Looking for something more than a quick quip like, “I’ll be back?” Or, “Adriann!?” Or, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Smells like victory.” Well, here are 10 of my favorite movie quotes and what they mean to me. So grab some popcorn and a Coke (or Pepsi, or bottled water) and enjoy. Feel free to leave any comments.
1. “Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt. That’s the first thing they teach you.” – Robert DeNiro, “Ronin
The situation: DeNiro and company are going to meet up with some weapons dealers. It’s nighttime, they’re meeting under a bridge, and DeNiro smells a setup. After everything goes down and they barely make it away, Jean Reno asks him how he knew it was a setup.
What it means to me: it’s the counter-act to “you never know.” If you ever feel like something bad is going to happen, and you’re second-guessing yourself as to if you should or shouldn’t, you should probably listen to your intuition.
2. “You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re not your fucking khakis. You’re the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.” – Brad Pitt, “Fight Club
The situation: Project Mayhem is building up steam and all of Tyler Durden’s disciples are growing crops and doing what they have to in order to achieve the goal of his Master Plan. He shouts out the preceding quote to his loyal followers.
What it means to me: We should be more than our material possessions. ‘Nuff said.
3. “Dr. Oatman, please pick up, pick up! It’s Martin Blank! I, I’m standing where my, uh, living room was and it’s not here because my house is gone and it’s an Ultimart! You can never go home again, Oatman… but I guess you can shop there.” – John Cusack, “Grosse Pointe Blank
The situation: Hitman Martin Blank returns to his hometown of Grosse Pointe and drives to childhood home only to find out that it’s not a convenience store.
What it means to me: I’ve moved back and forth and around, and have found that the “cozy” area in our minds we call “home” is just there; everything changes, and we have to accept that.
4. “Long time listener, first time caller. Love the show…” – Hank Azaria, “Grosse Pointe Blank”
The situation: Martin Blank has came back to town and stops at a local radio station where his childhood sweetheart/prom date Debi runs a radio show. She has him sit in a chair and makes him part of her show. Several people call in, including a government agent played by Hank Azaria.
What it means to me: It’s just a great line, and I use it when I call my friends. I have one friend who responds, “You’re our demographic!”
5. “Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory.” – Harrison Ford, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
The situation: Indiana Jones’s sidekick Short Round was indirectly asking about the reason for their next adventure.
What it means to me: It’s the reason I wanted to write and be a part of filmmaking, aside from wanting to tell a good story.
6. “Did I ever tell you about Sammy Jankis?”- Guy Pearce, “Memento”
The situation: Leonard Shelby is talking with Teddy, and reaffirming the only thing he is certain that he knows for sure.
What it means to me: I use it for when someone is repeating something to me that I’ve already heard countless times, or I’m confused by what someone is telling me and I say that to throw them off.
7. “Hey Mav, do you still have the number for that truck driving school?” – Anthony Edwards, “Top Gun
The situation: Goose and Maverick were just chewed out for buzzing the tower. They’re walking toward their respective rooms, feeling like they’ve failed.
What it means to me: I use this when I’m feeling like my hopes are dying; my dreams are just about gone and getting a serious low-end job may be my only method of continuing existence.
8. “Happiness only real when shared.” – Emile Hirsch, “Into the Wild”
The situation: Christopher McCandless/ “Alex Supertramp” is writing in his journal.
What it means to me: As much as I feel that happiness is fleeting, I think this is the real truth of what it is.
9. “This is a narrative of very heavy-duty proportions.” – Dr. Teeth, “The Muppet Movie”
The situation: Kermit the Frog and Fozzi Bear have ran across Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (Animal, Sally, Zoot, Floyd, and Skeeter). Dr. Teeth just read the script for the film and gives his interpretation.
What it means to me: With most of the projects I work on, I try to have them mean something; I try having them be something bigger than what they are. This is a joke which means to have fun, and not take everything deathly serious.
10. “Joel, you wanna know something? Every now and then say, “What the fuck.” “What the fuck” gives you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future.” – Curtis Armstrong, “Risky Business”
The situation: Miles and Joel are having a discussion. Joel is trying to way his options and Miles has more of a direct, “let’s do this” attitude.
What it means to me: Language aside, sometimes you gotta take a chance. You don’t always know how things are going to turn out.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the trip down Movie Quote Lane.
-Chas
