Movies – My Geek Wisdom

“You will eat less than you desire and more than you deserve.”

From: The Menu

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Elsa

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2022 thriller comedy, The Menu. The film is all about a celebrity chef (played by Ralph Fiennes) who invites various upper class customers to his island restaurant to enjoy a very exclusive meal. Although the menu has been painstakingly planned out, a wrench is thrown into the works when one of the guest invites another guest, Margot Mills (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), who was not part of the guest list when the menu was made.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. During one of the courses, the Breadless Bread Plate, a group of venture capitalists try to pull their weight and actually get some bread. The host of the restaurant, Elsa (played by Hong Chau), refuses. After doing so, Elsa leans forward and whispers the quote into one of their ears.

Geek wisdom: What we “deserve” and what we “desire” are things we might confuse between the two as this is more of a play on “needs” and “wants”. You might think you “deserve” a Lamborghini but, in actuality, we just “desire” one. And it might not really be needed as maybe a Honda Civic would work just as well. Think about if you really think the thing you “deserve” or “need” is actually something you “desire” or “want”.

“The only thing I do know is that we have to be kind. Please, be kind, especially when we don’t know what’s going on.”

From: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Waymond Wang

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the award winning film, Everything Everywhere All at Once. The film focuses on Evelyn Wang, a seemingly nobody who is struggling in her business and life. Due to a series of events, it turns out she might be the only one who can save this universe and the entire multiverse from utter destruction.

The quote comes from the climax of the film. Evelyn Wang (played by Michelle Yeoh), feeling hopeless, gives up as she feels life is pointless. She stops, however, to listen to her husband, Waymond Wang (played by Ke Huy Quan) as he pleads for everyone to stop fighting. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: The world can be a confusing and dark place and that makes it so easy to lash out at everything every time. But when we do, we are just adding to the confusion and darkness. It’s best to avoid adding more problems to the world and giving more good instead.

“The hardest choices require the strongest of wills.”

From: Avengers: Infinity War

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Thanos

The story behind the quote: While I have touched upon a lot of quotes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the past, this is the first quote from a villian. Avengers: Infinity War focuses on Thanos (played by Josh Brolin) and his quest to gather the Infinity Stones to fulfill his plan to eliminate half the galaxy’s population to prevent suffering from a lack of resources. The Avengers stumble upon the plot and try to stop him.

The quote comes from the third act of the film. Thanos arrives on Titan to retrieve the Time Stone from Doctor Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch). Thanos explains to Doctor Strange how his planet used to be glorious but his plan to half his world’s population to prevent its annihilation was scoffed at. He then explains how, after he achieves his plan to do it on a universal scale, he’ll finally rest. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, it feels so much easier to just quit when the going gets tough. However, only the people with really strong willpower will push though when the going gets tough.

“People keep asking me if I’m back. And I really haven’t had an answer. But now, yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!”

From: John Wick

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: John Wick

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the first film of the John Wick franchise. The film series follows the titular character, John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves), as a retired hitman who returns to his killing ways after some thugs kill his dog, which was the last thing his late wife gifted him before she passed. The film launched a franchise and, despite the original’s general low-budget, became a huge box-office sensation.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. John Wick is captured by Viggo Tarasov, the father of the person who killed John Wick’s dog. Viggo is upset at all the carnage John had done and he thinks it’s all because of a dog. John Wick then explains why the dog is special to him. This is when John Wick says he’s probably back to being the feared assassin by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Even people who have changed their ways can be pushed over the edge. So it’s always best to try to treat people with basic courtesy and kindness.

“I did absolutely nothing. And it was everything I thought it could be.”

From: Office Space

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Peter Gibbons

The story behind the quote: Office Space is a cult classic movie from Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butt-head. The story generally focuses of a group of frustrated office workers who work for Initech, a software company. Peter Gibbons, a rather meek person, gets hypnotized to a state of complete relaxation. Even though he openly shows his distaste for working at Initech due to being hypnotized, he’s the one that gets to keep his job while his friends get downsized.

