Victor de la Cruz

“But with love comes loss, son. It’s part of the deal. Sometimes it hurts, but in the end, it’s all worth it. There’s no greater gift than love.”

From: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Stoick

The story behind the quote: As it is nearly Father’s Day, it only seems appropriate to get a quote from a father. This week’s quote comes from the DreamWorks Animation movie, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. This was the third movie in the How To Train Your Dragon franchise. In the film, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) goes on a quest to find a haven for dragons, the fabled “Hidden World” to make sure that there is a safe place for dragons such as Toothless.

The quote comes in a flashback scene where Hiccup remembers talking to his father, Stoick (voiced by Gerard Butler), coming to see his father after his mother’s passing. Hiccup asks Stoick if his father will ever remarry. Stoick replies that he isn’t by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Losing someone you love can be painful but it is a part of this great journey of life. You have to remember and cherish the little time we all have with each other. It may not ease the pain you feel after the loss at the time but, in time, you will also start to remember the good times you’ve had with this person.

“So, how do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.”

From: Evan Almighty

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: God and Evan Baxter

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2007 fantasy comedy, Evan Almighty. A sequel to Bruce Almighty, this movie focuses on Evan Baxter, a former news reporter now Congressman, moves to a new town. Evan prays to God that he changes the world. God then goes to Evan and tasks him to build an ark as in the story of Noah in the Bible, despite the fact the town is landlocked.

The quote is actually foreshadowed early on in the film. God (played by Morgan Freeman) manages to convince Evan (played by Steve Carell) he is God. Evan complains that he has no idea on how to even begin to build an ark. God replies this is like how some people want to change the world but don’t know how to begin. God then states the way to change the world is through “one act of random kindness“.

At the end of the film, the ark does prove its worth when the local dam bursts and manages to save the residents of the town. Evan then meets up with God and he relates how he resisted throughout the entire process but, because everyone was saved, he is relieved he followed God’s instructions. God then says Evan did change the world in other ways, such as spending time with his family and saving a dog. Evan dismisses this as these were very tiny things. This is when God delivers the first part of the quote and Evan replies with the second part.

Geek wisdom: We do not have to make big moves to make an impact. Even the smallest actions, despite feeling miniscule, can affect the world at large. Never minimize the things that you do as what you do does matter.

“If you’re going to let one stupid prick ruin your life, you’re not the girl I thought you were.”

From: Legally Blonde

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Professor Elspeth Stromwell

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 2001 comedy movie, Legally Blonde. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a generally ditzy blonde who, during the first film, initially pursues a law degree at Harvard to prove to her former boyfriend she can be taken seriously in an attempt to win him back. In the process, however, she does find out she actually has what it takes to become a lawyer and starts to take her current path seriously.

The quote comes from the the middle of the film. The supervising teacher and highly respected lawyer had just made a pass at Elle Woods thinking she’s just a dumb blonde. This devastates Elle as she thought she has proven her worth as both a student and an intern by this point. She thinks about dropping out as no one takes her seriously despite all of her efforts to the contrary. This is when her former teacher, Professor Elspeth Stromwell (played by Holland Taylor), the same teacher who kicked her out of her class for being unprepared, confronts Elle. She delivers the quote in a way to encourage her to keep on track.

Geek wisdom: Never let anyone tell you what you can do and what you’re worth. That is all up to you. You are the one who controls who you are and what you are worth. Besides, you will not be able to please everyone so there will always be someone who will be critical of the person you are right now and who you will become. While it is fine to get some feedback from others, you should be able to live with yourself and be okay with the person you have become.

“Disappointed!”

From: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Sovereign/Hercules II

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 90’s action-fantasy series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The show, starring Kevin Sorbo as the titular demigod, has Hercules going on all kinds of fantastical adventures as he tries to defend the innocent from evil.

The quote comes from the episode titled “Stranger in a Strange World.” This is the first appearance of Sovereign, an evil version of Hercules from a different dimension. He eventually is transported off his dimension and, when he realizes he’s not in the world where he rules, he yells out the quote in question.

While most people believe Kevin Sorbo mistakenly read the script and said what was supposed to be a note on how to deliver the line, he has since explained that he adlibbed this as he was copying a scene from A Fish Called Wanda wherein one of the characters opens up a safe and seeing it’s empty, delivers the same quote. While some do believe this was a gaffe on Kevin Sorbo’s part and he is making this up, there is really no way to know.

Geek wisdom: It’s okay to express your emotions from time to time. However, at the same time, we cannot simply let them control ourselves. Take the time to let out your feelings but it may not be a good idea to let your emotions control what you do next. Process your emotions and take some time before you evaluate your next actions.

“There’s coffee in that nebula!”

From: Star Trek: Voyager

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Captain Janeway

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1995 sci-fi series, Star Trek: Voyager. The third series to come out of Star Trek‘s revival, which started with Star Trek: The Next Generation, this series follows the adventures of the starship USS Voyager. The series follows the USS Voyager and its crew, led by Captain Janeway (portrayed by Kate Mulgrew). After getting transported all the way to the Delta Quadrant, she must lead her crew on the arduous mission to get all the way back home to the Alpha Quadrant.

