Victor de la Cruz

“Who’s scruffy looking?”

From: The Empire Strikes Back

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Han Solo

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Episode V of the Star Wars films, The Empire Strikes Back. I don’t really think that there’s much I have to say about the franchise as it’s one of the most popular franchises of all time. So, let’s get to the quote!

The quote comes early in the film, just after Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) rescues Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) on the icy (and ironically named) planet Hoth. Han Solo then makes a snarky comment to Princess Leia, making it seem like she made the order to ground all flights from leaving the planet to keep him in the base. The confrontation escalates and Leia insults Han by calling him a “half-witted, scruffy looking nerf herder.” Strangely, Han doesn’t have any issues with being called a half-wit or a nerf herder…

Geek wisdom: People will take offense to the weirdest things. You can call a certain person all kinds of bad things and it will just roll off their back. However, there is a chance you may say the wrong thing to the same person, something you may think is innocuous and unoffensive, and they’re take it as the ultimate form of insult. So, always think first of what you want to say and choose your words carefully as much as possible.

“I collect spores, molds and fungus.”

From: Ghostbusters (1984)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dr. Egon Spengler

The story behind the quote: This quote comes the extremely popular film from 1984, Ghostbusters. The film is the story of three scientists who establish a way of capturing and imprisoning ghosts and turn it into a business. Ghostbusters was a phenomenal success and spawned a sequel, an incredibly successful cartoon and toy line as well as a 2016 remake.

The quote comes early on in the film as the Ghostbusters has just established their paranormal extermination business. After Peter Venkman (played by Bill Murray) checks in with their secretary Janine Melnitz (played by Annie Potts) if they got any calls, brilliant parapsychologist Egon Spengler (played by Harold Ramis) crawls out from under her desk. Janine tries to strike a conversation regarding their likes and dislikes. When going to the topic of hobbies, Egon does mention what he loves to collect…

Geek wisdom: Everybody needs a hobby. It seems boring or even not a worthwhile obsession to others. But whatever hobby you have is your own. If you enjoy something, even if it is collecting spores, molds and fungus, you should do it.

“You are what you choose to be. You choose!”

From: The Iron Giant

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Hogarth Hughes

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1999 animated film, The Iron Giant. This was actually the first film directed by Brad Bird, who would go on and direct two incredibly popular Pixar films, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. The Iron Giant follows a kid named Hogarth Hughes who befriends a giant sentient robot from outer space. Although the film wasn’t a success during its initial release, it has become a cult classic and a personal favorite for a lot of people.

The quote is actually mentioned several times. However, the quote is the most poignant during the final moments of the film. Believing that Hogarth has been killed by the army, The Iron Giant goes ballistic and starts laying waste to the surrounding area. In a last ditch attempt to destroy the giant robot, the army fires a missile at it. However, the missile strike will also destroy the town. Hogarth recovers and rushes to his giant friend and explains to him that he doesn’t have to be a weapon anymore.

Fun Fact: The titular character was voiced by Vin Diesel!

Geek wisdom: We decide who we want to be in the end. You may have a troubled past or not given the chances other people got. However, you can’t keep on blaming past events for your actions. You have to take ownership of your life and be the person you want to be because we ultimately choose who we are in the end.

“Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I talk. — Everyone has a talent.”

From: Thank You for Smoking

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Nick Naylor

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the dark comedy Thank You for Smoking. The film is based on the book of the same name. Both the book and the movie focuses on Nick Naylor, a suave lobbyist for Big Tobacco, who goes above and beyond the call of duty to perpetrate the notion that smoking can cause lung cancer.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. Naylor (played by Aaron Eckhart) has started his own lobbying firm. He meets up with cellphone manufacturers and tells them what to say when asked if cell phone radiation can cause brain cancer. He then turns to the audience and, in a voice over, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Each and every one of us has a special skill that we can all utilize. Sometimes, however, it will take a lot of hard work to find what your talent is. And sometimes, the talent that you have may even prove to be distasteful to others. That’s not the point. The point is that everyone is going to be good at something; it’s all about finding out what it is and what you do with that talent.

“Made it, Ma! Top of the world!”

From: White Heat

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Arthur “Cody” Jarrett

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the film noir, White Heat. White Heat focuses on Arthur “Cody” Jarrett, a deranged gang leader who loves killing people while staging robberies. The film is considered a classic and has been inducted into the National Film Registry for being culturally and artistically significant.

The quote comes from the closing moments of the film. Cody (played by James Cagney) has been surrounded by the police and climbs to the top of a chemical plant. The police do shoot at Cody but, although he has been shot several times, the criminal refuses to go do. Cody, realizing there is no escape, shoots a tanker full of gas and, just before it explodes, he delivers the quote

Geek wisdom: We all want to be the best. However, we also have to consider the path we take to be the greatest. If it leads to your self destruction, then that path, even if it’s the easiest one, isn’t worth it.

