Movies: A Cheat Sheet

Hey ya'll. In our class with Maureen on Saturday, she had suggested we use this to discuss some "Pop Culture" movies, books, music, etc., to make sure our teammates (and selves) are not blindsided with suggestions we are unfamiliar with. Because we can't all watch the movies we would like, I thought about making a Cheat Sheet of movies we are likely to get as suggestions, and what should be known about each of them to help make a scene passable. I will start one about some of the movies I think we should know for now, with possibly a TV one to follow. I would appreciate it if people could add, especially to the movie one with current releases, as being a father of a 2-year-old has prevented me from seeing anything since 2007. My picks and hints are:


1.) Star Wars. If you have not seen at least the original trilogy, you should take a sabbatical from Improv until you watch them, mimmick them, and work on your: Darth Vader breathing; Chewbacca yelling; Yoda's syntax-changing verbal skills; and your lightsaber sound effects.


2.) Titanic. It's a long movie, yes. But watch it, even if in fast-forward, and get down: the whole "King of the World" moment at the hull of the boat (overdone, but good for a cheap laugh); an English-accent "Iceberg! Right ahead!"; sweaty sex in a fogged-up Model T; the string quartet "Gentlemen, it's been an honor playing with you tonight"; and the "Never let go" speech at the end. I'd also throw in the line, "I want you to draw me in this... and only this."


3.) The Princess Bride. I don't think I've ever heard this called out as a suggestion, except for the one time I did before I was in a troupe. Some great lines that you need to know to pull this off are: "I'm not left handed" (during a sword fight); "Anybody want a peanut?"; and "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die." Actually, I just think everyone should see this movie; it is one of my favorites.

4.) E.T. If I were to get this, I would pretend I had a gun and wonder aloud why I was trying to shoot someone with a walkie-talkie (an unneccesary change Spielberg made in the re-release, and probably a joke 1/3 of the audience would get, on a good night.) But the bigs ones are E.T. saying, "Phone Home," "Ouch", and "Be Good." Use your scariest voice and point your finger. And mention Reese's Pieces, too.

5.) Forrest Gump. Your best Southern-accent, with a little extra "da-hoo!" twang thrown in. "Life is like a box of chocolates...", "Stupid is as stupid does...", "Run, Forrest, Run!" I'd probably jut out my lower lip and do Bubba's "Shrimp has a million uses..." speech. So don't steal it.

I'll add more as they come. Please add some of the superhero (Spider-Man, Transformers, Batman), Sci Fi (The Matrix, Star Trek), and Fantasy (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Carribean) if you can, and any classics I haven't added (The Godfather, Gone With The Wind, etc.) Thank you for your support and cooperation.