Category: Movies

“I understood that reference.”

From: Marvel’s The Avengers

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Captain America/Steve Rogers

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Marvel‘s The Avengers. Released in 2012, this movie was the culmination of years long storytelling with the heroes of the previous Marvel films joining forces to face off against a threat that may destroy the planet. This was groundbreaking for its time as comic book fans have been dreaming of and anticipating this very moment when Nick Fury appeared in the after credits scene of the first Iron Man movie.

The quote comes during the first act of the movie. Nick Fury had managed to gather all of the Marvel superheroes in one room and makes a comment on how two of his agents are being mind controlled by calling them “flying monkeys”; a reference to The Wizard of Oz. Although Thor doesn’t understand what that means, Captain America/Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) exclaims that he does, as he probably saw it before he got frozen.

Geek wisdom: Knowledge is always going to be knowledge, even when it doesn’t seem important. Something like understanding a movie reference may not seem important but it does help if someone you are talking to brings it up. So, try to accumulate as much knowledge there is. You never know when it might come in handy.

“The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us.”

From: The Exorcist (1973)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Father Merrin

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1973 supernatural horror film, The Exorcist. The film is about a young girl experiencing demonic possession and the attempts to try to exorcise the spirits dwelling in her by two priests. The Exorcist became the first horror movie to become nominated for Best Picture for the Academy Awards the next year.

The quote comes during the start of the third act. Father Merrin and Father Karras (played by Max von Sydow and Jason Miller, respectively) prepare for the exorcism. Father Merrin, being someone who has performed exorcisms before, tries to give advice to Father Karras in order to prepare him as the latter is also having a crisis of faith during this time. He then delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: An outright blatant lie is never believable. But a lie with some truth mixed in can sound convincing. It can be really hard to discern which part of a statement is actually truth and which part is a lie. That’s why it’s important, especially in this age when the spread of misinformation is rampant, to stay vigilant and, as much as possible, don’t just regurgitate what you read because you believe it to be true or you want it to be true. Do a check and then double check.

“I’m tired, boss.”

From: The Green Mile

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: John Coffey

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1999 drama movie, The Green Mile. Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Green Mile is set in a prison where criminals are incarcerated while on death row. The prison’s supervisor, Paul Edgecomb, who realizes one of the prisoner, the gentle giant John Coffey, has mysterious healing powers and he was also probably wrongfully convicted of the crime he supposedly committed.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Paul Edgecomb (played by Tom Hanks) goes to John Coffey (played by Michael Clark Duncan) to get his affairs in order before his execution. As Paul doesn’t want John to be executed, he tells John he can actually just release him and let him escape. John then explains that he is not only fine with his upcoming execution, but he’s relieved as he’s tired of being alone and all the pain he feels in the world is finally going to end by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: The world can be full of hurt and pain. As such, it can be tiring to experience all of it and there may be times when you just feel like giving up. When this does happen, don’t try to suffer in silence. Try to get others to help you carry the weight of the pain.

“Don’t dream it. Be it.”

From: The Rocky Horror Show/The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dr. Frank-N-Furter

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1976 musical comedy horror movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Based on the stage musical (The Rocky Horror Show), the film follow an uptight young couple who get stranded when their car gets a flat tire. They manage to find shelter in an old mansion run by a very eccentric doctor/scientist named Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who has been making a man in his laboratory in order to satisfy his carnal desires.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Dr. Frank-N-Furter (played exuberantly by the late great Tim Curry) forces his captives into a live cabaret show, complete with a large working swimming pool. Dr. Frank-N-Furter starts singing the song called “Don’t Dream It. Be It.” Which is all about abandoning your inhibitions in order to show your true self.

Geek wisdom: Wanting to be something is totally different from working on actually being that something. It’s okay to fantasize about having a good future. The thing is a lot of our fantasies are actually possible but we do have to put the time and effort to achieve them. The only one stopping you usually is you and your own doubt. Try to break through that doubt to be the best version of yourself to get what you want.

“You know, I keep telling everybody they should move on. Grow. Some do. But not us.”

From: Avengers: Endgame

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Captain America/Steve Rogers

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Endgame. This film not only closes out the Infinity Saga but also serves as the conclusion to some of the Marvel heroes’ stories, such as Iron Man/Tony Stark and Captain America/Steve Rogers, among others. The story picks up around five years after the events of Avengers: Infinity War with the heroes picking up the pieces after Thanos‘ successful purge of half of the universe’s population.

The quote comes near the start of the film with Captain America/Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) returns to the Avengers base after leading a group grief counseling meeting and has a talk with Black Widow about what he discusses during these meetings but he knows what he’s saying is hypocritical by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: It is important to move on from the past. But, like with what Captain America said, it can be very difficult and, at times, it actually might be the right way to handle things. Simply moving on may not be the answer when you can still do something about what happened in the past. Sometimes, focusing on what went wrong may be the only way to find a solution.

“You know, hope is a mistake. If you can’t fix what’s broken, you’ll, uh… you’ll go insane.”

