“Not the bees! Not the bees!”

From: The Wicker Man

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Edward Malus

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the “so bad, it’s good” remake of the 1973 horror film, The Wicker Man. Based on the 1967 novel Ritual, The Wicker Man has police officer Edward Malus searching for his missing daughter and, arriving at the last place she was seen, comes across a very strange town.

The quote comes from near the very end of the movie. Edward Malus (played by Nicolas Cage) is captured by the townsfolk and his head is forcefully encased in a helmet. Hearing a disturbing buzzing sound, Malus realizes what is about to happen and yells out the quote.

Geek wisdom: Everyone is afraid of something. Sometimes, the fear can be irrational. Other times, they can be legitimate. The thing to realize is that it’s not fair to ridicule someone when they’re scared of something that doesn’t seem scary because everyone, even yourself, has an irrational fear of something out there.

“Maybe if you tell me the bad news in a good way, it won’t sound so bad.”

From: Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Prince John

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1993 Mel Brooks comedy parody film, Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The film has all the general beats of a traditional Robin Hood story but told in a more comedic and silly way. While not a critical success upon release, the movie was a financial success and has developed a strong cult following.

The quote comes somewhat in the middle of the film. The Sheriff of Rottingham (played by Robert Rees) reports back to Prince John (played by Richard Lewis) regarding Robin Hood’s return and how he and his troops were beat up by his band. Prince John, unwilling to take any bad news as he’s having a good day, delivers the quote in the hopes to soften the blow. The Sheriff does try to oblige by giving the “bad news in a good way” but to no avail…

Geek wisdom: No matter how you slice it, good news will always be good news and bad news will always be bad news. You can try to sugarcoat bad news but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still bad.

“Quick! Change the channel!”

From: Street Fighter: The Movie

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Zangief

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Street Fighter: The Movie, the 1994 live-action film based on the hit Capcom fighting game. While not really taking the source material to heart, the film is still remembered as Raul Julia’s final film as M. Bison as well as another famous quote involving Tuesdays. But it still has another memorable quote besides that iconic saying.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. As Chun-Li (played by Ming Na Wen) and her crew send a truck filled with explosives towards the tent where M. Bison and he cohorts are celebrating. As the group watches the truck barrel towards them on a monitor, Zangief (played by Andrew Bryniarski), in fear of his life, yells out the quote.

Geek Wisdom: There are going to be some problems you cannot simply shut your eyes and hope it will pass. Sometimes, taking fast action is needed.

“Femputer sentences them to death… by snu snu!”

From: Futurama

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Femputer

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the sci-fi animted comedy, Futurama. The show has a 20th century male named Philip J. Fry accidentally put into suspended animation and reawakened in the future. He now works for an intergalactic delivery service and flies around the galaxy, getting into a whole mess of adventures along the way.

The quote comes from the 1st episode of the 3rd season, Amazon Women in the Mood. The trio of Fry, Zapp Brannigan and Kif are imprisoned for insulting females. The Amazonians cannot figure out what use are the males but Amy whispers into the ear of one of the Amazonians about sexual intercourse. The Amazonians realize what Amy is describing is “snu snu,” something they haven’t experience but only read about. Femputer, the ruler of the planet, then sentences the trio to a seemingly pleasurable death by the aforementioned snu snu.

Geek wisdom: Too much of a good thing is still too much. While it may seem all fun at the start, after a while, even the most pleasurable activities can become painful and even harmful. Recognize when to stop before you hurt yourself.

“Everybody lies.”

From: House

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Dr. Gregory House

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Fox medical drama television show House. The show is all about Dr. Gregory House and his team of doctors who attempt to diagnose and cure mysterious illnesses of some special patients. Although he is a doctor, House’s bedside manner has a lot to be desired as he’s addicted to pain medication and generally tells the cold, hard truth without the patient’s feelings in mind.

The quote is actually a kind of motto of House (played by Hugh Laurie). As he feels asking the patient for their symptoms as well as their day-to-day habits actually delays him from getting the right diagnosis as they will leave out the more embarrassing moments, even if these facts may save their life.

Geek Wisdom: Sadly, what House is saying is true. People will lie for their own benefit and avoid shame and embarrassment. We just have to understand that not everything a person says, even the people we might trust the most, might not be the whole truth.

“That’s not fair. That’s not fair at all. There was time now. There was… was all the time I needed.”

