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Questions about Movies/Questions Answered by Expert Shant istamboulian

SubjectDate Asked
Gay movie role?1/12/2012
  Q: I've watched this movie from 1994 called "The River Wild" a few times and I couldn't help but notice ...
  A: That's an interesting take on the character. Honestly, I have not heard or read anything about ...
Hello Movie Soundtrack for you!! :)1/4/2012
  Q: Not sure if your able to get the song for me or not lol I always end up picking like the hardest ...
  A: Ive done the research and it seems like this soundtrack is not available and/or was never released. ...
country and western dancing9/29/2011
  Q: At about the same time as the movie "Electric Horseman" there was another movie with a similar ...
  A: Are you maybe thinking of 1980's URBAN COWBOY with John Travolta and Debra Winger? I am not sure of ...
June 1949 and film7/21/2011
  Q: I'm doing a report for my film class on great films during June 1949 (every person in the class has ...
  A: Well, it looks like the highest grossing film of June 1949 was LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING with June ...
June 1949 and film7/21/2011
  Q: I'm doing a report for my film class on great films during June 1949 (every person in the class has ...
  A: The highest grossing film of 1949 was Cecil B. De Mille's SAMSON AND DELILAH ($11.5 million) ...
sex in movies4/1/2011
  Q: I just got finished watching the movie “Love and other drugs,” and after I finished getting over the ...
  A: According to myth, the only three movies I can think of where the lead actors (supposedly) had ...
intertwining movies11/12/2010
  Q: can you tell me all the movies where the characters are doing something different, but meet up ...
  A: Here are a few: Woody Allen's CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS Michael Mann's HEAT Quentin Tarantino's PULP ...
GROUCHO MARX SAID IT, BUT.....8/18/2010
  Q: In which Marx Brothers film did Groucho Marx say "That's that most ridiculous thing I ever heard"? ...
  A: As far as I know, it is from DUCK SOUP. It could be that this is something that has been ...
Copyrights7/18/2010
  Q: I was curious as to how blockbuster and movie gallery can sale movies. I have a creation that will ...
  A: Those big chain store, as well as places like Netflix and RedBox, have deals in place with the ...
MARX BROTHERS2/26/2010
  Q: WHAT MARX BROTHERS MOVIE DID THEY USE "DEWEY CHEATEM AND HOWE"?
  A: This is actually a reference to the Three Stooges, not the Marx Brothers, and it was never used in a ...
Who plays the "real"Dr. Abigail Emily Tyler ?1/19/2010
  Q: i would like to know who plays the "real" Dr. Abigail Emily Tyler in the movie 'The Fourth Kind'. ...
  A: I dont. The filmmakers have indeed done a good job of keeping that actress who plays the "real" ...
red carpet12/26/2009
  Q: trying to find out when the "Red Carpet" started for the academy awards, i dont think it has always ...
  A: I too didnt have much luck tracking an exact date - it's possible that the red carpet was always ...
Taxi Driver12/20/2009
  Q: I've seen the movie Taxi Driver many, many times and I've always wondered about the last 5 seconds ...
  A: The ending of TAXI DRIVER has many interpretations - some people think it's a dream, others think ...
Follow-up question: An old Sci-fi movie. Tried searching, no results. Please help.11/17/2009
  Q: I could see you give great advise on the old movie, really hoping you could help me find mine. I ...
  A: Some of my favorite films include THE GODFATHER, ANNIE HALL, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, RAGING ...
ideas10/25/2009
  Q: Shant I am after some ideas. I am a tough person to find a movie for. If there is much violence at ...
  A: I think you are the perfect audience for the Pixar films, such as UP, WALL-E, MONSTER'S INC., and ...
Tv sex n violence7/28/2009
  Q: Hai, do you mind explain & describe to me what this whole sentence means, please "Television sex and ...
  A: I think it simply means that TV is just reflective of what is going on in society, as are the movies ...
Looking for film Clips/Quotes...7/20/2009
  Q: I am a film maker looking for clips from old classic movies and more recent movies to use in a ...
  A: Here is a list: SHERLOCK JR. (Buster Keaton film) PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO, THE GET SHORTY PLAYER, THE ...
I can figure out the name of a movie.7/10/2009
