Category: Movies

“It always fits… eventually.”

From: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Genre: Movies and Cartoons

Who said it?: Stan Lee

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2018 animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film takes place in a different “universe” and follows Miles Morales, a young pre-teen who is bitten by a genetically modified spider and gains spider-like powers. This universe’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man dies attempting to prevent the multiverse’s destruction and the cataclysm accidentally brings in different Spider-themed heroes into Miles’ universe.

The quote comes right after Spider-man’s/Peter Parker’s death. Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) buys a Spider-Man costume in tribute to the hero. He asks the store owner, who just so happens to be Stan Lee, if he can return it if the size is wrong. This is when Stan Lee delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Being great isn’t always instantaneous. You generally have to work on it.

“My style? You can call it the art of fighting without fighting.”

From: Enter the Dragon

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Lee

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1973 martial arts movie, Enter the Dragon, starring martial arts superstar and Jeet Kune Do master, Bruce Lee. Enter the Dragon was the legendary Bruce Lee’s last film that he was able to complete. It is widely known to be one of the best martial arts movies ever made.

The quote comes relatively early in the film. On the way to the tournament, a man tries to intimidate Lee (played by Bruce Lee) and tries to goad him into a fight by asking him about his fighting style. Lee then delivers the quote.

Even after spurning the threats, the man still wants to fight Lee. Lee then says they have to go to an island to fight. The man then enters the boat but, instead of joining him on it, Lee releases the boat and leaves the man adrift, essentially beating him without throwing a single punch.

Geek wisdom: Most of the time, the best way to overcome something is not with brute force, but with using your brain.

“This is a moment. A moment to repeat the mistakes of the past. Or to work together for a better future.”

From: X-2: X-Men United

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Charles Xavier

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2003 Marvel superhero movie, X-2: X-Men United. The plot revolves around a government operative named William Stryker and his plans to hunt and incarcerate all mutants of the world by kidnapping Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men, and using his mutant abilities to kill all mutants in the world. This leads the X-Men to attempt to rescue their mentor.

The quote comes from the end of the film. The President of the United States is about to give a speech about how all mutants are a threat. Before he does, Charles Xavier (played by Patrick Steward) hands the President files proving that Stryker orchestrated the events of the film. Xavier, in the hopes the President will change his mind, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all never forget about the atrocities of the past but we must also recognize them as mistakes we have made. It is only then when we can learn from them and work together to move on to a better tomorrow.

“Don’t watch the mouth. Watch the hands.”

From: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Genre: Movies and Cartoons

Who said it?: Peter B. Parker and Miles Morales

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2018 animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film takes place in a different “universe” and follows Miles Morales, a young pre-teen who is bitten by a genetically modified spider and gains spider-like powers. This universe’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man dies attempting to prevent the multiverse’s destruction and the cataclysm accidentally brings in different Spider-themed heroes into Miles’ universe.

The quote is said a couple of times during the film. The first time this happens is when Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) meets and captures Peter B. Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson), a Spider-Man from a different universe. This Peter Parker distracts Miles by talking to him long enough to get free. This is when he delivers the quote.

The second time it’s said is near the climax of the film. Peter B. Parker says he’ll stay behind to stop the device as he has the item needed to deactivate it. It turns out Miles manages to pickpocket him and steal the item. This is when Miles says the quote to Peter B. Parker.

Geek wisdom: Always look at the entire picture and don’t get too distracted by the other things around us. Try to focus on the important things around you.

“Thanks for the adventure – now go get a new one.”

From: Ellie 

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Up

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote was suggested by our good friend, DJ Miller. He has contributed several quotes from Regular Show, Avatar: The Last Airbender, King of the Hill, Forrest Gump and Arthur. This go around, his submission is from the Disney computer animated film Up, which is all about an old widower named Carl Fredricksen who decides to keep his promise to his deceased adventure loving wife, Ellie and take a trip to Paradise Falls… by flying his entire house to the location using balloons. In the process, he accidentally takes a young boy named Russell along for the ride.

The quote comes near the end of the movie. After deciding not to help Russell rescue an endangered bird, Carl (voiced by the late Ed Asner) returns home, thinking he’s fulfilled his promise to Ellie. He inserts a photo of Paradise Falls in Ellie’s adventure scrapbook and gets to the section entitled “Stuff I’m Going To Do.” Thinking that the pages will simply be blank, Carl goes to shut it but is surprised when he notices a bit of picture on the next page: the pages are not empty. They are filled with pictures of Carl and Ellie’s life together. The final photo is of them, elderly and in their chairs. Below, in the corner, is shown where the quote Ellie writes the delivered quote.

