Month: November 2019

“Hope ain’t a tactic.”

From: Deepwater Horizon

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Mike Williams

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the film Deepwater Horizon. The film is based on the titular oil rig and the resulting disaster after one of the drilling operations had a major malfunction. This malfunction caused one of the United States greatest ecological disasters.

The quote comes early in the film. A representative of BP (played by John Malkovich) confronts one of the heads of the drilling operations, Mike Williams (played by Mark Wahlberg). Mike Williams has concerns about the state of Deepwater Horizon but the BP representative is rather dismissive. The topic then turns to fishing as the BP rep sees a picture of Mike Williams with a giant fish. Mike then tells that catching a giant fish is all about preparation. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: While it may be nice to hope for the best, it is always much better to prepare for the worst. You always have to plan ahead and be prepared for things to go wrong because, more likely than not, it will.

“Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”

From: Batman Begins

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Thomas Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the superhero/crime drama movie Batman Begins starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and Batman. Batman Begins was a lot of people’s introduction to Christopher Nolan’s style of film making as, even though he isn’t huge comic book fan, he delivered one of the better Batman movie adaptations.

The quote is actually mentioned a couple of times in the film. The first time comes when a young Bruce Wayne falls into a cave. His father, Thomas Wayne, rescues him and delivers the quote. The second time the quote is given is after the League of Assassins raze Wayne Manor. Bruce Wayne laments that he’s failed. This is when Alfred (played by Michael Caine), his butler and father figure, echoes Thomas Wayne’s message to him.

Geek wisdom: Failing at something doesn’t mean you should stop. You should take it as an opportunity to learn from it and then try again.

“I am Error.”

From: The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventures of Link

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Error

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the classic video game RPG on the NES, The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventures of Link. It is a sequel to Shigeru Miyamoto’s first game in the series and takes a departure from the top-down view that the series was known for by going for a 2D sidescroller look.

The quote comes from a specific character Link encounters in the town of Ruto. Talking to him will make him say the infamous quote. Originally, his name in the Famicom Disk System of the game is Era and, for some reason, it was translated. Yet, his “twin” Bagu, which means “bug,” who lives in the Moruge Forest was not.

While it is humorous to find out about his weird name, he does serve a purpose as he does give Link a clue on how to enter the third dungeon.

Geek wisdom: Everyone can feel like he or see is just a mistake. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a reason to be in the world. Like Error, he might seem like a joke but, without him, Link would not be able to progress.

“Don’t think about it!”

From: Rick and Morty

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Rick Sanchez

The story behind the quote: With a new season of Rick and Morty on the horizon, it seems like a good idea to put up one of the quotes from this hit Cartoon Network/Adult Swim show.

The quote actually pops up in the very first episode of the first season of the show. While being chased by intergalactic customs, Morty Smith inhales a gas which makes him cough up a living being that quickly goes from infancy to old age before dying. Rick Sanchez quickly tells Morty the quote.

The quote is then given once again in the episode Rick Potion No. 9. After escaping their reality where everyone has turned into “Cronenbergs” and replacing their doppelgangers in a different universe, Morty is horrified that they’re not doing anything to fix their world. Rick then asks him about the universe where Hitler cures cancer. Then he gives the quote.

Geek wisdom: The world and the universe is incredibly complicated and full of unknowns. You might want to dwell on your mistakes or what-could-have-been. But it’s much better to focus on what’s happening now and not think about the other possibilities.

“Sometimes dead is better.”

From: Jud Crandall

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Pet Sematary (both films and the book)

The story behind the quote: This week quote comes from Pet Sematary, one of Stephen King’s most popular horror novels. The book was adapted into film twice, once in 1989 and another two decades later, in 2019. The book and the films focus Louis Creed, a man who learns about  a mysterious plot of land just beyond the pet cemetery where, if you bury something that died in that area, will come back to life… but not in the way you remember it.

In each iteration, the quote is given by Jud Crandall, a longtime resident of the area, while he tells a story about something that was buried in the so-called Pet Sematary. In the first film, the character is played by Fred Gwynne and he tells the story of a man named Timmy Baterman who died during World War II. Timmy’s father buried him in the Pet Sematary and the boy came back to life but he didn’t come back as a normal human being.

In the 2019 movie, Jud Crandall (now played by John Lithgow) explains that he thought that Louis Creed’s cat would not come back as evil as the other creatures that were buried in the Pet Sematary.

Geek wisdom: It may be painful to let go but, ultimately, it’s best that you do. You can hold on to the memories but you ultimately cannot let things control your future. You will have to accept the way things are.