Excelsior: the February Big Quiz

Buff Quiz Questions

1. Director Brad Bird voiced which character in his animated film The Incredibles?
a. Mirage b. Edna E'More c. Mrs Hogenson

2. Before filming Spider-Man 2 Tobey Maguire sustained a back injury. Although he recovered in time to film, who was lined up to take the role over?
a. Jake Gyllenhaal b. Karl Urban c. Casey Affleck

3. Comic book writer Mark Millar is the brains behind Kick-Ass. What Angelina Jolie film was also an adaptation of one of Millar's works?
a. Wanted b. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow c. Salt

4. V for Vendetta was based on a series of graphic novels by which author?
a. Mike Mignolia b. David Lloyd c. Alan Moore

5. DC comics started life as Detective Comics in which year?
a. 1925 b. 1936 c. 1947

6. The film Ghost World was adapted from a graphic novel to the screen by Terry Zwigoff. What other film has he directed?
a. Beetlejuice b. Bad Santa c. The Island



Noob Quiz Questions:

1. Edward Norton played Bruce Banner aka The Incredible Hulk... but who has been cast in Joss Whedon's film The Avengers to play the same role?
a. Mark Ruffalo b. Jeremy Renner c. Clark Gregg

2. What newspaper does Peter Parker take photographs for?
a. Daily Planet b. The Daily Bugle c. Metropolis Times

3. Gotham city is home to which superhero?
a. Batman b. Captain America c. Deadpool

4. Which of these films is not Marvel?
a. Blade b. Jonah Hex c. X-Men

5. In what year did the original Superman film starring Christopher Reeve come out?
a. 1978 b. 1983 c. 1986

6. Who directed Watchmen?
a. David Slade b. Greg Mottola c. Zack Snyder

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Directed by: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
UK release date: 7 January 2010
UK release date: 8 October 2010
Starring: Keir Gilchrist, Emma Roberts, Zach Galifianakis, Jeremy Davies



IMDB page

She said:

I had not seen a trailer for this film before I went to see it - I was simply drawn to it because it was set in a mental health hospital and starred Zach Galifianakis (I totally would, fyi). I was expecting something with an indie feel, something a bit quirky and with a bit of heart to it. This is exactly what I got. And to top it off the patients weren't all walking around in padded rooms wearing pyjamas! Huzzah!

This film is essentially a coming-of-age story about self discovery... the clever part was setting it in a psychiatric ward. Where better to learn that life isn't as tragic as it seemed then by being able to compare yourself to people who really are struggling? However by making this film a comedy drama I had concerns it would either trivialise mental health or else glamorize it. In fact it did neither - it struck a nice 'matter of fact' balance, which, as someone who works in a mental health setting, I really appreciated.

Despite a breakthrough performance by young star Keir Gilchrist (who played main character Craig) the star of the film is undoubtedly Zach Galifianakis who plays Bobby, a patient that befriends Craig when he comes into hospital. Bobby is a man who despite the optimism he hands out to others has almost given up on his own life, or at least accepted it the way it is. Kudos to Zach G. for taking on the task of playing such a complex character and still managing to make you leave with a smile rather than wanting to 'check in' yourself.

Overall I thought this was a nice, quirky little film. Perhaps it didn't change my life totally, but it did make me think, and let's be honest teen films don't often do that. By the way if you are wondering yes this is a book and on Amazon's "people who bought this also bought" there are two John Green books as well as 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' and 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist'. I think that tells you much of what you need to know. I give this film {{{3.5 out of 5}}}

He said:
I really enjoy when a film tugs at my heart strings, for the most part I am not led blindly by my emotions like so many people I have known, but every once in a while I will come across a film of novel that pushes all the right buttons and manages to retrieve an emotion stronger than happy or annoyed.

Keir Gilchrist appears to be a very talented up and coming young actor and he proves in this film that he has the acting chops that so many child actors lack to make the successful jump to adult acting. As Helen says above Galifianakis steals nearly every scene he is in. At one point Helen turned to me during the film and said that she has added Mr Galifianakis to her Guilt Free three, thankfully to me my wife seems to be physically attracted to a body type that is exactly like my own.

The only issue I had with this film is how disingenuous Craig's family seem to be, at no point during the film was I convinced that the boys parents were at all concerned that their child had checked himself into a psych ward in a hospital because of his thoughts of suicide. If anything they appeared to be put out or annoyed that he was seeking attention. Though they were happy to visit him and lend him money. I give this film {{{3.5 out of 5}}}

They said: This is a film that is worth watching and may have otherwise gone underneath your radar. We give it [[[7 out of 10]]]

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How many films can you think of that are set in a mental health hospital?