Geek wisdom: The end of peoples’ lives is a new chapter for their friends or loved ones as long as we try to keep their memories alive. It’s hard to move on with our lives. But as long as we have people that love and care about us, we can get through anything.

“Some people are worth melting for.”

From: Frozen

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Olaf

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2013 Disney CGI animated film, Frozen. Based on the Snow Queen fairy tale, Elsa, who has the ability to create ice, run away during her coronation as she accidentally revealed her powers to the kingdom. Anna, her sister, rushes out to find her sister.

The quote comes just before the final act of the movie. Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) is locked in a room and, with her heart accidentally frozen by Elsa earlier, is slowly dying. It’s revealed that only an act of true love can reverse the spell. Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad), a magical snowman and sidekick, decided to stay with Anna despite the odds of him melting in the heated room. After hearing the worried cries of Anna, Olaf delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: When you truly love someone, even the most painful sacrifices feel worth it.

“Part of the journey is the end.”

From: Avengers: Endgame

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Endgame. The film has received both critical and financial success and has surpassed Avatar as the highest grossing films of all time.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Iron Man/Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey, Jr.) has recorded his own eulogy in case of his untimely demise, which does happen. He does realize the riskiness of his plan and there’s a chance it will not go well. He does rationalize it by deliver the quote before, somewhat jokingly, reassures everyone it’s all going to work out.

Geek wisdom: Everything in the world and in this universe is finite. That is why we have to appreciate everything we have right now, both the good and the bad.

“If I can change and you can change, everybody can change. “

From: Rocky IV

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rocky Balboa

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Rocky IV, the fourth film in the Rocky film series. Written, directed and starring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. The film has Rocky travelling to the Soviet Union to face off against Ivan Drago, a monstrous boxer who killed Apollo Creed during an exhibition bout.

The quote comes after the conclusion of the fight. Rocky is interviewed and he mentions how, at the start of the bout, the live crowd were against him but, as the fight drew on, they started cheering for him as they respected his abilities despite being not from their country. He noticed the change in how people thought of him. This is when he delivers the quote.

In the recently released director’s cut, Rocky vs. Drago, the speech changes a little bit. This time, Rocky starts the speech by saying that his deceased friend, Apollo Creed, didn’t believe in change and that might have been a contributing factor to why he died. He still ends it with the quote, though.

Geek wisdom: The only constant in the world is change. That’s why, as much as possible, we have to be adaptable to these changes when they come.

“You have no one else to call.”

From: Catch Me If You Can

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Carl Hanratty

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2002 crime film Catch Me If You Can. The film was produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and is based on the autobiography of con artist Frank Abagnale, who had managed to elude the police for years due to his quick thinking and charm.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Frank Abagnale (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) calls the lead of the task force created to catch him, Carl Hanratty (played by Tom Hanks). Frank calls Carl on Christmas Eve to gloat as he managed to trick him into letting him go. Carl then realizes why Frank is even calling him up and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: All the success and money in the world is worthless unless you have people to share it with.

“I was perfect.”

From: Black Swan

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Nina Sayers

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Darren Aronofsky’s psychological horror film, Black Swan. The movie focuses on Nina Sayers who gets the prima ballerina role as the Odette/The White Swan due to her grace. However, she fails to get the other half of the role of Odile/The Black Swan as she does not have the unbridled fury and power in her dancing and the role goes to the relative newcomer, Lily. Despite getting the role of a lifetime as the White Swan, Nina Sayers becomes obsessed with the Black Swan role and is paranoid that Lily is sabotaging her chances.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. Nina (played by Natalie Portman) has claimed both the White and Black Swan roles and performs both roles flawlessly, despite having stabbed herself during a hallucination in the middle of the show. At the climax, she falls off the edge of the stage to simulate Odette committing suicide and everyone rushes to congratulate her for a brilliant performance. The director notices the blood gushing from Nina’s side and tries to ask what happened. This is when Nina, finally achieving her goal, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Is the cost of perfection worth losing everything, including yourself? An unhealthy obsession with anything is ultimately just that: unhealthy. Sometimes it’s always a good idea to take a step back to see if something is worth all the trouble.