Smokey and the Bandit.” But it did already pass ”Twister“ and ”The Poseidon Adventure.“ So: Kudos.

7. Before Sam goes off the college in “Transformers,” what does he say to his loyal, automobile-transforming autobot Bumblebee, whom he’s leaving behind?
The correct answer is D) All of the above.

8. What is Summer’s biggest hang-up in her relationship with Tom in “(500) Days of Summer”?
The correct answer is C) She doesn’t believe in love. Or ”lurve.“ Or ”luff.“ Although it turns out she does. It's just that, as the saying goes, she's just not that into him.

9. In “District 9,” what is the name of the main alien protagonist?
The correct answer is C) Christopher Johnson.

10. What do the following films have in common: “In the Loop,” “The Cove,” “Paper Heart” and “Cold Souls”?
The correct answer, sadly, is C) None went wider than 100 theaters. Brother, can you spare a screen?

11. Which film opened in the most theaters without making at least $100 million?
The correct answer is D) ”The Land of the Lost,“ which didn't even get halfway there: $49 million.

12. Of those films whose widest release was fewer than 3,000 theaters, which grossed the most?
The correct answer is C) ”Julie & Julia,“ whose widest release was 2,528 theaters but has grossed $88 million and counting. Fifteen films that opened between May and September played in more theaters yet haven't made as much money, including ”The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3,“ ”The Final Destination,“ ”Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,“ ”Funny People,“ ”Land of the Lost,“ ”Year One,“ ”Aliens in the Attic,“ ”Shorts,“ and, of course, ”Imagine That.“ All of those films opened in more than 3,000 theaters.

”J&J“ also outdid the three other films mentioned in the multiple choice: ”The Ugly Truth,“ ”The Time Traveler's Wife“ and ”My Life in Ruins.“ Those films focus on women who have careers and search for love. ”Julie & Julia" focus on women who have love and search for careers. It don't know if there's a lesson there, but it's a nice change.

Posted at 07:32 AM on Wednesday September 23, 2009 in category Movies  
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