Tag: movie

“Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?”

From: Rush Hour 1 & 2

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Carter & Lee

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the first and second Rush Hour films. The films revolve around Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee (played by Jackie Chan) and Los Angeles Police Detective Carter (played by Chris Tucker), their partnership and their adventures around the world solving crimes.

During the first movie, Lee travels to Los Angeles in order to investigate the kidnapping of a Hong Kong diplomat’s daughter. He is greeted by Carter in the airport. Although Lee understands the language, he feigns ignorance when Carter tries to talk to him.

In the sequel, aptly titled Rush Hour 2, Carter travels with Lee to Hong Kong to get a much needed vacation but their time off is interrupted when the US Consulate General building is destroyed by a bomb. Lee believes Carter was killed because of misinformation given to him. Lee and Carter independently track the culprit to a yatch and board the vessel separately. He is relieved to see his friend is actually alive but has difficulty explaining it to him.

Geek wisdom: People have the habit of not getting to the point or using overly complex words when explaining things. Sometimes, it’s better to get straight to the point. It’s also important to choose your words as well as speak clearly in order to be understood right away.

“Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.”

From: Billy Madison

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Knibb High School Principal

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from one of Adam Sandler’s first films, Billy Madison. The movie focuses on the titular character’s quest to complete all school levels, starting from the elementary level until high school, and graduate in order to inherit his father’s company.

The quote comes from the very end of the film when Billy is challenged to an Academic Decathlon by the antagonist of the film (played by Bradley Whitford) and get control of the company. When trying to explain how the industrial revolution affected the world, Billy uses a first grade book, The Puppy Who Lost His Way, as a way to answer the question. After delivering a long answer (which Billy is really pleased with), the Knibb High School principal, who was moderating the quiz, tells Billy how stupid his answer is…

Geek wisdom: There are times when you think you have a ingenious answer to something. Or you have something you want to say that, in your mind, seems really clever. So you blurt it out, without filtering it. And, just as you’ve finished saying it, you see, too late, how wrong you were or how stupid the statement really is.

Think before you speak. Sometimes, you have to evaluate what you’re about to say. It’s better than realizing that you’ve just put your foot in your mouth.

“Stop trying to make ‘fetch’ happen!”

From: Mean  Girls

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Regina George

The story behind the quote: The quote comes Mean Girls, a film that was released roughly 10 years ago. The story is about Cady (Lindsey Lohan), a girl who starts school and immediately draws the attention of the elite trio of girls known as The Plastics, led by queen bee Regina George (Rachel McAdams). Regina and the Plastics want to get Cady into their clique and Cady’s real friends use this opportunity to find a way to take down the group from within.

Early in the movie, one of The Plastics, Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert), tries to create her own catchphrase by repeating the word “fetch” frequently. Regina, annoyed by how many times Gretchen’s tried to get it to catch on, finally tells her off.

Geek wisdom: You have to know when enough’s enough and it’s time to throw in the towel. There’s no shame in failure but there is some shame when you don’t know when to quit.

“I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.”

From: Aliens

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Ellen Ripley

The story behind the quote: This is the first quote that was submitted by an outside source! And it comes from Andy Drop. Please check out his site (remline.de)!

The quote comes from Aliens, the second film from the Aliens film franchise. Ellen Ripley, the only survivor of the Nostromo, leads a crew of soldiers to the colony on planet LV-426 to investigate what happened there. After their initial devastating encounters with the Xenomorphs species, the survivors discuss tactics on how to handle the situation.

One of them wants to use gas on the creatures while another says they should just leave. Ripley, knowing what the creatures can do delivers the quote… as it seems to be the safe thing to do to make sure the aliens are taken out and to make sure they don’t harm anyone else.

Geek wisdom: If you can’t live on an planet full of aliens, live without it! Sometimes, if you want something unpleasant to end, you may want to skip negotiations or elaborate tactics and just employ a tactical warhead.

If someone ignores your attempts of telling him/her not to hurt you over and over again, it’s often better to leave that person with a bang instead of trying to reason with someone who will not listen to reason.

Once again, thanks to Andy Drop for this quote! 

“Pop quiz, hot shot…”

From: Speed

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Howard Payne

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the first Speed film. The film has an interesting premise, to say the least. Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) witnesses a nearby bus explode. He is then contacted by the film’s antagonist, Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) who wants revenge on Traven for foiling his last scheme. He informs Traven that he’s equipped a bomb on another bus and that bomb will explode if the vehicle slows down to 50 miles per hour. The race is on for Traven to catch Payne before that could happen.

The quote is actually Payne’s way of taunting Traven. He will deliver the quote and explain the situation afterwards.

Geek wisdom: Life will throw unexpected curve balls at us when we least expect it. Most of the time, we’ll be caught unaware. We have to make incredibly quick choice, even though we have very little data to make an informed decision.

Be ready for the unexpected.

“You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!”

From: Planet of the Apes (1968)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: George Taylor

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the original Planet of the Apes film that was released way back in 1968. The film stars Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor who, crash lands on an unknown planet way in the future. The dominant species on this planet are intelligent apes who use the subjugated human being (who cannot speak) as pets and cheap labor. Thinking that Taylor is just another “ordinary” human, the apes capture him. The story revolves around Taylor’s attempts to flee the planet.

WARNING: There are SPOILERS for the ending of this (extremely old and well-known) film!

