10 Movie Quotes, What they Mean and Why They're Important

Are you one of those people that throws around movies quotes, or are you the one who knows all the movies to which they are attached? I am one of those people, and I have friends on both sides. The looks on my friends' faces when you start a game of quote trivia, stumping your resident genius, or just absorbing the horror of the few that have no clue what language you are speaking when the game commences are reasons for the following 10 quotes. If you are not among the quote spouting, you will appreciate this as a way to fit in.

Now I could throw you the "Frankly Scarlet, I don't give a damn," of Gone with the Wind, or other truly classic lines. But, you could read that anywhere, so why would I not want to be different. I love movies, all kinds, shapes and styles. I want you to realize that the quotes I give you are fairly familiar, but they are also a little off the beaten track. They are great for the trivia aspect, but I want it to give you a new perspective on what you watch. Remember, when you think of great quotes, who are you going to be citing? The President? That's what I thought.

#10- "Don't cross the streams." This line from the original Ghostbusters is spoken by Harold Ramis. This short and to the point command takes place near the beginning of the movie when they begin using the nuclear back packs to catch ghosts. It begins a conversation where Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd discover that if the streams are crossed, it could reverse all the atoms in ones body and be the end of life as you know it. After a pregnant pause, Murray adds, "Good safety tip, thanks Egon." Oh if all safety tips could lead to such humor.

#9- "My sh** always works sometimes." Spoken by Will Smith in the first Bad Boys movie to Martin Lawrence and a couple of other vice cops. They are about to enter into an airplane hanger on the edge of the airport where a drug deal is going down, they are severely outnumbered and outgunned, and the drug dealers have a hostage, Julie (Tea Leone). The only plan they can come up with is to drive a garbage truck into the middle of the deal, and shot their way out until backup arrives. It works, but this line lives infamously in my mind, and is a great pull out when you have been designated to make the plans within your group.

#8- "Whoa." Insert Keanu Reeves movie here. Now, I know that sounds very strange, but in every original Reeves movie I have ever watched, he uses this expression. In the Matrix, he is standing on top of the building, having just watched Lawrence Fishburne jump over the street to another building. In that movie with Patrick Swayze, about the surfers who rob banks, he uses the quote again when he realizes that they are the thieves. But, most famous of all, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, where they did not have enough script for either of the title characters, so they just said, "Whoa!" whenever a response was necessary. When you repeat this one, say it like you have a single digit I.Q. and everyone who was alive in the late '80's should know what it is.

#7- "Bond, James Bond." These words are spoken in every Bond movie, from Goldfinger to Casino Royale. Speaking these words instantly spawns the "Who was the best Bond," question. Honestly, I think that Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, and Pierce Brosnan are the top three. All of these movies are great action, cool gadgets, and misogynist testimonies. Woman hater or not, I love Bond, and as long as they keep making movies I will go to see someone speak the famous words that usually lead to death, gunshots, and promiscuous sex. Go, James.

#6- "I only speak two languages, English and bad English." Who doesn't love Bruce Willis. He is a GREAT action film star. What was Demi thinking? Anyway, this comes from Fifth Element. Milla Jovovich, playing the title role, crashes through Willis's cab. A car (flying cars mind you) chase ensues, and he ends up tied into the whole save the world drama. He has to travel to an inter-galactic cruise ship, save the girl, and fall in love. But the comment is all inspired by the fact that Lelu (Jovovich) speaks no English when she falls into the taxi. She is ranting in the "Divine language" which is explained in a little while by the priest she is to help save the world. She turns to tears and reads "Please help," off an ad in the back seat, and off the story goes.

#5- "I'm a Mog, half man, half dog." Any Mel Brooks fan will tell you that John Candy said this in his roll as Barf in Spaceballs. This spoof of the VERY popular Star Wars has everything to recommend it. It makes fun of the characters in the trilogy with Pizza the Hut (Dom DeLuise), Lonestar (Bill Pullman), and Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga). In all the Brooks films, this is my favorite, though most of them do warrant a watch.

#4- "That's it. Cancel the kitchen scraps for widows and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas." Ahh, Alan Rickman playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Theives. This movie made him one of my favorite stars, and he keeps on surprising me. He was awesome in Die Hard, perfect inGalaxy Quest, and the quintessential Snape in all the Harry Potter movies. While in Robin Hood he plays the villain to Kevin Costner, he steals the show. This comment is prompted by finding out that Robin steals from him, forcing him to hurt the people, and they love him because he gives back what he steals. The sheriff is notably angry, after all, he just lost a big popularity contest.

#3- "Not everybody likes onions...." Eddie Murphy, playing the sidekick Donkey, says these words in the mega-hit Shrek. This is in response to hearing that ogres are like onions. This movie is about liking who you are, and though there is a happily ever after, the princess is not the regular Snow White or Cinderella. Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz make this film a complete round, and fill out the ranks. There was a good reason that this movie inspired not one, but two sequels. It is not just a kids' movie, in fact, I find the adult hints make it more for those over 20, than those under seven.

#2- "I'm not even supposed to be here today!" Any one having seen any of the Kevin Smith films will agree that he is brilliant. This exclamation comes from one of my favorites, Clerks. Brian O'Hallerhan plays Dante, a convenient store worker who is called in on his day off. Through the antics of the whole thing, it opens up the retail hell that too many endure. Dante learns too much about his current girl friend, bears witness to his ex's necrophelia, puts up with his co star who knocks over a casket and sells cigarettes to a four year old. This movie and all of Smith's films are definitely worthwhile. If nothing else, it makes you feel better about your life and your job.

And finally, probably my favorite quote of all time.

#1- "The Zen philosopher Bassho once wrote, a flute with no holes is not a flute, and a dough nut with no hole is a Danish. He was a wise man." Chevy Chase said these words in the '80s classic, CaddyShack. This movie was about golf and teenagers and sex and gambling. Chase, playing character Ty Webb, is speaking to the main character, Danny (Michael O'Keefe) about what he should do about going to college. The whole movie is amusing, and one of Harold Ramis's early films. Between this and the Ghostbusters movies, they are definite must haves for any movie collection. This quote is a great one for stumping the game of quote trivia, because with CaddyShack they expect to hear, "Hey, Llama, how 'bout a little somethin' for the effort?" spoken by Bill Murray as Carl the groundskeeper. That quote should always be followed with, "Oh, there'll be no money, but when you die, on your death bed, you will receive total consciousness." Everyone will be totally impressed.