The Hunger Games – US Box Office: USD$408,010,692

Famous quotes:

Caesar Flickerman: “So, Peeta, tell me, is there a special girl back home?”

Peeta Mellark: “No. No, not really.”

Caesar Flickerman: “No? I don’t believe it for a second. Look at that face. Handsome man like you. Peeta… tell me.”

Peeta Mellark: “Well, there, uh… there is this one girl that I’ve had a crush on forever.”

Peeta Mellark: “But I don’t think she actually recognized me until the Reaping.”

Sequel: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire;  The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

Fun Facts about The Hunger Games:

• In actual life, Woody Harrelson practices veganism. When Haymitch is seen eating, he eats dessert or veggies or consumes liquids.
• Panem is a city in post-apocalyptic North America, where the land area has shrunk due to sea level rise. The District 12 town where Katniss grew up is usually located in the Appalachian Mountains, possibly in Kentucky or West Virginia. In contrast, the Capitol is primarily believed to be in the Rocky Mountains, possibly in Colorado.
• When Donald Sutherland accidentally came across the script and read it, he pushed to play President Snow because it reminded him of Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory (1957). He landed the part after writing Gary Ross a letter outlining his case for casting him.
• Josh Hutcherson, a natural brunette, colored his hair blonde for his part. In contrast, both natural blondes, Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence, darkened their hair brown for their roles in the movie.
• The first movie to earn more than $400 million in the US wasn’t produced by one of the “big six” studios. (Walt Disney Pictures, Hollywood Photographs, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, or 20th Century Fox).

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby – US Box Office: USD$148,213,377

Famous quotes:

Jean Girard: “Whoa! Get down, you little pancake.”

Ricky Bobby: “Someone might as well get me a beer while I’m down here.”

Jean Girard: “But you have forced me to do this. You are now mocking me and making me look ridiculous. Just say, “I love crepes.”

Cal Naughton, Jr.: “You know, just to put this in there, I had a whole mess of crepes this morning. They’re just like pancakes, maybe even better.”

Ricky Bobby: “Wait, are they really thin pancakes?”

Fun Facts about Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby:

• Six words: Will Ferrell, a NASCAR driver, was how producers introduced the movie to studios.
• Lee Ferrell, the father of Will Ferrell, wrote and performed the song “Goodbye Cowboy,” which appears in the movie.
• In the brunch scene at Jean Girard’s (Sacha Baron Cohen’s) home, the young woman who portrays the artist is the creator of that image. After she agreed to complete the painting, she was asked whether she would take on the artist’s role in the movie.
• A month before the DVD release, the first 400,000 PlayStation 3 consoles came with a Blu-ray copy of this film.
• On the DVD edition, the audio commentary is essentially one continuous improvisation of mostly absurd observations.

Sully – US Box Office: USD$125,070,033

Famous quotes:

Ben Edwards: “Multiple airports, runways, two successful landings, we are simply mimicking what the computer already told us.”

Charles Porter: “Now, a lot of toes were stepped on in order to set this up for today, and frankly… I really don’t know what you gentlemen plan to gain by it.”

Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger: “Can we get serious now?”

Charles Porter: “Captain?”

Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger: “We’ve all heard about the computer simulations, and now we are watching actual sims, but I can’t quite believe you still have not taken into account the human factor.”

Fun Facts about Sully:

• In this movie, ferry captain Vincent Lombardi, who led the first ferry to arrive at the plane, assumes his role.
• There was Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in the recording space. He helped the movie reflect reality by supporting it.
• The initial crash landing survivors were transported to the New York Marriott Downtown hotel after the incident, where the crew shot sequences.
• Clint Eastwood, the film’s producer, and director videotaped the crew’s evacuation into the life raft spontaneously to show how difficult it was to release the raft. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Aaron Eckhart’s portrayal of Jeff Skiles acted naturally.
• Before, Tom Hanks spent a half-day with Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger at his home in the Bay Area. Sullenberger expressed his admiration for Hanks’ skill in catching him.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa – US Box Office: USD$102,003,019

Famous quotes:

Irving Zisman: “Why are you shaking your head?”

Chuck: ‘’Cause this is really bad timing right now for me and I’m having some problems with my business right now.”

Irving Zisman: “Oh, your business, huh? What business is that?”

Chuck: “I sell computers!”

Irving Zisman: “Sells com… he couldn’t sell pussy on a troop train.”

