Category: Movies

“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.

“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.

“Your choices, Clark. Your actions. That’s what makes you who you are.”

From: Superman (2025)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the DC 2025 superhero movie, Superman (2025). Written and directed by James Gunn, the film features the titular hero in turmoil after a message from his Kryptonian parents are translated and it turns out they may not have had the best intentions when sending him to Earth. This turns the public’s opinion against him and also leads to Superman questioning his purpose.

The quote comes near the end of the movie. Superman/Clark Kent (played by David Corenswet) is still in shock after it’s revealed his biological parents wanted him to rule the planet and not protect the people. His adoptive father, Pa Kent (played by Pruitt Taylor Vince) tells him it’s never a parent’s job to tell their kids what to do with their lives and he says Clark wanted the message to mean is more important. This is when Pa Kent delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Who you are when you are born is just a matter of circumstance. You can be from whatever race or class. But, ultimately, those circumstances are not what should define you. What should define you is how you choose to live and behave.

“Don’t you put that evil on me, Ricky Bobby!”

From: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Lucius Washington

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2006 sports comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rick Bobby. The movie follows the titular character Ricky Bobby, a professional race car driver throughout a significant portion of his life and career.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Ricky Bobby (played by Will Ferrell) gets in an accident and has to go to the hospital. He has a psychological break as, due to his fear of getting into another accident, believes he’s now paralyzed. His friends learn the truth from the doctor and try to convince Ricky Bobby it’s all in his mind and he can go back to racing again.

Ricky Bobby becomes agitated and then wishes for his friends to eventually have kids and they become paralyzed so they would know his pain. Angered that his friend would wish this on him, the head of his pit crew Lucius Washington (played by the late Michael Clark Duncan), yells out the quote at Ricky Bobby.

Geek Wisdom: No matter the circumstance, it’s just wrong to wish evil on others, especially when they only want the best for you.

“I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”

From: Airplane!

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dr. Rumack

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 1980 spoof comedy, Airplane! A pastiche of disaster movies of the 70’s such as Airport, The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno and, most especially, Zero Hour!, Airplane! focuses on a former fighter pilot traumatized from the war, who is forced to take command of a commercial airliner when the assigned pilots are incapacitated. The film has an all-star cast, including the likes of Peter Graves, Leslie Nielsen and Robert Stack. These actors were actually known for more serious roles, so having them perform comedy just adds to the humor of the situation.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Former fighter pilot Ted Striker (played by Robert Hays) is called into the cockpit by Dr. Rumack (played by the aforementioned Leslie Nielsen). As he has determined the pilots are incapable to land the plane, Dr. Rumack asks Ted Striker if he can do just that. Ted replies with the phrase “Surely you can’t be serious” and Dr. Rumack does reply that he is serious before perhaps misunderstanding the first word and delivering the quote.

As kind of a continuance of the gag, as Dr. Rumack’s first name is never given, fans have comically concluded that his first name is indeed Shirley.

Geek wisdom: Names are important as they are going to be linked to who you are. However, sometimes, some people just don’t want to be called a certain way so it’s important to also respect their wishes.