  Q: I've been trying to figure out the name of a movie title, and I just can't think of it. All I really ...
  A: I believe the movie you are thinking of is 2007's HUSH LITTLE BABY, although some of the details you ...
Tom Cruise "Valkyrie"6/11/2009
  Q: I watched a copy on this movie today & it have english subtitles, but it was in english, did the ...
  A: Sometimes, certain players automatically turn the subtitles on when a movie is played back. Try ...
Spy Movies6/8/2009
  Q: My Dad has been looking for a spy movie from the late 60's to early 70's where a spy's car turns ...
  A: It's definitely not any of the Bond movies and I don't think it is any of the Flint movies either ...
ww2 movie question4/6/2009
  Q: This is a group that try to kill Hitler or somebody else who happen to be a high rank in the german ...
  A: This might be from THE PLOT TO HITLER from 1990. Incidentally, the plot is similar to that of the ...
Best Actor Oscar winners3/10/2009
  Q: Can you provide the names of the movies that included 3 or more best actor Oscar winners in a ...
  A: Here are five: Forest Whitaker - "The Last King of Scotland" (2006) Philip Seymour Hoffman - ...
'the butterfly effect'2/7/2009
  Q: can you please tell me the concept of the movie 'the butterfly effect'? though i liked the movie, it ...
  A: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT actually lifts its premise from a famous short story by Ray Bradbury entitled A ...
Movie Title Unknown1/20/2009
  Q: I recently saw a movie called “Eagle Eye”. It appeared to me that this plot was copied from another ...
  A: Eagle Eye was actually criticized for ripping off a plethora of popular films from the past, among ...
movies5/29/2008
  Q: about: movies that came from books, or true, partially true stories. Wanting to know the names of ...
  A: The only two titles up there that stemmed from a novel were TRAINSPOTTING, based on the novel of the ...
was this Michelle Pfeiffer?5/10/2008
  Q: I recall seeing a film in the 90's?? about a young boy growing up with his father in Ireland. His ...
  A: The only films involving Michelle Pfeiffer that have her playing a singer and "Stardust" are THE ...
What is name of Movie?4/5/2008
  Q: "In the mid to late seventies I saw a movie about a runaway who was turned into a prostitute by a ...
  A: ANGEL was released in 1984 and concerned a high school student who moonlights as a prostitute and ...
French re-make movie3/24/2008
  Q: This might be a longshot but I´m going to ask ;-) There was recently a french re-make of a french ...
  A: The only French director who moonlights as an actor that I can think of is Mathieu Kassovitz, who ...
a voice from beyond the grave2/29/2008
  Q: i remember when i was younger i taped a film that was on tv i'm pretty sure it was called a voice ...
  A: You are exactly right, it is called VOICE FROM THE GRAVE and it was produced in 1996. It was in ...
Absolute Power2/21/2008
  Q: In the book, there are 3 characters that are not listed in any of the movie cast listings. Who ...
  A: Actually, Clint Eastwood's adaptation of ABSOLUTE POWER was a very loose adaptation of the David ...
the silver foxes2/5/2008
  Q: my grandma told me a story about the 1st movie she went to see with my grandad.they were dating just ...
  A: The only film I can think of that remotely comes close to your description is THE LITTLE FOXES ...
Richard Widmark12/27/2007
  Q: I have always enjoyed Mr. Widmark's movies,especially "How the West Was Won". I would like to let ...
  A: The best (and most appropriate) way to contact him would be through his representation, ICM. Their ...
Sorry12/12/2007
  Q: 2 out of 3 will definitely do. But I thought of a couple other things that may help on the movie ...
  A: Hey Laura, I've racked my brain all afternoon and it's not coming to me...you've given plenty of ...
John Candy11/26/2007
  Q: Why does Del Griffith (John Candy) have a black eye in the second half of the movie "Planes, Trains, ...
  A: Hmmm...interesting. i dont remember any specific scene that explains it. Perhaps it's just a way ...
old christmas movie11/9/2007
  Q: Many years ago my mother took us to see a movie about Santa Claus having to battle the devil.. I ...
  A: The film you describe sounds a lot like the simply titled SANTA CLAUS from 1959. It was in fact ...
Scene Stealers/Small Roles with Big Impact7/19/2007
  Q: ew.com)which often has themed photo galleries to Hollywood history & its stars. I'm 40 & really ...
