Victor de la Cruz

“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.

“The choices are yours and yours alone!”

From: Legends of the Hidden Temple

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Olmec

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Nickelodeon show, Legends of the Hidden Temple. Essentially a kid’s game show akin to shows like American Gladiators and Takeshi’s Castle, Legends of the Hidden Temple has the contestants perform games in order to win the chance to trek through the aforementioned Hidden Temple.

The quote is actually kind of a catchphrase of Olmec (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker), the stone face affixed to the Hidden Temple. Before the final game, the Temple Run, Olmec tells the contestants of the paths they can take through the Hidden Temple. He then gives them the option regarding which path to use via the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all make are own decisions. While we may be given options and we also may be given suggestions on what to do, we ultimately are the ones which path to take in life.

“It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage.”

From: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Indiana Jones

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. This is the film that launched a franchise, which not included a series of movies, but a live-action television series as well as various video games. The film introduces the series’ protagonist, archeologist and professor Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, as he hunts for the Biblical Ark of the Covenant.

The quote comes from the the middle of the film. Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) and Marion Ravenwood (played by Karen Allen) had just arrived in Cairo after escaping Nepal. Marion comments how Indiana Jones has changed the last they saw each other. Still beat up from their escape, Indy replies with the quote.

Geek wisdom: It’s never age that causes our ailments. Rather, it’s how time will batter a body as we keep using it. Sometimes, you do need to take it easy in order to recover.

“This morning was good. But then I got up.”

From: Freaky Friday (2003)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Evan

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2003 comedy, Freaky Friday. Produced by Disney, the film stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan as Tess and Anna Coleman, respectively. Tess is a hardworking psychologist and Anna mother while Anna is a rebellious teen. One Friday, they accidentally taunt each other about how hard their lives are. They then wake up the next morning in each other’s bodies.

The quote comes near the start of the film. Tess arrives at her office to find her most neurotic patient, Evan (played by the late Willie Garcon), waiting for her. After the regular pleasantries, Tess asks Evan how he’s doing and he replies with the quote.

Geek Wisdom: Not everyday is going to be the best day of your life. There are always going to be good days and there are always going to be bad days. We just have to take them as we get them.

“Is you taking notes on a criminal fucking conspiracy?”

From: The Wire

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Stringer Bell

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote from the HBO crime drama series, The Wire. The show features an ensemble cast and each season is a deep dive into how crime and the criminal underworld affects society as a whole.

This week’s quote comes from the season 3 episode entitled “Straight and True.” Stringer Bell (played by Idris Elba) holds the first meeting of the New Day Co-Op, which assembles the drug dealing gangs of the neighborhood in order to minimize gang fighting. After the meeting, Bell notices Shamrock recording what was said during the meeting and admonishes him by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Things that are supposed to be kept secret should be kept secret.

“Everyone keeps telling me how my story is supposed to go. Nah, Im’ma do my own thing.”

From: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Miles Morales

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the CGI animated superhero film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Based on the Marvel superhero, The second entry in the Spider-Verse series of movies by Sony, this film has Miles Morales run into the Spider Society, a group of superheroes from all over the multiverse who have spider based powers just like him.

The quote comes during the end of the second act of the film. The leader of the Spider Society, Miguel O’Hara, trying to stop Miles from returning to his own timeline to prevent his father’s death. Miguel claims he has to let his father die as this is a “canon” event and preventing it will result in his timeline’s destruction. Miles (voiced by Shameik Moore), tired of being told what to do, delivers the quote before fighting off Miguel.

Geek Wisdom: While it’s okay to listen to other people when they tell you what they think is best for you, it’s still going to be your choice. It’s your life and you are ultimately responsible for it.