Sequel: Jackass; Jackass Number Two; Jackass 3D; Jackass: The Movie; Jackass Forever; Jackass 2.5; Jackass 3.5; Bad Grandpa .5

Fun Facts about Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa:

• Ryan Dunn, a member of the Jackass crew who was killed on June 20, 2011, is honored in this film.
• The first “Jackass” movie that wasn’t scripted by the Jackass cast. The story’s co-authors, Fax Bahr and Adam Small, also wrote parodies of Jackass (2000) for their MADtv program (1995).
• In the opening sequence of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Johnny Knoxville’s character passes the location that served as Paddy’s Irish Pub.
• Jackson Nicoll, who collaborated with Johnny Knoxville on Fun Size, was requested to play Johnny Knoxville’s grandson in the movie (2012).
• Jackson Nicoll, despite being young, mainly stayed in character throughout filming.

The Color Purple – US Box Office: USD$98,467,863

Famous quotes:

Sophia: “All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A girl child isn’t safe in a family of men, but I ain’t never thought I’d have to fight in my own house!”

Celie: “I’m poor, black, I might even be ugly, but dear God, I’m here. I’m here.”

Shug: “I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it.”

Sofia: “Oh… Sofia home, now. Sofia home. Things are gonna be changing around here. Pass me the peas, boy.”

Celie: “Shug like honey. And now, I’m just like a bee.”

Fun Facts about The Color Purple:

• The first PG-13 movie to receive a Best Picture nomination from the Academy. (Actually, there wasn’t much of a wait: the PG-13 rating was first applied in 1984.)
• When Oprah Winfrey found out she landed the role of Sofia, she was attending a “weight-loss camp” to shed some pounds. She had to depart immediately because her job required a lot of weight.
• The movie’s town scenes were shot in Marshville, North Carolina. A tree was erected to conceal a crucial electrical pole that could not be removed from the middle of the street.
• Patti LaBelle attended the Shug Avery character audition.
• The part of Celie Johnson was offered for Alfre Woodard.

Days of Thunder – US Box Office: USD$82,670,733

Famous quotes:

Harry Hogge: “Cole, you’re in third place, that’s a respectable position. Now when they slow down for turn four, I want you to pass them on the outside.”

Cole Trickle: “Harry, you told me nobody passes on the outside in turn four!”

Harry Hogge: “Well now, I’m telling you differently. If you go outside, you can hold it.”

Tim Daland: “He’s gonna end up in the wall Harry!”

Harry Hogge: “Cole, the pace car is ready to duck on off, I don’t have much time to tell you this.”

Fun Facts about Days of Thunder:

• After Paul Newman and Tom Cruise were permitted to test drive one of Rick Hendrick’s race cars, Tom Cruise had the idea for the movie. Tom averaged more than 128 miles per hour on his first lap.
• The scenario in which Harry orders Cole to approach the pace car is based on an actual event involving driver Buddy Baker and Harry Hyde. They served as Baker’s crew chief at the time and were the inspiration for Harry Hogge.
• Loosely referencing early 1950s NASCAR champions Joe Weatherly and Curtis Turner, known to rent cars, race them and smash them carelessly. The scene where Cole and Rowdy wreck a pair of rental automobiles by running them through the city streets.

The Last of the Mohicans – US Box Office: USD$75,505,856

Famous quotes:

Cora Munro: “Why were those people living in this defenseless place?”

Hawkeye: “After seven years indentured service in Virginia, they headed out here ’cause the frontier’s the only land available to poor people. Out here, they’re beholden to none. Not living by another’s leave.”

Cora Munro: “He saved us. We’re alive only because of him.”

Colonel Munro: “The man encouraged the colonials to desert in this very room and in my presence! Sir! He is guilty of sedition. He must be tried and hanged like any other criminal, regardless of what he did for my children.”

Cora Munro: “But he knew the consequences, and he stayed. Are those the actions of a criminal?”

Fun Facts about The Last of the Mohicans:

• Daniel Day-Lewis is renowned for going above and beyond to prepare for his performances. He spent six months living off the earth, hunting, fishing, and trapping in the wilderness where his character would have existed for this movie.
• The siege scenes required several late-night shooting sessions. Around the fort and battlefield, loudspeakers were built so that the hundreds of cast and crew could readily get directions.
• Over 900 Native Americans from all over the country, principally from the Cherokee tribes, were employed for the shoot.
• The song “The Gael” by Scottish vocalist Dougie MacLean from his 1990 album The Search serves as the film’s primary theme.
• An American actor Daniel Day-Lewis training improves his arm and shooting abilities.

