Question: Has there ever been a canon answer as to whether or not the Space Jockey's ship was destroyed in the explosion at the end? Something from Cameron or another of the film's writers? Comic adaptations and novelizations aren't canon.
Grumpy Scot
8th Aug 2012
Aliens (1986)
11th May 2010
Blade Runner (1982)
Question: One of the things I've never been able to figure out. When Roy's hand is clenching why does he shove the nail through it? Beyond the obvious reference to Christ, does the pain shock his nerves into working briefly again or what?
Chosen answer: Exactly. His body is shutting down and he's trying to hold that off long enough to finish his battle with Deckard. His hand starts to freeze up, so he uses the pain from the spike to get it working again temporarily.
Question: Does anyone know for sure if Harrison Ford wears the same hat in each movie or are there multiple copies. I'd like to know for sure, not speculation or guesses.
Chosen answer: Not only does he wear a different hat in each movie, he wears several different hats within the same movie. After Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford was given the original hat, which he personally helped the costume designer give its old and worn but well-loved appearance, to keep for his own.
Answer: There were not only multiple Indy hats used in each movie, but multiple styles and sizes of Indy hats used for various scenes. In "Raiders," for example, Herbert Johnson hatters in London produced 45 copies of the hat for use in that movie alone. Those hats were used by Harrison Ford himself, his stand-ins and stuntmen. In dark scenes, where lighting was critical, Ford wore a version of the hat with a modified brim to accommodate facial lighting; and, in the daylight "Basket Chase" scene in Cairo, the style of hat is noticeably different with a slightly wider brim. The hats vary greatly from movie-to-movie, as well, with variations in brim, crown and felt color. By the last movie, "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," the hat is distinctly different from the original used in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
2nd May 2008
Star Trek (1966)
Question: If Uhura can be re-educated in a few days, (after Nomad wipes her memory) why is there a Starfleet Academy? Couldn't you train an ensign in a week and then send him off on a ship to get practical experience?
Chosen answer: I'd say the difference is re-educated versus educated. The total of an education at any institution is more than what is taught in classes.
2nd May 2008
Star Trek (1966)
Question: Why don't any of the Treks to come use any of the useful things that Enterprise discovers? A psychotricorder can record your memories! Scalosian water speeds up humanoids to the point they can dodge energy beams! A veinful of kironide makes you a powerful telekinetic a few minutes after injection! If Picard, Sisko and Janeway had just read Kirk's logs, the Borg and Dominion wouldn't have had a chance.
Chosen answer: They do use much of the technology, just not the particular items you mention. There are many reasons: perhaps the technology was deemed too dangerous and outlawed (as with the planet Talos), or found impossible to reproduce. The Prime Directive would prohibit them from stealing the technology too, no matter how valuable.
27th Jan 2008
General questions
I'm looking for the title of a movie from the 80's or maybe 90's. It seems to be set in the late 1800's or early 1900's and is about a unusually smart boy named Wendell. The only scene I'm certain about is when the boy gets off a train and is greeted by two older people. The man introduces himself and the lady as "Cornelia" and tells her Wendell's name. She says "Hello, Wendy." He replies, "Hello, Corny." She says (angrily) "Cornelia", he replies (exasperated) "Wendell." Thanks.
Chosen answer: The film was called "The Wizard of Loneliness". Lucas Haas played Wendall.
22nd Jul 2005
General questions
I am trying to remember the name of a TV show that was on in the early to mid 80's. It dealt with day-to-day life on a US Army post (Not Marines or Navy, I'm not thinking of Major Dad or JAG). It was set in the present day (present day for when it was on-the mid 80's), NOT Vietnam. I think the word "Honor" was part of the title, but I am not sure. Anyone? I seem to remember the closing credits focused on the flag pole in front of the HQ while the credits rolled.
Chosen answer: For Love and Honor (1983) was about an airborne field artillery unit. It was set at a fort in California. However, it had one drawback. It was twenty years too early. It was the first television series about the Army. It had the potential to be a hit show but it didn't last that long. NBC cancelled it after three months on the air. Too bad it wasn't picked up by the History Channel. From imdb.com.
13th Jun 2005
General questions
I am trying to remember the name of a TV show that was on in the mid 80's. It dealt with day-to-day life on a US Army post. It was set in the present day (present day for when it was on-the mid 80's), NOT Vietnam. I think the word "Honor" was part of the title, but I am not sure. Anyone?
Chosen answer: Are you thinking of "Major Dad?" It was late 80s and set on a Marine Corps base. Alternatively For Love and Honor from 1983. A soap opera drama about life on a military base which ran for a half a season.
18th Sep 2004
Monk (2002)
Question: In many scenes, Monk will reach out and touch something with one finger. What is he doing? I thought at first he was straightening things, but he touches things that don't move too.
Chosen answer: Occasionally, people with advanced OCD's are possessed of an uncontrollable urge to simply touch various things, or press their nose/lips/etc. against them. It's no more or less sensible than the other behaviours the syndrome causes. See David Sedaris's essay "A Plague of Tics" for an hilarious look at it.
3rd Jun 2004
Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)
Question: When Elvis trades places with Sebastian Haff, his limo plate is AZN-700. Later when he is driving Haff's car, the plate is the same. Obviously two cars with different owners can't have the same plates, so it's probably a reference of some sort. Anyone know if that's the case, and if so, what?
Chosen answer: There's no significance I can find anywhere for the number "AZN-700" - it's just a fake plate they used twice due to the limited budget, and its repeated use is a mistake.
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Chosen answer: No, there hasn't, although an upcoming computer game, "Aliens: Colonial Marines", which is set post-Aliens, includes action set on the derelict ship. While obviously of dubious canonicity, as there are as yet no official statements to the contrary, the ship can currently be considered to have survived the detonation of the atmosphere processor. Should a future film provide further information on the subject, the status of the ship can be reconsidered canonically.
Tailkinker ★