Tag: batman

“A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy’s shoulders to let him know that the world hadn’t ended.”

From: Batman, specifically, The Dark Knight Rises

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Batman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the third and final entry in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movie trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Batman (played by Christian Bale) has to fly out the bomb that is set to destroy the whole of Gotham City. Commissioner Gordon (played by Gary Oldman) knows this might be the final time he and the people of the city gets to know who their savior is behind the mask. Batman then delivers the quote and this makes Gordon realize the Batman just might be Bruce Wayne because he recalls when he did that exact action after the child’s parents were murdered.

Geek wisdom: Even the smallest good deed should be recognized by people. This is because it just might be the tiniest bit of kindness put in the world that makes all the difference in a person’s life.

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“You know the thing about chaos? It’s fair.”

From: Batman, specifically, The Dark Knight

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Joker

The story behind the quote: You know a movie is good when you can pull off multiple quotes from it. And you know a character is fantastic when you can use a majority of his quotes! Once again, I’m pulling from The Dark Knight, the second from Christopher Nolan’s trilogy of Batman moves and, once again, the quote comes from The Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger.

The quote comes from late part of the movie. Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Ekhart) is laid up in the hospital when the Joker visits him. The Joker then tells Harvey that he’s not the reason for him becoming disfigured as he was just thwarting the normal order of things and how people go crazy when things don’t go according to their plans. The Joker then pulls a pistol and manipulates Harvey into thinking the way he does. He punctuates this by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Although the Joker is clinically insane, he does have a point. Life is unfair but good things and bad things happen to each and everyone of us. No one is spared from the randomness of life.

“Do you have the slightest idea how little that narrows it down?”

From: Batman Beyond

Genre: Cartoons

Who said it?: Blight

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the DC Animated Universe series, Batman Beyond. The show takes place way in the future wherein Bruce Wayne has passed on the mantle to a new Batman, Terry McGinnis. With his new Batsuit, Terry fights crime in Neo-Gotham like his mentor.

The quote comes from the 13th episode of the 1st season, Ascension. Terry manages to track down the supervillain known as Blight. Terry taunts the villain and, when Blight exasperatedly asks who his hunter is, Batman hints that Blight killed his father. As he’s killed so many men in the past, Blight delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We normally think of how people would react to things based on how we would react to them. This is, of course, flawed. The way a person reacts or remembers something will be different for each and every one of us. They were raised differently so their manner of thinking is different. Even identical twins will have some very notable differences on how they would handle certain issues.

“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

From: Batman, specifically, The Dark Knight

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Harvey Dent

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the second film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight has Batman taking on a mysterious villain known as The Joker, who apparently is more concerned with sowing the seeds of chaos rather than his own gain.

The quote comes some time in the middle of the film. Bruce Wayne (played by Christian Bale) and he meets up with Gotham’s fresh new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckhart). The group gets into a discussion if Gotham actually needs a vigilante like Batman. Harvey tells them a story about how the Romans would suspend democracy during times of war. Rachel Dawes (played this time by Maggie Gyllenhaal) points out the last person appointed to this post never relinquished his position. This is when Harvey delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, the best of intentions can steer you in the wrong direction. You may see your goals to be honorable and even be in the service of mankind but there is also the chance these very same decisions will cause more destruction.

“I’m only laughing on the outside. My smile is just skin deep. If you could see inside, I’m really crying. You might join me for a weep.”

From: Batman (1989)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Joker

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton. It was a smash-hit and returned The Dark Knight to a more serious tone than what was established in the campy (but still wonderful) ’60s television series.

The quote comes from the middle of the movie, The Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) has just shot Bruce Wayne in Vicki Vale’s apartment. As he leaves, he looks back and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: People do hide their true emotions. They might show they’re happy and joyous when inside, they’re really crying out in pain. You may want to pay attention to your friends and check on them by asking how they’re really feeling.

“Batman could be anybody. That was the point.”

