Paradise City Trivia Quiz

Answer: Phantom of the Paradise

De Palma's musical "Phantom of the Paradise" was a mixture of "The Picture of Dorian Gray", "Phantom of the Opera", and "Faust". It also included mentions of both "Frankenstein" and "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". It was not known as a box office hit and received critical reviews from the movie critics.(What do they know anyway?) It starred William Finley and Jessica Harper.

It featured the the singing voice of Paul Williams and the introductory voice of Rod Serling. Although it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it has become a cult classic with many loyal fans.

Answer: Malaysia

"Return to Paradise" dealt with the horrors of being in a Malaysian prison for possession of hashish. It centered around attempts by two friends to return and save a third friend who had been imprisoned for two years. In the end, after a convoluted but very suspenseful trek through the Malaysian legal system, the attempt was futile and the third friend was put to death.

The movie also starred Anne Heche, Joaquin Phoenix and Jada-Pinkett Smith.

Answer: Suicide bombers

"Paradise Now" was a very controversial film that tried to show the world the other side of suicide bombers. The movie centered on two friends who grew up together and had been recruited for a suicide mission. They both wore bomb belts which only they could take off.

The movie dealt with the inner struggles of both men as they tried to decide what was the right choice to make. One friend decided he could not do the bombing. The final scene in the movie showed the other one riding off in a bus full of civilians, with his bomb still attached.

The screen then faded to white, leaving the watcher to decide for themselves what choice the character may have made. Many people protested over the award nomination stating that the movie encouraged and romanticised the act of suicide bombing and the killing of civilians with terrorist acts.

Answer: Melanie Griffith

"Another Day in Paradise" was the sad story of a couple of junkies and their girlfriends who involved themselves in some misguided drug robberies. While the theft of drugs was successful, half of the bungling quartet got themselves killed while trying to resell the drugs.

The movie dealt with the heartache and loss as the remaining characters attempted to cope with addiction, miscarriage, and the loss of a loved one. James Woods co-starred with Melanie Griffith in this sad reflection of life as a drug addict.

Answer: Nerds in Paradise

Starring Anthony Edwards and Robert Carradine, "Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise" (1987) was the second of four movies that starred the same actors in the same roles. In this silly comedy, paradise was Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The fraternity flew down and frolicked on the beach looking for beautiful women.

They got into trouble while competing with another fraternity, which culminated in some of them being arrested for auto theft. They were saved by a new friend named Ogre, who became the newest member of their fraternity when they all got back home.

While younger audiences enjoyed the movie, it was very poorly received by the critics.

Answer: John Wayne

"Paradise Canyon" was one of John Wayne's earlier movies. Filmed in black and white (of course), this movie dealt with the story of an undercover sheriff (John Wayne)and his attempt to catch a counterfeiter with whom he had a long past. As with most John Wayne westerns, the good guy caught the bad guy, and he also got the girl. Marion Burns played opposite The Duke, as she did in the 1935 western "The Dawn Rider". For John Wayne fans, this old movie might be a moment of celluloid paradise.

Answer: World War II

"Paradise Road" took place during World War II. The movie attempted to bring forth the atrocities of war, especially those that involved captive American and British females. In one poignant scene, a woman was doused in gasoline and set on fire. The movie came from the testimony of two of the surviving females at the camp at the end of the war.

The movie had a plethora of female stars including Glenn Close, Julianna Margulies, Cate Blanchett and Frances McDormand. It brought home the fact that Sumatra, nor most of the world, was paradise during World War II.

Answer: False

This movie starred Elvis Presley and was his third and final movie done in Hawaii. It was full of lovely scenery and beautiful women as one would expect in an Elvis film. The movie centered around a pilot (Elvis) who had lost his job as a commercial pilot because of his penchant for chasing women, and was now trying to set up a charter flying service.

While in Hawaii he fell in love and made a new life for himself. The movie had lots of music and scantily clad women. While the plot was rather thin, if you like Elvis and his movies, don't miss this piece of celluloid paradise!

Answer: False

"Paradise Lost" (1667) was the title of an epic poem by British poet John Milton. Most of the verse dealt with the loss of paradise by Adam and Eve. It also included classical Greek references and some Paganism. Oliver Stone's 2006 movie about 9-11 was called "World Trade Center". Stone's movie dealt with the true story of two police officers who were trapped beneath the rubble of the fallen towers.

A suspenseful and dramatic movie, it recounted how family members, rescuers, and complete strangers pulled together to rescue those entombed in the wreckage, be they alive or dead.

It was a compelling movie about two of the last survivors pulled out of the rubble and the rescue efforts as opposed to the events leaving up to 9-11. Both men survived.

Answer: Gerard Depardieu

Gerard Depardieu led a multi-star cast in this poorly received movie about a quest to find paradise. The movie featured Armand Assante, Sigourney Weaver and Frank Langella, and spared no expense in its production. The movie covered Colombus' struggle to get backing for his voyage among the royalty of Europe. Most of the movie focused more on the impact of discovery by Europe on the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

It also focused on Colombus' efforts to bring Catholicism to the New World. It was filmed in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

While the movie did not do well, the film's score by world renowned composer Vangelis did very well. If you enjoy period clothing, history and beautiful scenery, this and a bowl of popcorn might be paradise for you.