Top 10 Movie Quotes

I was asked to choose 10 quotes from movies and provide personal meaning behind each. So here they are:

10. "Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now, now... Here's looking at you kid." - Humphrey Bogart, Casablanca

Casablanca is a movie full of memorable quotes. This one, however, is my favorite. It comes near the end of the movie when Rick tells Ilsa she must get on the plane and leave without him. This is what makes the movie a classic. If he had gotten on the plane and left with her, it would be another forgettable movie no one would be talking about today. I think it's incredible and brave of him and shows his true love for her. In many of his movies, Humphrey Bogart's character seems like a shady person at first, but he ends up showing wisdom and character that I admire.

9. "Isms, in my opinion, are not good. A person should not believe in an ism--he should believe in himself." - Matthew Broderick, Ferris Bueller's Day Off

This quote is right to the point. Ferris Bueller is not really a bad kid, he just does things his own way.

8. "I gave her my heart, and she gave me a pen." - John Cusack, Say Anything

I don't think Say Anything is a cinematic masterpiece, but I love it anyway. It's a fitting movie about young love to watch when you're a teenager, but people of all ages can enjoy it. Cusack's character, Lloyd Dobler, is a noble underachiever who is trying to win the heart of the class valedictorian. When she breaks up with him, she gives him a pen to remember her by. That is not the end of the movie, but I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it.

7. Tony Montana: "Me, I want what's coming to me." Manny: "Oh, well what's coming to you?" Tony Montana: "The world, chico, and everything in it." - Al Pacino and Steven Bauer, Scarface

This represents to me how I look at life. I don't believe there is anything you should be afraid of. You can always dream big. I want to experience everything and not hold back.

6. "There's a million fine looking women in the world, dude. But, they don't all bring you lasagna at work. Most of 'em just cheat on you." - Kevin Smith, Clerks

This represents the kind of girlfriend I strive to be and you're lucky if you find. Fortunately, when you find an amazing significant other, doing nice things for them doesn't ever seem like work. When you find someone like that, keep them around. Known as Silent Bob, this is Smith's only line in the movie.

5. "So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day." - Ryan Gosling, The Notebook.

There is that one person in your life that you love with your entire soul and letting them go is a huge mistake. I'll admit that I cried when I watched this movie. It's because you can feel his love for her and you want so much for him to get her back because they are meant for each other. I think it's a very romantic and powerful story. It makes you think about what you would do for true love.

4. "When I'm good, I'm very, very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better" - Mae West, I'm No Angel

Mae West is an icon for me. She represents a confident, competent, strong, and sassy woman. She doesn't need a man's validation to get along in the world. This is just one of her many famous lines.

3. "What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word, and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down." - James Stewart, It's A Wonderful Life

I watch this movie every year around Christmas when it comes on TV. It always shocks me when people tell me they've never seen it. It might be old, but it is a must-see. While it can be a little cheesy at times, I think it does a pretty good job of convincing you that being alive isn't all that bad. Stewart's character, George Bailey, says this to his future wife Mary one night. It is a perfect example of the optimism you have when you're young.

2. "Hey, don't knock masturbation; it's sex with someone I love." - Woody Allen, Annie Hall

This quote doesn't have any real poignant significance, I just think it's funny. Annie Hall has many funny parts if you like sarcastic, self-deprecating humor. The movie is a reflection about Allen's character, Alvy Singer, and his relationship with Annie Hall, played by Diane Keaton. He is neurotic and she is ditzy. I first watched it with my mom and we laughed until we cried.

1. "Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." - Jack Nicholson, Easy Rider

Easy Rider is a great movie about two bikers in search of America. On the journey they encounter bigotry and hatred from small-town communities who despise and fear their non-conformism. One night, they are talking by the fire and get into a discussion about this opinion. Jack Nicholson's character makes a valid point that I think is still true to this day. Everyone wants to be free in theory, but it takes guts.