miss congeniality

the year: 2000

the genre: comedy


the cast: Sandra Bullock (Gracie Hart); Michael Caine (Victor Melling); Benjamin Bratt (Eric Matthews); Candice Bergen (Kathy Morningside); William Shatner (Stan Fields)


the plot: When a serial killer indicates that his next target is the Miss United States beauty pageant, the FBI decides that they must enter an undercover agent as a participant in the contest. A search uncovers no suitable candidate other than a bumbling female agent. The pageant managers are aghast at Gracie joining the pageant, but arrange a top handler to come give her a quick makeover, with the expected outstanding results. Now if she can just catch the killer...



don't miss: Michael Caine as Victor. He knows his pageant stuff!



listen for: "Miss Rhode Island, please describe your idea of a perfect date." "That's a tough one. I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."



did you know: Cheryl "Rhode Island's" answer to the question "What is your idea of a perfect date?" was actually used as an answer in a real beauty pageant.



extra bonus points: if you know what's special about the dress Gracie wears post-makeover while "Mustang Sally" is playing in the background.

secondhand lions

the year: 2003

the genre: dramedy


the cast: Michael Caine (Garth); Robert Duvall (Hub); Haley Joel Osment (Walter); Kyra Sedgewick (Mae)


the plot: Before going on yet another husband-hunting trip, 13 year old Walter's mother drops him off at the house of his great-uncles Hub and Garth. They disappeared for quite a while in their youth, and are rumored to have acquired a great fortune, which Walter's mother hopes to get her hands on if he can ingratiate himself enough to the two cantankerous men. Though reluctant to put up with him at first, Hub and Garth grow to accept Walter, and even tell him fantastic stories of what they were up to while they went missing. When his mother returns, Walter must take charge of his own life, and decide what he's going to do with it.


don't miss: what is suspected as the cause of death for Garth and Hub at the end of the movie.


listen for: "We're fix'in to die anytime, so if we kick off in the middle of the night, you're on your own."


did you know: In the fight scene with Robert Duvall one of the actors was hit three times in the face by Robert. Due to a miscommunication, Robert thought he was a stunt man and was supposed to hit him. The cut used was the final one when the actor's nose finally started to bleed.


extra bonus points: if you know which animal attacked Haley Joel Osment during filming.


also listen for: "Well. We'll see what the man's sellin'. THEN we'll shoot him."

flawless

the year: 2007

the genre: suspense


the cast: Michael Caine (Mr. Hobbs); Demi Moore (Laura Quinn); Lambert Wilson (Finch); Joss Ackland (Sir Milton Kendrick Ashtoncroft); Nathaniel Parker (Oliver Ashtoncroft)


the plot: Laura Quinn is a bright, driven and beautiful executive at the London Diamond Corporation who finds herself frustrated by a glass ceiling after years of faithful employment. Hobbs is the nighttime janitor at London Diamond who is virtually invisible to the executives that work there, but over the years has amassed a startling amount of knowledge about how the company runs. Hobbs has his own bone to pick with London Diamond. Observing Laura’s frustration, he convinces her to help him execute an ingenious plan to steal a hefty sum in diamonds. But unbeknownst to Laura, Hobbs plans go even farther than he’s let on, and together they set in motion a thrilling heist of dizzying proportions, the likes of which London has never seen.


check out: the high-tech security cameras that are installed the day before the heist.



don't miss: Hobbs' interrogation by Finch.



count: the difference between how many diamonds Hobbs agrees to steal and how many he actually steals.



also check out: Lambert Wilson as Finch (sigh.)




watch the movie in parts starting here. Quick heads up: there is some brief language and one f-bomb.



extra bonus points: (and a warm, fuzzy feeling) if you can name the song ACTUALLY playing on Laura’s apartment record player. I love it, but haven’t been able to find out what it is.



listen for: "May I give you some advice, Miss Quinn?" "Well, you are the one holding the gun."



did you know: the script was written with Michael Caine in mind for the part of Hobbs.