Category: Movies

“Let the hate flow through you.”

From: Return of the Jedi

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Emperor Palpatine

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from “Episode VI” of the Star Wars film franchise, Return of the Jedi. It is, as of this writing, the last film timeline-wise in the Star Wars movies. However, we are going to get a new trilogy starting with Episode VII: The Force Awakens this December.

But we’re not talking about The Force Awakens. We’re talking about Return of the Jedi!

The quote comes during the final scenes of the film. Luke Skywalker has come aboard the new Death Star to confront his father, Darth Vader. It turns out Emperor Palpatine, the leader of The Empire, is also aboard and the Sith Lord intends to turn Luke to the Dark Side. In order to accomplish this, Palpatine goads Luke to kill his father and, essentially, give in to the intense dark feeling the young Jedi master has against Darth Vader.

Geek wisdom: Hate is a very strong emotion. But that’s all it is: an emotion. It’s something that you can control. Like all emotions, it’s something you can control. In fact, in this day of age, you need to have full control over it and never late hate control you.

“What if this is as good as it gets?”

From: As Good As It Gets

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Melvin Udall

The story behind the quote: The quote from the 1997 romantic comedy film, As Good As It Gets. Melvin Udall (played by Jack Nicholson) is a successful but neurotic novelist. His general bad attitude combined with his obsessive compulsive disorder has pretty much alienated him from others. However, he comes in contact with Carol Connelly (played by Helen Hunt), a waitress at the diner where he regularly eats, his homosexual neighbor Simon Bishop (played by Greg Kinnear) and Simon’s dog. Because of these people, Melvin starts to question his current status in life.

The quote comes rather early in the film. Extremely agitated, Melvin barges into his psychiatrist’s office asking for help. However, the doctor says he will have to make an appointment. As the novelist enters the psychiatrist’s lobby with all the other patients, he turns and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: During the times when you feel like something is missing, it can be very easy to think that life is hopeless and has no meaning. The thing that people always forget is like is always what you make of it. Life doesn’t have to be dreary and dull. If it does feel that way, it’s your choice to either wallow in despair or do something about it.

“I will not bow to any sponsor.”

From: Wayne’s World

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Wayne Campbell

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the first Wayne’s World film. The movie was based on a very successful Saturday Night Live skit of the same name. Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) are the hosts of Wayne’s World, an off-beat public access cable show shot in Wayne’s basement where they make fun of locals and talk about music and “babes”. Despite running on a shoestring budget, the show proves to be incredibly popular with teenagers and young adults because of the duo’s offbeat humor. In the film, a television producer decided that the show would be perfect way to advertise a chain of arcades and buys the show from Wayne and Garth.

The quote comes from the middle of the film during the “advertising” scene. Wayne and Garth are told that they need to give the arcade some airtime on Wayne’s World as they are the primary sponsor of the show. However, the two see things a bit differently… while hawking various products to the audience.

Geek wisdom: People can be hypocrites. We all think we can act with dignity and poise when confronted with obstacles. However, that attitude can only be tested when you actually come across something that will test your will. When you’re tempted, that’s when you know your principles.

“The town was paper, but the memories were not.”

From: Paper Towns

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Quentin “Q” Jacobson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote was submitted by Hazel Lance! Thanks, Hazel! You can check out her other written stuff by checking out her WordPress blogsite (poeticfangirl.wordpress.com)!

The quote comes from the book Paper Towns by John Green, the author that gave us The Fault in Our Stars. And, like The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns is going to be made into a feature length film.

Fair warning: the quote and Geek Wisdom may contain SPOILERS for the upcoming film.

Anyway, Paper Towns is all about Quentin Jacobson, Q to his friends, who has a massive crush on his next door neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman. After being ignored by her throughout high school, Q is surprised to see Margo ask for his help in getting revenge on her ex-boyfriend for cheating on her. The next day, Q finds out that Margo is now missing and Q believes he is the only one who can find her.

The quote comes as Q’s graduation date draws near. He realizes that, although, the people around him were indeed materialistic and “unreal, he still treasures the memories he has with them. This is precisely why graduating makes him feel a little sad.

The town was paper

Geek wisdom: We come across a lot of people who end up being someone different from what we thought they were. These people may have been selfish and never cared much about us, but the memories would always bring a smile to our face because we were genuinely happy in that moment.

“You mean you have to use your hands?” “That’s like a baby’s toy!”

From: Back To The Future: Part II

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Two kids from the future

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the second installment of the Back To The Future trilogy of films. In this film, Marty McFly goes to the future (2015 at the time) because Doc Brown says that one of his future children is in trouble. However, while saving his son, Biff Tannen steals the DeLorean and changes the past by giving his 1955 self a Sports Almanac that allows 1955 Biff to make a fortune by placing bets on the winners, creating a horrible alternate future. Mary and Doc then race to the past to prevent this from happening.

The quote comes from when Marty arrives in the future. Two kids from the future manage to get  an old Wild Gunman arcade machine working again. Unable to figure out how the game works, Marty steps in and shows the kids his prowess in the game. However, the kids are unimpressed by how to actually control Wild Gunman…

Geek wisdom: Technology will always keep on improving by leaps and bounds. Before you know it, the latest gadget that you believed was incredibly advanced will seem incredibly dated in a span of a few years. With that being said, we keep on getting the latest tech, such as the newest phones or tablets, knowing full well they will be obsolete in a couple of months.