From: Mad Max: Fury Road

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Mad Max

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 2015 post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie, Mad Max: Fury Road. The film is another entry to the Mad Max films and follows the titular hero as he tries to make his way through this destroyed world. In Fury Road, he is captured but he escapes by joining a new ally, Furiosa, who is trying to save a group of children.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Mad Max (played here by Tom Hardy), Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron) arrive to what is supposed to be a safe haven. What they actually find an uninhabitable land. Furiosa decides that they will have to push on because there may be a safe haven beyond. Mad Max expresses his intent to leave despite Furiosa’s offer to let him stay with the group. Before they part, Mad Max comments on their choice to try to find a new place to live peacefully by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: While hope can be a good thing to keep you going, it can also be a detriment as this might be the very thing that will prevent you from trying to solve major problems. Sometimes, you just have to face your problems head on rather than try to run away from them.

“Great warrior? Hmmm. Wars not make one great.”

From: The Empire Strikes Back

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Yoda

The story behind the quote: This week comes from the 1980 sci-fi fantasy film, The Empire Strikes Back. A sequel to the original Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back has the Galactic Empire hunting down the Rebel Alliance. This leads to Luke Skywalker looking for a certain Jedi named Yoda to complete his training and, hopefully, become strong enough to help his friends.

The quote comes from the middle of the film as Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) lands in Dagobah as this is where Yoda is supposed to have been hiding all these years. Instead, he finds a diminutive and silly individual who tries to steal his food and mess up his stuff. The creature says he can help but Luke rebuffs him, saying he’s looking for a “great warrior.” The creature finds this amusing as he rebukes the definition by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Wars cause a lot of misery and participating in one may seem glorious and patriotic. But, in reality, it doesn’t as all you’re actually doing is doing harm to others. While fighting may be necessary in extreme circumstances, finding a more peaceful way to resolve conflicts will always be better.

“Free will, right?”

From: The Devil’s Advocate

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Kevin Lomax

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1997 supernatural thriller, The Devil’s Advocate. In the movie, small-town lawyer with dubious ethics, Kevin Lomax (played by Keanu Reeves), is brought into a big law firm in New York by the company’s head, John Milton (played by Al Pachino). However, while he does start to enjoy his new job, Kevin Lomax slowly realizes that John Milton may be a little more than he seems…

The quote comes during the climax of the film. Kevin Lomax confronts John Milton, who reveals that, not only is he the Devil, but he is also his father. Kevin tries to blame him for all of his recent misfortunes but John refutes this, as he never actually forced Kevin to do any of his actions as he does have free will to make all of his choices. It looks like Kevin will reluctantly agree to his father’s/the Devil’s wishes, but he instead delivers the quote before ending his life by shooting himself in the head.

Geek wisdom: We always have a choice. We can either do good in the world or we can do bad. All to different degrees, yes. But we all ultimately have to make the choice. It can be painful to do the right thing and it could be so much easier to do the wrong thing. Still, we all have the decision making power to choose which one.

“Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!”

From: Project Hail Mary

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rocky

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2026 sci-fi movie, Project Hail Mary. The film closely follows the plot from the the book of the same name it was based on. Disgraced molecular biology scientist turns elementary science teacher Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling) is sent light years into space in order to investigate why a specific star is not dying when most of the other stars in the galaxy, including our sun, is fading. During the trip, he encounters an alien he calls Rocky (voiced by and puppeteered by James Ortiz) who was sent to the same star to investigate as well. The two must now find a way to communicate with each other as well as cooperate in order to save both their respective stars and civilizations.

The quote comes is actually kind of Rocky’s catchphrase but it does first appear in the middle of the film. Rocky decides, if they have to work together, he has to go live on Grace’s spaceship. So, he creates a sphere and encases himself in it so that he doesn’t die in Earth’s oxygen rich atmosphere. After he barges in, he starts exploring the ship and, as the quote suggests, he is quite impressed wit what he sees.

Geek wisdom: The world and, as Project Hail Mary suggests, there is something to be amazed even with the things we take for granted. It can be something new. It can be something we use everyday. What we fail to realize how much of the things we used, such as computers, telephones and even something as mundane as a pencil, took human ingenuity to put together. Don’t take things for granted.

“I can’t stop Andy from growing up. But I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

From: Toy Story 2

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Woody

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Disney/Pixar film, Toy Story 2. The second entry to the Toy Story franchise, the movie once again follows Andy‘s toys. This time around, Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is stolen by a toy salesman to be sold in Japan as it turns out he’s a very rare collectible. This prompts Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) and his friends to try to rescue him.

The quote comes at the end of the second act. Woody had been convinced to go to Japan as Andy, who is getting older, will soon outgrow his toys and forget about him. Buzz Lightyear and friends finally do reach Woody but the toy cowboy initially states he doesn’t want to go back. Woody reconsiders after a portion of the show his character was on sings “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” He then turns to the other toys in the collection and delivers the quote to declare his desire to go back to Andy.

Geek wisdom: Every good mother and father would want to protect their children from any harm. But, at the same time, every good mother and father know that their kids will eventually grow up and go off on their own. While they might want their children to stay young forever, they also feel joy in watching them grow up and be their own persons.