Category: Movies

“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.”

From: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Dumbledore

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the second book and film of the Harry Potter series, The Chamber of Secrets. The plot revolves around Harry Potter and his friends’ second year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry.

The quote comes during the final moments of the film and the book. Harry (played by a very young Daniel Radcliffe) had just defeated the Basilisk and Dumbledore (played by the late Richard Harris) praises the Boy Who Lived for the accomplishment. Harry, however, is troubled as he noticed that he has a lot of similarities with Tom Riddle, the boy who would become Voldemort (at least in the films). While Dumbledore agrees that the two share some traits, he does with the quote, explaining that they don’t have to be the same…

Geek wisdom: It is not our outward appearance nor the skills and talents that we have that determine what we will become. That will always be up to you. No one can tell you that you should be something just because of your appearance. It’s up to you to determine that.

“So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

From: Gandalf the Grey

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 first chapter of the Lord of the Ring trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring. The story is all about Frodo Baggins, who becomes the bearing of the One Ring and his and his party’s quest to travel to Mordor to destroy it before the Dark Lord Sauron can get his hands on it.

The quote comes during the middle of the film. The party tries to take a shortcut through the mines of Moria, only to discover that the place has been overrun by Orcs and Trolls. Frodo (played by Elijah Wood) notices someone following them. Galdalf comments that it is Gollum, the former owner of the One Ring, who has become obsessed by the Ring’s power. Frodo despairs and wishes he had never come across the item in the first place. This is when Gandalf delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It is so easy to fall into desperation and despair during troubled times and it is also easy to wallow in the feeling of hopelessness of the situation. But the worst thing you can do during troubling times is do nothing. Whatever the situation is and no matter how dire, there is always something you can do about it. All you have to do is take action.

“I believe there’s a hero in all of us…”

From: Spider-Man (specifically, Spider-Man 2)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Aunt May

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Spider-Man 2, the 2004 film starring Tobey Maguire as the Marvel superhero Spider-Man. The plot has Peter Parker giving up his role as Spider-Man as he has been having difficulty taking on his regular/normal life and balancing it out with his role as protector of New York.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Aunt May (played by Rosemary Harris) is moving out of her house when Peter drops by to apologize for dropping a bombshell that he part of the reason why Uncle Ben was murdered. Aunt May forgives her nephew and comments that he was brave to do so.

The kid that was helping Aunt May pack recognizes Peter as the man who takes pictures of Spider-Man and asks Peter what happened to the superhero. Aunt May then comments that Spider-Man inspired the kid as well as herself. This is when she delivers the quote and that Spider-Man was an example for us to follow.

Geek wisdom: It may be cliche to say but you don’t need superpowers to be a hero. Heroism is doing the right thing and the brave thing, even when things look hopeless. Being a hero means that you have to keep on fighting when you know what you’re doing is righteous.

“It means your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has! Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one!”

From: Back to the Future: Part III

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Doc Brown

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the the final film of the Back to the Future trilogy. The film series focuses on Marty McFly and Doc Brown who use a time machine (built out of a Delorean) and get into various adventures because of it.

The quote comes from the final scenes of the third installment. Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) takes his girlfriend Jennifer (played by Elizabeth Shue) to the remains of the Delorean. Suddenly, Doc Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd) comes back from the future using a time machine built into a train. Jennifer asks Doc Brown why one of the messages she took home from the future has been erased. This is when Doc Brown explains the reason and the quote.

Geek wisdom: We are in control of our own destiny. No matter our initial circumstances, we have the power to make the future are bright as we want it to be.

“Dormammu, I’ve come to bargain!”

From: Doctor Strange

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Doctor Strange

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2016 Marvel superhero film, Doctor Strange. The film focuses on Stephen Strange, a skilled surgeon who loses his fine tuned motor skills in a car accident. In an attempt to heal his hands, he travels to Tibet. Under the tutelage of the Ancient One, he instead becomes trained in the mystic arts and becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, dedicated to defending this dimension from Dormammu of the Dark Dimension.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Doctor Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) enters the Dark Dimension to talk to Dormammu. However, before he does talk to that dimension’s ruler, Strange casts a spell using the Eye of Agamotto (which actually houses the Time Stone) before delivering the quote to Dormammu… several times.