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to take into perspective if it’s actually worth getting the newest gadgets knowing someone is trying to innovate something radically better than the thing we have right now.

“They may take our lives. But they will never take our freedom!”

From: Braveheart

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: William Wallace

The story behind the quote: The quote Braveheart. The film is based on the life of William Wallace, one of the leaders during the Wars for Sottish Independence. The film shows how Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) managed to rally the embattled Sottish forces during one pivotal battle as well as his eventual capture and execution.

The quote comes from the film’s pivotal “freedom speech.” As the Scottish forces look at imposing might of the English army, William Wallace, who has become some kind of legend because of his previous victories in battle, rallies the demoralized Scottish rabble with a speech.

Geek wisdom: Personal freedom is one of those intangible things we never appreciate until it’s gone. When it is taken from us, we sometimes feel it’s better to live under someone’s boot rather than fight to regain it. And when we do realize the yoke of oppression it too much, we may find out that it’s too late to fight back.

Freedom is for everyone. However, we must be willing to fight for it. Yes, there is a risk involved… but it may be a risk worth taking.

“They’re boxy but they’re good!”

From: Crazy People

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Stephen Bachman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the little known film, Crazy People. Emory Leeson (played by Dudley Moore) is an advertising executive. One day, he has a nervous breakdown and decides to create “truthful” commercials and advertisements. Some of these new ads are a little too straight to the point and this results in Emory getting checked into a mental hospital. However, these new “honest” advertisements are accidentally released to the public and are actually well received! This leads to Emory, along with the rest of the patients, to create more candid commercials.

The quote comes early in the film. After Emory and his colleague, Stephen Bachman (played by Paul Reiser), are chewed out by their boss. Backman looks over the ads that Emory pitched…

Geek wisdom: Frequently, we love to go for style over substance. We will sometimes go for the more “sexy” product because it looks sleek and stylish. We then wish we got the more practical alternative; the one with more features and less prone to breakage.

Let’s focus on functionality rather than form. Because, in the long run, that’s what really matters.

“Life finds a way.”

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. The film was a landmark in special effects as it was one of the first motion pictures to use computer generated imagery (CGI) effectively. The film was directed by Stephen Spielberg and based on the book of the same name by Michael Crichton. It’s all about a rich philanthropist John Hammond (played by the late Richard Attenborough) who dreams of opening the titular Jurassic Park, a theme park that will feature real life dinosaurs.

The quote comes from fairly early in the film. The head geneticist of Jurassic Park (played by BD Wong) explains that all the dinosaurs are female to prevent uncontrolled breeding. However, renowned mathematician and chaos theorist, Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) doesn’t think the plan will work.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, in the bleakest of times, things just mysteriously work themselves out. At times, we even try to figure out how these situations resolved themselves but can’t find out how it happened. We just have to accept that life just works in mysterious ways.

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies. But a great deal more to stand up to your friends.”

From: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dumbledore

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the very first Harry Potter book/film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The series is about a boy named Harry Potter, a boy wizard. When he was a baby, he managed to survived a deadly spell cast on him by Lord Voldermont, earning him the nickname, “The Boy Who Lived.” Although he didn’t die, the magical attack left a lightning shaped scar on his forehead. Now, as a teenager, Harry Potter is enrolled in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But there are rumblings that Lord Voldermont is slowly regaining his power and is poised to make another play to take over the wizard world.

The quote comes from the very end of the book/film. Dumbledore, Hogwart’s Headmaster, is awarding points to the different “houses” of the school. Although Harry’s house, Gryffindor, is behind their rival, Slytherin, Dumbledore decides to give a few extra points to one of Gryffindor’s members, the meek and mild mannered Neville Longbottom as he did display true courage…

Geek wisdom: Conflict is an odd thing. We usually try to avoid it, especially with those we have a close bond with. At times, we even support things they may do that are just plain wrong just to “fit in.” This isn’t really good. In fact, as friends and family, we have to sometimes tell them the ugly truthjust to lead them on the right path.

Sometimes, tough love is the answer. It may not be the easy path but it may be the right one.

“Boy, that escalated quickly.”

From: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Ron Burgundy

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the first Anchorman film. The movie tells the story of 70’s superstar new anchor Ron Burgundy (played by Will Ferrell) and his all-male news team. The station is forced to hire Veronica Corningstone, a fledging female reporter. Due to a freak accident on the way to work, Ron Burgundy is late to work and Veronica takes his seat during his absence. She becomes a hit and is made co-new anchor, which irritates Rob and his friends.

The quote comes somewhere in the middle of the film. Rob and his team get lost while taking a shortcut to buy new suits. They bump into a whole bunch of rival news teams and a riot breaks out, leaving some of the people involved severely injured, maimed or dead. Rob reflects on the events that led to the fight and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, things do get out of control and get out of hand. And when that happens, catastrophic things can happen. It’s best to avoid situations like this before they do. Try to keep a level head during difficult situations and try to be in control of your actions at all times. Let cooler heads prevail.