This week’s quote comes from The Cloud, which is the sixth episode of the first season of the show. In order to save on power, the USS Voyager has stopped using their replicators to create food, leading to one of their new crew members, Neelix, to cook food derived from whatever edible materials they can scrouge up. However, as Neelix is a resident of the Delta Quadrant, he doesn’t exactly know how to cook for beings from the Alpha Quadrant. Now desperate for more common niceties like coffee, Captain Janeway learns that they are passing a nebula that may help restore some of their energy reserves and even power up their replicators for replicating food. This is when she gives the order to change course to the nebula and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: People, when desperate, will start to do strange things in order to get what they want. While that can be a driving force for good, it can also lead people to do silly, unnecessary and even dangerous things. You do have to measure whether or not the risk is worth the reward or is it better to just to not do anything as it’s not worth the trouble.

“A boy’s best friend is his mother.”

From: Psycho

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Norman Bates

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Alfred Hitchcock thriller Psycho. Based on the book written by Robert Bloch, the film generally focuses on Norman Bates (played by Anthony Perkins), the current proprietor of the Bates Motel.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. After Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) has stolen money from her boss, she hides out in the Bates Motel. She then has dinner with Norman and they discuss how Norman spends his time in this isolated location. When she brings up the topic about friends, this is when Norman delivers the quote.

Geek Wisdom: If a mother is loving to his son and takes care of him, then she does deserve to be called his best friend. So, if your mother is that way, don’t forget to greet her on Mother’s Day.

“I hope that either all of us or none of us are judged by the actions of our weakest moment. But rather by the strength we show when and if we’re ever given a second chance.”

From: Ted Lasso

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Ted Lasso

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote from Apple TV comedy-drama show Ted Lasso. The show focuses on the titular character, an American football coach, getting hired to coach a European fulbol/soccer team. Although he knows nothing about fulbol/soccer, Ted Lasso manages to endear him to the entire team thanks to his optimism and folksy wisdom.

The quote comes from the 11th episode of the 3rd season, Mom City. Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis) tries to convince his assistant coach, Coach Beard (played by Brendan Hunt) to forgive Nathan “Nate” Shelly. Coach Beard is hesitant as Nate backstab Ted and the entire team. This is when Ted shows Coach Beard the security footage of how Nate, even after destroying their “Believe” sign, still was nice enough to allow the team to celebrate. Ted then delivers the quote to Coach Beard as a way to remind him of his own past.

Geek wisdom: Everyone deserves a second change to redeem themselves. We all make mistakes and it does seem unfair that most people will only think of the bad things we have done and not the good. If someone is trying to do better, we should encourage them to do so and not putting them in a box for whatever wrongs they have done.

“I’m not finished.”

From: Edward Scissorhands

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Edward Scissorhands

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 1990 film, Edward Scissorhands. Conceptualized and directed by Tim Burton, the movie has the titular character, Edward (played by Johnny Depp), a boy who was put together by an eccentric scientist, is adopted by the Boggs family. The story has Edward trying to fit in the regular world despite being an oddity.

The quote comes near the start of the movie. Aspiring Avon lady, Peg Boggs (played by Dianne West), in a desperate attempt to make a sale, travels to a dilapidated mansion. Here, she encounters Edward, who has been living all by himself after his creator passed away. Initially frightened by Edward, as he has scissors for hands, stops when Edward asks her to stay and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: In a way, we are all not finished. We are all works in progress. We all have room to grow and better ourselves in some way. We just have to be open to new experiences.

“We landed on the moon!”

From: Dumb and Dumber

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Lloyd Christmas

The story behind the quote: Dumb and Dumber is a film from the mid-90’s that tells the story of two best friends, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne. Lloyd (Jim Carrey) works as a limo driver who was hired to drive Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) to the airport and immediately falls in love with her. Seeing Mary leave a suitcase at the airport terminal, he picks it up with the plan of returning it to her, not knowing that it was left there intentionally as it contains the ransom money for her kidnapped husband. Lloyd travels with Harry (Jeff Daniels) travel to Aspen to return the briefcase to Mary… and hopefully the two of them will fall in love.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. After arriving in Aspen, Lloyd continues on his quest to find Mary. He enters a bar and the bartender gives him her address. While leaving the bar, Lloyd spots a headline regarding Neil Armstrong‘s historical journey to outer space hanging near the exit. Not knowing this happened way back in 1969, he joyfully expresses his shock to the news by yelling out the quote.

Geek wisdom: Always be looking to learn new things and be happy about knowing about it. Even if it is old and dated and something every else is familiar with, it is still something new to you.

“I don’t want to survive. I want to live.”

From: WALL-E

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Captain McCrea

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Pixar and Disney computer animated film, WALL-E. Set years in the future, mankind has polluted the planet to the point where Earth cannot sustain life. The entire population of Earth are launched into space and a group of robots are left behind in the hopes of making the planet habitable again. More years pass and only one robot, the titular WALL-E, is still dutifully doing his duty. However, it has also developed its own personality. One day, a recon droid known as EVE is sent back to Earth to check on its habitability and the two strike a relationship.

The quote comes near the end of the film. EVE, thanks to WALL-E, has found a living plant, proving the Earth can sustain life again. The captain of the ship, Captain McCrea (voiced by Jeff Garlin) wants to go back to earth but is stopped by the ship’s AI computer, AUTO, denies the order, saying they have to stay in space in order to stay alive. In a bout of frustration, Captain McCrea delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is a difference between being alive and actual living life. Being alive is going through life without passion and happiness and just gritting your teeth no matter how bad things are. Living life is to actually make an effort to make things better for yourself. We should all strive for the latter.