Tag: movies

“Save Ferris?”

From: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Some guy in school?

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the smash teen comedy from the 80’s. While the movie does focus on Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) and his cohort’s adventures while playing hooky from school, there’s actually a small but fun subplot regarding Ferris’ excuse for staying home.

Ferris Bueller managed to convince his parents that he’s sick and that he should not go to school. However, the news of Ferris being “sick” gets misconstrued. All of a sudden, there is a need to help out the ailing high school student…

Geek wisdom: With the prevalence of the Internet and social media, things often get blown out of proportion. The sad thing is, people think and react to this news without hearing all of the facts. They immediately jump to their own conclusions and fight for causes without fully understanding what they’re fighting for. Rather, they only do it because it’s the popular thing to do… even if it doesn’t fully fall into their own beliefs.

“Let the hate flow through you.”

From: Return of the Jedi

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Emperor Palpatine

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from “Episode VI” of the Star Wars film franchise, Return of the Jedi. It is, as of this writing, the last film timeline-wise in the Star Wars movies. However, we are going to get a new trilogy starting with Episode VII: The Force Awakens this December.

But we’re not talking about The Force Awakens. We’re talking about Return of the Jedi!

The quote comes during the final scenes of the film. Luke Skywalker has come aboard the new Death Star to confront his father, Darth Vader. It turns out Emperor Palpatine, the leader of The Empire, is also aboard and the Sith Lord intends to turn Luke to the Dark Side. In order to accomplish this, Palpatine goads Luke to kill his father and, essentially, give in to the intense dark feeling the young Jedi master has against Darth Vader.

Geek wisdom: Hate is a very strong emotion. But that’s all it is: an emotion. It’s something that you can control. Like all emotions, it’s something you can control. In fact, in this day of age, you need to have full control over it and never late hate control you.

“What if this is as good as it gets?”

From: As Good As It Gets

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Melvin Udall

The story behind the quote: The quote from the 1997 romantic comedy film, As Good As It Gets. Melvin Udall (played by Jack Nicholson) is a successful but neurotic novelist. His general bad attitude combined with his obsessive compulsive disorder has pretty much alienated him from others. However, he comes in contact with Carol Connelly (played by Helen Hunt), a waitress at the diner where he regularly eats, his homosexual neighbor Simon Bishop (played by Greg Kinnear) and Simon’s dog. Because of these people, Melvin starts to question his current status in life.

The quote comes rather early in the film. Extremely agitated, Melvin barges into his psychiatrist’s office asking for help. However, the doctor says he will have to make an appointment. As the novelist enters the psychiatrist’s lobby with all the other patients, he turns and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: During the times when you feel like something is missing, it can be very easy to think that life is hopeless and has no meaning. The thing that people always forget is like is always what you make of it. Life doesn’t have to be dreary and dull. If it does feel that way, it’s your choice to either wallow in despair or do something about it.

“I will not bow to any sponsor.”

From: Wayne’s World

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Wayne Campbell

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the first Wayne’s World film. The movie was based on a very successful Saturday Night Live skit of the same name. Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) are the hosts of Wayne’s World, an off-beat public access cable show shot in Wayne’s basement where they make fun of locals and talk about music and “babes”. Despite running on a shoestring budget, the show proves to be incredibly popular with teenagers and young adults because of the duo’s offbeat humor. In the film, a television producer decided that the show would be perfect way to advertise a chain of arcades and buys the show from Wayne and Garth.

The quote comes from the middle of the film during the “advertising” scene. Wayne and Garth are told that they need to give the arcade some airtime on Wayne’s World as they are the primary sponsor of the show. However, the two see things a bit differently… while hawking various products to the audience.

Geek wisdom: People can be hypocrites. We all think we can act with dignity and poise when confronted with obstacles. However, that attitude can only be tested when you actually come across something that will test your will. When you’re tempted, that’s when you know your principles.

“The town was paper, but the memories were not.”

From: Paper Towns

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Quentin “Q” Jacobson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote was submitted by Hazel Lance! Thanks, Hazel! You can check out her other written stuff by checking out her WordPress blogsite (poeticfangirl.wordpress.com)!

The quote comes from the book Paper Towns by John Green, the author that gave us The Fault in Our Stars. And, like The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns is going to be made into a feature length film.

Fair warning: the quote and Geek Wisdom may contain SPOILERS for the upcoming film.

Anyway, Paper Towns is all about Quentin Jacobson, Q to his friends, who has a massive crush on his next door neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman. After being ignored by her throughout high school, Q is surprised to see Margo ask for his help in getting revenge on her ex-boyfriend for cheating on her. The next day, Q finds out that Margo is now missing and Q believes he is the only one who can find her.

The quote comes as Q’s graduation date draws near. He realizes that, although, the people around him were indeed materialistic and “unreal, he still treasures the memories he has with them. This is precisely why graduating makes him feel a little sad.

The town was paper

Geek wisdom: We come across a lot of people who end up being someone different from what we thought they were. These people may have been selfish and never cared much about us, but the memories would always bring a smile to our face because we were genuinely happy in that moment.

“You mean you have to use your hands?” “That’s like a baby’s toy!”

From: Back To The Future: Part II

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Two kids from the future

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the second installment of the Back To The Future trilogy of films. In this film, Marty McFly goes to the future (2015 at the time) because Doc Brown says that one of his future children is in trouble. However, while saving his son, Biff Tannen steals the DeLorean and changes the past by giving his 1955 self a Sports Almanac that allows 1955 Biff to make a fortune by placing bets on the winners, creating a horrible alternate future. Mary and Doc then race to the past to prevent this from happening.

The quote comes from when Marty arrives in the future. Two kids from the future manage to get  an old Wild Gunman arcade machine working again. Unable to figure out how the game works, Marty steps in and shows the kids his prowess in the game. However, the kids are unimpressed by how to actually control Wild Gunman…

Geek wisdom: Technology will always keep on improving by leaps and bounds. Before you know it, the latest gadget that you believed was incredibly advanced will seem incredibly dated in a span of a few years. With that being said, we keep on getting the latest tech, such as the newest phones or tablets, knowing full well they will be obsolete in a couple of months.

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to take into perspective if it’s actually worth getting the newest gadgets knowing someone is trying to innovate something radically better than the thing we have right now.

“They’re boxy but they’re good!”

From: Crazy People

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Stephen Bachman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the little known film, Crazy People. Emory Leeson (played by Dudley Moore) is an advertising executive. One day, he has a nervous breakdown and decides to create “truthful” commercials and advertisements. Some of these new ads are a little too straight to the point and this results in Emory getting checked into a mental hospital. However, these new “honest” advertisements are accidentally released to the public and are actually well received! This leads to Emory, along with the rest of the patients, to create more candid commercials.

The quote comes early in the film. After Emory and his colleague, Stephen Bachman (played by Paul Reiser), are chewed out by their boss. Backman looks over the ads that Emory pitched…

Geek wisdom: Frequently, we love to go for style over substance. We will sometimes go for the more “sexy” product because it looks sleek and stylish. We then wish we got the more practical alternative; the one with more features and less prone to breakage.

Let’s focus on functionality rather than form. Because, in the long run, that’s what really matters.

“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.

“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.