Great Movie Exchanges 20 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Little Miss Sunshine

In this scene young Olive Hoover (Abigail Breslin) is about to perform in the Talent Competition of the "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty pageant. She is being introduced by the pageant MC, and says line one to him (and the audience via the loudspeakers). The MC responds with line two. Unfortunately for the pageant officials, recently deceased Grandpa Edwin Hoover (Alan Arkin) was a sex addict and the "moves" he showed Olive are part of a striptease, done to the song "Superfreak" (also picked out by Grandpa Hoover)! This movie tells the story of Olive, who has her heart set on entering the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant in California. So, her dysfunctional family sets out from Albuquerque, New Mexico in a VW bus of questionable mechanical stability. While enroute to the pageant, Grandpa Hoover dies of a heroin overdose and the family stuffs his body in their trunk in order to make the tight schedule.

In the 2007 Academy Awards "Little Miss Sunshine" won two Oscars, including Alan Arkin for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. It was also nominated for Best Picture (but lost out to "The Departed"). All of the other pageant contestants Olive was shown competing against in the movie had experience in real-life beauty pageants.

Answer: Total Recall

In this scene wife Lori Quaid (Sharon Stone) tries to get her husband Doug (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to put down the gun he has aimed at her (after the two have had a vicious fight involving kung fu, a knife and groin kicks) and says line one. As she reaches behind her back to get a gun tucked in her waistband, he shoots her in the forehead and says line two. "Total Recall" is set in the future and it tells the story of Douglas Quaid, a mild-mannered construction worker. He visits a company called Rekall, Inc. to get an artificial memory implanted in his brain of a vacation on Mars (which is now colonized). But something goes wrong with the implantation and it triggers something else. The result is a roller coaster ride of action. The original cut of the movie was given an X rating for excessive violence (now called NC-17). After several fixes, that was eventually toned down to an R rating.

In the 1991 Academy Awards "Total Recall" won a Special Achievement Award (for visual effects) and was nominated for two other Oscars (but didn't win either). This movie was Sharon Stone's first big hit and she was afraid of being typecast (for only action star parts). To counter this, she agreed to pose for "Playboy" magazine (to prove she was also worthy of being considered for sexy parts). The director of "Total Recall" was Sci-Fi master Paul Verhoeven, and he later helped Sharon get her arguably most famous part as the sultry sociopathic novelist Catherine Tramell in the 1992 hit "Basic Instinct" with Michael Douglas (which Verhoeven also directed). In 2003 Schwarzenegger was elected Governor of the state of California (earning him the nickname "The Governator").

Answer: Tootsie

In this scene (near the end of the movie), TV soap-opera hospital administrator Dorothy Michaels (Dustin Hoffman) pulls off his wig, lowers his voice, and reveals to the live audience, "For I am not Emily Kimberly, the daughter of Dwayne and Alma Kimberly. No, I'm not. I'm Edward Kimberly, the recluse brother of my sister Anthea! Edward Kimberly, who has finally vindicated his sister's good name. I am Edward Kimberly. Edward Kimberly. And I'm not mentally ill, but proud, and lucky, and strong enough to be the woman that was the best part of my manhood." Watching this on TV in amazement, his roommate Jeff Slater (Bill Murray) says line one. Line two is said by soap-opera director Ron Carlisle (Dabney Coleman). "Tootsie" tells the story of out-of-work actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), who dresses in drag as Dorothy Michaels in order to get acting work (with some pretty hilarious situations resulting).

In the 1983 Academy Awards "Tootsie" was nominated for Best Picture (but lost to "Gandhi"). Dustin Hoffman, Teri Garr, director Sydney Pollack, the screenplay writing, and the title song were all nominated for awards, but only Jessica Lange won an Oscar (for Best Actress in a Supporting Role). Hoffman joked he should have been nominated for both Best Actor and Best Actress (because of all the scenes where he appeared in drag as Dorothy Michaels).

