Victor de la Cruz

“Fly like you. Not like them.”

From: The Wild Robot

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Fink

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2024 animated film from Dreamworks, The Wild Robot. Based on the book series of the same name, the film focuses on ROZ (voiced by Lupita Nyong’0), a service robot who is accidentally activated in the middle of the wilderness. She now has to find a way to get along with the wildlife and adopts an orphaned baby goose.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. ROZ has successfully helped the baby goose, Brightbill, is now rejoining the flock for their annual migration. Brightbill asks ROZ for a boost and this is when Fink (voiced by Pedro Pascal) delivers the quote as advice for Brightbill to follow.

Geek wisdom: Do your own thing and do it in your own style. While it can be fun to imitate, you have to add your own flair to make things your own.

“Welcome to Costco, I love you.”

From: Idiocracy

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Random Costco greeter

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2006 science-fiction comedy, Idiocracy. Directed and co-written by Beavis and Butt-Head creator Mike Judge, Idiocracy is a satire about how anti-intellectualism is taking over the world in today’s times. The film focuses on Joe Bauers (played by Luke Wilson) who was put in suspended animation and revived in the far future. Unfortunately, while he was frozen, the world’s population has gotten severely dumber. While Joe is generally of average intelligence, the situation makes him the smartest person in the world.

The quote comes early in the film. Joe goes to Costco, which has become a bigger mecca for shopping than it is today, in an attempt to find a time machine so he can get back to his own time. When they enter, the run across the typical Costco greeter but his greeting just seems odd…

Geek wisdom: Words aren’t just words. Just saying the words doesn’t mean you actually mean what they say. Saying “I love you” may seem like a heartful greeting but, without the emotional connection, these words are worthless. If you don’t really mean it, then whatever you say is meaningless.

“You can’t touch music… but music can touch you.”

From: Regular Show

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Mordecai

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Cartoon Network original program, Regular Show. The show revolves around two best friends, a raccoon named Rigby and a blue jay named Mordecai. It generally follows their lives and misadventures with their other friends.

The quote comes from the episode, “This is My Jam“. The duo find an old cassette tape and, after playing it, the song gets stuck in their head. They eventually get the it out but the song then manifests in physical form as a giant cassette tape with arms and legs. Rigby tries attacking the song as he’s sick and tired of it. But when he tries to, he passes right through him while the cassette tape is able to slap him around. Mordecai then delivers the quote to explain why this is the case.

Geek wisdom: Physical things can affect you and so can emotional things. Things such as simply being with friends, being all by your lonesome, remembering things from your past and, yes, music can affect you despite not really interacting with you physically.

“For the record, I don’t believe I’m better than everyone else. Just that I’m better than you.”

From: Wednesday

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Wednesday Addams

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Netflix supernatural comedy/mystery show, Wednesday. Developed by Tim Burton and based on the Addams Family franchise of comics, movies and television shows, this new TV show follows Wednesday Addams (played by Jenna Ortega) transfers to Nevermore Academy, a school for monsters and outcasts. While at the school, Wednesday discovers she has psychic powers and must try to solve a couple of mysteries all the while trying to navigate the weird social structure of the school itself.

The quote comes from the episode “Woe is the Loneliest Number“. Wednesday joins a boat race in the hopes of putting Nevermore Academy’s queen bee, Bianca Barclay (played by Joy Sunday), in her place. Before they start the race, Bianca tries to insult Wednesday regarding her place in the school’s hierarchy. Wednesday rebuffs the insult and references Bianca’s insecurities towards Wednesday by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: There are always going to be people who are going to be better than you at some things. The good thing is the opposite is also true: you are going to be better at other things than these same people.

“Whenever I’m about to do something, I think ‘would and idiot do that?’ And if they would, I do not do that thing.”

From: The Office (US)

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Andy Bernard

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the US version of The Office, which ran from 2005 to 2013. It was adapted from the BBC comedy show of the same name. The Office is essentially a mockumentary that takes place in the Scranton branch of the fictional company called Dunder Mifflin, a paper supply company.