  A: One who immediately comes to mind Joe E. Brown, from Billy Wilder's SOME LIKE IT HOT. Brown was a ...
A slasher a Best Picture?7/1/2007
  Q: I'd like your opinion on whether a slasher movie could win the Best Picture Oscar. I know it would ...
  A: Horror, specifically the slasher film, has never been a respected genre. Two "slasher" films that I ...
movies5/26/2007
  Q: I have a question about movies. Are movies from United States and movies from Canada most likely the ...
  A: Yes. When domestic box-office is tallied for a particular film, Canadian numbers are also included, ...
2 old movies3/28/2007
  Q: I remember watching 2 movies from my childhood, so I'll guess 1960-1970. One is a film, perhaps ...
  A: The Hayley Mills feature you are thinking about is 1961's WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND with Alan Bates as ...
movie posters2/21/2007
  Q: I know that before many movie releases, the production company or one of their representives ...
  A: These posters are usually given at special or advance screenings, part of what the industry refers ...
Swearing in Movies1/4/2007
  Q: Is there any company that sells big named movies on DVD that have the swearing taken out or dubbed ...
  A: There used to be a Utah-based company called CleanFlicks that would edit films on DVD, but it folded ...
movie title?actors?12/31/2006
  Q: movie setin NY--youths and best friends,devise an ill conceived plan to rob the vending cart food ...
  A: The movie you are thinking of is Barry Levinson's SLEEPERS, based on Lorenzo Carcattera's ...
The Deer Hunter12/25/2006
  Q: In the Viet Nam Era Movie, the Deer Hunter, why was Robert De Niro's character allowed to wear an ...
  A: THE DEER HUNTER was severely criticized by veterans upon its initial release regarding the film's ...
Nominations10/11/2006
  Q: Who does the acting branch include? The directors branch? The producers branch? It would just be ...
  A: The Academy is an "invitation-only" organization and is made of of industry-people. However, each ...
Nominations10/9/2006
  Q: Who decides which actors/movies etc get nominated for Academy Awards, Razzies and all the scores of ...
  A: Those awards are held by organizations completely seperate from each other. The Academy of Motion ...
whats that movie10/4/2006
  Q: ""when i was a kid i remember watching a movie about these killer dolls. they were about waist high ...
  A: The movie you are describing sounds a lot like Stuart Gordon's DOLLS, which came out in '86. It ...
Mean Machine Song9/2/2006
  Q: What song is playing when Monk (Jason Statham) is dancing on and around the ball right before the ...
  A: Here is a track listing of all the songs in the movie MEAN MACHINE. Hope this sheds some light on ...
Costs9/1/2006
  Q: Are you saying that theatres like to show show movies that are doing well at the box office because ...
  A: There is an event held in Vegas every March called ShoWest. Here's the link to their website: ...
Costs8/31/2006
  Q: How much, typically, does it cost distributors to show a movie in theatres nowdays? Thanks. Scott.
  A: The 50/50 rule has been the norm and typically still applies to film distribution, which means that ...
Question about Trilogies8/24/2006
  Q: Has any actor/actress ever appeared in all 3 films of 3 different trilogies?
  A: The best I can come up with is Harrison Ford, who starred in two full trilogies - Indiana Jones and ...
Ballad of Thunder Road7/17/2006
  Q: Who sang the song over the opening credits? I asked Neil Minow earlier and he replied with a link ...
  A: Mitchum's version of the ballad is definitely the one NOT in the movie. His was recorded after its ...
what is the name of that movie6/27/2006
  Q: Encyclopedia !! How are you ? There is a mavie for Jony Debb about the MASONS, I need the name of ...
  A: The Johnny Depp movie you are thinking of is FROM HELL. Here are some Russell Crowe movies: QUICK ...
Philadelphia6/15/2006
  Q: Is the 1993 hit film Philadelphia based on a true story? if so, where can i find further ...
  A: Ron Nyswaner, the film's Oscar-nominated writer, is openly gay and is a gay rights and AIDS ...
Incest Movies2/24/2006
  Q: First of all Thnx For Helping People as an expert it's great thing to help people well im a ...
  A: Some foreign films... -Contra el Viento (Against the Wind) w/Antonio Banderas (1990) -L'Attenzione ...
movie music2/1/2006