Answer: Braveheart

In this scene England's tyrannical King, Edward I (also called Longshanks, played by Patrick McGoohan), is talking to his son Edward, Prince of Wales (Peter Hanly) about William Wallace (Mel Gibson) capturing the city of York, when Edward's homosexual lover Phillip (Stephen Billington) offers the king some military advice. Longshanks says line one and Prince Edward responds with line two. Longshanks puts his arm around Philip and pretends to be interested in his advice as the two walk over to an open floor-length window. He then tosses Phillip out the window as a horrified Prince Edward watches! "Braveheart" tells the mostly-true story of William Wallace, a commoner (although one source says he was a Scottish lord) who unites 13th-century Scotland in its battle to overthrow English rule (although documentation about the details is sketchy, at best).

In the 1996 Academy Awards, "Braveheart" won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Mel Gibson. Despite Longshanks portrayal in "Braveheart" as an evil villain, he actually had the best interests of his people at heart and encouraged Parliamentary institutions to replace more feudal systems (although he was ruthlessly ambitious). The sketchy historical details about William Wallace allowed the screenwriter, Randall Wallace, to create several of the scenes in this movie. For example, Braveheart is shown in the movie as having a relationship with Prince Edward's wife, Princess Isabelle (Sophie Marceau). In actuality, she was wed to Edward II in 1308, three years after Wallace was executed in 1305. Randall Wallace was inspired to write this screenplay while searching for his ancestors, and finding a statue of William Wallace, with a plaque saying he was "Scotland's Greatest Hero."

Answer: Deliverance

In this scene, outdoor enthusiast Lewis Medlock (Burt Reynolds) has come upon two backcountry mountain men sexually assaulting canoeing trip partners Bobby Trippe (Ned Beatty) and Ed Gentry (Jon Voight) and kills one of them with a bow and arrow. The other backcountry mountain man takes off running through the woods (but reappears later in the movie in a very dramatic sequence!). After the shooting, the canoeing party discusses what to do. Lewis says line one and fourth canoeing trip partner, Drew Ballinger (Ronny Cox), says line two. After Lewis comments he doesn't want to face a trial with the mountain men's relatives on the jury, they decide to bury the body and let the rising lake water hide it (a dam on the river they are canoeing on is in the process of being constructed). "Deliverance" tells the story of how Medlock has organized a weekend canoeing trip down a soon-to-be-submerged river in the Georgia backcountry with three Atlanta, Georgia urban businessmen. However, instead of a fun canoe adventure, they enter a nightmare!

In the 1973 Academy Awards, "Deliverance" was nominated in three categories, including Best Picture (but lost to "The Godfather"). Much of this movie was filmed on the Chattooga River (which divides the states of South Carolina and Georgia). In 1973 (the year following the release of "Deliverance"), 31 people drowned attempting to canoe on the stretch of river where the movie was shot (in the movie it's called the fictional Cahulawassee River).

Answer: The Patriot

In this scene, soldier Col. Harry Burwell (Chris Cooper) has just addressed the South Carolina assembly in Charlestown and has made a plea for them to join eight other American colonies in supporting the Continental Army with money and men. South Carolina colonist Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) says he supports their aims, but doesn't want to go to war. Col. Burwell then asks line one and Martin (whose wife has recently died) answers with line two. This movie is loosely based on actual historical events in the Revolutionary War between England and her American colonies. "The Patriot" tells the story of how South Carolina colonist Benjamin Martin is transformed from pacifist to fighter and is loosely based on the life of American General Francis Marion, who became known as The Swamp Fox. The climatic battle in the movie (just before Yorktown) is based on the actual battle of Cowpens, South Carolina (although the American General in that battle was Brigadier-General Daniel Morgan). The clever American strategy and unique landscape of the area gave the Americans a decisive victory.

In the 2001 Academy Awards, "The Patriot" was nominated for Oscars in three categories but did not win any. The scene where Martin's young daughter Susan (Skye McCole Bartusiak) finally breaks years of silence (since her mother died) and speaks is a real tearjerker. As Martin starts to ride off to war, she runs after him and cries, "Papa! Papa! Please don't go. I'll say anything. Just tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it."

