Category: Movies

“If you build it, he will come.”

From: Field of Dreams

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Mysterious Voice

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the critically acclaimed 1989 film, Field of Dreams. The film is about a farmer named Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner), who receives a vision to build a baseball diamond in his field. While he does go through with constructing the baseball field, this does lead to some disastrous financial problems for the family. However, Ray does get some reward in the end…

The quote comes very early in the film. As Ray wanders into his field of crops, he all of a sudden hears a mysterious voice whisper the quote to him.

Geek wisdom: We love to talk ourselves out of our dreams for fears we won’t be successful or all our hard work will never pan out. But, the weird thing is, if you don’t even make the attempt, then there’s no way they will ever come true. The only way our desires and wishes can come to fruition is if we actually go ahead and chase after them. We have to believe we can reach our goal.

“I have nipples, Greg. Could you milk me?”

From: Meet The Parents

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Admiral Ackbar 

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2000 comedy film, Meet The Parents. The unfortunately named Gaylord “Greg” Fokker (played by Ben Stiller) intends to propose to Pam (Teri Polo), his girlfriend. However, he finds out that he has to ask permission from her parents first. The couple travel to Pam’s home and Greg hopes to get Pam’s parents blessing. Unfortunately, Pam’s father, Jack (played by Robert De Niro), takes an immediate disliking to Greg for several reasons (his name and his occupation as a male nurse for example). Because of this, Greg tries to find way to curry favor from Jack.

The quote comes from one of the tall tales Greg weaves in the hopes of impressing Jack. In order to get out of a lie, Greg says he milked a cat…

Geek wisdom: We do feel the need to stretch the truth now and then. However, if you get caught in a lie, it’s pretty painful. There are a lot of implications when people find out you’re a liar as well. People can start distrusting you or not believe you, even when you are just giving the facts. As much as possible, it’s a good idea to avoid lying altogether.

“Save Ferris?”

From: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Some guy in school?

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the smash teen comedy from the 80’s. While the movie does focus on Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) and his cohort’s adventures while playing hooky from school, there’s actually a small but fun subplot regarding Ferris’ excuse for staying home.

Ferris Bueller managed to convince his parents that he’s sick and that he should not go to school. However, the news of Ferris being “sick” gets misconstrued. All of a sudden, there is a need to help out the ailing high school student…

Geek wisdom: With the prevalence of the Internet and social media, things often get blown out of proportion. The sad thing is, people think and react to this news without hearing all of the facts. They immediately jump to their own conclusions and fight for causes without fully understanding what they’re fighting for. Rather, they only do it because it’s the popular thing to do… even if it doesn’t fully fall into their own beliefs.

“I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.”

From: Firefly/Serenity

Genre: Television/Movie

Who said it?: Hoban “Wash” Washburne

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Serenity, a film sequel of sorts to Joss Whedon’s (sadly) short-lived sci-fi television series, Firefly. The film’s title is derived from the name of the Firefly-class spaceship the crew uses.

The quote comes from near the end of the film. In order to break through an Alliance barricade, Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds lures a horde of Reaver ships to the Serenity’s position to distract the Alliance ships. While this does work to a degree, the Serenity still has to find a way to slip through the Alliance forces. This is when Hoban “Wash” Washburne summons his courage to actually pilot the Firefly-class ship against seemingly impossible odds…

Geek wisdom: It’s incredibly easy to psyche ourselves out when under pressure. It’s easy to talk ourselves out of doing of even attempting to perform complicated tasks. In order to actually do them, confidence is key. We have to believe in ourselves whenever we do anything. Whether it be relatively mundane activities or extremely complex processes, we have to believe in ourselves that we can actually do it.

“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.