Category: Movies

“If you’re going to let one stupid prick ruin your life, you’re not the girl I thought you were.”

From: Legally Blonde

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Professor Elspeth Stromwell

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 2001 comedy movie, Legally Blonde. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a generally ditzy blonde who, during the first film, initially pursues a law degree at Harvard to prove to her former boyfriend she can be taken seriously in an attempt to win him back. In the process, however, she does find out she actually has what it takes to become a lawyer and starts to take her current path seriously.

The quote comes from the the middle of the film. The supervising teacher and highly respected lawyer had just made a pass at Elle Woods thinking she’s just a dumb blonde. This devastates Elle as she thought she has proven her worth as both a student and an intern by this point. She thinks about dropping out as no one takes her seriously despite all of her efforts to the contrary. This is when her former teacher, Professor Elspeth Stromwell (played by Holland Taylor), the same teacher who kicked her out of her class for being unprepared, confronts Elle. She delivers the quote in a way to encourage her to keep on track.

Geek wisdom: Never let anyone tell you what you can do and what you’re worth. That is all up to you. You are the one who controls who you are and what you are worth. Besides, you will not be able to please everyone so there will always be someone who will be critical of the person you are right now and who you will become. While it is fine to get some feedback from others, you should be able to live with yourself and be okay with the person you have become.

“A boy’s best friend is his mother.”

From: Psycho

Genre: Movies

Who said it?:  Norman Bates

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Alfred Hitchcock thriller Psycho. Based on the book written by Robert Bloch, the film generally focuses on Norman Bates (played by Anthony Perkins), the current proprietor of the Bates Motel.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. After Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) has stolen money from her boss, she hides out in the Bates Motel. She then has dinner with Norman and they discuss how Norman spends his time in this isolated location. When she brings up the topic about friends, this is when Norman delivers the quote.

Geek Wisdom: If a mother is loving to his son and takes care of him, then she does deserve to be called his best friend. So, if your mother is that way, don’t forget to greet her on Mother’s Day.

“I’m not finished.”

From: Edward Scissorhands

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Edward Scissorhands

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 1990 film, Edward Scissorhands. Conceptualized and directed by Tim Burton, the movie has the titular character, Edward (played by Johnny Depp), a boy who was put together by an eccentric scientist, is adopted by the Boggs family. The story has Edward trying to fit in the regular world despite being an oddity.

The quote comes near the start of the movie. Aspiring Avon lady, Peg Boggs (played by Dianne West), in a desperate attempt to make a sale, travels to a dilapidated mansion. Here, she encounters Edward, who has been living all by himself after his creator passed away. Initially frightened by Edward, as he has scissors for hands, stops when Edward asks her to stay and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: In a way, we are all not finished. We are all works in progress. We all have room to grow and better ourselves in some way. We just have to be open to new experiences.

“We landed on the moon!”

From: Dumb and Dumber

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Lloyd Christmas

The story behind the quote: Dumb and Dumber is a film from the mid-90’s that tells the story of two best friends, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne. Lloyd (Jim Carrey) works as a limo driver who was hired to drive Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) to the airport and immediately falls in love with her. Seeing Mary leave a suitcase at the airport terminal, he picks it up with the plan of returning it to her, not knowing that it was left there intentionally as it contains the ransom money for her kidnapped husband. Lloyd travels with Harry (Jeff Daniels) travel to Aspen to return the briefcase to Mary… and hopefully the two of them will fall in love.

The quote comes in the middle of the film. After arriving in Aspen, Lloyd continues on his quest to find Mary. He enters a bar and the bartender gives him her address. While leaving the bar, Lloyd spots a headline regarding Neil Armstrong‘s historical journey to outer space hanging near the exit. Not knowing this happened way back in 1969, he joyfully expresses his shock to the news by yelling out the quote.

Geek wisdom: Always be looking to learn new things and be happy about knowing about it. Even if it is old and dated and something every else is familiar with, it is still something new to you.

“I don’t want to survive. I want to live.”

From: WALL-E

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Captain McCrea

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Pixar and Disney computer animated film, WALL-E. Set years in the future, mankind has polluted the planet to the point where Earth cannot sustain life. The entire population of Earth are launched into space and a group of robots are left behind in the hopes of making the planet habitable again. More years pass and only one robot, the titular WALL-E, is still dutifully doing his duty. However, it has also developed its own personality. One day, a recon droid known as EVE is sent back to Earth to check on its habitability and the two strike a relationship.

