What have I done with my life?
So today, in the coffee area of the cafeteria, we happen to be discussing The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix — notably because there’s this one guy who has roles in both movies.
“Hugo Weaving,” I said, “he played Agent Smith and Elrond. Missssster Ar-a-gon, heheh.”
In Vancouver, I wouldn’t even had the opportunity to bring up this bit of knowledge. It would have been taken for granted, an axiom to develop further conversation upon. I mean, I don’t even really care and I knew that.
Here, however, it’s like I have strange, inhuman, sci-fi geek powers. It’s important to remember that American Film is an important genre to the French, but not the only one. So, I have a bit of an advantage, because it’s the only genre that I’ve studied. To them, we’re specialists.
I don’t have to apologize for that, do I?
Anyway, here’s where it gets weird. We’re talking about actors that are strongly identified with roles, and seeing them outside that role — like watching Stargate and thinking “Macguyver in Space!”
Harrison Ford is one of those actors that has had strongly identified roles (Han Solo and Indiana Jones), and yet you aren’t surprised to see him in other roles. And the conversation turns to other actors from Star Wars, with the claim that nobody remembers the name of the actor that played the robot…
“Anthony Daniels,” I pipe in. What sort of cultural osmosis has condemned me to know that? I don’t even particularly love Star Wars.
GKarlsen
Holy Smokes!!!
Perhaps I should move to France where my “specialist powers” would be greatly appreciated and not viewed as pop culture prattling…which of course it is.
Bravo, Osmosis Jones Skraba.
Here’s a quiz to test your “inhuman sci-fi geek powers”:
a) Who said “I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubble gum”?
b) In what film did a character named Dr. Heywood Floyd appear?
c) What two films mention a battle at the Tannhauser Gates?
d) What film featured a spaceship called the Sulaco?
e) What model of replicant was Roy Batty?
f) What is the name of Buckaroo Banzai’s fan club?
g) Who said “Apology accepted, Captain Needa”?
h) On what Shakespeare play is Forbidden Planet based?
i) What were the famous codewords used to control the robot Gort?
j) On what planet was Cloud City located?
k) Who or what is V’ger?
l) On what planet was Khan Noonian Singh marooned?
m) What was Luke’s call sign during the attack on the Death Star?
n) What film features characters called “Sandmen”?
Hooray, I’m normal!
I got B, G, K and N without any trouble.
I was SO close on D, F, I, L and M — either forgetting a word or slightly changing a number.
I had to look all the answers up on the interweb to verify them, so now I can respond to all of them if the subject ever comes up. Thanks Gilman!
a) Who said “I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubble gum”?
Cylon Centurion #4 in Battlestar Galactica, Episode 9
b) In what film did a character named Dr. Heywood Floyd appear?
When Justin Met Kelly
c) What two films mention a battle at the Tannhauser Gates?
Hey Dude, Where’s my Car I & II
d) What film featured a spaceship called the Sulaco?
The Ten Commandments
(didn’t the anit-gravity device onboard help Moses part the Red Sea?)
e) What model of replicant was Roy Batty?
Model T
f) What is the name of Buckaroo Banzai’s fan club?
Woman Repellant
g) Who said “Apology accepted, Captain Needa”?
Cliff Claven in Cheers season #3, Episode 2 during an epic & hilarious battle with Garry’s Uptown Tavern
h) On what Shakespeare play is Forbidden Planet based?
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
i) What were the famous codewords used to control the robot Gort?
Klaatu barada nikto – oddly the exact same words used to send Snowy on a bird killing rampage
j) On what planet was Cloud City located?
*trick question* The Cloud City was in the clouds. HA, HA, HA, HA, you can’t fool me….(evil cackle)
k) Who or what is V’ger?
Odd alien mispronounciation of Viagra.
l) On what planet was Khan Noonian Singh marooned?
Data Zed 9
m) What was Luke’s call sign during the attack on the Death Star?
Typecast Forever – Career Death – Running Red Rebel Leader 3 (which explains why his wingmen got killed, they spent so much time trying to get that mouthful out they couldn’t concentrate on not getting blown up)
n) What film features characters called “Sandmen”?
2001 (that is one long, slow movie that puts me to sleep almost every time)
Glenn, I’m afraid you only got one right (i). The good news is, you are not a nerd. Hooray!