Movie Taglines (1987-2000) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hellraiser

Clive Barker wrote and directed this movie, based on his 1986 novella 'The Hellbound Heart'. It was the start of a franchise, with the central character, known here simply as the Leader of the Cenobites, but referred to in the sequels as Pinhead, becoming one of the icons of the horror genre.

The Cenobites are demonic beings who enter the lives of those who solve a puzzle box that they have been told would lead to unimaginable pleasure. Wrong again. While they are successfully sent back to wherever they came from by 'unsolving' the puzzle box, the box remains, ready to be passed on to another unsuspecting customer.

Answer: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer

The second instalment of this slasher franchise takes place a year after the original, and stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Muse Watson in the same roles as previously. Ben Willis (Watson) is still looking for revenge; Julie (Hewitt) and Ray (Prinze) are in his sights, but the real danger is again to those nearby.

Despite the ending seeming to lay the ground for another sequel, none was made (at least, not in the following 30 years, making it unlikely the stars would be able to convincingly reprise their portrayals of teenagers). Suffice it to say that the film did not live up to the pre-release hype.

Answer: Dead Poet's Society

Robin Williams produced a memorable depiction of John Keating, an unconventional English teacher at a boys' boarding school who sought to inspire his students, not just present them with facts, in this 1989 drama (set 30 years earlier) directed by Peter Weir.

The death of one of his students is a tragedy that gives the headmaster all the excuse he needs to force Keating out of the school. The members of the Dead Poets Society (a banned group from Keating's days in the school, now revived) make it clear that his impact on their lives has not ended with his departure, standing on their desks and saluting him with the title of Walt Whitman's famous poem commemorating Abraham Lincoln, 'O Captain! My Captain!'

Answer: Braveheart

Mel Gibson directed, produced and starred in this 1995 film about the 13th-century Scottish leader William Wallace. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it was inspired by William Wallace, as the film sacrifices historical accuracy for the sake of rip-roaring battle action and romance. Still, it proved popular at the box office, and won the Oscar for Best Film and Best Director. William Wallace was one of the traditional heroes of the Scottish struggle for independence from English dominance, engaging in the battles of Stirling Bridge (1297) and Falkirk (1298), among others.

He was hanged, drawn and quartered as a traitor, but the stage had been set for the subsequent success of Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314.

Answer: The English Patient

Michael Ondaatje's 1992 book was turned into an Oscar-winning movie by director Anthony Minghella in 1996. The title character is hospitalised during World War II, dying from the extensive burns he has suffered, and claiming to not recall his name. Despite the fact that he speaks with an English accent, we learn that he is the Hungarian cartographer László Ede Almásy (a real person, whose life has been highly fictionalized here).

The story of his affair with a member of an expedition is revealed, leading to the climactic events that caused his injuries. Juliette Binoche earned the Best Supporting Actress accolade at the Academy Awards for her portrayal of Hana, the nurse who cares for the dying patient.

Answer: Shakespeare in Love

According to this 1998 period piece, William Shakespeare (played by Joseph Fiennes) was involved in a tumultuous romance that closely paralleled his famous play 'Romeo and Juliet' while he was writing it. While Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) was able to help him win a bet with the man she was forced to marry by playing Juliet to his Romeo, their love was doomed.

She did, however, give him the inspiration for the opening of 'Twelfth Night'. Fans of the Bard will recognise familiar faces of his contemporaries, as well as characters and events in his plays (as well as other Elizabethan literature), but the film does not pretend to historical accuracy. 'Shakespeare in Love' won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Gwyneth Paltrow won Best Actress, with Judi Dench awarded Best supporting Actress for her work as Queen Elizabeth I.

Answer: Any Given Sunday

What happens on Sunday? In many parts of the United States, it is football. The title of this 1999 film comes from the idea that competition in professional football is so fierce that, in any particular match, either team could emerge victorious. It follows a team in the fictitious Associated Football Franchises of America (AFFA), the Miami Sharks.

While Al Pacino (who plays coach Tony D'Amato) may be billed as the star, a number of those associated with the team get significant dramatic attention, including some big name actors and some professional football players. Jim Brown, as Monte Monroe, qualifies on both counts!

Answer: Drive Me Crazy

This 1999 teen romance, based on the novel 'How I Created My Perfect Prom Date' got its title from the Britney Spears song used as part of the soundtrack. Childhood friends Nicole (Melissa Joan Hart) and Chase (Adrian Grenier) grow apart during high school, but when they are both dumped by their romantic partners shortly before the senior prom, they decide to attend together and pretend to be dating each other as a ruse to regain their previous partners.

There is a lot of teen-aged angst before (surely this is not a spoiler) Nicole and Chase realise they are perfect for each other.

Answer: Battlefield Earth

This SciFi film from 2000 was based on a novel by L. Ron Hubbard, known both as a significant writer of science fiction and as the founder of Scientology, a practice to which the film's star and co-producer, John Travolta, subscribes. In the year 3000, Earth has been under the control of a giant humanoid race called the Psychlos, who have forced humans to despoil the planet, leaving it a wasteland. Travolta plays the Psychlo Terl, who is confronted by a rebellion led by Jonnie (Barry Pepper) and Carlo (Kim Coates).

They manage to destroy the Psychlo home world and all those who are resident on Earth except for Terl and his deputy, Ker (Forest Whitaker). The Earth is reclaimed, but the future is still uncertain.

Answer: Gladiator

This 2000 historical epic directed by Ridley Scott won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Russell Crowe was deemed Best Actor for his portrayal of the Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is sent into slavery by the emperor Commodus. Maximus becomes a successful gladiator, gaining his revenge for the deaths of his family by slaying Commodus even as he himself has been mortally wounded.

There is lots of action in the gladiatorial events - not just sword play, but also nets and tridents and even some tigers.

The film is also notable for being the final film of Oliver Reed, who died during filming. His character, the gladiator who gave Maximus his original training, was originally planned to survive, but the script was rewritten to reduce the number of scenes that required the use of a body double.