The quote comes near the end of the film. EVE, thanks to WALL-E, has found a living plant, proving the Earth can sustain life again. The captain of the ship, Captain McCrea (voiced by Jeff Garlin) wants to go back to earth but is stopped by the ship’s AI computer, AUTO, denies the order, saying they have to stay in space in order to stay alive. In a bout of frustration, Captain McCrea delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is a difference between being alive and actual living life. Being alive is going through life without passion and happiness and just gritting your teeth no matter how bad things are. Living life is to actually make an effort to make things better for yourself. We should all strive for the latter.

“It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage.”

From: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Indiana Jones

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. This is the film that launched a franchise, which not included a series of movies, but a live-action television series as well as various video games. The film introduces the series’ protagonist, archeologist and professor Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, as he hunts for the Biblical Ark of the Covenant.

The quote comes from the the middle of the film. Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) and Marion Ravenwood (played by Karen Allen) had just arrived in Cairo after escaping Nepal. Marion comments how Indiana Jones has changed the last they saw each other. Still beat up from their escape, Indy replies with the quote.

Geek wisdom: It’s never age that causes our ailments. Rather, it’s how time will batter a body as we keep using it. Sometimes, you do need to take it easy in order to recover.

“This morning was good. But then I got up.”

From: Freaky Friday (2003)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Evan

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2003 comedy, Freaky Friday. Produced by Disney, the film stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan as Tess and Anna Coleman, respectively. Tess is a hardworking psychologist and Anna mother while Anna is a rebellious teen. One Friday, they accidentally taunt each other about how hard their lives are. They then wake up the next morning in each other’s bodies.

The quote comes near the start of the film. Tess arrives at her office to find her most neurotic patient, Evan (played by the late Willie Garcon), waiting for her. After the regular pleasantries, Tess asks Evan how he’s doing and he replies with the quote.

Geek Wisdom: Not everyday is going to be the best day of your life. There are always going to be good days and there are always going to be bad days. We just have to take them as we get them.

“Everyone keeps telling me how my story is supposed to go. Nah, Im’ma do my own thing.”

From: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Miles Morales

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the CGI animated superhero film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Based on the Marvel superhero, The second entry in the Spider-Verse series of movies by Sony, this film has Miles Morales run into the Spider Society, a group of superheroes from all over the multiverse who have spider based powers just like him.

The quote comes during the end of the second act of the film. The leader of the Spider Society, Miguel O’Hara, trying to stop Miles from returning to his own timeline to prevent his father’s death. Miguel claims he has to let his father die as this is a “canon” event and preventing it will result in his timeline’s destruction. Miles (voiced by Shameik Moore), tired of being told what to do, delivers the quote before fighting off Miguel.

Geek Wisdom: While it’s okay to listen to other people when they tell you what they think is best for you, it’s still going to be your choice. It’s your life and you are ultimately responsible for it.

“Friendship means little when it’s convenient.”

From: John Wick: Chapter 4

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Shimazu Koji

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2023 action film, John Wick: Chapter 4. The final entry in the John Wick series, the film stars Keanu Reeves as the titular assassin, closing out his attack on the High Table for trying to kill him.

The quote comes near the very start of the movie. After he had successfully killed The Elder (the head of the High Table), John Wick seeks refuge in the Osaka Continental, which is owned by his close friend, Shimazu Koji (played by Hiroyuki Sanada). John is troubled as him merely staying there will bring Shimazu Koji in direct conflict with the High Table and he comments on this. Koji calmly reassure John by delivering the quote.

Geek Wisdom: Friends will stick with you in the good times and, more importantly, the bad. In fact, it is when you are in dire need you will know who your true friends are.

“…When it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.”

From: Mulan

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Ron Swanson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote from 1998 Disney animated film Mulan. Based on the stories of the Chinese folk hero, Hua Mulan, this has Mulan disguise herself as a man in order to save her elderly father from being conscripted into the army.

The quote comes near the start of the movie. Mulan feels ashamed after throwing her meeting with a matchmaker into disarray. Her father, Fa Zhao (voiced by Soon-Tek Oh) tries to comfort her inadvertently by commenting on the blooming flowers. He then points out one that has not opened up yet and this is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: People have to go at their own pace. We cannot rush things nor can we intentionally slow things down to wait for others.