Category: Movies

“Fear can never kill you.”

From: Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Chiun

The story behind the quote: The movie comes from the little known film, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. The movie was loosely based on The Destroyer, a series of books. The movie and the books all focus around Remo Williams (played by Fred Ward), a former New York police officer forcibly recruited into a secret government organization to fight off evils that ordinary law enforcement can tackle. Remo Williams is trained by Chiun (played by Joel Grey), a Korean martial artist, who trains him in the martial art known as Sinanju, which gives Remo the ability to do extraordinary feats, like dodging bullets.

The quote comes early in the film during the initial stages of Remo’s training. Standing on the ledge of the building, Chiun asks Remo to follow him. When Remo climbs up on the ledge, Chiun immediately runs to the other end of the building and beckons his student to follow him. Remo is hesitant as he’s afraid he may fall off. That is when Chiun tells Remo that fear is just a feeling and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We sometimes let fear control our actions. While fear may be good in telling us we shouldn’t be doing something dangerous or stupid, we do have a lot of irrational fears that stop us from doing actions that may benefit us. It could be speaking in front of large crowds or being rejected. But we do have to get over some of our fears as these irrational fears prevent us from being more than we can be.

“Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!”

From: Planet of the Apes (1968)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: George Taylor

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the sci-fi classic, Planet of the Apes. The film was successful enough to spawn several sequels and the film has been remade in 2001. The series was also rebooted into a new franchise of films starting with 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Essentially, all the films feature intelligent apes overtaking the humans as the superior race of the planet.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. After astronaut George Taylor (played by Charlton Heston) crash lands on the Planet, he is captured by the apes. Upon learning that Taylor possesses higher intelligence than the rest of the humans, Dr. Zaius orders the astronaut to be castrated. Taylor then makes an unsuccessful attempt at escape. As the apes grab Taylor, the human delivers the quote, surprising everyone.

Geek wisdom: It can be scary to fight against oppression, especially if the one doing the abusing is stronger and more powerful than you. But, there has to be a time when we all must fight back. We can’t always cower and take it. We will have to stand up against them if we want to stop being under the thumb of someone else. It will take courage to do so and it may be frightening but it’s much better to fight back than to live in constant fear.

“Stupid is as stupid does.”

From: Forrest Gump

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Forrest Gump

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the critically acclaimed film of the 90’s, Forrest Gump. The movie is about a slow-witted man named Forrest Gump and all of the adventures he goes through as well as how he influenced the world around him. The movie won several awards, including Best Picture during the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) has just been discharged from the Army. He proceeds to fulfill his promise to his friend Bubba, who he met during basic training, to start a shrimping business. Everyone around him, even Bubba’s family, is skeptical that the shrimping business would succeed and they think it’s an dumb idea. This is usually when Forrest delivers the saying that his mother taught him when he was younger.

Geek wisdom: It’s so easy to judge people by the way they look. Based on this, we automatically infer their intelligence as well as questions the decisions they make. But a person’s intellect, quick-wittedness and mental acuity is never determined by the way they look, but, rather, from the choices they make. Look at the decisions and the choices the person makes, not how they look like.

“You complete me.” AND “You had me at ‘hello.'”

From: Jerry Maguire

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dorothy Boyd

The story behind the quote: As Valentines Day is just a few hours away, we’re doing something special. We’re presenting two quotes today instead of one! This week’s quotes comes from the critically acclaimed and box office hit Jerry Maguire. The film follows the titular character as he decides to quit his current company in order to open his own sports agency that will be more dedicated and focused on their clients and not just care for the money the athletes pay them. At the start of the film, Jerry Maguire (played by Tom Cruise) tries to rally the other employees to join him but only Dorothy Boyd (played by Renee Zellweger), a single mom, joins him.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Dorothy had broken up with Jerry as she feels he doesn’t feel the same way. After seeing his only client Rod Tidwell (played by Cuba Gooding, Jr.) call his family and say how much he loves them, Jerry gets an epiphany and flies back home to try to get Dorothy back…

Geek wisdom: Let’s first tackle the first quote, “You complete me.” This is how Jerry Maguire ended his speech, expressing how much he missed being with Dorothy. And this is true not just for your significant other but for anyone who’s ever been in any kind of relationship. Life just doesn’t feel complete unless we can share it with others. We need to be with other people at sometimes to get the most out of life and the world around us. Each and everyone you’re grown to love is, somehow, a part of you. They’ve influenced you in one way or another and now will be with you forever.

Now, for the second quote, “You had me at ‘hello.'” At times, we can try to string together a lot of words in an attempt to express our feelings. However, there are going to be times when this isn’t necessary. You don’t need too many words to express your love for someone or let them know you care.

“I’m not even supposed to be here today!”

From: Clerks

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dante Hicks

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the cult classic Clerks. The movie was written and directed by Kevin Smith. Filmed on a really shoestring budget, Clerks follow the misadventures of Dante Hicks, a clerk from the Quick Mart who is called in to work on his day off, and Randall Graves, a slacker clerk who works next door at a video rental store. The movie became a cult classic and launched Kevin Smith’s career.

The quote comes from Dante Hicks several times throughout Clerks. Whenever something unfortunate happens to him while on the job, he bemoans the fact that this was supposed to be his day off.

