Category: Movies

“Good day to try.”

From: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Quasimodo

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1996 Disney animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Loosely based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same name, the film follows the Notre Dame‘s hunchbacked bellringer, Quasimodo. Quasimodo is a kindhearted soul who stays in the belltower of Notre Dame, hidden from the general public due to his disfigurement. Even knowing he will be shunned because of how he looks, he yearns to be with the general populace.

The quote comes very early in the film. Quasimodo turns to a bird he had been taking care of in Notre Dame. The bird is afraid to try to fly because of its age. Quasimodo tells the bird that, because it’s the day of the Festival of Fools, this would be a lucky day to try, delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Stop postponing the things you want to try. Whether it be learning a new skill or trying out a new hobby, the best day and time to try something new is always now.

“Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.”

From: The Wolfman (1941)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Various people

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from classic Universal horror movie, The Wolfman, from 1941. The film stars Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot. He had just returned to his ancestral home and, while walking through the forest, fends off and kills what seems to be a wild wolf. Unfortunately for him, it turns out the “wolf” he killed is actually a werewolf. As he got bit during the struggle, Larry Talbot becomes a werewolf himself.

The quote comes from various points of the film. In the film, it is a very well-known legend and poem known by the locals. As such, many of them to believe in the creature, despite Larry Talbot not giving any credence to it.

Geek wisdom: People change. Even good people can eventually turn evil depending on the circumstances. Thankfully, the opposite it true. This means that even bad people can eventually have a change of heart.

“Angels to some. Demons to others.”

From: Hellraiser (1987)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: “Pinhead”

he story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 1987 horror film, Hellraiser. Written and directed by Clive Barker, the movie focuses on the Cenobites who are summoned into this world by solving a puzzle box.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. After Kristy (played by Ashley Laurence) solves the puzzle box out of curiosity, the Cenobites appear and start to torment her. A terrified Kristy asks who they are. This is when the leader of the Cenobites, affectionately called by fans as Pinhead (played by Doug Bradley) explains they are explorers from a different realm before delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: People have different preferences, likes and dislikes. We might like certain kinds of foods and activities but these same activities may come off as bothersome to others. Essentially, what may be good for you may seem bad to others.

“We’ve had a doozy of a day!”

From: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tucker

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 2010 cult classic comedy horror movie, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. The film focuses on two hillbillies, the titular Tucker and Dale. When they save a college girl from drowning, her friends mistake them for kidnapping her just because of how they appear. In a reversal of the hillbilly horrors trope, the college kids become the ones who start terrorizing Tucker and Dale.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. After a couple of the kids accidentally unalive themselves in at attempt to “rescue” their friend, Tucker (played by Alan Tudyk) and Dale (played by Tyler Labine) retreat into their cabin. Tucker hypotesizes the kids are offing themselves because of a suicide pact. Dale wants to report what’s happening to the police but Tucker retorts by sarcastically delivering the quote and how the law officers won’t believe their story.

What’s funny is, when the police do arrive, Tucker does try to explain the situation to the officer in the same way he explained it to Dale.

Geek wisdom: There are going to be good days and bad days. Well, maybe not as bad as what Tucker and Dale experienced. But life is never going to be smooth sailing and we have to take each day, both good and bad, as they come.

“Bitch, please! You’ve been to space!”

From: Spider-Man: Far from Home

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Nick Fury

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2019 superhero movie, Spider-Man: Far From Home. Based on the Marvel character, Far From Home sees Peter Parker/Spider-Man is recruited by Nick Fury to assist another hero, Mysterio, in fighting off a seemingly mystical force known as Elementals who have the potential of destroying the planet.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) brings Peter Parker/Spider-Man (played by Tom Holland) to their base and explains the situation. Peter is reluctant to join the fight as he doesn’t feel like he’s up to the task. This is when Nick Fury, pointing out what happened to him during the events of Avengers: Infinity War, retorts by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: It’s okay to be humble. However, at the same time, you should also be able to recognize what you are capable of. You may not realize how much you know or how skilled you are.

“Your choices, Clark. Your actions. That’s what makes you who you are.”

From: Superman (2025)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the DC 2025 superhero movie, Superman (2025). Written and directed by James Gunn, the film features the titular hero in turmoil after a message from his Kryptonian parents are translated and it turns out they may not have had the best intentions when sending him to Earth. This turns the public’s opinion against him and also leads to Superman questioning his purpose.

