Victor de la Cruz

“Sweetie, you are weird. Everyone knows you’re weird. But they’re all still here because they care about you so much.”

From: The Big Bang Theory

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Penny

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the very successful sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. The story revolves around a group of four nerds/geeks who love nerdy/geeky things. Among the four, Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) proved to be the show’s breakout star due to all of his quirky mannerisms and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

The quote comes from the episode entitled “The Celebration Experimentation”, which is the 17th episode of the 9th season. Sheldon Cooper is hiding out in the bathroom as he doesn’t like celebrating his birthday with a party. He reveals to Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) about how his sister would make fun of him during his birthday parties, which is why he hates them. Penny says it’s okay if he hides out in the bathroom then. Sheldon then says people will think he’s weird if he does. This is when Penny delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Being yourself can be hard when you don’t conform to “normal” society standards. However, that doesn’t mean you should change the way you are. Be yourself and, eventually, you will find people who will care for you because of who you really are.

“Mutant and proud.”

From: X-Men: First Class

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Mystique

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2011 action superhero movie, X-Men: First Class. A prequel to the previous films, this shows the origin of the first mutant team Charles Xavier assembled.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Beast (played by Nicolas Hoult) has developed a serum that would inhibit all mutant genes. Mystique (played by Jennifer Lawrence) tells Beast not to take the serum as they shouldn’t aspire to be like regular people. This is when she delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We should celebrate what makes us unique and different rather than shun them. We should be proud of who we are and what makes us individuals. Rather than hide who we really are because of others, it is the others who should be more accepting of what makes people who or what they are.

“Go confront the problem! Fight! Win!”

From: The Incredibles

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Edna Mode

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Disney/Pixar CG animated movie The Incredibles. The film is about a family of retired superheroes headed by Mr. Incredible. He is hired by a mysterious company to take out a rogue robot. Once he does, he starts to use his powers more openly, not knowing the company he’s working for has nefarious motives.

The quote comes in the middle of the problem. Helen Parr/Elastigirl (voiced by Holly Hunter) goes and visits former superhero costume designer Edna Mode (voiced by The Incredibles director Brad Bird) and she laments that her husband, Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible, may be having an affair. Edna Mode cannot believe that Elasigirl is just crying about it and tells her to go after her husband and confront him while delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Whining and crying about a problem won’t help solve it. Take action in solving the problem to get rid of it.

“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.'”

From: A Bronx Tale

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Lorenzon

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1993 crime drama, A Bronx Tale. Originally a stage play by Chazz Palminteri (who also played the mobster “Sonny” in the movie), it is a coming-of-age story of a young boy named Calogero, who is torn by his desire to follow in his father’s footsteps of being a hardworking and honest person and the allure of the Mafia lifestyle.

The quote happens very early in the film. Lorenzo (played by Robert De Niro) is talking to his son 9-year old son Calogero (played here by Francis Capra). The two talk about Joe DiMaggio and why he was such a great baseball player. Lorenzo tells his son it’s because the baseball player had a lot of talent. Calogero then asks his father if he also has any talent. Lorenzo then encourages him to be whatever he wants and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: If you have a gift, never hide it away. Make use of whatever you have and share it with the world.

“Just keep swimming.”

From: Finding Nemo

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Dory

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Disney/Pixar animated film, Finding Nemo. Released in 2003, the film follows a clownfish named Marlin and a forgetful regal blue tang named Dory as they search for Marlin’s son, Nemo.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and Dory (played by Ellen DeGeneres) managed to escape from certain death but, in the process, lose the diver’s mask, which they believe will lead them to Nemo. Marlin is in despair as he believe he’ll never find his son after this incident. However, Dory tries to encourage him to move forward by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: You might feel the urge to give up during the low points in life. But life is all about peaks and valleys. If you give up and do nothing then you’ll never pick yourself up and see that the bad times are just temporary.

“…And you are wearing his MERCHANDISE!”