Shallow Hal – US Box Office: USD$70,839,203

Famous quotes:

Hal: “Jesus Christ! What the hell’s wrong with this chair? What’s this shit made out of, anyway?

Restaurant Manager: Uhh… Steel.”

Tony Robbins: “Hal, don’t you think you’re being a bit shallow here in the way you look at women?”

Hal: “Well, no! You know, I’d like her to be into culture and shit, too.”

Tony Robbins: “Ok Hal, hypothetical situation; Which do you prefer, a girlfriend missing one breast or half a brain?”

Hal: “Hmmm, toughie. What about the remaining breast? Is it big?”

Fun Facts about Shallow Hal:

• Ironically, Jack Black needed to slim down to play Hal.
• 20th role in a feature film for Jack Black, but his first as the main character.
• Gwyneth Paltrow used a body double for her naked moment.
• In the romance montage, Gwyneth Paltrow chugged a CGI-created chocolate milkshake.
• Zen Gesner, who plays Ralph, is the real-life mother of Nan Martin, who plays Nurse Tanya Peeler.

War Room – US Box Office: USD$67,790,117

Famous quotes:

Miss Clara: “Guide me to who you want me to help, raise up more that will call upon your name”

Miss Clara: “Raise up those that love you and seek you and trust you Raise them up Lord raise them up”

Miss Clara: “Lord, we need a generation of believers Who are not ashamed of the gospel.”

Miss Clara: “We need an Army of believers, Lord That hate to be lukewarm”

Miss Clara: “And will stand on your word above all else Raise them up, Lord Raise them up”

Fun Facts about War Room:

• The gravestone that the camera goes behind in the movie’s first scene is really constructed of Styrofoam and not natural stone.
• Vietnam War battles were depicted in the opening scenes. They had to make their own sound because there had been none accompanying it.
• Shallow Hal was filmed in the same office skyscraper in Charlotte, North Carolina (2001).
• Elizabeth works for a real estate company called Twelve Stones. which may be a reference to the 12 stones. God instructed Israel to erect in the middle of the Jordan River when they passed the divided waters into the Promised Land.
• People have frequently rolled their eyes at the scene where the Pastor discovers that prayer has been occurring in Clara’s closet because they find it funny.

Vacation – US Box Office: USD$58,884,188

Famous quotes:

Rusty Griswold: “Maybe for lunch we can find a burger place. You know, like a… Like a drive-through burger place.”

James Griswold: “I don’t know, Dad. I think we should steer clear of that.”

Rusty Griswold: “Good one, James.”

Debbie Griswold: “All right, enough, you guys. Dad hit a cow, okay? Let’s just moo-ve on.”

Kevin Griswold: “Oh, I got one.”

Fun Facts about Vacation:

• Randy Quaid was arrested in connection with a house payment issue. Therefore he was unable to repeat his part as Cousin Eddie. Vermont is where Quaid presently resides. It does refer to his persona.
• The Griswolds are in a Tartan Prancer van (a heavily modified Toyota Previa).
• Except for Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure, Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo are the only actors to appear in each Vacation film (2003).
• The ancient “Rustys” and all the other movies are shown when Ed Helms looks through old family photos.
• The second overall and the first R-rated film since National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983).

Max – US Box Office: USD$42,656,255

Famous quotes:

Kyle Wincott: “Nose of a dog, the heart of a marine, sounds like a hero to me!”

Pamela Wincott: “I am proud of you both.”

Kyle Wincott: “Oh, you hear that Max? Say hi!”

Pamela Wincott: “Come say hi to your brother… Justin!”

Kyle Wincott: “Leave him be. I am just over here dealing with a minor insurgency. He is trying to save the whole universe.”

Fun Facts about Max:

• The movie honors the memories of the 26 canines and 25 handlers who have died since 2003 while serving their country.
• Carlos is the name of the dog who portrays Max in the film. Five dogs—Jagger, Pax, Dude, Pilot, and Chaos—served as his stunt doubles.
• Actor and former US Marine Walid N. Hakim perform the part of the “Taliban Insurgent.”
• Max is a breed of Belgian Shepherd known as a Belgian Malinois.
• The movie’s closing credits featured a gallery of images of service dogs. The “The Dogs of War” article from National Geographic provided some pictures.