Category: Movies

“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.

“In the end, my girlfriend became my archenemy, my archenemy became my best friend, and my best friend became my girlfriend. But hey, that’s high school!”

From: Sky High

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Will Stronghold

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2005 teen superhero movie, Sky High. One of Disney‘s lesser known superhero movies (way before they acquired Marvel), Sky High revolves around a teenager named Will Stronghold (played by Michael Angararo). Will isn’t your ordinary teen, however, as he is the son of the greatest superheroes of the world, The Commander/Steve Stronghold and Jetstream/Josie Stronghold. Unfortunately for Will, despite him coming of age, he still hasn’t developed any powers yet. As such, he is sent to the “sidekick” section of Sky High. While at Sky High, Will must navigate through regular high school life such as falling in love, making new friends, making the right friends, facing off against bullies as well as fighting off supervillains. Okay, maybe not that last one but you get the idea.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. After Will Stronghold and the “sidekicks” managed to save the day, he goes on to reminisce how the rest of his first year of high school was like. He then summarizes his current relationships with the people he ran into by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Your relationships with people will change over time. You may change. They may change. Whatever the reason, the people from your past you didn’t like before may turn out more appealing to you now. So, maybe it’s a good idea to give these people a second chance.

“It’s an imperfect world but it’s the only one we’ve got.”

From: Iron Man

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the very first Iron Man movie from 2008. Based on the Marvel character and starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, this was the film that launched the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe and made it so superhero movies could be more than just silly films about comic book characters. The movie also reinvigorated Robert Downey Jr’s career after his life spiraled out of control in the 90’s.

The quote comes very early in the film. Tony Stark is called out to do an impromptu interview. Assuming the reporter will just ask him questions about a fluff piece, Tony takes the interview. However, it was actually an ambush as the reporter asks him about how he can manufacture weapons. This is when Tony Stark delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Although Tony Stark may have been somewhat insincere at that time when he delivered the quote, that doesn’t make his statement any less correct. We all live in this planet and it’s definitely not perfect. But until we find another world, this is the only one we have. So, we have to take care of it and try to get along with each other.

“You need to believe in things that aren’t true. How else can they become?”

From: Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Death

The story behind the quote: The quote from the television adaption of Terry Pratchett‘s Hogfather book. Set in the Discworld universe, the book/TV miniseries is all about the mysterious disappearance of The Hogfather, which is the Discworld’s equivalent of Santa Claus/Father Christmas. The story can be broken up into two parts. The first follows Death as he tries to take over the role of The Hogfather while he’s missing. The second has Death’s granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit, who Death has assigned to finding The Hogfather as The Hogfather is also linked to the sun rising each day.

The quote comes from the very end of the series. Susan Sto Helit has managed to find and revive The Hogfather and The Hogfather resumes his duties. She then talks to Death about what would’ve happened to the sun and Death replies that, instead of sun, a ball of gas and heat would’ve taken its place. Susan then clarifies then if it was just all a fantasy about the sun not rising. Death replies that people need fantasy as things like justice, mercy and duty do not really exist as the universe is essentially not just, merciful and orderly. Susan retorts that people need to believe in those things. This is when Death delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: People can will things into existence in the metaphorical sense. If we want things to happen, we have to make it happen. If we really want the world to live in peace, despite history telling us it’s impossible, we have to first believe it’s possible and strive to make it work. That’s the only way things that seem impossible can become the possible.

“I’m going on an adventure!”

From: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Bilbo Baggins

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the fantasy-adventure film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Based on the book of the same name which was written by JRR Tolkien, the film has Peter Jackson returning from the successful Lord of the Rings Trilogy of films to direct this prequel. 

The quote comes very early in the film. Bilbo Baggins (played by Martin Freeman) was tricked by Gandalf the Grey into hosting a party of rowdy dwarves before they go on a quest to reclaim their homeland. Gandalf does this as he wants to recruit Bilbo as the party’s burglar/thief. After the party leaves, Bilbo feels some relief from all the ruckus the dwarves had caused to his house. However, after he spots the contract that he didn’t sign making him the party’s burglar, Bilbo gives chase and tries to catch up with them. As one of the neighbors ask him where he’s going, Bilbo yells out the quote in reply.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone and do something adventurous. After all, one of the best things about life is, well, actually living life. Take the time to do something that gets you excited once in a while.

“But with love comes loss, son. It’s part of the deal. Sometimes it hurts, but in the end, it’s all worth it. There’s no greater gift than love.”

From: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Stoick

The story behind the quote: As it is nearly Father’s Day, it only seems appropriate to get a quote from a father. This week’s quote comes from the DreamWorks Animation movie, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. This was the third movie in the How To Train Your Dragon franchise. In the film, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) goes on a quest to find a haven for dragons, the fabled “Hidden World” to make sure that there is a safe place for dragons such as Toothless.

The quote comes in a flashback scene where Hiccup remembers talking to his father, Stoick (voiced by Gerard Butler), coming to see his father after his mother’s passing. Hiccup asks Stoick if his father will ever remarry. Stoick replies that he isn’t by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Losing someone you love can be painful but it is a part of this great journey of life. You have to remember and cherish the little time we all have with each other. It may not ease the pain you feel after the loss at the time but, in time, you will also start to remember the good times you’ve had with this person.