The quote comes from the very end of the film. Taylor and his new female companion, Nova, escape to the Forbidden Zone, as apes are not permitted there. The earth astronaut, sees the ruins of the Statue of Liberty. Realizing he actually is on Earth after it has been razed by nuclear war, Taylor laments the fate of the human race and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We sometimes take the future for granted. We hastily destroy our environment and lay waste to the planet’s natural resources without even giving a second thought to the long term repercussions they may have. We can be shortsighted and believe that the world will always be there for us and nothing we do can harm it.

We only have one world. We have to take care of it while we still can.

“Help me help you!”

From: Jerry Maguire

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Jerry Maguire

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Jerry Maguire. The film itself has become a sort of cultural icon as there are a lot of memorable quotes from the film and this may be the first one I’m using. Anyway, the movie is about Jerry Maguire, a popular sports agent. He is fired from his agency after writing a letter noting how dishonest other sports agents are. He then focuses all his strengths on his sole client, Rod Tidwell, a wide receiver who believes he’s better than he really is.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. A frustrated Jerry (played by Tom Cruise) pleads with Rod (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) to try to ease up with his demands. Jerry tells the football star that he has been working really hard to meet his demands but he’s at his breaking point.

Geek wisdom: We can be too proud to ask for assistance at times. We can feel foolish or we don’t want to come off as weak. So, instead of asking for help, we instead needlessly trudge on with the problem.

This is totally incorrect. In fact, it’s actually a sign of strength to ask for help when you realize you require it. Nobody’s perfect. We can be great at everything but there is always someone out there that will be willing to help you work on those weaknesses.

 

“I’m too old for this shit.”

From: Lethal Weapon Series

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Det. Roger Murtaugh

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the Lethal Weapon movies, specifically from the veteran partner of Martin Riggs (played by Mel Gibson), Roger Murtaugh (played by Danny Glover). During the first movie in the series, Murtaugh, tired from all of his years on the police force, is contemplating retirement. However, he is forced to partner with the suicidal loose cannon Riggs. Although they are of two different personalities, they do eventually form a strong bond of friendship throughout the run of the four films.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of Murtaugh. Every time the pair gets into a hairy situation, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Age is just a state of mind. Detective Murtaugh is proof positive of this, despite his claims to the contrary. The grizzled detective is always just a few days away from retirement and is getting up there age-wise. Yet, in each installment of the Lethal Weapon franchise, he still manages to do amazing things… things that people half his age would die attempting to perform.

As long as you manage to keep fit, age is just a number. You can do amazing things whether you are old or young.

“He chose poorly.” and “You have chosen… wisely.”

From: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: An old Knight

The story behind the quote: The Indiana Jones films have always been big blockbusters and it’s not hard to see why. Each of the films takes cues from classic movies but the basic premise is the same. Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) is an archaeologist and has vast knowledge with ancient history, myths and cultures. While he is incredibly smart, he is also an adventurer who is very adept in thinking on his feet during dangerous situations. Indy is also not the type of person to shy away from a fight. It is these traits that has him saving the world from evil doers (usually Nazis) who plan to dig up ancient artifacts that will help them take over the world.

The quote comes from the third film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Here, both the Nazis and Indy are looking for the Holy Grail, which will grant immortality to those who drink from it. Indy gets captured and is forced to pass a series of traps guarding the Holy Grail. Once Indy gets through, Donovan (the main bad guy in the movie) sees that there are a lot of possible Holy Grails. Elsa (another baddie) selects one of the cups (one that has a lot of jewels and is possibly made of gold) and Donovan drinks from it… with bad results.

Indy then makes his choice and selects the one that appears to be a simple bowl. His logic is that the container is probably the one that a simple carpenter would use. He drinks from in and nothing happens to him. This is when the old Knight, who has been guarding the Grail, congratulates him.

Geek wisdom: In this day of age, we seem to rush through a lot of major decisions in life. We tend to not take stock on how important choices can affect us, both in the short term and in the long term. A lot of times, it’s this shortsightedness that can impact us the most, especially if we regret them in the future.

It’s always a good idea to weigh our options just to make an informed decision. Sometimes, all it takes is a few seconds. Other times, it make take hours or even days. It’s okay to mull over life changing decisions.

“The pen is blue! The goddamn pen is blue!”

From: Liar Liar

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Fletcher Reede

The story behind the quote: Jim Carrey plays Fletcher Reed, a really good lawyer and a much better liar. Although he loves his son, Max, Fletcher is too concentrated on his career to really spend any time with him. It is this focus on climbing the corporate ladder which causes his to miss Max’s birthday so that he can get on the “good side” of his boss. Disappointed that his father didn’t come to his birthday (even though Fletcher did promise him), Max wishes that Fletcher cannot lie… which comes true.

The quote comes from the scene where Fletcher realizes that he is unable to lie. He rushes into his office and believes he  just needs to “practice” with something small, like saying that the blue pen he is holding is red. As the clip below shows, he is very unsuccessful in doing this.

Geek wisdom: It has become so easy in society to lie. It’s actually become so casual and common, we already expect people to lie to us and then try to determine what is the actual truth. Sometimes, we do lie to spare someone’s feelings or get out of trouble. But, ultimately, a lie is a lie and it can catch up to us.

It may be painful but there are going to be times when we need to tell the truth, even if it will hurt others. However, unless we can stop telling lies about the smaller things in life, we will never be ready to tell the truth about the bigger things. Besides, some people do appreciate the honesty.