The ABCs of Movies, Part Uno Trivia Quiz

Answer: Absolute Power

This movie co-stars Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, and Scott Glen. The basic premise is this; when robbing a house, Eastwood witnesses the President (Hackman) murder the wife of one of the President's biggest supporters. Throughout the movie, Eastwood is chased by both the President's men, and police officer Harris, who believes he has something to do with the murder.

The movie is based on the novel written by David Baldacci. There are a number of excellent choreographed scenes in this movie, including the one with Dennis Haysbert and the loading of a sniper rifle.

The movie was directed by Clint Eastwood, who has also directed excellent films like 'Mystic River', 'Play Misty For Me', and 'True Crime'. The movie is a must see for Eastwood aficionados.

Answer: Batman Returns

'Batman Returns' has Michael Keaton reprising his role as the Batman. He must defend Gotham from corrupt businessman Max Shrek and stubby denizen Penguin, while resisting the advances of the vivacious Catwoman. Michael Keaton hung up the cowl after this movie, and was replaced in subsequent movies by Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and Christian Bale. 'Batman Returns' was the last Batman movie Tim Burton directed. Christopher Walken really steals the film in his diabolical role as the heartless tycoon Max Shrek.

His tooth cufflinks are reminiscent of Meyer Wolfsheim in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. Annette Benning was originally slated to play the fallacious feline, but had to quit due to her pregnancy.

Answer: Carlito's Way

'Carlito's Way' is arguably one of Pacino's best films. He imbues in the character, Carlito Brigante, a mixture of male machismo and deep introspection. The movie co-stars Sean Penn as Carlito's lawyer, a man whose profits mostly end up in his nose. There are some beautifully choreographed scenes in this movie, especially the gun battle at the train station. Director Brian De Palma wanted the final gun battle to be filmed at the World Trade Center, but around that time it fell prey to a terrorist attack, so that was out of the question. De Palma's 'The Untouchables' also had a final climatic gun battle in a train station.

Answer: Double Jeopardy

'Double Jeopardy' is successful due to the excellent performances by Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones. Jones plays Judd's parole officer, who may or may not be willing to help her. Jodi Foster was originally cast in the Ashley Judd role, but became pregnant.

The term double jeopardy is a legal term that means that you cannot be convicted twice for the same crime. In other words, if you are falsely convicted of the murder of your husband and serve your time, if you run into him when you're free, you can kill him and not be punished.

Answer: Enemy At the Gates

'Enemy At the Gates' co-stars Ed Harris as German sniper Konig, a man of no small ability. Rachel Weiss plays a Russian translator, and the woman that Law falls in love with. Most of the characters in this story are based on true people. The title of this movie comes from the book 'Enemy at the Gate: The Battle for Stalingrad' written by William Craig.

The book also depicts the life of Vasilli Zaitsev.

Answer: Fargo

'Fargo' has an excellent cast of characters, including Steve Buscemi, and William H. Macy. In the beginning of the movie, it says that it is based on a true story, which is in fact false. There are a number of memorable scenes in this movie, including a fairly brutal one with a wood chipper.

Answer: Goodfellas

'Goodfellas' is probably the best gangster movie ever made. It co-stars Paul Sorvino, Joe Pesci, and the great Robert De Niro. There are some excellent scenes in this movie, especially the beautiful choreography when the camera slowly circles the pink Cadillac as the song 'Two Tickets To Paradise Plays' in the background.

This movie is based on the book 'Wiseguy', written by the real Henry Hill. He is hiding somewhere, still in witness protection. The original title of this movie was supposed to be 'Wiseguy' but Director Scorcese was afraid of it being confused with the TV show of the same name.

Answer: Heist

'Heist' co-stars Delroy Lindo, Danny De Vito, and Sam Rockwell. Ricky Jay steals the movie as Pinky, a thief with quite a few neurotic tendencies. This was a very interesting movie, with quite a few unexpected plot twists.

Answer: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

The third entry in the 'Indiana Jones' series is considered by many to be the best in the trilogy. The dynamic chemistry between Sean Connery and Harrison Ford, as father and son, definitely contributed to this idea. This movie had some of the best dialogue moments in all three films. One of the most memorable scenes is Harrison Ford trying to convince a German butler that he is a Scottish Lord.

The movie is especially exciting because we finally find out where Indy's fear of snakes comes from, where his bullwhip comes from, and where the name Indiana comes from.

It turns out that that was the name of his dog. Coincidently, that was also the name of Producer George Lucas's dog.

Answer: Jeepers Creepers

'Jeepers Creepers' is one of the scariest movies ever. It co-stars Geena Philips as Long's disbelieving sister, who begins to believe in things that go bump in the night after her horrifying experiences. There are a number of truly horrifying scenes, including Long's visit to the Creeper's house. The house is covered in dead bodies sewn together.