night at the museum 2: battle of the smithsonian

the year: 2009

the genre: action/comedy


the cast: Ben Stiller (Larry Daley); Amy Adams (Amelia Earhart); Owen Wilson (Jedediah); Hank Azairia (Kahmunrah); Robin Williams (Teddy Roosevelt); Christopher Guest (Ivan the Terrible); Ricky Gervais (Dr. McPhee); Steve Coogan (Octavius)


the plot: When the Museum of Natural History is closed for upgrades and renovations, the museum pieces are moved into federal storage at the famous Washington Museums. After stealing a security guard's ID badge, Larry slips into the Archives of the Smithsonian, where Kahmunrah, an evil Pharaoh has taken the magic tablet and come to life. Also come to life are the old exhibits (i.e. Theodore Roosevelt and Dexter) and new exhibits (i.e. General Custer and Al Capone) and chaos quickly ensues. Larry enlists the help of Amelia Earheart, and together they try to put everything back in order and get the tablet away from Kahmunrah.


don't miss: the difference between a tunic and a dress.


did you know: this was the first movie ever filmed at the Smilthsonian Institution.


listen for: [to Darth Vader] "Is that you breathing? Because I can't hear myself think! There's too much going on here; you're asthmatic, you're a robot. And why the cape? Are we going to the opera? I don't think so."


did you also know: Hank Azaria screen tested Kahmunrah with various accents including American Southerner (from Alabama) and English Cockney, before settling on an "upper crust British accent" with a "humorous lisp" - a tribute to Boris Karloff's The Mummy.


extra bonus points: if you know which two additional characters Hank Azairia provided the voice for.


also listen for: "Would you stop narrating everything we do? Just live in the moment!"

night at the museum

the year: 2006

the genre: comedy / action


the cast: Ben Stiller (Larry Daley); Carla Gugino (Rebecca); Dick Van Dyke (Cecil); Mickey Rooney (Gus); Bill Cobbs (Reginald); Ricky Gervais (Dr. McPhee); Robin Williams (Teddy Roosevelt)


the plot: When unemployed, divorced father Larry Daley is hired as night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, he soon discovers that an ancient curse brings all the exhibits to life after the sun sets. Suddenly, Larry finds himself face-to-face with a frisky T-Rex skeleton, tiny (competing) armies of Romans and cowboys, and a mischievous monkey who taunts him to the breaking point. But with the help of President Teddy Roosevelt, Larry may just figure out a way to control the chaos and become a hero in his son's eyes.


did you know: Larry's inability to remember Christopher Columbus' name is a wink and a nod to producer Chris Columbus.


listen for: Gus's tough talk:
"Listen up, Lunch Box!"
"Sleep tight, hotshot."
"Do you want the job or not, snack shack?"
"Sweet dreams, cupcake."
"Keep a lid on it, butterscotch."
"Do you want to dance, hot dog?"
"Are you crackin' wise? I oughta punch you in the nose, Hopscotch."


did you also know: while filming, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson only had one day that they saw each other. Stiller talked to a toothpick for the Jedediah scenes, then three months later Wilson came in and filmed all of his parts.


extra bonus points: if you know what's important about the lady who played the woman in the employment office.


watch for: signs on the wall of the elevator and in the lobby, with titles paralleling what is happening to Larry at that point in the movie, including: "Spineless" and "Weathering the Storm".


also listen for: "Let's all laugh at me, the comedy night guard. No is the answer. Sarcasm back at you, with your humor box. I wasn't laughing. I was pretending to laugh, if that's what you want, some sort of battle of humor. Do you?"


don't miss: how Larry brings Atilla the Hun to tears.