Category: Movies

“I’m only laughing on the outside. My smile is just skin deep. If you could see inside, I’m really crying. You might join me for a weep.”

From: Batman (1989)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Joker

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton. It was a smash-hit and returned The Dark Knight to a more serious tone than what was established in the campy (but still wonderful) ’60s television series.

The quote comes from the middle of the movie, The Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) has just shot Bruce Wayne in Vicki Vale’s apartment. As he leaves, he looks back and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: People do hide their true emotions. They might show they’re happy and joyous when inside, they’re really crying out in pain. You may want to pay attention to your friends and check on them by asking how they’re really feeling.

“Life is good. But it can be better.”

From: Wonder Woman 1984

Genre: Movies, Comics

Who said it?: Maxwell Lord

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the most recent live-action superhero film from Warner Bros. and DC, Wonder Woman 1984. This time around, Wonder Woman (played again by Gal Gadot) takes on Maxwell Lord, a struggling businessman with big dreams, who has managed to come across the Dreamstone, a mysterious object that can grant anyone’s deepest desires but with a cost.

The quote is said several times throughout the film as it is what Maxwell Lord (played by Pedro Pascal) says as his catchphrase and mantra. He basically uses this catchphrase as well as his charisma to paint himself as a successful person.

Geek wisdom: Although the way Maxwell Lord did try to build his success was skewed, that doesn’t mean what he says isn’t bad. Even when things are good, we should always try to get better. We can try to be healthier, save more money and indulge in life as much as we can because, even when things are okay, that doesn’t mean we have to settle for it.

“Turns out I don’t need a medal to tell me I’m a good guy. If that little kid likes me, how bad can I be?”

From: Wreck-It Ralph

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Wreck-It Ralph

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Disney animated film, Wreck-It Ralph. The film is about a video game character named Wreck-It Ralph who plays the villain in a game called Fix-It Felix. Tired of playing the antagonist, Ralph decides to go on a quest to get a medal just like the one Felix gets for defeating Ralph in the hopes of becoming a “good guy” and much more well liked.

The quote actually comes at the very end of the film. Ralph (played by John C. Reilly) is garnering more respect after his adventure and has even made friends with Vanelope, another video game character. He reminisces that, as he is lifted and thrown off the roof of the building, he doesn’t need a material object to prove he’s a good guy and be liked, which is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: A lot of people confuse obtaining material wealth to being well liked. While some strangers might admire you for it, you don’t actually need a lot of stuff to be well-liked. All you need to do is to show kindness to others and it will be returned.

“Until such time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”

From: Marvel’s Avengers

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Nick Fury

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the first Avengers movie. It was the culmination of separate superhero films made my Marvel and put together their best superheroes, who each had their own standalone films, in a live-action movie.

The quote comes at the start of the film. Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) in confronted by Maria Hill (played by Cobie Smulders). She asks the leader of SHIELD if they really should be concerned about getting prototype weapons out of the base when they do need to evacuate the area. This is when Nick Fury delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Even when things look hopeless, that should not mean we give up. We have to trudge on even if it looks like the odds are against us. Because there’s always going to be a chance our efforts might not be in vain.

“There’s a benefit to losing. You get to learn from your mistakes.”

From: Megamind

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Megamind

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2010 animated film by Dreamworks, Megamind. The film has the titular character (voiced by Will Ferrell) as a supervillain who managed to finally defeat his archenemy, Metro Man. However, realizing he is nothing without someone to challenge him, he attempts to create a new hero so he can continue fighting someone.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Megamind battles the hero he created, Titan (voiced by Jonah Hill) as the latter has become a supervillain himself. Titan manages to trounce Megamind, calling him a loser for not being able to win his battles against Metro Man in the past. This is when Megamind delivers the quote in rebuttal.

Geek wisdom: We can look at our failures as mistakes. However, the better way to look at them is to think of them as ways to realize our mistakes and actually be better from them.

