Lucky for you this stuff don’t work.
The hilarious line as said to Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) in one of my favourite episodes, King-Sized Homer. The Simpsons (1989 – ) is one of TV’s most successful and most enduring ever shows. The image is from the War of the Simpsons website.
With The Jungle Book and Zoolander (and the third Ghostbusters film 27 years after its second outing) releasing sequels this year long after their original stories, it got me thinking which other films have had similar gaps. So below are six films that kept its fans waiting a long time for the second outing. How will you do? As always, feel free to share your scores and comments. And if the topic of sequels interests you, why not try my earlier quiz on forgotten sequels.
1. (1960s)
2. (1980s)
3. (1980s)
4. (1980s)
Answers below
Dreams feel real while we’re in them. It’s only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange.
Dominic Cobb (Leonardo Di Caprio) in the brilliantly thought-provoking science fiction heist film Inception (2010). Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film won four Academy Awards, raked in over $820 million and is considered a hugely imaginative modern masterpiece. I’m a huge fan of the English writer/director. You can also find other films of his on my blog, with The Dark Knight, Memento and The Prestige.
Are you a lucky little lady in the City of Light
Or just another lost angel?
Taken from the title track of The Doors’ sixth studio album LA Woman (The Doors). Formed in 1965, the LA band sold over 100 million records and continue to be seen as one of the greatest acts ever.
Though there was only 24 episodes and the show finished in 1989, Blackadder has never been forgotten and continues to be one of Britain’s most loved sitcoms. As well as its unique take on four different periods within British history, it also featured one of comedy’s most famous anti-heroes, the acerbic Edmund Blackadder. The eight quotes below give a strong insight into his turn of phrase, and you’ll find a bonus example of his scathing wit here.
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they’d only remind me of you
Taken from the song Nothing Compares 2U by Irish singer Sinead O’Connor from her second album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990). Originally written by Prince for his side project The Family, the song later achieved huge success and topped both sides of the Atlantic.
Darren Cross: All those years ago, you picked me. What did you see in me?
Hank Pym: I saw myself.
Darren Cross: Then why did you push me away?
Hank Pym: Because I saw too much of myself.
Corey Stoll and Michael Douglas in the superhero action film Ant-Man (2015). Based on the comic book of the same name (with slight plot differences), it tells the story of a thief released from prison who becomes an unlikely superhero after struggling to hold down a job.
Alan Harper: Charlie, when I moved in here, I said that is was vital that we create a wholesome atmosphere for Jake, and you said, “I understand”.
Charlie Harper: Alan, there’s something you should know about me. When I say “I understand”, it doesn’t mean I agree. It doesn’t mean I understand. It doesn’t even mean I’m listening to you.
Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen with an example of the dynamic that was pivotal to the success of the sibling comedy Two and a Half Men (2003 – 2015). You can find another example of the wit from the show in my previous post here.
A wise man can learn more from his enemies than a fool from his friends
Nikki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) from the adrenalin-fulled sporting drama Rush (2013). Based on the true story of the fight for the 1976 Formula 1 championship, it tells the complex competitive relationship between the calculated Lauda and playboy James Hunt. You can find my review of the film here.
They say lightning never strikes twice. That would have certainly been good advice for these films that faded into obscurity along with dire reviews. How well do you remember the originals? Were you aware that they had inspired sequels. Your scores and comments are always welcome so please feel free to write something below.
Film 1: 1980s
Film 2: 1990s
Film 3: 1990s
Film 4: 1990s
Film 5: 1990s
Film 6: 2000s
Answers below
Alex Raphael 