From: Disney’s Hercules

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Zeus

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote was submitted from Jordan Loux, who also submitted another quote a couple of weeks ago. Thanks again!

This week’s quote comes the animated Disney film, Hercules. The movie is a reimagining of Greek mythology’s Hercules. In the Disney version, Hercules is turned mortal by Hades and, in order to become a god and get his place back in Mount Olympus, he must become a hero.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Hades (voiced by James Woods) has been trying and trying to get rid of Hercules but the demigod keeps thwarting his plans and, in effect, making Hercules a bigger and more popular hero for the Greek population. While lamenting his problem, Hades notices that one of his minions is actually wearing sandals bearing Hercules’ branding. He complains that his ultimate plan to take over Olympus might not come to fruition and this is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: From Jordan Loux: You speak with your wallet, and the things you buy can say a lot about the causes you support. Think before you buy.

“How could it take you five minutes to cook your grits… when it takes the entire grit eating world twenty minutes?'”

From: My Cousin Vinny

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Vinny Gambini

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from 1992 comedy My Cousin Vinny. The film stars Joe Pesci as Vinny Gambini, a lawyer who had just passed the bar after several attempts. He has to defend his cousin who was arrested for murder.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Vinny cross examines one of the witnesses who claims it would be impossible for another person to have committed the murder as there was only a five minute window to when he saw the boys enter the store and when he saw the car speed away. However, Vinny notices a flaw with the witnesses story as he was preparing grits during that supposed five minute window.

Geek wisdom: Our perception of time is actually more wonky than we think. We think something could be done quickly but you then realize you’ve taken longer than you imagine. Try to be realistic with your time management.

“Tension breaker… Had to be done.'”

From: Summer School

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Francis “Chainsaw” Gremp

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1987 high school comedy Summer School. The film stars Mark Harmon as Freddy Shoop, a gym teacher forced to teach a group of slackers remedial English throughout summer school.

The quote happens near the end of the film, with all of the students from the summer school about to take their final exam. When Mr. Shoop asks them if they’re ready, one of the students, Francis “Chainsaw” Gremp (played by Dean Cameron) lets out a scream. He then explains why he did that with the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, the pressure within us can just build up and up and we have to find some kind of way to release it. It may not be a primal scream but you do have to do something to relieve it just so you can get back to normal.

“That boy ain’t right.”

From: King of the Hill

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Hank Hill

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Jordan Loux. Thanks for the great quote!

The quote comes from the Fox animated sitcom King of the Hill. The show generally follows the Hill family, particularly the Hill patriarch, Hank Hill, as well as his friends and next door neighbors, as they deal with the someone exaggerated eccentricities of mundane, everyday life of midwestern America.

From Jordan Loux: This quote comes from Mike Judge’s King of the Hill, and is the go-to response whenever Hank Hill sees his son Bobby doing something that leaves him completely dumbfounded. From listening to modern music to practicing one of his many hobbies, Hank struggles to understand why his son is the way that he is.

Geek wisdom: Just because someone does something different than you doesn’t mean that it is wrong. It is important to take the time to understand why before rushing to judgement.

“But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close. Not even a little bit. Not even at all.”

From: 10 Things I Hate About You

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Kat Stratford

The story behind the quote: This quote comes the teen romance comedy 10 Things I Have About You. Based on the William Shakespeare play The Taming of the Shrew, the film focuses on antisocial Kat Stevens and “bad boy” Patrick Verona. Patrick is hired by another boy to date Kat as it’s the only way her father will allow him (the boy) to date Kat’s sister.

The quote comes at the end of the film. Kat (played by Julia Stiles) learns about how Patrick (played by the late Heath Ledger) was just hired to date her and won’t talk to him. When asked to recite the poem, she reveals that, despite all that’s happened, she still has feelings for Patrick.

Geek wisdom: Love will make you ignore all of the flaws another person has. Love will make you accept a person for the way he or she is right at this moment.