Geek wisdom: There are going to be bad days and there’s really no way to say how a day will turn out because it’s not something you can control sometimes. The best thing to do is to bear with it and try to get through the day the best you can.

“I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now.”

From: The Incredibles

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Edna Mode

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Pixar CG animated movie The Incredibles. The film is about a family of retired superheroes headed by Mr. Incredible. He is hired by a mysterious company to take out a rogue robot. Once he does, he starts to use his powers more openly, not knowing the company he’s working for has nefarious motives.

The quote comes from superhero costume designer Edna Mode. Mr. Incredible goes to her to get his old supersuit fixed. Edna Mode decides the suit needs an updated look. Mr. Incredible sarcastically comments that it was she that designed the original outfit. This is when she delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all look at past events frequently. Sometimes, we remember them fondly and wish things were just like that right at this moment. At times, we look at our past mistakes and lament how our choices had led us to this point in time. While looking to the past may be fine at times, it’s best to focus on the present.

If you want life to be as good as it was before, do something about it. If your choices had dug you into a hole, stop focusing on what led you in there and concentrate of getting you out of the situation.

“Control your emotions! Discipline your mind!”

From: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Severus Snape

The story behind the quote: It’s been a very sad week as two cultural icons have passed away: David Bowie and Alan Rickman. As such, My Geek Wisdom will be paying tribute to both of these legendary men by posting a quote from these individuals today. Earlier, the site posted a quote from David Bowie. So now, it’s Alan Rickman’s turn.

This quote comes from Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, specifically, from the character Alan Rickman brought to life on the big screen, Serverus Snape. Harry Potter is in need of a way to shield his thoughts from Voldermont. Dumbledore enlists the help of Serverus Snape to help teach The Boy Who Lived on how to do precisely that. Snape easily invades Harry’s mind and the teacher starts berating his student’s parents by calling them “weak.” Harry contradicts this, which is when Snape delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We can let our emotions get the better of us. We can make rash decisions when we let our feelings take over. Rational thought and thinking with a cool head is much better than just “going with our gut” during stressful times.

“It’s a crystal. Nothing more. But if you turn it this way and look into it, it will show you your dreams.”

From: Labyrinth

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Jareth, The Goblin King

The story behind the quote: It’s been a very sad week as two cultural icons have passed away: David Bowie and Alan Rickman. As such, My Geek Wisdom will be paying tribute to both of these legendary men by posting a quote from these individuals today. We will be posting a quote from Alan Rickman’s body of work later in the day. But, right now, we’ll be focusing on David Bowie.

The quote comes the cult classic film Labyrinth. The movie is about Sarah (played by Jennifer Connelly) who makes the mistake of wishing for his infant, brother, Toby, to be taken away. Jareth, The Goblin King (played by David Bowie), appears to grant Sarah’s “wish.” When Sarah attempts to take the wish back, Jareth makes a deal with her: he will only return Toby back if she manages to solve his Labyrinth in 13 hours.

The quote comes early in the movie. Jareth presents Sarah with a gift. Sarah asks The Goblin King what the object is and Jareth proceeds to deliver the quote

Geek wisdom: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. People will look at the same thing in a variety of manners. The way they see and feel about something will be different depending on their perception. We have to be aware that we may look at something and see it as something ugly or ordinary. But to others, that same item may be the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen.

There’s no right or wrong way of looking at things as it will be a matter of opinion.

“You underestimate the power of the Dark Side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny.”

From: Return of the Jedi

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Darth Vader

The story behind the quote: To commemorate the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it seems only fitting that we focus on a quote from one of the original Star Wars films. This week’s quote comes from Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. More specifically, the final battle between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

Luke tries to reason with his father, Darth Vader. He reasons that Vader wasn’t able to bring himself to kill his son before, so there’s no way he’ll be able to do it now. This is when Vader delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There are actually two pieces of Geek Wisdom we can pick from the quote.

First, the power of darkness is easy to underestimate and can overcome you without you even knowing it. In fact, evil can be downright enticing and captivating! So much so that even the nicest of people can succumb to its allure. It’s human nature. We have to be really strong to not get sucked in.

The second piece of Geek Wisdom actually comes from the second part of the quote. The only thing evil has to happen in order to succeed is for good people to do nothing. We have to be able and ready to fight back when we see injustice happening around us.

“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.”

From: Star Wars

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Obi-Wan Kenobi

The story behind the quote: With Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens soon to be released in theaters, it only seems appropriate we mention a few quotes from the original Star Wars films. Hopefully, we’ll get a new bunch of memorable lines in the new Star Wars films. Lines where we can pick up a few pieces of Geek Wisdom as well!

This week’s quote comes from Episode IV: A New Hope. Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Alec Guinness) had just rescued Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) from a group of Sand People. Obi-Wan gives Luke his birthright, his lightsaber, and explains what happens to Luke’s father, a former Jedi Knight, peacekeepers trained to use The Force. Luke then asks Obi-Wan what exactly is The Force is, which is when Obi-Wan delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom:  We are all connected to each other somehow. In one way or another, whatever we do will impact the decisions others will do. This means that, even the smallest and seemingly most unimportant choices we make, can make a huge difference in others. Try to make sure your choices are the right ones for the betterment of everyone.