Month: November 2013

“We are who we choose to be!”

From: Spider-Man (2002)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Norman Osborn/Green Goblin

The story behind the quote: The Spider-Man film that was released in 2002 was both a critical and financial hit. And it came at a very opportune time since it was released at a time when superhero films were hitting a slump in terms of ticket sales.

The film tells the story of Peter Parker and how he was given the abilities of a spider, enabling him to become the superhero known as Spider-man. However, his best friend’s father, Norman Osborn, performs an experiment on himself and, while it does give him enhanced strength, speed and agility, it also drive Osborn mad and takes on the guise of the Green Goblin.

In his quest to destroy Spider-man, the Green Goblin kidnaps Peter’s girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson and a cable car full of children. The Green Goblin threatens to drop them both from the top of the Queensboro Bridge and says Spider-man must have to choose who to save. While Spider-man pleads for the villain to not go through with it, the Goblin delivers the quote and releases them.

(Sorry for the obviously poor quality of the clip; it was the only one I could find online.)

Geek wisdom: The quote is pretty ironic since this doesn’t only apply to Spider-man, but also to the Green Goblin. Norman Osborn actually had the choice to become a force for good but he decided to take the darker path. Spider-man, while he initially used his new powers selfishly, he changed his ways because of his Uncle Ben’s death… which he could have saved earlier.

Even though it may seem that fate might push us to do bad, we always have the choice to do the right thing.

“My cabbages!”

From: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: The Cabbage Merchant

The story behind the quote: Now, this is a quote that is fairly recent and wasn’t even given by any of the main characters of the show. In fact, the person who delivers this quote doesn’t even have an official name as far as I know. However, he does say it a lot and I realized there is some wisdom you can get from those two simple words of despair he exclaims often.

The quote comes from Nickelodeon’s animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The series tells the story of Aang, the latest Avatar of the world and destined to bring peace and order to it. However, since he is just a child, he runs away because of the pressure of the role and gets encased in ice for a hundred years. That is, until two children from the Water Tribes, siblings Katara and Sokka, release him from his icy tomb. The two help Aang try to fulfill his destiny of mastering bending of all four elements (water, earth, fire and air) while being pursued by the exiled prince of the Fire Nation, Prince Zuko.

Like I said, the quote comes not from any of those characters that I mentioned but from a man simply known as The Cabbage Merchant. He pops in a lot of episodes, trying to sell and trade his produce by something always happens to them, which is why he always delivers the quote out of anguish.

Geek wisdom: Life can be full of misfortune and disappointment. This is displayed very prominently by the cabbage guy from the show as it seems to be whenever he encounters Aang and company, his harvested cabbages get devastated. However, it’s how you persist after these hardships that prove yourself as a person.

While the first series never really showed what happened to the cabbage merchant, the sequel to the series, The Legend of Korra shows that the cabbage vendor created his own company and his son is now prosperous because of it. If he didn’t pick himself up after all of the hardship he went through, the cabbage vendor wouldn’t have been able to build a successful company.

“If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

From: Star Wars

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Obi-Wan Kenobi

The story behind the quote: I’m not sure if I should even be describing where this quote came from since you probably know where it came from…  here goes!

The quote comes from the very first Star Wars film which is, oddly enough, the fourth chapter chronologically story-wise. When I mean “first” I really mean it was the first one to be made and actually the film that made Star Wars the franchise it is today. The quote comes when Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C3-P0, R2-D2 and Obi-Wan Kenobi board the Death Star to rescue Princess Leia. Obi-Wan splits up from the group to disable the tractor beam that trapped the Millennium Falcon on the space station.

Obi-Wan does sabotage the tractor beam but comes face to face with his former apprentice, Darth Vader. They both “unsheathe” their lightsabers to prepare for a duel. During their fight, Obi-Wan warns Darth Vader about what would happen if his former student does best him.

Geek wisdom: There are no immortals in the world and everyone will eventually die… even you. But, even though we do leave the physical world, there is still a way anyone can live forever. And that is to live on in the memories of others.

Think of all the people in history. They may have died but they are still talked about even to this day because of their contributions to the world while they were still in it. Think of your childhood friends and you can see that, even if you don’t have contact with them, you still remember them in one way or another.

Leave your mark on the world and don’t let your time here be for nothing.

“Say my name!”

From: Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con 2013 Panel

Genre: Comics and Internet

Who said it?: Tom Hiddleston/Loki

The story behind the quote: This is a bit of an odd quote since I’m not really sure who’s saying the quote. Also, it’s totally not canon but I just had to put it up since it is pretty fun to watch.

During this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, Marvel held a panel in Hall H showing their plans for future film franchises. However, mere minutes into the panel, the host’s mic got cut and the lights went out.  Loki, the villain from the Thor and Avengers films (played by Tom Hiddleston), appeared on stage. He then proceeded to berate the audience for attending Comic-Con. As the fans chanted his (Loki’s) name, he commended them to be quiet and bully the host to cowering in the corner. He then commands the audience to once again say his name.

Geek wisdom: Take ownership of everything that you do. Make sure whatever you do, you’ll be proud to put your name next to it. You have to ensure that your actions do not make you ashamed of what you’ve done in the future.

Even though Loki is a bad guy and tried to take over the world in The Avengers, fans became extremely enamored with him. This is why Tom Hiddleston got a big reaction when he reprised his role for the Comic-Con panel. He took on the role and totally owned it and, because of that, we loved Loki (even though we’re supposed to hate him since he is the villain).

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

From: The Godfather: Part III

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Michael Corleone

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the third installment of The Godfather films. In this film, Michael Corleone (played by Al Pachino) tries to change his ways and actually attempts to turn over a new leaf. He goes through great lengths in an attempt to legitimize his businesses and restore his good name. Unfortunately, the people around him don’t seem to agree with his change of heart.

In one of the most pivotal scenes in the movie, Michael returns back home after an attempt on his life. He realizes at that point that, even with all of the good he’s done and all the things he’s done to actually go legit, most people see him as a threat and an evil person. He utters the quote, acknowledging he cannot change since the people around him will not let him leave the mafia world.

Geek wisdom: It’s very difficult to escape your reputation. In fact, sometimes we let our reputation define who we are instead of the other way around. It’s sort of like the toughest guy in school; even though he may try to change his personality (or he may actually be a nice guy underneath), he may not ever show this side since it becomes expected of him to be the tough guy even as times goes by.

We actually shouldn’t let this happen. We are the ones who define who we are, not anyone else.