Tag: movies

“See? I’m not a monster. I’m just ahead of the curve.”

From: The Dark Knight

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Joker

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from one of the most quotable characters of fiction, The Joker, from one of the most modern quotable movies, The Dark Knight.

After The Joker (played by Heath Ledger) is captured, the newly promoted Commissioner Gordon leaves the Clown Prince of Crime in an interrogation room with Batman. The Joker will not reveal where Harvey Dent is located, even after being threatened with bodily harm. The Joker then continues to expound on why the “regular” citizens of Gotham are only “good” because everything is right with the world. But he’s different…

Geek wisdom: Whenever someone tries to create some new innovation, the people who are stuck to the old ways will try to stop them. It doesn’t matter if it will better the world, as long as it threatens the way they do things, they will treat that person like a monster.

We have to think of the future, even though people will try to stop you. Progress is always better than following traditions blindly.

“I don’t believe in a no-win scenario.”

From: Star Trek

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: James Kirk

The story behind the quote: This is actually the second time I’m getting a quote from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The quote comes from the beginning of the film where Lt. Saavik and the crew of the Enterprise receives a distress call from the Kobayashi Maru, a Starfleet vessel that is stranded in the Klingon Neutral Zone. As Saavik attempts to rescue the crew of the crippled ship, the Enterprise is attacked by waves upon waves of Klingon starships, resulting in the eventual deaths of the crew of the ship.

It turns out the entire scene was just a test for Saavik to see how she would handle a “no-win” scenario. However, it’s revealed shortly after that there was actually someone who “beat” the Kobayashi Maru simulation; Admiral James T. Kirk managed to complete the scenario on his third try.

Geek wisdom: When you think you can’t succeed, chances are you’ll fail because you already let yourself think it’s okay to not succeed. Sometimes, it’s even better to fail so that you can have an excuse for not trying something again. But if you believe that you have to perform a task and actually do it correctly, you will push yourself harder to do so.

“Wolfman’s got nards!”

From: The Monster Squad

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Horace AKA “Fat Kid”

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 80’s cult classic, The Monster Squad. In the film, Dracula and other classic monsters terrorize a small town in search for an amulet that could defeat him. They are opposed by The Monster Squad, a group of kids obsessed with classic horror creatures. It’s up to the Monster Squad to defeat Dracula and his band of evil.

The quote comes from the middle of the film, where the Monster Squad manage to track down the amulet that can defeat Dracula. The kids are ambushed by The Wolfman. Sean (the leader of the Monster Squad) tells Horace (the “Fat Kid”) to kick The Wolfman between the legs. Horace questions his judgement but does it anyway, causing the Wolfman to keel over in pain. Horace then delivers the quote, astonished that it actually worked.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes we forget the things that should be obvious to us. Although it should be fairly obvious that the wolfman, being a human male (somewhat), would have the appropriate genitalia for his gender and would be hurt if he was attacked in that area, we don’t really think of it. Nevertheless, it should be self-evident if you really think about it.

We can sometimes overly complicate things and second guess ourselves. It’s best to go simple once in a while and just go for the obvious choice.

“Let the wookie win.”

From: Star Wars

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: C3-P0

The story behind the quote: As much as I love the Star Wars films, it’s difficult to find clips on YouTube where the characters actually say the quotes since they’re usually taken down immediately. This was one of those quotes I wanted to write about when I started this site but I was never able to find a clip of the said quote… until now.

The quote comes from the first Star Wars film. R2-D2 and Chewbacca are playing a form of chess and Artoo is beating the wookie. Chewie starts “complaining” about losing and C3-P0 states that he has no right to complain. Han Solo then chimes in and says that there are certain “bad” things that can happen if you emerge victorious over Chewbacca’s species. It’s then Threepio delivers the quote to Artoo.

Geek wisdom: Winning isn’t everything. While it does feel good to actually display your dominance over someone during a game of chess or any other form of competition, it’s not the most important thing in the world. In the grand scheme of things, it’s still a game.

“Carpe diem. Sieze the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”

From: Dead Poets Society

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: John Keating

The story behind the quote: The world is still reeling from Robin Williams’ passing. So, even though I posted a quote from the man himself, I decided to give another quote from his movies. But, which in itself, I feel has a deeper meaning…

The quote comes from Dead Poets Society. The film is about an unorthodox teacher, John Keating, played by Robin Williams. His teaching style is different from the “standard” way of teaching as, while he was hired to instruct his students about how to read poems and literal works, he tries to teach them how to live life to the fullest.

In a pivotal scene, John Keating holds his class in the halls of the school and has one of the students read the first stanza of “To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick. The then informs the students of the meaning of the poem is “Carpe Diem,” which means “Seize the day.” Keating then elaborates on the deeper meaning of the poem as shown in the clip below.

Geek wisdom: Our time in this world is limited. We all have an expiration date and we will eventually pass from this world. The thing is, we have no idea when our time on this world will end. So, while we’re still alive, we have to live life to the fullest.

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”

From: Star Wars

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: No One (Opening Sequence for all Star Wars films)

The story behind the quote: I don’t think I need to give a synopsis for the Star Wars films. The franchise is heavily ingrained in pop culture history. Its story, characters and even its fictional history is widely known throughout the world and by different ages. But most people don’t consider that the films happen, not only in a totally different galaxy, but way back in the past.