Answer: Dances with Wolves

In this scene Dances with Wolves (Kevin Costner) has come to the conclusion he must leave the Indian camp so soldiers searching for him do not also find the camp, and announces his decision to those seated around a council in line one. The other Indians at the council (who by now consider Dances with Wolves a good friend) all start to shout objections. Chief Ten Bears (Floyd Red Crow Westerman) reacts to their noisy objections with line two. "Dances with Wolves" tells the story of U.S. Civil War veteran Lt. John Dunbar, who is stationed at a remote western U.S. army outpost. He eventually makes friends with some local Sioux Indians and is gradually transformed into the Indian named Dances with Wolves (Kevin Costner plays the part).

In the 1991 Academy Awards "Dances with Wolves" won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Kevin Costner for Best Director. John Barry won the Oscar for Best Music, Original Score. This wonderful soundtrack is one of my all-time favorite CDs. Kevin Costner, Graham Greene and Mary McDonnell were also nominated for acting awards but did not win. When Stands With A Fist (Mary McDonnell) is remembering how she was captured by the Pawnee Indian party, who killed her family, the young girl, Christine, was played by Kevin Costner's daughter Annie (who was six years-old at the time).

Answer: Sweet Home Alabama

In this scene Melanie Smooter (Reese Witherspoon), her Alabama husband Jake Perry (Josh Lucas), and some of their friends are at a town fair/dance, when the band starts to play the song "Sweet Home Alabama" (I LOVE this version of it, performed by the group "Cornbread"). The wife of Clinton (Fleet Cooper) asks, "Jake, when's the last time you pushed me around the dance floor? Clinton here has got two left feet," and Jake replies, "Well, Ms. Taylor, I'd be honored. Let's do it." When they head off to the dance floor, Clinton makes the comment in line one. Melanie replies with line two, as she pulls a surprised Clinton on the dance floor by his lapels. "Sweet Home Alabama" tells the story of Melanie Smooter, who marries her Alabama sweetheart Jake Perry, but some time later starts divorce proceedings to dissolve the marriage. She moves from Alabama to New York City, uses the last name Carmichael, makes up untrue details about her past and tries to distance herself from her Alabama roots. After returning home to Alabama on a brief trip to iron out details for her impending marriage to handsome celebrity catch Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey), she gradually realizes she really does love Jake best.

This movie won several minor awards in 2003, but no Oscars. The dog Bear (buried in the coon dog cemetery) and Jake's current dog Bryant are references to the legendary University of Alabama head football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Although the writers seem to have a special interest in Alabama, the two writers involved (Douglas J. Eboch and C. Jay Cox) grew up in Juneau, Alaska and rural eastern Nevada, respectively. Their interest seems instead to be small town vs. big city.

Answer: Out of Africa

In this scene Danish Baroness Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) is dancing with her friend and eventual lover, adventurer Denys Finch-Hatton (Robert Redford), at a New Years Eve party in British East Africa (now called Kenya). When the conversation turns to possessions and she defensively says line one, he admonishes her with line two. This movie tells the true story of Karen Blixen (who wrote under the pseudonym of Isak Dinesen). She had gone to British East Africa in 1913 to be married to her Swedish friend Bror (Klaus Maria Brandauer), but it was a marriage of convenience and she grew to love Denys.

In the 1986 Academy Awards, "Out of Africa" won seven Oscars, including Best Picture. John Barry won the Oscar for Best Music, Original Score (the wonderful main theme is one of my all-time favorites). Meryl Streep was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Klaus Maria Brandauer was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, but neither won.

Answer: Field of Dreams

In this scene (at the end of the movie), Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) speaks to the ghost of his dead father John Kinsella (Dwier Brown), who Ray never got to know very well before his dad died. Ray asks his dad the question in line one, referring to the age-old practice of a father and son throwing a ball back and forth. His father replies with line two. In the events leading up to this scene, Ray hears a voice in his cornfield telling him, "If you build it, he will come." Ray at first interprets this message as an instruction to build a baseball field on his farm so the ghosts of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) and the seven other Chicago White Sox players banned from the game for throwing the 1919 World Series (known as the Chicago Black Sox) will appear. He later realizes the "he" in the message refers to his dead father.

In the 1990 Academy Awards, "Field of Dreams" was nominated in three categories, including Best Picture (but lost to "Driving Miss Daisy"). In the scene where Ray Kinsella and Terence 'Terry' Mann (James Earl Jones) are watching a baseball game in Boston's Fenway Park, the thousands of extras in the stands include then unknowns Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.