Movies – My Geek Wisdom

“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.

“Why are you trying to fit in… when you were born to stand out?”

From: What a Girl Wants

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Ian Wallace

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the teen comedy, What a Girl Wants. The film is about Daphne Reynolds, a teen who goes off to London to meet her estranged father. It turns out her father is running for election into the House of Commons and she tries to connect with him after all this time.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Daphne (played by Amanda Bynes) is practicing her walking and etiquette skills with Ian Wallace (played by Oliver James). As they practice on a boat, they both fall in the water. Ian then marvels at all of Daphne’s work because he knows there’s so much more to her than just trying to copy the standards of others.

Geek wisdom: While it’s okay to admire others, focus on what makes you the only you in the world. Be proud of what makes you different.

“We are men of action. Lies do not become us.”

From: The Princess Bride

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the incredibly popular film adaption of the book, The Princess Bride. While the film was a modest success when it came out in 1987, it only really gained success when it came out in home video. Even so, it’s not hard to see why the film was so popular as it was a children’s adventure film with enough wit and whimsy for an adult to enjoy.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts (played by Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (played by Robin Wright) have just escaped the Fire Swamp only to run into Humperdinck and his soldiers. Westley wants to fight but, knowing he will probably die, Buttercup surrenders in the condition Humperdinck doesn’t hurt her rescuer. Humperdinck agrees but he still orders Count Rugen, his lackey, to throw Westley into the Pit of Despair instead. Count Rugen tells Westley he’ll take him to his ship. But Westley knows it’s a lie.

Geek wisdom: Real men always try to tell the truth, even though it may get them in trouble. Because the only way to develop trust is to be truthful.

“No amount of money ever bought a second of time.”

From: Avengers: Endgame

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark/Iron Man

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Avengers: Endgame. This was the closing film for the entire Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Tony Stark/Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.) has travelled back in time in order to recover the Space Stone that is encased in the Tesseract. While retrieving the item, Tony runs into his father, Howard Stark. Tony then bonds with his father, even though Howard doesn’t realize he’s actually talking to his yet to be born child. Howard asks Tony for advice on how to raise his soon-to-be born son. Tony then comments he had to wing it most of the time and he then tells his father the quote.

Geek wisdom: Even if you have all the money in the world, we cannot use it to buy back whatever time we’ve lost. We are only on this planet for a limited time and we have to cherish whatever time we have with them.

“I killed Yvette. I hated her SO much, it… it flamed… flames. FLAMES… on the side of my face… Breathing… breathle… heating breath…”

From: Clue

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Mrs. White

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from comedy mystery whodunnit, Clue. Based on the board game, the movie gathers a star-studded cast where they are trapped in a mansion while the people around them start getting murdered. The film, while initially a critical and financial flop, has become a cult-classic.

The quote comes from the third ending of the movie. As Wadsworth (played by Tim Curry) explains who murdered the various people, he proclaims that Mrs. White (played by Madeline Khan) murdered the maid, Yvette. Wadsworth explained she was jealous of Yvette as the maid had an affair with her late husband. Enraged, Mrs. White delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, we can get so mad we can hardly talk. In these times, it may be best to take a deep breath to try to calm ourselves down first.

“Don’t be what they made you.”

From: Logan

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Logan/Wolverine

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2017 superhero/post-apocalyptic film, Logan. Based on Marvel’s X-Men’s characters, the film focuses on the former mutant known as Wolverine. Now going by his “real” name, Logan, he has to get a bunch of child mutants, along with his clone, Laura/X-23, to safety as they are hunted down by the mysterious group who created them as living weapons.

The quote comes from the end of the film. Logan (played by Hugh Jackman) is slowly dying as his healing factor is all but spent fighting off an evil version of himself. Laura (played by Dafne Keen) wants to help his adoptive father but Logan, with his dying breath, tells her to run as she doesn’t have to be the weapon she was created to be.

Geek wisdom: We choose who we want to be and we don’t have to go with whatever someone else thinks is best for you. It’s always up to you to decide your destiny.