Movie Masters Game

Last night Zack and I stayed up until 12:30 watching a movie that first came out in 1984. It starred Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. Still not sure which movie I’m referring to? Perhaps this description from IMDb.com (The Internet Movie Database) will help: A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial art than fighting.

You don’t have to be a Movie Master to know it was...

The Karate Kid

This all reminds me of a game I made up a few years back. I’d read the one sentence movie summery from the TV viewing guide and see who could guess the movie first. I still think it would make a great board game. I'd call it, Movie Masters.

But for now, I’ve made a simple blog-version, for your enjoyment. Just scroll down and play along. See if you are a Movie Master.

Can you guess what this movie is?

1. A reluctant dwarf must play a critical role in protecting a special baby from an evil queen.

Need a hint? Here’s clue number one: It came out in 1988, and was directed by none other than Ron Howard.

Still not sure? Here’s your final clue: It starred Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley, and Val Kilmer as Madmartigan.

Answer: Willow

If you guessed that without any clues, give yourself 5 points. If you needed one clue, give yourself 3 points. If you needed both clues, you only get 2 points. If you never got the answer, you get a big Goose-egg, but maybe you’ll do better on round number two.

Can you guess what this movie is?

2. Ticket collecting romantic pretends to be engaged to an unconscious man but can't fool his brother.

Here’s clue number one: It came out in 1995.

Here’s clue number two: It starred Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman.

Answer: While You Were Sleeping

Again, take 5 points if you guessed it right away, 3 if you needed a clue, and 2 if you needed both clues. On to round three.

3. A boy who communicates with spirits that don't know they're dead, seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist.

Clue number one: This was the first big hit for writer/director M. Night Shyamalan.

Clue Number two: It starred Bruce Willis and the brilliant child actor Haley Joel Osment, whose devastating performance as the haunted Cole Sear brought him an Oscar nomination at age 11. (He also played Forest Gump's son five years earlier in 1994.)

Answer: The Sixth Sense

How are you doing? Have you got 15 points? Don’t get too confident. These next ones are a bit harder.

4. A group of kids embark on a wild adventure after finding a pirate treasure map.

Clue number one: This one was written by Steve Spielberg, and came out in 1985.

Clue number two: It starred Corey Feldman as Mouth, Jeff Cohen as Chunk, and Sean Astin as Mikey. Astin was only 14 at the time. He was 30 when the first Lord of the Rings movie came out...playing the part of Sam Gamgee, of course.

Answer: The Goonies

Didn’t think that one was too tough? We'll see how you do on round number 5:

5. A disgraced American boxer retires to Ireland, where he finds love.

Clue number one: This movie, directed by John Ford, first debuted back in 1952, but you can watch it on most classic movie channels each year around St. Patrick’s Day.

Clue number two: It starred John Wayne and the feisty Maureen O’Hara. Their kissing scene was also featured in the hit film ET.

Answer: The Quiet Man

Now they’re really getting tough. Or are they? See if you can guess number 6 without any clues.

6. Musical about two youngsters from rival NYC gangs who fall in love.

Clue number one: It came out in 1961 and starred Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. (Though neither one of them did their own singing in the film.)

Clue number two: This film is the award winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliette. It features music by Leonard Bernstein including “America,” “I Feel Pretty, “and “Somewhere.” (In my opinion one of the saddest songs ever written.)

Answer: West Side Story

Okay. I’ll admit that one was pretty easy. See how you do in round 7.

7. Hijackers seize the plane carrying the President of the United States and his family, but he (an ex-soldier) works from hiding to defeat them.

Clue number one: It came out in 1997.

Clue number two: It starred Harrison Ford.

Answer: Air Force One

So did you get that one? How many clues did you need? Remember, you get 5 points if you can guess it without any help, 3 points if you need a clue, and 2 if you need both clues. A perfect score up to this point would be 35 points. If you’ve got less than 10, you need to zip over to your local movie rental store immediately. But wait! There’s still 3 rounds to go. You might just redeem yourself.

8. When wealthy industrialist Tony Stark is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident, he ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil.

Clue number one: This hit came out in 2008. It's sequel came out last summer. Another sequel is planned for 2013.

Clue number two: It stars the oh-so-handsome Robert Downy Jr. with Gwyneth Paltrow playing the roll of Mr. Stark’s faithful assistant, Pepper Potts.

Answer: Iron Man

Did you get that one? If you’re under the age of 20 you probably did. Here’s one for the older generation.

9. A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.

Clue number one: This wonderfully entertaining movie came out way back in 1952...and it's another musical.

Clue number two: It starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. I'm happy to report, they all did their own singing and dancing. Reynolds was only 18 at the time!

Answer: Singin’ In the Rain

Ready for our final round? I saved the best for last.

10. An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

Clue number one: This one is from 1946, and features a host of unforgettable characters including Mr. Gower, Sam Wainwright, Violet Bick, as well as Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver.

Clue Number two: Of all the movies Jimmy Stewart starred in, this one was his favorite. Mine too.

Answer: It’s a Wonderful Life

So. How'd you do?

40 - 50 You ARE a Movie Master.

30 - 39 Not bad. You know your movies pretty well.

20 - 29 Oh, boy. I think you've been reading too many books.

< 19 Time to find the nearest Red Box and enjoy some cinema!

Actually, I hope all of you will take a little time this summer to enjoy some great movies. You can start with the 10 movies from this game! They are some of my favorites. Here's that list once again. If there's any on the list you haven't seen, I strongly encourage you to do so. They're fantastic!

Happy movie watching!

1. Willow

2. While You Were Sleeping

3. The Sixth Sense

4. The Goonies

5. The Quiet Man

6. West Side Story

7. Air Force One

8. Iron Man

9. Singin' In the Rain

10. It's a Wonderful Life

And The Karate Kid is pretty good too.