What do films mean to you?

We have done this short video telling you some of the words that spring to mind when we think about films. There is no doubt we'll be expanding on these words and feelings more throughout the year, but just to get us started here you go:



QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS: WHAT DO FILMS MEAN TO YOU?

• escapism - forgetting you are in the cinema and being whisked away to another place
• fantasy - a new world, new creatures, new wonders
• education - discovering something you never knew
• religion - with sticky popcorn covered chairs as our pews...
• imagination - your mind gone wild with dreams you never thought possible
• reality - hard hitting truths
• emotion- tears and sadness
• fun - an afternoon's worth
• thrills - action and excitement in front of your eyes
• faith and belief - trust in the moviemakers
• amazement - unending marvel
• potential - the reach of directors', actors', cinematographers' skill
• magic - unbelievable tricks of the trade
• friendship - shared experiences
• solitude - personal meaning
• glamour - Hollywood glitz on the red carpet
• adventure - swashbuckling, horseriding, speed boats, train wrecks...
• art and craft - the beautiful creations of cinema
• consumerism - money does make the world go round
• understanding - appreciation and acceptance
• laughs - happiness and joy
• shock - hiding behind your hands... or your partner!
• memories - markers for times in your lifes, places you've been, things you've learnt
• ... life.

She said: Best films of 2010

QUESTION 1: What were the best films of 2010?
QUESTION 2: What were the most overrated films of 2010?

She Said's most overrated films:

Sherlock Holmes.

I know I am going to get into trouble for saying this but I thought it was dreadful. Not only did I fall asleep, which I have only ever done twice or thrice at most ever, but it was just like watching something British being battered with the Hollywood sign. I am not saying this because I am a big Arthur Conan Doyle fan - to be honest if I had never heard of Sherlock Holmes before I still would have thought the film was overrated. Now please don't hurt me.

Click here for our review.

Megamind.

Now, don't get me wrong - I really enjoyed this film. But it was extrememly overrated. There is a trend with big animated films with huge stars in. The marketing teams tend to repeatedly hold up a sign in front of you for months saying "YOU WILL LOVE THIS - IT IS HILARIOUS" that when it comes to the actual film there is big anti-climax. Plus I hate Jonah Hill. Shiver.

Click here for our review.

Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole.

I fell asleep during this film as well. Yawny-McYawnerson. It could have done with being about forty minutes shorter. I was expecting big things from this. It had a title theme by 30 Seconds to Mars for Gandalf's sake. But alas. It just 'weren't all that'.

Click here for our review.

Clash of the Titans.

Not worth the 3D and, to be quite honest, I put it on par with Percy Jackson. If not slightly behind. I can't really remember much about the film - always a bad sign when the film was supposed to be a blockbuster hit. Same goes for Robin Hood, the third film I fell asleep through this year.

Click here for our review.

See you at the movies!

Most Anticipated films of 2011

He said:

We have just posted the video below on our Youtube Channel. The trailer below it is James' most anticipated film of 2011.



Source Code Trailer



She said:
Helen's video of her favorite films of 2010 should be up soon!


Question of the Day: What is your most anticipated film of the year?

Video killed the radio stars

So you may or may not know that He Said She Said is currently on hiatus from the radio waves. But never fear, because we are branching out into the world of Youtube. A world where James and I feel at home, a world that we love. Today we posted our first ever He Said She Said video where we discuss who we are, what we'll be doing on the channel and, most importantly, how YOU can get involved.

We are really excited for the future and can't wait for you guys to be a part of it. Watch our video below and don't forget to answer our questions of the day:

1) What is your favourite film of 2010 and why?
2) What film are you looking forward to in 2011?

Our answers are below!



She said:

1) One of my favourite films of 2010 was probably Scott Pilgrim vs the World (in fact I am considering cosplaying Roxie Richter at a con we're going to this year). I found this film completely unique with its gaming crossover. It was something fresh to the comic/gaming film genre that I felt was becoming a bit stagnant.

2) I am, of course, most looking forward to the last ever installment of Harry Potter. Because... well... it's Harry Potter!

He said:

1) There were so many great films in 2010 that I struggled picking just one. I think Toy Story 3 stands out near the top if for no other reason than the emotional climax in that film. These characters that we have gotten to know so well over the last 15 years have become so much more than toys to a lot of us; that it is no surprise how many countless people left the theatres discreetly drying their eyes.

2) The film I am most looking forward to in 2011 is The Green Lantern, Hal Jordan is one of the few DC characters that sparks my interests and I am looking forward to what could be a franchise with Star Warsian scope. Yes I went there.