Weather Report-Films with Atmosphere Quiz

Answer: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" hit theaters in late 1937 and is one of the most cherished of films. It along with "Fantasia"(1940) are the only animated films selected in the top 100 by the American Film Institute. Of course, a kiss from a prince saves the day.

Answer: The Rains Of Ranchipur (1955)

Turner manages to charm Richard Burton, Fred MacMurray, and Michael Rennie. Rennie is her husband but she seduces the Indian doctor played by Burton. MacMurray, who is also attracted to her, is able to see her realistically. Turner plays the spoiled rich woman, unhappy with her marriage, and believing that men only want her money.

The film is a remake of "The Rains Came" (1939) that starred Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power, and George Brent.

Answer: The Perfect Storm (2000)

"The Perfect Storm"(2000) was nominated for two Academy Awards for Special Effects and Sound, winning neither. A fishing vessel and its crew become the victim of a rare combination of weather conditions causing the grandfather of ocean storms. The film concentrates on the chaos aboard the ship and the reactions of friends, family, and lovers ashore.

Answer: The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)

This 1985 film was based on a true story. 'Falcon' refers to Hutton's character's hobby of falconry and 'Snowman' refers to Penn's drug dealing. On another level it tells the story of the meaning of friendship. Successful at first, the pair dissolves because they become unreliable due to changing goals and drugs.

Answer: A Place in the Sun (1951)

The film won five Academy Awards for Screenplay, Cinematography, Costuming, Editing and Musical Score. It was based on Theodore Dreiser's novel "An American Tragedy". The drowning may have been an 'accident' but it served a purpose for the upwardly mobile Clift as it disposed of her unborn child as well, leaving him free to pursue the beautiful and rich Taylor.

Answer: House of Sand and Fog (2003)

Jennifer Connelly is the mother burdened with guilt and alcohol abuse who seeks to reclaim the house from which she was evicted. Ben Kingsley is a former Iranian Army colonel, now working for minimum wages in a society that he does not quite comprehend. Both get high marks for their performances.

(Note: "Velvet Fog" was a term used to describe the singing of Mel Torme. "Foghat" was a British rock group of the late 1970s and early 1980s. To my knowledge neither of these titles are films.)

Answer: Purple Rain

The film was developed to showcase the talents of Prince. It was filmed on location in Minneapolis and told the story of a troubled youth attempting to enter show business. In attempting to rise above his circumstances, he began to make the same errors that had held his father down.

Answer: A Raisin in the Sun

The film is based on Lorraine Hansberry's 1959 Broadway play of the same name. The title is taken from a Langston Hughes poem. Living in a small apartment, the family has a chance through an insurance settlement to change the course of their lives. Family members differ on how to use the windfall.

The Mother feels strongly that they should buy a home and provide a healthier environment for her grandchild. Her son see the influx of money as a key to investment and opportunity.

Answer: Smilla's Sense of Snow

The film is of the suspense genre, it also is a study of Danish cultural attitudes on colonialism. The first half is refreshing and challenging but is mired by a conspiracy theories in later moments. Julia Ormond is Smilla and is supported by Gabriel Byrne, Richard Harris, Jim Broadbent, Tom Wilkinson, Robert Loggia, and Vanessa Redgrave.

Answer: A Mighty Wind

This is another one of Christopher Guest's low key productions for which he is known such as "Spinal Tap"(1984), "Waiting for Guffman"(1996), "For your Consideration"(2006), and my favorite "Best in Show" (2000). The groups invited to the concert find that it was not a return to popularity of folk music as they each return to their mediocre past.