The Matrix revolutionized special effects, merged Hong Kong-style martial arts with cyberpunk science fiction, and injected video games with classical philosophy. But how well did you absorb the teachings of the Oracle? Take our Ultimate Fan Quiz and see if you're The One... winner. If you're the first to post correct answers to all 15 questions in the comments section below, you'll win this Invasion of the Body Snatchers DVD and be profiled in an upcoming blog entry.

The quiz runs from Friday, May 9 to Friday, May 16 at midnight. The winner will be announced shortly afterward. (Make sure we have a relevant email address in your profile so we can contact you about your prize.)

Hope you took the red pill.

1. According to all the street corner references in The Matrix, in what American city does the film take place?

2. What is the title, and who is the author, of the book Neo hides his disks in?

3. What's playing on the television in the Oracle's waiting room?

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Which Die Hard scene do you think is the most classic?  Watch this video and then vote for your favorite scene below. 

Ultimate John Wayne Fan: Jennifer Klein

Hometown: Gainesville, FL

Age: 21

Profession: Upcoming senior at the University of Florida, majoring in Criminology

For Jennifer Klein, the ideal lazy day -- and she admits she's cut class a few times to have them -- consists of a bowl of popcorn and a John Wayne marathon: "The Shootist, True Grit, North to Alaska," she says. "I like Red River because it was the one time when John Wayne was the villain, and I can't stop watching Without Reservations -- it's such a nice change of pace to just watch him have some fun and have a little romance without having to save the frontier." If nothing else, says the ultimate fan, The Duke and his films can teach us all a lesson in perseverance: "Wayne was headstrong and tough and didn't back down, which proves that anyone can get what they want if they show those qualities too -- minus the gun."

Ultimate John Wayne Fan Quiz Answers:

1. What was John Wayne's birth name?

Marion Michael Morrison

2. Comedic impressions frequently riff on Wayne calling some tenderfoot "Pilgrim," even though he only used the insult repeatedly in one movie. What movie was it?

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Continue reading "Ultimate Fan Quiz - John Wayne Results" »

Feeling lucky? Then help us decide who's a bigger hero -- supercop Dirty Harry or John McClane? Or maybe you're a fan of activists Erin Brockovich and Norma Rae. Either way, head over to our Greatest Movie Hero Tournament then cast your votes, and enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win $5000 for yourself and another $5000 for your favorite charity.

A new round begins each Friday and you can enter the sweeps daily to better your odds of winning. Make sure to check the tournament schedule for the opening and closing dates of each round.

This year marks the summer of the superhero. Outside of Prince Caspian and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, all of the major summer blockbusters spring from the pages of comic books. (Heck, even Angelina Jolie is starring in a comic book film with Wanted.) But before you rush out to Iron Man, test your knowledge of four-color cinema with our Ultimate Superhero Movie quiz for a chance to win this Batman Special Edition DVD. The prize will go to the first person to correctly answer all 15 of these questions. In addition, the winner will be profiled and crowned the Ultimate Superhero Movie fan in an upcoming blog entry.

The quiz will run from Friday, May 2 to Friday, May 9 at midnight. The winner will be announced shortly afterward. (Make sure we have your correct name and email in your profile so we can contact you to deliver your prize.)

Quiz-takers assemble!

1. Before Robert Downey Jr., Shaquille O'Neal also portrayed a weapons maker-turned-superhero in what 1997 film?

2. Both Orson Welles and Alec Baldwin have given life to what heroic master of deception?

3. What superhero film had its teaser trailer pulled after the September 11th attacks because it contained a shot of the Twin Towers?

Continue reading "Ultimate Fan Quiz - Superhero Movies" »

The Ultimate Ferris Bueller Fan: Steve Savage

Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina

Age: 46

Profession: Sergeant First Class in the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, recently returned from 15 months in Afghanistan

Sergeant Savage was annoyed when his roommate insisted they stay in the movie theater through the end credits the first time they saw Ferris Bueller's Day Off. "But I have to admit, I loved Ferris' admonition to 'Go home!'" he says. "I loved the offbeat sense of humor, the interplay of the detailed characters, and the timeless soundtrack." Much to his wife's chagrin, he has since seen the movie countless times, wearing out his VHS copy of it. "Now I can only watch it when she will be out of the house," he admits. Savage says he loves Ferris because the conflicts it presents are timeless -- the same that he faced in high school and the same his children now face today. "I never faked an illness to get out of going to school," he swears, "but I did do quite a few Ferris-like skips. Once, I borrowed the family car because I missed the bus, then went downhill skiing instead. I also once asked a teacher if I could leave school early to go water-skiing. He told me, 'No, now go sit down.' So I sat down, then got up and went water-skiing."

