Category: Movies

“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.

“Have you ever tried shawarma?”

From: Marvel’s The Avengers

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark/Iron Man

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the first Avengers film. The film was a huge blockbuster and a dream of comic book enthusiasts. It also proved that comic books and superheroes were not just for kids, but for people of all ages.

The quote comes from the tail end of the movie. After Tony Stark/Iron Man saved New York from a nuclear missile and an alien invasion, the hero lies flat on his back, exhausted from the ordeal. He then quips to Captain America and the other heroes that they try shawarma, a new dish that he hadn’t tried. And, during the after credits clip, it does show all of the Avengers eating the mid-eastern delicacy… to various degrees of satisfaction.

Geek wisdom: Always be open to try out new things. Whether it be a certain kind of food and what not, you’ll only discover new things and broaden your horizons by being adventurous. At worst, you can just say you didn’t like the experience. But, you never know, that thing you think is disgusting may be the best thing in the world for you.

“It’s a trap!”

From: Star Wars: Return of The Jedi

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Admiral Ackbar 

The story behind the quote: This week, we have another quote from the Star Wars films. This one, however, is kind of special as it doesn’t come from any of the main cast members. In fact, he was only introduced in Return of the Jedi. This week’s quote comes from Admiral Ackbar, the Mon Calimari (yes, that the name of his species) tactical leader of the Rebel Alliance.

The quote comes from the pivotal scene where Admiral Ackbar leads an assault on the new Death Star. Hoping that Han Solo, Princess Leia and the rest have disarmed the force field emanating from the forest moon of Endor. After realizing that the Empire has actually been waiting for them, he utters one of the most remembered lines on he film.

Geek wisdom: Murphy’s Law states that, if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. No matter how much you plan, there is always the chance you’ll encounter some unforeseeable circumstance that can throw all your meticulous planning out the window.

When these situations do happen, there’s nothing you can really do but just wing it and hope for the best.

“The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. “

From: Fight Club

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tyler Durden

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the cult film Fight Club. The story is all about an unnamed narrator (played by Edward Norton) meets charismatic soap maker Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt). As they get to know each other, they decide to open up the titular Fight Club as their fights always seem to attract a lot of attention from onlookers.

The quote is actually the first (and probably the most important) rule of Fight Club. The narrator states that, before every session, Tyler Durden details the rules of Fight Club for the benefit of those who have just joined.

Geek wisdom: People tend to be more open with their secrets in this day of age for various reasons. Whether it be to become popular in social media or to just get ahead, privacy isn’t at a premium anymore. In fact, it seems like the more secrets you spill these days, the better.

There are times when you need to keep a secret, especially if you know if it’ll get you into trouble.

“Klaatu Barada Nikto”

From: The Day the Earth Stood Still

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Klaatu and Helen Benson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 1951The Day The Earth Stood Still. In this sci-fi film, an alien named Klaatu lands on Earth in the hopes of studying its inhabitants. The title of the film comes from a pivotal scene where Klaatu disables all electricity on the planet.

The quote is said during the third act of the movie. As the army hunts down the alien, Klaatu informs Helen Benson that, if anything should happen to him, he should say the quote to his robot assistant Gort. It is imperative that she does this as Gort is powerful enough to destroy the planet. Sure enough, Klaatu gets shot and dies. Gort soon awakens and attacks. Helen manages to deliver the quote to pacify the robot.

Of course, the quote is also popular because it also appeared in another cult classic movie, Evil Dead 3: Army of Darkness… but he has some trouble remember the exact words…

Geek wisdom: Passwords have to be hard to get. Try using something that really hard to guess. Maybe even something that’s not even a real word.

By the way, April Fools!

“Tadashi is here.”

From: Big Hero 6

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Baymax

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the most recent Disney animated film Big Hero 6. Technically, the movie’s origins stem from a fairly obscure Marvel comic of the same name. However, the film takes a lot of liberties with the original comic so it can be taken on its own.

The story is about a young genius inventor named Hiro. His older brother, Tadashi, dies trying to rescue people from a fire. While in a state of depression, the boy accidentally activates Baymax, an android invented by Tadashi who main function is to assist people with medical concerns. Hiro then discovers that someone is using one of his own inventions for evil purposes and outfits Baymax and his friends with high-tech armor to take down the villain and possibly avenge his brother’s death.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Hiro and Baymax have returned from battling the main antagonist but were unsuccessful in stopping him due to Baymax’s “healthcare” chip prevents him from killing. Hiro, determined to remove the chip, pleads with Baymax to open his port. Baymax relents as he thinks Tadashi wouldn’t approve. Hiro breaks down and exclaims that Tadashi is gone. But Baymax says he isn’t…

Geek wisdom: We’ve all experience the loss of a loved one. People die; it’s a sad fact of life. But just because that person is not alive anymore doesn’t mean that he or she cannot still be a part of our life anymore. As long as you remember that person, your loved one can still be alive.

Just because someone is gone doesn’t mean you should forget about them. Keep their memory alive.

“I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love me.”

From: Notting Hill

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Anna Scott

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 1999 romantic comedy, Notting Hill. The film focuses on the love story between struggling bookstore proprietor Will Thacker (played by Hugh Grant) who encounters Hollywood superstar Anna Scott (played by Julia Roberts) when she goes into his store to purchase a particular book.

The quote actually comes near the end of the film. Anna returns to the bookstore, hoping they will renew their relationship. Will rebuffs this as he sees them as coming from two totally different worlds: he’s a nobody while she’s a Hollywood A-lister. Anna then tells him that the “fame isn’t really real” and then delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It shouldn’t matter if two people come from two totally different worlds. It shouldn’t matter what status each person holds in life or how much money they have. These should not be obstacles when two people truly love each other.

Love doesn’t have to be complicated. Love shouldn’t be complicated.

“Hail Hydra”

From: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (but popularized in Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Various Characters

The story behind the quote: The quote is actually what all Hydra agents say, even in the comics. It was even yelled out a lot during the first Captain America film. However, the quote rose to popularity during one particular scene in the film’s sequel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

In the scene in question, SHIELD Agent Jasper Sitwell meets with Senator Stern. As Stern leans over and gives a friendly hug to Agent Sitwell, the senator whispers the quote, revealing that both agents are working for the underground terrorist group.

Geek wisdom: Even the people you trust the most may have ulterior motives. They may seem friendly and nice people but you don’t really know what they are thinking or what they’re like behind closed doors.

In this day of age, it’s a good idea to remain skeptical regarding people.

“See? I’m not a monster. I’m just ahead of the curve.”

From: The Dark Knight

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Joker

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from one of the most quotable characters of fiction, The Joker, from one of the most modern quotable movies, The Dark Knight.

After The Joker (played by Heath Ledger) is captured, the newly promoted Commissioner Gordon leaves the Clown Prince of Crime in an interrogation room with Batman. The Joker will not reveal where Harvey Dent is located, even after being threatened with bodily harm. The Joker then continues to expound on why the “regular” citizens of Gotham are only “good” because everything is right with the world. But he’s different…

Geek wisdom: Whenever someone tries to create some new innovation, the people who are stuck to the old ways will try to stop them. It doesn’t matter if it will better the world, as long as it threatens the way they do things, they will treat that person like a monster.

We have to think of the future, even though people will try to stop you. Progress is always better than following traditions blindly.