  Q: I am looking for a song.what is the name of the song at the end of the movie mean girls when it is ...
  A: So sorry about the very late response. For some reason, I didnt get the original email. I believe ...
Hello Shant! I'd like to...12/23/2005
  Q: I'd like to ask what do you think about computer animated cinema. Do you perceive any danger coming ...
  A: On the subject of CGI, it all depends on whose hand it's coming from. Compare the work of such ...
Movie Music12/15/2005
  Q: I am just wanting to know the name of a song (or the artist) from David Lynch's movie "Lost ...
  A: It could be "Song To the Siren" written by Larry Beckett and Tim Buckley and performed by This ...
Alexander movie9/2/2005
  Q: Why do most of the lead actors in Alexander talk with an Irish accent?
  A: That was a creative decision made by director Oliver Stone after he cast Colin Farrell in the lead. ...
movies by year7/23/2005
  Q: do you know of a site on the Internet that would give me a complete listing of Hollywood movies by ...
  A: The internet movie database (www.imdb.com) is a great source for all kinds of info on film. To find ...
Writing to Hollywood celebrities1/18/2005
  Q: I am trying to find out the best way to reach movie celebrities in writing. Specifically, I am a ...
  A: The internet movie database (www.imdb.com) has a service called imdbpro where they have information ...
movie sequels12/23/2004
  Q: office bet: we're trying to fiqure out, which movie has had the most sequels? please help thank ...
  A: The "king" so to speak would have to be the Godzilla movies, with 26 films and counting (not ...
movie11/2/2004
  Q: I have a question.. Have u seen the movie (Documentary) "Promises.. if u haf can u please tell me ...
  A: The main argument in PROMISES...is quite simple. it tackles the touchy subject of the ...
motion picture terminology10/23/2004
  Q: .. I am curious what the very beginning of a film is called. This is a short film unto itself ...
  A: There is no real term for what is commonly known as either the "opening title sequence" or "opening ...
The Clearing10/18/2004
  Q: What happened to the movie, The Clearing with Robert Redford? It was out in selected theaters for a ...
  A: Films like THE CLEARING rely on buzz and studio support to hang on to as many screens as possible. ...
Golf in the movies10/15/2004
  Q: I'd like to know which non-golf movies have memorable golf scenes in them. For example, ...
  A: Here are FIVE for ya: THE SWEETEST THING - While the movie is far from great, there is a pretty ...
Beach Music, a movie?10/3/2004
  Q: I recently asked my liberian if there was a way to find out if a movie was in the works or was to be ...
  A: I was not able to find any involvement of Brad Pitt on the project or any info if the film is in ...
strange film9/7/2004
  Q: Basically what happens is that the killer in the film is a ventriliquist(excuse the spelling)and he ...
  A: Well, my first instict was MAGIC, that chiller starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as a very disturbed ...
Lost In Translation6/24/2004
  Q: What exactly does Bill Murray whisper to Scarlett Johansson in their last scene together right ...
  A: This question has become one of the most oft asked and belongs in the same group as "What was in the ...
Copyrights6/15/2004
  Q: I am planning to write a book on movie special effects, which would include a lot of photos from ...
  A: In your case, you might want to go directly to the studio since they are the sole holder of the ...
THE TV-MOVIE POLLY2/10/2004
  Q: I would like to know where I could purchase the TV movie "Polly" which aired in 1989. I believe it ...
  A: through the advent of DVD, a lot more of these made-for-TV titles ar popping up on home video. As ...

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Shant istamboulian

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Expertise

I am an avid movie buff who reads and writes a lot about the subject. My expertise falls mainly in the talent department, specifically writers, directors and actors. I am also a fan of movie scores and have a vast knowledge in that department as well. I have often been described as a "walking, talking movie encyclopedia" so feel free to send any of your movie questions my way!

Experience

studying to be a director; written a few scripts

Education/Credentials
high school graduate; some college

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