The films actually attempt to remind the viewer of this fact every movie. At the start of each Star Wars films (even before the opening crawl), they would note that the story you are about to watch already happened in a far away place in the stars…

Geek wisdom: History is very important. You may not know it but it has shaped you in ways you may never be aware of. The actions of people way, way in the past have affected the world in different ways, reaching out from time and influences you in some, unforeseen manner. And, in turn, your actions, no matter how small they may be, will have some impact on the world in the future.

“No way! Why should I change? He’s the one who sucks!”

From: Office Space

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Michael Bolton

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Office Space, a film created by Mike Judge (the same guy who conceived Beavis and Butt-head). I’ve already given a summary of the movie since I did create an entry for it before (and it’s about a printer error) so I won’t summarize the plot. Suffice to say, if you want to watch a good comedy flick, you owe it to yourself to watch Office Space.

Anyway, the quote comes from the start of the film where we’re introduced to the main characters, including the tragically named Michael Bolton. When his friend, Samir Nagheenanajar, complains that everyone mispronounces his name, Michael rebuffs and says he’s lucky that he doesn’t have the same name as the famous singer. Samir suggests that he use Mike instead, Michael Bolton explains his reason as to why…

Geek wisdom: People will try to make you change to suit their own image of what they want you to be. They’ll reason out that it’s for your own good if you stop reading comics. Or they’ll say watching and enjoying video games and cartoons are only for children. They will give many more arguments as to why changing will be “for your own good.”

As long as you’re not hurting yourself or hurting others, there’s no reason for you to follow their advice. Most people just want others to conform to their version of “normality.” But the problem is not with you; it’s with them. If you’re happy with the way you are, then you can stay the way you are.

“This one time… at band camp…”

From: American Pie

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Michelle Flaherty

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the first American Pie film. American Pie is the story of a group of friends who make a pledge to lose their virginity before they graduate from high school. Jim Levenstein (played by Jason Biggs), the most awkward of the quartet, appears to have a “sure thing” with Nadia, a extremely hot foreign exchange student, but squanders his chance because of an accident. Because of this, he tries his luck with the homely band geek, Michelle Flaherty (played by Alyson Hannigan).

The quote comes from Michelle and is actually her catchphrase of sorts. She usually recounts her memories of her time at band camp by starting with this popular phrase…

Of course, there was the surprise NSFW conclusion to the entire “band camp” story…

Geek wisdom: Live things to the fullest, especially when you’re young. It’s always fun to make great memories while you’re in the prime of your youth. While they may not seem to be anything special to everyone else or they may not get why it’s such a “big thing” for you, that shouldn’t really matter. What is important, however, is that the memory you make is memorable to you.

“There is no secret ingredient”

From: Kung-Fu Panda

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Po (and his father)

The story behind the quote: Kung-Fu Panda is the story of Po, a large and clumsy panda who dreams of being a great martial artist. He is announced as the next Dragon Warrior, much to the chagrin of the great master Shifu and the Furious Five. Throughout his training, it seems like there has been a mistake as Po’s clumsy and lazy attitude makes him virtually untrainable. 

The quote comes from the climax of the film. Po receives the Dragon Scroll, which is supposed to unlock unlimitless power within someone. However, the scroll appears to be blank and only has a reflective surface inside. Distressed, Po decides to return to being a noodle soup vendor. Po asks his father the secret ingredient to his fantastic soup. And his father makes the startling revelation…

Geek wisdom: It’s incredibly easy to think you’re nobody special and actually talk yourself out of being the best you can be. The truth is, as long as you believe in yourself, you can do fantastic and amazing things! All you have to do is think and believe you are exceptional in your own way!

Thanks to his father, Po realized that the scroll was telling him that he was special and can do anything; all he had to do was to believe that he was special and he could do anything. And, because of that, he did become the legendary Dragon Warrior.

“Never give up. Never surrender!”

From: Galaxy Quest

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Jason Nesmith playing Cmdr. Peter Quincy Taggart

The story behind the quote: The quote comes Galaxy Quest. Now, the premise of the film is pretty unique, to say the least. Tim Allen plays Jason Nesmith, a washed-up character actor who had one big hit: the sci-fi television show Galaxy Quest (which, in itself is a parody of the original Star Trek series). Nesmith played Commander Peter Quincy Taggart who commanded the starship known as the Protector. Things get complicated when a group of aliens mistake the Galaxy Quest broadcast as a record of real events. The aliens capture the entire crew of the show and ask them to help them fight a warlike race. Assuming that the aliens are just play-acting, Nesmith agrees to “help” them.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of Commander Taggart. Whenever the Protector is facing seemingly insurmountable odds, Taggart will deliver the quote as seen in the clip below.

Geek wisdom: This is pretty self-explanatory. We shouldn’t give up wherever we hit a minor problem. Even the biggest success stories of our time have hit a few speed bumps along their way to greatness. But they never let these roadblocks stop them as they persisted with their endeavor until the did succeed.

We should also have the attitude to not give up and push through hardship. Because if we surrender at the slightest hint of trouble, we’ll never get anything done!