The quote comes the episode “Business School.” During the opening minutes of the episode, Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) asks the “assistant to the regional manager” Dwight Schrute (played by Rainn Wilson) asks him what is the best advice he’s ever given him. Dwight responds that the answer would be “don’t be an idiot.” He then expounds in a talking heads portion how he has demonstrated this in his life, delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: It’s always best to think before we act. Sometimes, even just a slight pause to contemplate how our actions will impact or affect others may be enough to conclude if something would be a good idea or a bad idea.

“Good day to try.”

From: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Quasimodo

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1996 Disney animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Loosely based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same name, the film follows the Notre Dame‘s hunchbacked bellringer, Quasimodo. Quasimodo is a kindhearted soul who stays in the belltower of Notre Dame, hidden from the general public due to his disfigurement. Even knowing he will be shunned because of how he looks, he yearns to be with the general populace.

The quote comes very early in the film. Quasimodo turns to a bird he had been taking care of in Notre Dame. The bird is afraid to try to fly because of its age. Quasimodo tells the bird that, because it’s the day of the Festival of Fools, this would be a lucky day to try, delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Stop postponing the things you want to try. Whether it be learning a new skill or trying out a new hobby, the best day and time to try something new is always now.

“Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.”

From: The Wolfman (1941)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Various people

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from classic Universal horror movie, The Wolfman, from 1941. The film stars Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot. He had just returned to his ancestral home and, while walking through the forest, fends off and kills what seems to be a wild wolf. Unfortunately for him, it turns out the “wolf” he killed is actually a werewolf. As he got bit during the struggle, Larry Talbot becomes a werewolf himself.

The quote comes from various points of the film. In the film, it is a very well-known legend and poem known by the locals. As such, many of them to believe in the creature, despite Larry Talbot not giving any credence to it.

Geek wisdom: People change. Even good people can eventually turn evil depending on the circumstances. Thankfully, the opposite it true. This means that even bad people can eventually have a change of heart.

“Angels to some. Demons to others.”

From: Hellraiser (1987)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: “Pinhead”

he story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 1987 horror film, Hellraiser. Written and directed by Clive Barker, the movie focuses on the Cenobites who are summoned into this world by solving a puzzle box.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. After Kristy (played by Ashley Laurence) solves the puzzle box out of curiosity, the Cenobites appear and start to torment her. A terrified Kristy asks who they are. This is when the leader of the Cenobites, affectionately called by fans as Pinhead (played by Doug Bradley) explains they are explorers from a different realm before delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: People have different preferences, likes and dislikes. We might like certain kinds of foods and activities but these same activities may come off as bothersome to others. Essentially, what may be good for you may seem bad to others.

“We’ve had a doozy of a day!”

From: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tucker

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 2010 cult classic comedy horror movie, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. The film focuses on two hillbillies, the titular Tucker and Dale. When they save a college girl from drowning, her friends mistake them for kidnapping her just because of how they appear. In a reversal of the hillbilly horrors trope, the college kids become the ones who start terrorizing Tucker and Dale.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. After a couple of the kids accidentally unalive themselves in at attempt to “rescue” their friend, Tucker (played by Alan Tudyk) and Dale (played by Tyler Labine) retreat into their cabin. Tucker hypotesizes the kids are offing themselves because of a suicide pact. Dale wants to report what’s happening to the police but Tucker retorts by sarcastically delivering the quote and how the law officers won’t believe their story.

What’s funny is, when the police do arrive, Tucker does try to explain the situation to the officer in the same way he explained it to Dale.

Geek wisdom: There are going to be good days and bad days. Well, maybe not as bad as what Tucker and Dale experienced. But life is never going to be smooth sailing and we have to take each day, both good and bad, as they come.

“Bitch, please! You’ve been to space!”

From: Spider-Man: Far from Home

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Nick Fury

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2019 superhero movie, Spider-Man: Far From Home. Based on the Marvel character, Far From Home sees Peter Parker/Spider-Man is recruited by Nick Fury to assist another hero, Mysterio, in fighting off a seemingly mystical force known as Elementals who have the potential of destroying the planet.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) brings Peter Parker/Spider-Man (played by Tom Holland) to their base and explains the situation. Peter is reluctant to join the fight as he doesn’t feel like he’s up to the task. This is when Nick Fury, pointing out what happened to him during the events of Avengers: Infinity War, retorts by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: It’s okay to be humble. However, at the same time, you should also be able to recognize what you are capable of. You may not realize how much you know or how skilled you are.