Ultimate Ferris Bueller Fan Quiz Answers:

1. What reason does Ferris have to resent Jeanie?

She got a car -- He got a computer

2. What breed is the Buellers' dog?

Rottweiler

Continue reading "Ultimate Fan Quiz - Ferris Bueller Results" »

The Ultimate Stephen King Fan: Jennifer Ross

Hometown: Kyle, Texas

Age: 35

Profession: Project Manager in the Tech Industry

There are only two things that scare Jennifer Ross: Spiders, and clowns. So naturally, one of her favorite Stephen King movies is IT. "Tim Curry's portrayal of Pennywise was magnificently terrifying," she says, "and for most people I know, including myself, created some sufficient nightmares." Ross says that what attracts her to King's movies is the author's ability to create such rich characters and environments, especially in dealing with the theme of isolation. "The Shining, Misery, the idea of total isolation, of that moment when reality and fantasy blur and you don't know what's real anymore, that always gets me, " she says. Though she claims never to have done anything fan obsessive towards King, Ross says she is always first in line for his newest book or film adaptation, and admits that his work would make her think twice about going on a secluded trip in the woods. "I think there are moments in all our lives where we feel like we are trapped in some surreal place or surrounded by crazy people," Ross explains. "Fortunately we don't have to battle demon clowns before we go home."

Ultimate Stephen King Fan Quiz Answers:

1. The characters played by James Caan, Jack Nicholson, Timothy Hutton, and Johnny Depp all have the same career. What is it?

Writer

2. Whose pinup poster does Andy Dufrense first put on his wall in The Shawshank Redemption?

Rita Hayworth

3. What film features the taunting phrase, "Chow down Wide Load"?

Stand By Me

Continue reading "Ultimate Fan Quiz - Stephen King Results" »

The Duke was one of Hollywood's most prolific stars. With more than 100 films to his credit, even die-hard fans may not have seen the entire library of his work. So you'll have to search deep in your memory, Pilgrim, if you're going to win a DVD of The Longest Day, John Wayne's D-Day classic. The prize will go to the first person to correctly answer all 15 of these questions. In addition, the winner will be profiled and crowned the Ultimate John Wayne fan in an upcoming blog entry.

The quiz will run from Friday, April 25 to Friday, May 2 at midnight. The winner will be announced shortly afterward. (Make sure we have your correct name and email in your profile so we can contact you to deliver your prize.)

Take you best shot.

1. What was John Wayne's birth name?

2. Comedic impressions frequently riff on Wayne calling some tenderfoot "Pilgrim," even though he only used the insult repeatedly in one movie. What movie was it?
 
3. What exactly is Ethan Edwards looking for in The Searchers?

Continue reading "Ultimate Fan Quiz - John Wayne" »

You don't have to be his "number one fan" to take our ultimate fan quiz (so put down that sledgehammer, Kathy Bates). But you'd do have to know some serious trivia if you want to win the AMC Hollywood Icons Nicholson Pack of DVDs. The prize will go to the first person to correctly answer all 15 of these questions. (If two people post all the right answers at the same time, there will be a tie-breaker.) In addition, the winner will be profiled and crowned the Ultimate Stephen King fan in an upcoming blog entry.

The quiz will run from Friday, April 18 to Friday, April 25 at midnight. The winner will be announced shortly afterward. (Make sure we have your correct name and email in your profile so we can contact you to deliver your prize.)

You know what happens when it's all work and no play.

Have fun.

1. The characters played by James Caan, Jack Nicholson, Timothy Hutton, and Johnny Depp all have the same career. What is it?

2. Whose pinup poster does Andy Dufrense first put on his wall in The Shawshank Redemption?

3. What film features the taunting phrase, "Chow down Wide Load"?

Continue reading "Ultimate Fan Quiz - Stephen King Movies" »

The hero is the driving force in great drama. What would Gladiator have been without Maximus to challenge the Emperor? Would life at Shawshank have been bearable without Andy Dufrense? How about Superman or Jason Bourne? They can be superhuman or just super cool, but these are the guys you can count on to save the day.

Tell us your favorites.