Secret ninja death. (and a movie sighting)

["Matt Howe" <ismhowe@state.me.us>]

Lately I have been experiencing sudden engine death, and a great deal of
difficulty starting afterward.  I have had some fuel problems in the past
with this car, but it has been running great for many months.  I checked all
the plug wires, and the coil wire, the distributor rotor and
contacts(brushes?) look okay too.  This death has happened once just after
starting, and the next day after a 10 minute drive, when coming to a stop.
The first time, I let it sit overnight, and it started great the next
morning, the next time(yesterday) I also let it sit overnight, but this
morning, I almost gave up starting it, and my last try succeded(whew!).  I
started it several more times this morning, without problems.  The engine is
turning over fine, but not firing.  Once it does fire though, it starts
right up.  I would appreciate any and all BTDTs and hypotheses.  Thanks!

-Matt

P.S.: In a "B" movie called "Day of the Warrior" there is a white 5ks wagon
identical to mine.  Cool!