Thursday, January 6, 2011

Random Acts of Thursday - Picture in Picture

I remember when I bought my first television, it came with Picture in Picture technology.  Oooh, fancy.  Now I could watch two shows at once, as if my attention span needed the encouragement to swap between shows.

It seems the same is true of film.  I am sick of 'remakes'.  True, without remakes, we wouldn't have gotten Airplane!  But I don't need to see Jackie Chan and Will Smith's son remaking 'Karate Kid'.  I don't need to see Adam Sandler in 'The Longest Yard'.  Nobody needs to see Marky Mark in 'Planet of the Apes'.  And I love the Coen Brothers, but I'm so conflicted about their remake of 'True Grit'.  However, a number of films pay tribute to those who came before without imitation. 
Below are twelve films that have been flashed on screen in later movies, a way for directors to pay homage to classics without needing to lift the script and hand it to some ham to destroy while the original directors roll cartwheels in their graves. 

Your job?  Name the film that shared the original with brand new audiences.

  • Rambo
  • Casablanca
  • Rio Bravo
  • Touch of Evil
  • Goldfinger
  • Spartacus
  • Miracle on 34th Street
  • Captain Blood
  • Watership Down
  • Myrt and Marge
  • It's a Wonderful Life
  • Gilda

Name two movies that feature video stores, though no actual film footage is ever seen.

Name two movies that feature fake films as part of the main film's plotline.

Name two movies that feature 'themselves' in the film.

And really, kids, I can't say it enough.  If you don't recognize these, get out and watch some more movies. 

7 comments:

Connie said...

I can remember as a kid holding a mirror up to a mirror and seeing the endless reflections. I always thought that was so cool.

It is a clever idea for one movie to pay tribute to another by showcasing it within it, I think.

With regard to your quiz, though, I obviously need to watch more movies!! HA HA! I'm sorry I don't know the answers. :D

Elliott said...

Growing up '70's as I did, we had giant mirrors on one wall of the bathroom, and since it was opposite the vanity, I could stand there and wave at myself into infinity. Loved that.

So what you're telling me, essentially, is that I need to look into gift memberships to NetFlix as my next NFG Giveaway?

Connie said...

HA! Maybe so. Actually, we just signed up for NetFlix this month, so maybe I'll get caught up on some of the movies I have missed. I think I'll still be behind, though. Finding the TIME to watch movies is more my problem than not having them available.

Unknown said...

Two movies that feature fake films are "For Your Consideration" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back".

I would say "Adaptation" for a movie that features itself but I don't know if that's right. Of course the movie is so screwy that it leaves a lot open to interpretation.

Elliott said...

Here are the answers if you just can't bear it anymore.

Unknown said...

Dammit, I knew so many of those movies. Apparently I'm dumb today.

Bev said...

I'm too tired to do a quiz, but I have to say that even I am excited to see True Grit! The Coen Bros. AND The Dude? Yes, please.

Be nice and share!

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