Film Quizzes: Alan Rickman

First with the death of the legendary David Bowie, and now with the loss of Alan Rickman (both at the same age and from such a horrible disease), it’s been a terrible start to the year. Quite simply, Alan Rickman was one of the greats. From his unforgettable breakthrough as Hans Gruber, quite possibly my favourite villain, Rickman soon built up a career of extraordinary performances. While some of his most famous roles were as the baddies you found yourself at times rooting for, he was also capable of some of the most tender, vulnerable portrayals you will ever see. Like with my Robin Williams piece, this quiz isn’t so much about the scoring but about a celebration of Rickman’s work. Do you have a favourite character? Which of his films stand out most to you?

  Film 1

  Film 2

  Film 3

  Film 4

  Film 5

  Film 6

  Film 7

  Film 8

  Film 9

  Film 10

  Film 11

  Film 12

Answers below

Gr8at: David Bowie

As I described in my last post, there will never be anyone like David Bowie. He really does belong in the same realm as the likes of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury. Genius musicians with incredible stage presence and a seemingly infinite level of creativity and influence that have inspired every generation. Below are my favourite songs from the Brixton maestro. Even allowing that quite a few of his most famous hits are on the list, they still omit some some real gems.  Songs like Life on Mars, Under Pressure, Dancing in the Street, Modern Love, The Man who Sold the World, China Girl, Fame and Young Americans would have still made it a quality Gr8at. Which of his songs have you most connected with?

David Bowie Tribute

It was with real sadness that I heard of the passing of David Bowie. Perhaps the biggest tribute I can pay to the Rock God is that I really thought he would be around forever. I’ve always been aware of what’s going on around us and that geniuses don’t live any longer than the rest of us. Indeed a lot of the time they are gone sooner. But with Bowie it really did seem as he was different and that the regular rules of life didn’t apply to him.

Line(s) of the Day #TheUsualSuspects

Who is Keyser Soze? He is supposed to be Turkish. Some say his father was German. Nobody believed he was real. Nobody ever saw him or knew anybody that ever worked directly for him, but to hear Kobayashi tell it, anybody could have worked for Soze. You never knew. That was his power. The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. And like that, poof. He’s gone.

Verbal Klint (Kevin Spacey) in the hugely thrilling The Usual Suspects (1995). Winner of an Academy Award for Spacey as well as for Best Original Screenplay, it features one of cinema’s most famous endings.

 

Film Quizzes: Snow

Christmas has gone, the New Year and Epiphany too, but it’s still Winter. And that means for most of us it’s still pretty cold. And for more than a few of us that can mean snow, a type of weather that’s been represented in all kind of non-Christmas films. How well will you do in the quiz that covers everything from thrilling and funny to sweet and sinister? As always, please feel free to share your score and any further comments you have.

  (1960s)

  (1980s)

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  (1990s)

  (2000s)

  (2010+)

Answers below

Line(s) of the Day #CalvinandHobbes

Calvin and Hobbes (1985 – 1995) tells the tale of a young boy and his invisible friend tiger. If you’re a fan of the mischievous adventurer and his sneaky sidekick, you can find more on my blog here, here and here.

Line(s) of the Day #EdgarDegas

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.

Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917), regarded as one of the founders of impressionism and especially applauded for his talent in capturing movement in his paintings.

Line(s) of the Day #TheBridgeontheRiverKwai

Line(s) of the Day #WickedGame

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.
It’s strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I’d meet somebody like you.
And I never dreamed that I’d lose somebody like you.

Taken from the song Wicked Game by Californian singer Chris Isaak from his third album Heart Shaped World (1989). The music video famously featured Isaak and supermodel Helena Christensen frolicking naked.