'American' Movies Trivia Quiz

Answer: American Beauty

'American Beauty' is the story of a man who lives a completely miserable and mundane existence, and how he suddenly decides to change everything about the way he lives.

The film not only won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, it also won awards for Best Cinematography, Best Writing and Best Actor (Kevin Spacey).

Answer: Michael Douglas

President Andrew Shepherd falls in love with a lobbyist, played by Annette Bening. Richard Dreyfuss, Michael J. Fox and Martin Sheen also star in this Rob Reiner-directed film, written by Aaron Sorkin, of 'West Wing' fame.

Answer: American Splendor

'American Splendor' is really quite a charming film that bends the margin between reality and fiction. Paul Giamatti portrays Harvey Pekar in the film, but frequent appearances are made by the real Harvey for narrative purposes. It's a strange and interesting film that really works...I recommend it!

Answer: Matt Damon

Edward Norton is simply mesmerizing (and often frightening) in the lead role as the Neo-Nazi turned straight, Derek Vinyard. Edward Furlong is Vinyard's younger brother Danny, a very impressionable young man who desires to follow in his brother's footsteps. Avery Brooks plays the principal at the high school where both Derek and Danny have attended.

Answer: John Landis

John Landis, who had previously directed 'Animal House' and 'The Blues Brothers', gave his fans a surprise twist by tossing at them a devilishly crafted horror film in 1981, namely 'An American Werewolf in London'. He followed the making of this film a couple years later with his direction of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', a video that often tops various 'all-time greatest video' lists.

Answer: Gene Kelly

Honestly, who else but Gene Kelly could keep his audience entertained almost single-handedly for an entire two-hour film? It would be very small company, if anyone at all!

'An American in Paris' was a Best Picture Oscar winning film, featuring the direction of Vincente Minnelli, the writing of Alan Lerner, the music of the Gershwins and the film debut of the lovely Leslie Caron.

Answer: Vietnam

Directed by Philip Noyce, the film is based on a novel by the prolific author Graham Greene. The film is a war drama, thriller and romance all wrapped into one interesting package. The performance of actress Do Hai Yen is also worth note, alongside the typically excellent performances by Caine and Fraser.

Answer: American Graffiti

Lucas directed 'American Graffiti' all the way back in 1973. One of his first films, it depicted what post high school life might have been like in Lucas' home town of Modesto, California. Among the post high school cruisers in this film are Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford and Ron Howard. Popular television actresses Cindy Williams and Mackenzie Phillips are also featured.

Answer: Christian Bale

Christian Bale, who you may know better as Bruce Wayne in 'Batman Begins', chillingly plays the lead role as Patrick Bateman, a serial killer. The cast also includes notable performances by Chloë Sevigny, Samantha Mathis, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe, as Detective Donald Kimball.

Answer: American Pie

The 'brainchild' of writer Adam Herz, 'American Pie' is by far the best film in the three part trilogy. Often very vulgar, the film also seems to capture something of the essence of high school life, for kids growing up on the 1990s. Jason Biggs is charming as Jim, while Eddie Kaye Thomas does a notable job playing the quirky Finch. Other notable performances include Eugene Levy as Jim's awkward but sympathetic father, Seann William Scott as the perverse Stifler, Natasha Lyonne as the wizened high school senior Jessica and Jennifer Coolidge as the very sophisticated mother of Stifler. It's worth a look if you have a high tolerance for schlock and gross-outs.

Thanks for trying this quiz, I hope you have enjoyed it.