“You make me want to be a better man.”

From: As Good As It Gets

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Melvin Udall

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from As Good As it Gets. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall, a shut-in, obsessive-compulsive novelist. He, however, becomes involved with Carol Connelly (played by Helen Hunt), a waitress at the restaurant where he eats on a regular basis as well as his gay neighbor, Simon Bishop (played by Greg Kinnear). Because of his involvement with these people, Melvin slowly starts to come out of his shell.

The quote comes near the end of the film. The trio take a trip so that Simon can a loan from his parents. During their trip, Melvin takes Carol out to dinner. In an awkward way of professing his growing feelings for her, Melvin tells her a “compliment” as well as the quote in question.

Geek wisdom: We can’t actually force change on people. We may think we know what’s best for them but forcing them to do so doesn’t usually stick and they will return to their old ways. However, people will change for you on their own free will if you give them the chance. This is when they will try to better themselves in the long run.

“Oh my God! They killed Kenny!”

From: South Park

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Stan Marsh (usually)

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the hugely popular Comedy Central animated show, South Park. The show revolves around four boys, Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, Kyle Broflovski and Eric Cartman. Definitely not a cartoon for kids as South Park has a lot of profanity, dirty jokes, adult themes and dark humor

One of the running gags that really nailed the dark humor aspect was how Kenny McCormick would usually get killed in some way during the show. While Kenny dying doesn’t happen every episode, like during the first five seasons of the show, when he does, Stan would usually deliver the quote with Kyle following it up by calling whoever (or whatever) killed their friend a bastard.

Geek wisdom: Our time in this world can end suddenly and abruptly. Our end may come when we’re old and just expire due to our age. Or it could come out of no where out of the blue tomorrow. We always have to live life to our fullest and make the most of our time on this planet while we can.

“There was a HOLE here. It’s gone now.”

From: Silent Hill 2

Genre: Video games

Who said it?: Unknown

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from, Silent Hill 2, a Konami game that was released before the company was still heralded as one of the best in the industry and before the entire #fuckonami movement. The game revolves around James Sunderland, a recent widower, who receives a letter from his deceased wife, Mary, to return to the town of Silent Hill. Of course, the instant James enters the town, things go frighteningly wrong.

The quote comes early in the game. James explores Silent Hill and comes across Neely’s Bar. In the bar, he gets a vital item that helps him push through in the game. But also, scrawled on the newspaper covered windows, is the quote.

Side Note: When I played Silent Hill 2, I can vividly remember going to Neely’s Bar in the “Otherworld” first. I do recall seeing a hole on that very spot but James didn’t want to go through it. This is why I returned to the bar after returning to the “normal” world. This was when I saw the quote… and it really creeped me out because it was like the game knew what I wanted to do!

Geek wisdom: Things change. Landmarks and old hangouts you used to love going when you were a younger may not be there anymore when you get old. You can drift away from family and friends you were close with before. We never thing about the possibility they may be gone in an instant.

Cherish the time you have with the people and places you love. Enjoy spending time with them while they are still on this earth… and not the Otherworld.

“The best place to be is here. The best time to be is now.”

From: Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan and, together, they are Wyld Stallyns

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, which is a sequel to the highly successful late 80’s movie, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. In this movie, instead of travelling through time like in Excellent Adventure, Bogus Journey has the duo of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan touring the afterlife.

The quote comes from the very end of the movie. During their final concert, the Wyld Stallyns give a short speech detailing how they’ve been all over time and even to different spiritual planes. After saying that, both of them deliver the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all like to reminisce about the past and the good ol’ days as well as look to a brighter future and all the places we’ll go. However, we always tend to look at the present. We sometimes feel that the best times are all behind us and we can even postpone our own happiness until we achieve something. We can forget that the past and future don’t really exist; the only time we have is the present. So, make the present the best place you can be in.

“Now this is a story all about how…”

From: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Will Smith

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 90’s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The show starred Will Smith. Yes, the same Will Smith you see in a lot of blockbuster movies like The Pursuit of Happyness, Men in Black, Bad Boys and many more. But before he was a Hollywood superstar, Will Smith was part of the rap duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (which is where part of the name of the show came from). Will Smith was approached by Quincy Jones to star in the sitcom, which became a smash hit and started Will Smith’s ride to stardom.

The show became popular to no small part of the show’s extremely catchy theme song. In fact, if you mention the quote, which is the first line of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s theme song, there’s a good chance that people will instinctively start rapping the entire thing from memory.

Geek wisdom: You can be millionaire that managed to claw their way out of poverty. Or a political official that managed to climb up from an impoverished neighborhood. These may seem like success stories but it will be all for nothing if you forget where you came from. Always remember your roots and where you came from.