“A lovely cheese pizza just for me.”

From: Home Alone (1990)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Kevin McCallister

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Holiday film, Home Alone. The movie follows the adventures of Kevin McCallister who was left home alone by accident. The young boy uses his ingenuity in order to keep the appearance that he is not by himself.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) orders a pizza for himself. In order to give the impression that there is an adult, he plays snippets of the fake film “Angels with Filthy Souls” to be his adult stand in. Once he finally picks up his order, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: When it comes to gift giving during the holidays, you don’t have to have the grand gesture or the most expensive item in the store. Sometimes, all you need is the simplest thing. But, if you know the person who’s receiving it will love it, they’ll appreciate it even more.

“Not the bees! Not the bees!”

From: The Wicker Man

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Edward Malus

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the “so bad, it’s good” remake of the 1973 horror film, The Wicker Man. Based on the 1967 novel Ritual, The Wicker Man has police officer Edward Malus searching for his missing daughter and, arriving at the last place she was seen, comes across a very strange town.

The quote comes from near the very end of the movie. Edward Malus (played by Nicolas Cage) is captured by the townsfolk and his head is forcefully encased in a helmet. Hearing a disturbing buzzing sound, Malus realizes what is about to happen and yells out the quote.

Geek wisdom: Everyone is afraid of something. Sometimes, the fear can be irrational. Other times, they can be legitimate. The thing to realize is that it’s not fair to ridicule someone when they’re scared of something that doesn’t seem scary because everyone, even yourself, has an irrational fear of something out there.

“Maybe if you tell me the bad news in a good way, it won’t sound so bad.”

From: Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Prince John

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1993 Mel Brooks comedy parody film, Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The film has all the general beats of a traditional Robin Hood story but told in a more comedic and silly way. While not a critical success upon release, the movie was a financial success and has developed a strong cult following.

The quote comes somewhat in the middle of the film. The Sheriff of Rottingham (played by Robert Rees) reports back to Prince John (played by Richard Lewis) regarding Robin Hood’s return and how he and his troops were beat up by his band. Prince John, unwilling to take any bad news as he’s having a good day, delivers the quote in the hopes to soften the blow. The Sheriff does try to oblige by giving the “bad news in a good way” but to no avail…

Geek wisdom: No matter how you slice it, good news will always be good news and bad news will always be bad news. You can try to sugarcoat bad news but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still bad.

“Quick! Change the channel!”

From: Street Fighter: The Movie

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Zangief

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Street Fighter: The Movie, the 1994 live-action film based on the hit Capcom fighting game. While not really taking the source material to heart, the film is still remembered as Raul Julia’s final film as M. Bison as well as another famous quote involving Tuesdays. But it still has another memorable quote besides that iconic saying.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. As Chun-Li (played by Ming Na Wen) and her crew send a truck filled with explosives towards the tent where M. Bison and he cohorts are celebrating. As the group watches the truck barrel towards them on a monitor, Zangief (played by Andrew Bryniarski), in fear of his life, yells out the quote.

Geek Wisdom: There are going to be some problems you cannot simply shut your eyes and hope it will pass. Sometimes, taking fast action is needed.

“Nobody trusts anybody now… and we’re all very tired.”

From: The Thing (1982)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: RJ MacReady

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Thing from 1982. The film, directed by John Carpenter, is based on the book Who Goes There? as well as another movie, The Thing From Another World from 1951. While originally a box-office flop and a critical failure upon release, The Thing has gained a cult following and is now heralded as one of the best science-fiction horror films.

The quote during the middle of the film. After figuring out the titular creature can change its shape to look like anyone on the base, RJ MacReady (played by Kurt Russell) decides to record the events of what happened there just in case no one survives. During one of his recordings, noting how everyone distrusts everyone because he can be The Thing, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It can be difficult to trust people, especially in this day of age. However, you do have to eventually let your guard down and give people the benefit of the doubt. If not, then you’ll also be tired because of all the stress of worry.