Month: December 2018

“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind.”

From: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Santa Claus

The story behind the quote: As this is the holiday season, this week’s quote comes from the seminal Christmas film, Miracle on 34th Street, specifically, the original one that was released on 1947. The film is about a department store Santa who believes he is the real Santa Claus/Kris Kringle. Believe it or not, this film was actually released in June of that year and not during the holiday season.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Believing that Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Glenn) is delusional for thinking, Macy’s event director Doris Walker (played by Maureen O’Hara) calls him to her office to inform him that Mr. Kringle will be taking a psychological exam. Before she is able to tell Mr. Kringle, he states that he relishes being a department store Santa because it’s his chance to remind people about the true meaning of Christmas. Doris states that the holidays are still the same despite people wanting more stuff during the season. This is when Santa Claus delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom:  Most people have forgotten that Christmas isn’t just a time, it’s actually a feeling. The feeling of spreading good cheer towards your fellow man. It’s also sad that we tend to only “feel” the Christmas spirit, the spirit of giving, during the holidays. It would be so much better if we remember this feeling, not only during this time period, but throughout the year as well.

“I’ve been running up and down these steps for twenty years, and I never knew there was valuable pictures in this building.”

From: Rocky V

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rocky Balboa

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the much maligned fifth entry in the Rocky series. Rocky V has Rocky Balboa losing all of his money and, unable to compete in boxing due to various injuries, is forced to return to his old neighborhood in Philadelphia. He attempts to train Tommy Gunn, an up and coming boxer, but an unscrupulous agents named George Washington Duke turns Gunn against Rocky.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. Rocky (played once again by Sylvester Stallone) and his son (played by his real life son, Sage) climb the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocky reminisces that he’s always used those steps for training for fights and this is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We can sometimes go through life and simply not notice the beauty in the world because we don’t pay attention. It’s always a good idea to stop and slow down and take a moment to look around. Life may be passing you by and you might not even know it.

“Infinite ammo.”

From: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Solid Snake

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the PlayStation 2 game, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the much anticipated sequel to the PlayStation smash-hit, Metal Gear Solid. In a rather controversial move, Hideo Kojima places you in the skin-tight sneaking suit of Raiden instead of Solid Snake.

The quote comes near the end of the game. Raiden has just escaped capture on board Arsenal Gear. He meets up with Solid Snake, who gives Raiden his sneaking suit and a sword. As they are about to take on great enemy forces, Snake tells Raiden that, if he runs out of ammo, he will give him some. Raiden then asks if Snake would need some of it. Snake then points to his bandanna/head and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Snake pointing to the bandanna is a wink and a nod to an Easter Egg from the first Metal Gear Solid, as it’s a special item that does grand him unlimited ammunition. However, you can also say that Snake is pointing to his head, referring that his brain has “infinite ammo.”

The brain has limitless possibility and potential. You can actually say it’s unlimited in what it can do. The thing is you have to put it to work.

“The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.”

From: Star Wars (specifically, Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Qui-Gon Jinn

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the first of the Star Wars prequels, Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The film was released in 1999 and was highly anticipated as this was George Lucas returning to the Star Wars franchise that he launched way back in 1977. However, this film, as well as the next two, were set before the original trilogy, making them prequels.

The quote comes early in the film. After Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, two Jedis Knights, escape from a Trade Federation ambush. They get separated in Naboo. As the Trade Federation tanks destroy the land, Qui-Gon runs across and saves the Gungan Jar-Jar Binks, who was just standing around instead of trying to find cover. Qui-Gon is annoyed as Jar-Jar was essentially a deer in the headlights and calls him brainless. When Jar-Jar retorts that he can’t be brainless as he knows how to speak, the Jedi Master delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Always take the time to think before you speak. A wise person will only speak when he needs to. A dumb person will just blurt out anything that comes to mind without thinking if it’s even worth talking about.

“Clever girl.”

From: Jurassic Park

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Robert Muldoon

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the first Jurassic Park film. Based on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name, the film, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, is all about a theme park that’s filled with real, living dinosaurs but, prior to the park’s grand opening, things go south when the attractions get out.

The quote comes from the near the end of the film. As the power has gone out from the Park, game warden Robert Muldoon (played by Bob Peck) tries to secure the area as vicious velociraptors are on the loose. Muldoon does spot one of the velociraptors and he goes in to get a clear shot. He realizes too late that the raptor he spotted was just a decoy so another raptor can close in on him without him noticing. Seeing the raptor, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Never underestimate anything. There are times when you think victory is at hand and it’s a sure thing. But your victory can be snatched away because you failed to notice the things around you or you may actually be playing right into its hands.