From: The Twilight Zone (specifically, the episode Time Enough at Last)

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Henry Bemis

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the science-fiction/fantasy anthology series, The Twilight Zone. Created by Rod Sterling way back in 1959, The Twilight Zone is a series of standalone episodes, usually delving into characters dealing with unusual events leading to some major twist at the end. The show was a huge hit and has spawned several reboots throughout the years.

The quote comes from the ending of the episode Time Enough at Last. After miraculously surviving a nuclear attack, bookworm Henry Bemis (played by Burgess Meredith) finds out that, while he has enough food to survive an entire lifetime, he is all alone in the crumbling city. About to commit suicide, he stumbles upon the wreckage of the public library. Being someone who was always shamed for reading a lot of books, he is astonished that most of the books have survived. He then collects all the books he needs to entertain himself but, just before he can start reading, he slips and breaks his glasses, rendering him unable to read. He then delivers the quote in despair.

Geek Wisdom: Even when you think you have all the time in the world, that doesn’t mean that fate will cooperate the way you think. Something can and will come up. It will come unexpected so don’t postpone what you can do right now because you might not be able to do it in the future.

“Nobody trusts anybody now… and we’re all very tired.”

From: The Thing (1982)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: RJ MacReady

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Thing from 1982. The film, directed by John Carpenter, is based on the book Who Goes There? as well as another movie, The Thing From Another World from 1951. While originally a box-office flop and a critical failure upon release, The Thing has gained a cult following and is now heralded as one of the best science-fiction horror films.

The quote during the middle of the film. After figuring out the titular creature can change its shape to look like anyone on the base, RJ MacReady (played by Kurt Russell) decides to record the events of what happened there just in case no one survives. During one of his recordings, noting how everyone distrusts everyone because he can be The Thing, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It can be difficult to trust people, especially in this day of age. However, you do have to eventually let your guard down and give people the benefit of the doubt. If not, then you’ll also be tired because of all the stress of worry.

“Winter is coming.”

From: Various characters as it is the motto of House Stark

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Game of Thrones/A Song of Fire and Ice

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Game of Thrones (AKA A Song of Fire and Ice). Originally a book series by George RR Martin, it was popularized when HBO decided to make a television series based on them.

The quote is actually mentioned several times throughout both the books and the HBO series. It’s actually the motto of House Stark, one of the families interested in claiming the Iron Throne. It is to reference the harshness of the winters of the Westeros and Essos continents. However, like a lot of literary works, this does have two meanings.

Geek wisdom: Always be prepared for the worst as it will come sooner or later. You might not know when it will exactly but it will eventually arrive so it’s best to be ready for whatever hardships may come.

“That is why you fail.”

From: Star Wars (specifically, The Empire Strikes Back)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Yoda

The story behind the quote: I have posted a lot of quotes from Star Wars and, more specifically from The Empire Strikes Back. Even more specifically, from that scene when Luke Skywalker is training with Yoda on the planet of Dagobah. Even though I have done so, I still have another one!

While Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) and Yoda are training, Luke’s X-Wing sinks into the swamp bog. Luke does try to lift it up using The Force but, believing it’s too big, he gives up and fails. Yoda, however, does manage to raise it up and even place the X-Wing onto solid ground. Luke exclaims he cannot believe that Yoda could do it. This is when Yoda delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: If you do not believe in yourself or if you immediately tell yourself something is impossible, then there is no way you’ll ever try your best at it. You have to throw all your effort into something, especially something difficult, if you want to succeed.

“…Baby, you’ve got a stew going!”

From: Arrested Development

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Carl Weathers

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Arrested Development, a sitcom that was first released on Fox. It was then picked up on Netflix six years later, showing the longevity of the series that focuses on  the Bluths, a dysfunctional family who lost their wealth when it was discovered that the patriarch of the family, George Bluth, Sr. (played by Jeffrey Tambor), had been stealing from the company.

The quote comes from the 12th episode of the first season, Matha Complex. A running storyline from this season was Tobias Funke (played by David Cross) has hired Carl Weathers to be his acting coach. During a party, Tobias is about to toss a bone but Carl Weathers stops him as he notices there’s some meat left on the bone. The seasoned actor then advises to save the bone as it can still be made into something else. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: In a way, Carl Weathers is right as there are always ways to make use of things that people would think is just garbage. It’s just realizing the potential. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.