Armageddon
Rockhound holding a solved Rubik's cube. Copyright Touchstone Pictures, 1998
Appearance
In an interview, a few main characters are asked to solve a Rubik's cube. Rockhound (Steve Buscemi) solves a Rubik's cube. We only see him solve the final move.
Quotes
Rockhound (After solving the Rubik's cube.)Piece of cake.
Dude, Where's My Car?
Chester just found the cube. Copyright Alcon Entertainment, 2000
Appearance
Two groups of aliens and a group of space-wannabe-nerds are searching for a Continuum Transfunctioner. For some reason they think Jesse (Ashton Kutcher) and Chester (Seann William Scott) have this device that can destroy the planet. The Rubik's cube appears in the movie after a while, and turns out to be the Continuum Transfunctioner at the end of the movie.
Quotes
Chester (After finding the Rubik's cube in his pocket.)Cool!
Jesse (When Chester is trying to solve the cube.)Dude, you're never gonna figure that thing out.
Composition of four screencaps where the Rubik's cube transforms in a Continuum Transfunctioner. Copyright Alcon Entertainment, 2000
Transcript
Duplicity
Ray with the Rubik's cube keychain. Copyright Laura Bickford Productions
Appearance
The Rubik's cube appears in one scene, where Ray (Clive Owen) hold a Rubik's cube keychain in his hand to allow Claire (Julia Robberts) to recognise him. Later in the scene Claire has a similar cube in her handbag.
Hellboy
Abe Sapien complaining about his inability to solve the Rubik's Cube. Copyright Revolution Studios, 2004
Appearance
A merman-like creature called Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) is recovering in his aquarium and tries to solve a Rubik's Cube. He talks with Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) and complains about his inability to solve the Rubik's Cube.
Comments
- Frankly, Abe is not able to solve the Rubik's cube. Earlier in the movie he is introduced as an intelligent creature with psychometric abilities.
- Abe states that it took him
three decades
to solve two sides. The movie was released in 2004. If we suppose the movie does not take place in the future, that means he already had the cube in 1974. 1974 was the year the Rubik's cube was invented by Ernő Rubik. However, the Rubik's cube was released six years later in 1980 by Ideal Toys. - Almost all scenes in the sequel, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, were shot in Hungary. Hungary is the homeland of the Rubik's cube. Ernő Rubik was born and lived in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. Hellboy itself was shot in the Czech Republic.
Quote
Abe SapienListen, I'm not much of a problem solver. Three decades… and I've only completed two sides.
Låt den rätte komma in Swedish, "Let the Right One In"
Eli is trying to solve the Rubik's cube. Copyright EFTI, 2008
Appearance
There are three scenes where the Rubik's Cube appears.
- The first is when a girl named Eli (Lina Leandersson) looks at Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) trying to solve the cube. She asks about it, and Oskar lends her the cube. In the scene is visible that Oskar is only able to solve one side of the cube.
- In a scene without spoken words, Oskar finds the cube on the spot where he met Eli earlier. The cube is solved.
- In a later scene, Oskar asks Eli how she solved the cube. She states that she
just twisted it
, and starts explaining how she solved the cube, before the scene ends.
Comments
- The explained method is a corners-first method. This is usually not a method beginners practice.
Transcript
Oskar finds the Rubik's cube. Copyright EFTI, 2008
The Persuit of Happyness
Chris explains to Mr. Twistle how he thinks the cube works. Copyright Columbia Pictures Corporation, 2008
Appearance
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is trying to get a internship to become a stockbroker at Dean Witter Reynolds. A scene where Chris solves a Rubik's cube plays a key role in Chris' attempts to get real contact with Mr Twistle (Brian Howe). Important to note is that this movie takes place in the year 1981. The Rubik's cube appears in the following scenes:
- Chris finds a Rubik's cube in the kitchen while having supper with his wife Linda (Thandie Newton) and son Christopher (Jaden Smith). He asks what is is, and what to do with it.
- Later that evening Chris is not able to sleep. He gets out of bed, and on his couch he is trying to solve the Rubik's cube. He is able to make a white cross, then solve the first layer of the cube, and shortly later the second layer.
- A few scenes later Chris and his son watch a program on the television about the Rubik's cube. The news reporter (James Finnerty) states that he is not able to solve much of it. Also, he says that a professor in Mathematics was able to solve the cube in 30 minutes.
- During a taxi ride with Mr Twistle, Chris says that he is able to solve a cube after Mr Twistle states that is is
impossible
. Chris solves the whole cube being very lucky, but Mr Twistle does not see that. This opens Mr Twistle's eyes, and Chris is later invited for an interview.
The news reporter, Jim Finnerty Copyright Columbia Pictures Corporation, 2008
Comments
- The Rubik's cubes in the movie have a Rubik's logo on the white center piece. However, in 1981 those stickers were not yet sticked onto Rubik's cubes.
- The cube was solved using the Tyson Mao's beginner method. The method was not yet invented in 1981. In fact, Tyson Mao was born in 1984. The method is very similar to the Fridrich method. This is a method developed by Jessica Fridrich, she started developing this technique after she
met the cube
. [1]face-toface
Rubik's cube (…) in March 1981 - The news reporter didn't do a real good job if he was real. The Guinness Book of World Records organized the first world championship on March 13, 1981. The record was set at 38 seconds by Jury Froeschl. This is contrary to the 30 minutes the reporter says the Math professor took it to solve.
- It is not known to me, if the real Chris Gardner solved a Rubik's cube in order to impress someone else. And if he solved it, how did he solved it?
Chris meeting the cube for the first time. Copyright Columbia Pictures Corporation, 2008
Transcript
Chris trying to solve the cube. Copyright Columbia Pictures Corporation, 2008
WALL·E
WALL·E inspecting a Rubik's cube. Copyright Pixar Animation Studios, 2008
Appearance
EVE has solved the Rubik's cube. Copyright Pixar Animation Studios, 2008
There are various appearances of the Rubik's cube in WALL·E.
- In the future WALL·E systems are left on earth to clean up the then very dirty earth. Over time, lots of WALL·E systems died, except one. He (in the movie just called WALL·E) has developed a strong personality, including a habit of collecting interesting pieces of garbage. In the movie we see WALL·E unpacking a Rubik's cube he collected on duty. He takes a look at it, and then puts it in some sort of locker.
- Later on, when a robot called EVE has arrived on earth, WALL·E takes her to his 'house' and shows the (unsolved) Rubik's cube. The camera moves away following WALL·E and returns only a few seconds later. EVE has a solved the Rubik's cube. It is not shown how she solved the Rubik's cube.
- At the end of the movie WALL·E does not recognize EVE any more after an accident. EVE tries various ways to bring back his memory, without immediate success. One of the things she tries is showing him the Rubik's cube.
- The end credits feature a pixel-art animation showing WALL·E trying to solve a Rubik's cube. EVE flies by and in a flash the Rubik's cube solves itself (see also the figure).
Three screenshots of the animation in the end-credits. Copyright Pixar Animation Studios, 2008
Comments
- This image shows a WALL·E Rubik's cube. I don't know if it's fake or not.
- The Rubik's cube WALL·E holds was reconstructed by Lucas Garron. He states that it is
probably unsolvable
.
Comments