Favorite Movie Quotes

Unlike my husband who tends to memorize movie dialogue and then speak along when he watches the movie again, I tend to be one who remembers how a movie made me feel. So, I decided to write about my favorite movie quotes and their emotional impact on my life. From the classic, Gone With the Wind to Roadhouse, my movie quotes are as diverse as my hobbies. Let's explore the lessons I have learned from the movies in my life.

1. First on my list of favorite movie quotes has to be from the great classic, Gone With the Wind. Scarlett O'Hara, played by the beautiful Vivien Leigh says the famous words, "After all, tomorrow is another day." Scarlett may have been talking about Rhett here, but the underlying meaning of this quote is hope and determination. Scarlett is strength personified and these words express the depths of her convictions. Scarlett may not have been the nicest of characters, but she was definitely no quitter. These words and the depiction of Miss Scarlett's determination have helped me be a stronger person in many aspects of my life.

2. My next three favorite movie quotes come from the movie, Karate Kid, starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. I remember seeing this movie and feeling such a combination of emotions. I was angry at the other boys who kept bullying Daniel and their teacher for teaching them not to show any kindness or mercy. I remember feeling all weak and mushy inside because I thought Ralph Macchio was the most gorgeous boy on the planet. I also felt inspired to do my best. The words spoken to Daniel by Mr. Miyagi, "...get squish just like grape..." always made me laugh because the accompanying movements and sound from Mr. Miyagi. However, these words reminded me not to do things halfway and that I had to be on one side of an issue or the other, being in the middle will get you "squish just like grape."

3. This next movie quote also hails from Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi is talking to Daniel about some karate students who had been bullying him. Mr. Miyagi is telling Daniel that the students are only doing as their teacher is telling them. "Teacher say, student do," with these words Mr. Miyagi is telling Daniel there are no bad students, only bad teachers. This quote brings assorted reactions in our home as I am the teacher and the boys are always looking for an excuse for a bad day of homeschooling. All in all the words, "teacher say, student do," makes me feel both honored and scared that I am a teacher. I am a teacher and I am waiting for the students to do.

4. Another great movie quote from Karate Kid is all about balance. "Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home. Understand?" These words are spoken by Mr. Miyagi to Daniel but they could have been spoken directly to me. I have searched for a long time to find a way to make life better and balance is the answer. Daniel is wanting to do more advanced techniques and Mr. Miyagi is reminding him that in order to improve, a good foundation of the basics must first be in place. Mr. Miyagi wasn't just speaking about karate, he was speaking about life.

5. The following great movie quote from My Big Fat Greek Wedding also gets laughs in our home. "The men may be the head of the house but the women are the neck and they can turn the head anyway they want." In the movie, Maria Portokalos (Lanie Kazan) is telling Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) that although her dad is upset about her being in love and marrying a non-Greek, she (Maria) being the "neck" of the house can turn him around. Being the only woman in a houseful of men, I can find amusement in this quote. These words also help remind me that although I might be able to "turn the head" of the house, it should be done responsibly.

6. "Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live. At least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that...for one chance...just ONE CHANCE to come back here to tell our enemy that they may take our lives, but they will never take OUR FREEDOM!!!" Famous words spoken by Mel Gibson portraying William Wallace in the movie Braveheart. I am inspired by these words just as his fellow countrymen were. Freedom, something which so many take for granted these days, is precious and without it our lives become so much less meaningful. Some would even be so bold as to say without freedom life is meaningless. As stated prior, I am inspired by these words, I am inspired to thank God each and every day for my freedom and for those who sacrificed all in order that I may be free.

7. Ah, the movie, Forrest Gump, laden with a bounty of famous and inspirational quotes brings to my mind the following words, "Run, Forrest, Run!" These words spoken by Jenny (Robin Wright Penn) to Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) as she encouraged him to run away from the boys bullying him. The inspiration from these words to me is that sometimes I need to "run" from a conflict instead of making a stand. I'm not saying I should never verbalize my opinion, but to "run" until I am sure I am not going to inflict pain. I believe that we should all life by the golden rule of treating others how we would like to be treated. I think that "running" when scared or angry is a good way to ensure you have the time to collect your thoughts and present them in a civilized and assertive manner.

8. "What we do in life echoes in eternity." this memorable movie quote fell from the lips of Russell Crowe as he portrayed Maximus in the movie Gladiator. These words speak to me of how I live my life. If I perform evil deeds then the effects of those deeds echo into eternity and the same for the good. I believe that how I live my life today is going to affect my life tomorrow.

9. Another inspirational movie quote surprisingly comes from the movie Roadhouse. Patrick Swayze portrays a bouncer named Dalton who says these words, "Nobody ever wins a fight." In my opinion truer words have never been spoken. Fighting leads to losing on all sides whether it be the physical aspect or the loss of dignity. Dalton used these words to train his crew at the Double Deuce, I use these words to live my life.

10. Last on my list of favorite movie quotes is, "I'll get all the sleep I need when I'm dead." These famous words spoken in the deep drawl of Sam Elliot as Wade Garrett in Roadhouse echo in my mind. Wade is telling Doctor Elizabeth Clay (Kelly Lynch) he is too tough to need sleep after Dalton, Doc, and himself have been out all night partying. This quote is (according to my husband) my personal mantra. He keeps telling me I don't get enough sleep because I'm afraid I'll miss something, I keep telling him I don't need as much sleep as he does and that I have too many other things to do.

This concludes the list of movie quotes which have helped shape my life in the past and continue to do so today. How about thinking about some personal favorites or watch a movie and maybe create a new list of favorites? Happy movie watching.