Geek wisdom: When talking to someone you know will not play fair, you may have to use dirty tactics yourself. While it may not seem like the “honest” or even the “honorable” thing to do, this may be the only way to get a “fair” deal from them. Sometimes, the end does justify the means.

“Imagine what you’ll know… tomorrow.”

From: Men in Black

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Agent K

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1997 sci-fi film, Men in Black. The movie is based on a comic book series of the same name. The story revolves around a secret government agency who guard the Earth from aliens as well as protect the planet regarding the knowledge of the existence of extra-terrestrial life and how some aliens are actually living on Earth.

The quote comes early in the film. After the soon-to-be Agent J (played by Will Smith) passes the “Men in Black” exam, Agent K (played by Tommy Lee Jones) explains what the MIB do and how some aliens are already living on Earth without the general public’s knowledge. When Agent J says that people will understand, Agent K rebuts by stating some of the things that people took as facts before, such as the world being flat. This is when Agent K delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Knowledge isn’t static. What we know as scientific fact today can be discovered to be totally false tomorrow. This isn’t a problem as things change and new information pops up every time. Knowledge and facts keeps on evolving and the only reason why we stop learning is because we choose not to learn anymore.

“Done properly, parenting can be a heroic act… Done properly.”

From: The Incredibles 2

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Edna Mode

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from The Incredibles 2, Disney and Pixar second film in the franchise. The film takes place a few weeks after the first Incredibles film. But this time, it’s Elastigirl doing the superheroing while Mr. Incredible stays home to take care of the household duties.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Thanks to Jack-Jack’s plethora of emerging powers, Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) goes to Edna Mode (once again voiced by Brad Bird, who also wrote and directed the film) for assistance as he has become incredible tired dealing with Jack-Jack. Mr. Incredible tells Edna the woes he’s experienced since becoming head of the household. This is when Edna Mode turns to Mr. Incredible and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Being a parent can be a thankless job but it’s actually one of the most noble jobs out there as you are taking care of someone. However, it’s only noble if you really pour some time and effort into it. You can’t just half-ass the job of raising children.

“No such thing as bad student. Only bad teacher.”

From: The Karate Kid (1984)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Mr. Miyagi

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the first Karate Kid film, specifically from Mr. Miyagi giving Daniel Laruso a life lesson.

After Daniel Laruso (played by Ralph Macchio) is saved by Mr. Miyagi from a vicious beating from Johnny Lawrence and the rest of the Cobra Kai dojo, the old man brings Daniel home. Daniel complains to Mr. Miyagi (played by Pat Morita) that Johnny and the Cobra Kai kids are bad eggs. This is when Miyagi tells Daniel that it’s what they were taught…

Geek wisdom: If we teach kids to do bad things, they will grow up doing these bad things, thinking it’s okay. We have to guide children and teach them to do the right things and not the wrong things early in life.

“He may have been your father, boy, but he wasn’t your daddy.”

From: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Yondu

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The titular group is formed with an eclectic cast of characters, which include a human being who is part “god,” the adopted daughter of a “mad titan,” a strong but dimwitted man who doesn’t understand sarcasm, the leader of a pirate gang, and a talking raccoon and tree. On paper, it may not seem like a good idea to put these oddities on screen but their films have drawn critical acclaim and box office success.

The quote comes from near the end of the film. Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord (played by Chris Pratt) had just defeated his “god” of  a father, which leads to the planet self-destructing. Yondu (played by Michael Rooker), the space pirate who actually raised Peter in order to protect him from his biological father, manages to save him by flying them into space. He does deliver the quote before expiring from the harshness of outer space.

Geek wisdom: Being a father isn’t just siring a child. Being a father also means being their for the child you created. A real father will make the effort to do right by their children.

“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”

From: Jurassic Park

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dr. Ian Malcolm

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the very first Jurassic Park movie. It’s all about a rich philanthropist John Hammond (played by the late Richard Attenborough) who dream of opening a theme park filled with real life dinosaurs is about to come to fruition but something happens and the dinosaurs are let loose, endangering the people inside.

The quote comes from the early part of the film. After getting a tour of the park, the visitors have a lunch and the investors are excited. However, Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) is less than enthused as he sees the danger of bringing dinosaurs back to life.

Geek wisdom: There are times when we do things just because we can. We tend to live in the moment without considerating of the consequences of our actions. Sometimes, the consequences aren’t worth it.