The quote comes near the end of the movie. Superman/Clark Kent (played by David Corenswet) is still in shock after it’s revealed his biological parents wanted him to rule the planet and not protect the people. His adoptive father, Pa Kent (played by Pruitt Taylor Vince) tells him it’s never a parent’s job to tell their kids what to do with their lives and he says Clark wanted the message to mean is more important. This is when Pa Kent delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Who you are when you are born is just a matter of circumstance. You can be from whatever race or class. But, ultimately, those circumstances are not what should define you. What should define you is how you choose to live and behave.

“Don’t you put that evil on me, Ricky Bobby!”

From: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Lucius Washington

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2006 sports comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rick Bobby. The movie follows the titular character Ricky Bobby, a professional race car driver throughout a significant portion of his life and career.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Ricky Bobby (played by Will Ferrell) gets in an accident and has to go to the hospital. He has a psychological break as, due to his fear of getting into another accident, believes he’s now paralyzed. His friends learn the truth from the doctor and try to convince Ricky Bobby it’s all in his mind and he can go back to racing again.

Ricky Bobby becomes agitated and then wishes for his friends to eventually have kids and they become paralyzed so they would know his pain. Angered that his friend would wish this on him, the head of his pit crew Lucius Washington (played by the late Michael Clark Duncan), yells out the quote at Ricky Bobby.

Geek Wisdom: No matter the circumstance, it’s just wrong to wish evil on others, especially when they only want the best for you.

“I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”

From: Airplane!

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dr. Rumack

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 1980 spoof comedy, Airplane! A pastiche of disaster movies of the 70’s such as Airport, The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno and, most especially, Zero Hour!, Airplane! focuses on a former fighter pilot traumatized from the war, who is forced to take command of a commercial airliner when the assigned pilots are incapacitated. The film has an all-star cast, including the likes of Peter Graves, Leslie Nielsen and Robert Stack. These actors were actually known for more serious roles, so having them perform comedy just adds to the humor of the situation.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Former fighter pilot Ted Striker (played by Robert Hays) is called into the cockpit by Dr. Rumack (played by the aforementioned Leslie Nielsen). As he has determined the pilots are incapable to land the plane, Dr. Rumack asks Ted Striker if he can do just that. Ted replies with the phrase “Surely you can’t be serious” and Dr. Rumack does reply that he is serious before perhaps misunderstanding the first word and delivering the quote.

As kind of a continuance of the gag, as Dr. Rumack’s first name is never given, fans have comically concluded that his first name is indeed Shirley.

Geek wisdom: Names are important as they are going to be linked to who you are. However, sometimes, some people just don’t want to be called a certain way so it’s important to also respect their wishes.

“Maybe that’s the real punk rock.”

From: Superman (2025)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the DC 2025 superhero movie, Superman (2025). Written and directed by James Gunn, the film features the titular hero in turmoil after a message from his Kryptonian parents are translated and it turns out they may not have had the best intentions when sending him to Earth. This turns the public’s opinion against him and also leads to Superman questioning his purpose.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. Superman (played by David Corenswet) is talking to Lois Lane (played by Rachel Brosnahan) and how Superman is going to turn himself in to save Krypto. Lois says how they are diametrically different and how she was a punk rocker teen who would question authority every chance she gets. Superman tells Lois he also liked punk rock and she can’t seem to believe that someone as straight and narrow as he is would like that kind of music. Lois then says that she doesn’t really trust people and that people are, deep inside, bad while he always seems to see the good in people. This is when Superman delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: In a world where cynicism is the norm, maybe it’s time to rebel against that. When the entire world is closed off and filled with hate, maybe it’s a good idea to show the world that it doesn’t have to be that way.

“Now boys and girls, what do you think that feels like?”

From: The Addams Family (1991)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Morticia Addams

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1991 black comedy The Addams Family. The Addams Family originated as a single panel comic strip created by Charles Addams and spawned a 1964 live-action television series as well as an animated cartoon in 1973. Like the previous iterations, the film focuses on the titular family who are creepy and kooky, mysterious and ooky.

The quote comes during the third act of the movie. After the entire Addams Family are booted out of their house and don’t have access to their fortune, the entire family try to find ways to earn money. Morticia Addams (played by Anjelica Houston) finds employment as a nursery school teacher. However, while telling the story of Hansel and Gretel, Morticia embellishes the story a little bit, telling how the kids pushed the “poor defenseless witch” into the oven and burning her alive. The children under her care start crying after she delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: A person can be shown to be good or bad depending on one’s perspective. As such, there are going to be times when events truly cannot be seen as black or white until all points of view are taken into consideration.