The quote comes near the start of the film when Peter Gibbons (played by Ron Livingston) after he was hypnotized. He was supposed to work over the weekend but, because he was told to relax while under hypnosis, he didn’t. His friend then asks him what he did when he was told to work. This is when Peter gives the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is indeed a certain joy to spend some time for yourself and not think about any of responsibility. Sometimes, it can be the best thing you can do for yourself is to just concentrate on having as much fun as you can to take care of your well-being.

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

From: Galadriel

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, specifically from The Fellowship of the Ring. Based on JRR Tolkien’s books, the Fellowship of the Ring

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Frodo Baggins (played by Elijah Wood) is found by Galadriel (played by Cate Blanchett) and the wise elf tries to encourage the hobbit to continue on with his task, despite his concerns and fears. This is when Galadriel delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: All people matter in the great scheme of things. We may feel insignificant at times but we all have the power to do things that can help the world and make a better future.

“Because if a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can, too.”

From: Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Sarah Conner

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The film happens several years after the first film, with a T-800, the same model that was sent to kill Sarah Conner previously, sent into the past to protect Sarah Conner’s son, John Conner, the future leader of the human resistance against Skynet, from a more advanced Terminator model.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. With both the advanced Terminator and the T-800 (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) destroyed, there is now a chance for a future where Skynet isn’t created. Sarah Conner (played by Linda Hamilton) gives a voiceover saying she’s finally she’s a more hopeful future and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all should remember that people, and pretty much every living thing on the planet, has value. Yet there are some who will treat everything wrong. Hopefully, we will all realize how important life is.

“For a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of their heart.”

From: Disney’s Hercules

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Zeus

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the animated Disney film, Hecules. The movie is a reimagining of Greek mythology’s Hercules. In the Disney version, Hercules is turned mortal by Hades and, in order to become a god and get his place back in Mount Olympus, he must become a hero.

The quote comes during the ending moments of the film. Hercules has regained his godhood by willing to give his life to save Megara/Meg. He is greeted by the gods of Mount Olympus. Zeus (voiced by the late Rip Torn). He recognizes that Hercules saved the day by not using brute strength and delivers the quote

Geek wisdom: You don’t have to be strong to become a hero. Being a hero is all about the willingness and having the courage to do the right thing when necessary.

“Ain’t no thing like me, ‘cept me.”

From: Guardians of the Galaxy

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rocket

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the first Guardians of the Galaxy film. The Guardians of the Galaxy wasn’t all that well-known outside the comic book community. However, thanks to this movie, their popularity and they’ve became some of the most beloved comic book heroes today.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Each of the individual characters were captured and sent to a prison planet. Star-Lord (played by Chris Pratt) comments that he wouldn’t have been captured by “a tree and a raccoon” anyway. referring to Groot and Rocket. Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is confused as, since he’s never been to Earth, doesn’t know what a raccoon is. Star-Lord then tells him he’s a raccoon and Rocket delivers the quote in reply.

Geek wisdom: Even identical twins, while they may look exactly alike, have little differences that makes them unique. No two people will ever be exactly alike because of their strengths and their weaknesses. We should celebrate both of these things as these are what makes each of us unique and special in our own little way.

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.”

From: Braveheart

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: William Wallace

The story behind the quote: The quote Braveheart. The film is based on the life of William Wallace, one of the leaders during the Wars for Sottish Independence. The film shows how Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) managed to rally the embattled Sottish forces during one pivotal battle as well as his eventual capture and execution.

The quote near the end of the film. William Wallace is finally captured and is sentenced to be put to death. Princess Isabella (played by Sophie Marceau) goes to the freedom fighter and pleads with him to swear allegiance to the King of England in order to save his life. William says he cannot as it would be a betrayal to who he is. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We only truly feel alive and free when we are allowed to do the things we want. While there is some wisdom to just survival, there’s also a point when you have to stand up for your right to live the life you want.