Category: Movies

“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.

“Maximum effort!”

From: Deadpool

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Deadpool/Wade Wilson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the first Deadpool film, which was released in 2016. Deadpool is Wade Wilson,a Marvel anti-hero noted for being one of the funniest comic book characters ever created. Most of the humor is derived from the fact that he knows he’s in a comic book and he breaks the fourth wall often because of it.

The quote comes a couple of times in the movie but the first time it’s uttered is just before the freeway action scene. Deadpool (played by Ryan Reynolds) is sitting atop a network of freeways while waiting for Ajax, the man who gave him his powers. He turns to the camera and talks to the viewer for a bit before he notices Ajax’s convoy driving close. He then delivers the quote before jumping into battle.

Geek wisdom:  Always give it your all with whatever you do. This is usually the best thing you can do to achieve your goals. And even if you don’t succeed, at least you’ll know you did your best.

“I’m not like a regular mom. I’m a cool mom.”

From: Mean  Girls

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: June George / Regina George’s mom

The story behind the quote: The quote comes Mean Girls, a film that has a very strong cult following and a very quotable movie. The film follows Cady (played by Lindsey Lohan), who gets invited to join the Plastics, the school’s clique of popular girls, and Cady and her friends use this as an opportunity to take down the group.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Regina George (played by Rachel McAdams) invites Cady and the rest of the Plastics to her home. Cady meets June George, Regina’s mother and portrayed by Amy Poehler. Despite her age, she still tries to act young and be all chummy with her daughter’s friends, which is why she delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: You can’t change what your mom is like. She may be cool. She may not. Whatever the case, it’s nearly Mother’s Day and we all should really appreciate all she’s done for us.