From: The Dark Knight Rises

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Bruce Wayne

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the third and final entry in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movie trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. However, this time around, it isn’t from Batman, The Joker or even wise-old Alfred Pennyworth. This week, it’s from Bruce Wayne.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Police officer John Blake (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has managed to deduce that Bruce Wayne (played again by Christian Bale) is Batman. The two attempt to find leads to where the criminal Bane is and, during the car ride, Blake asks Bruce Wayne why he dons a mask. Bruce explains that the costume was to be a symbol. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Anyone can be a hero. You don’t need to be a mask or a costume to do heroic deeds. It’s more about doing the right thing when it’s needed.

“Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”

From: Batman Begins

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Thomas Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the superhero/crime drama movie Batman Begins starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and Batman. Batman Begins was a lot of people’s introduction to Christopher Nolan’s style of film making as, even though he isn’t huge comic book fan, he delivered one of the better Batman movie adaptations.

The quote is actually mentioned a couple of times in the film. The first time comes when a young Bruce Wayne falls into a cave. His father, Thomas Wayne, rescues him and delivers the quote. The second time the quote is given is after the League of Assassins raze Wayne Manor. Bruce Wayne laments that he’s failed. This is when Alfred (played by Michael Caine), his butler and father figure, echoes Thomas Wayne’s message to him.

Geek wisdom: Failing at something doesn’t mean you should stop. You should take it as an opportunity to learn from it and then try again.

“Never rub another man’s rhubarb.”

From: Batman (1989)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Joker

The story behind the quote: This is going to be weird since I’ve actually used the clip for another piece of Geek Wisdom but it is the best way to get the quote…

The quote comes from the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton. It was a smash-hit and returned The Dark Knight to a more serious tone than what was established in the campy (but still wonderful) ’60s television series.

The quote comes from the middle of the movie, The Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) is terrorizing Vicki Vale (played by Kim Bassinger). Bruce Wayne interrupts and Bruce tries to intervene but The Joker, mildly upset that Vicki Vale was “seeing another guy,” just shoots him. The Clown Prince of Crime looks at the fallen body of Bruce Wayne and then delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: What’s yours is yours. What’s mine is mine. Don’t try to steal anything and be happy with what you have. If you aren’t, then go out and earn it rather than try to take what isn’t rightfully yours.

“If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”

From: Batman, specifically, The Dark Knight

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Joker

The story behind the quote: You know a movie is good when you can pull off multiple quotes from it. And you know a character is fantastic when you can use a majority of his quotes! Once again, I’m pulling from The Dark Knight, the second from Christopher Nolan’s trilogy of Batman moves and, once again, the quote comes from The Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger.

The quote comes from the early part of the film as the Joker interrupts a meeting held by Gotham’s criminal underworld. The Clown Prince of Crime berates the mobster from cowering against The Batman and offers to take out The Dark Knight for them. One of the mobsters asks The Joker, if it’s so easy to do, why hasn’t he done it. This is when The Joker delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Every person has something they’re good at. It’s all a matter of discovering what that talent is. If you’re really good at a particular skill, that makes you worth something and, hopefully, it’s actually something you enjoy doing. So find whatever that thing may be and actually make is so that you can get paid for that skill.

“You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”

From: Batman (1989)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Jack/Joker

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Tim Burton’s first take on Batman way back in 1989. The movie was a smash hit and, believe it or not, shed the “campy” mystique mainstream audiences associated with the character thanks to the (still rather wonderful) Batman live-action television series left. It made general audiences aware of Batman’s original dark roots and the movie lent a hand to the revival of superhero films.

The quote actually is mentioned several times throughout the film and can be considered to be Jack Napier/The Joker’s (played by Jack Nicholson) catchphrase. In one memorable instance, when confronted by Bruce Wayne (played by Michael Keaton) while in Vicki Vale’s (played by Kim Basigner) apartment, he delivers the quote and explains that he just likes how the phrase sounds.

Geek wisdom: Although Jack/Joker says it doesn’t really mean anything, there is a way to interpret the quote to have a deeper meaning. Essentially, The Joker delivers the catchphrase to anyone he’s about to kill. This could be his way of asking them if they ever tempted fate and did something so dangerous that their life may be threatened.

While it may be sometimes exhilarating to do something death defying, it may sometimes be better not to, especially if there is a chance of perishing because of it. You only live once, you know.