My newest homework assignment for my Intro to Cinema class consists of me choosing 3 film quotes that should be included on the AFI (American Film Institute) Top 100 Movie Quotes, but aren't. Thing is, I also have to justify why I chose each movie quote: I'm not entirely sure why, but I'm having a hard time grasping that justification part when it comes to film quotes. I really can't quite figure out what would make a quote that important for anything but being memorable. Could you guys help? Maybe break down some quotes you think are important, and why?
I would say that it more has to do with theme/meaning of the film. Like, the quote encompasses what the movie is trying to say beyond a plot level. Like, one of the more famous lines from Silence of the Lambs is "have the lambs stopped screaming?" This is importAnt, not plot wise, but by the fact that Starling has grown as a person through her inner struggle. Subconsciously, we recognize that, and we have added that to a bit of our everyday culture by quoting it when we see someone overcome something. I recommend looking up Joseph Cambell's stuff about The Hero's Journey/Man With A Thousand Faces/Monomyth. It may help a lot. PS I just chose a random quote from the top of my head. I dunno if it's top 100. It's just an example.
Okay so wait, it has to be important but can't be on the list? That's weird but whatever here are some quotes I like. As for another reason it could be important, it could manage to summarize the films central ideas in a single line and give insight into why those ideas are important and worth discussing, be they social or moral or whatever. "Damn it Neil, the name is Nuwanda" - Dead Poets Society This quote gets me every time. It shows Charlie's loyalty to his friends and their cause even at the price of expulsion. Basically, he was willing to lose everything (and did) to protect his friends. It also drives home the importance of what these kids are doing and how far they're willing to go to fight the power. As for some context, well, Charlie adopted the name "Nuwanda" for some reason that I can't remember atm, and when he returned to his room from questioning and corporal punishment by the head administrator, Neil asked what he told them (as in asking if he sold out the club) and through eyes that had clearly been crying, Charlie said this quote with a smile. I would write much more, but I am exhausted and my brains kind of a mess. I just finished doing homework myself. Sorry
The story behind it makes it shine.. all the emotions that come up when remembering the film.. It's just like the OST before and after you saw the movie.. there is a great power of remembering, and accepting.. not only the words need to be right, but the movie must make sense with it. Tyler Durden's speaches at FIGHT CLUB, some of Clock work orange, and Even Commissionaire Gordon at Dark Knight are great![DOUBLEPOST=1378878935][/DOUBLEPOST]The story behind it makes it shine.. all the emotions that come up when remembering the film.. It's just like the OST before and after you saw the movie.. there is a great power of remembering, and accepting.. not only the words need to be right, but the movie must make sense with it. Tyler Durden's speaches at FIGHT CLUB, some of Clock work orange, and Even Commissionaire Gordon at Dark Knight are great!
Basically, a quote you would add to the Top 100 list, with movies (in primarily English) up to a release date within the year 2012. And you guys are missing the point of this: It needs to be more about this: Tummer's justification for his quote I THINK would work, since he describes how we use the quote, or something similar, for our own life experiences, but I personally never hear the quote >.> I'm thinking of Joker's quote, "Why so serious?" from The Dark Knight, but I'm just unsure if it would work. I don't know if it really had that much of a cultural impact, changed how people spoke, or showcased the human experience exactly. If I do use it, I might attempt justifying it with the 3rd choice (human experience.)
You know before you made this post my first thought was "He'll probably say 'Why so serious?' as one of the quote." And now that I see your post... well... Though in seriousness, Why so serious? has become somewhat of a small internet meme so you could say it had a cultural impact. Human experience could work, how do you plan on explaining it as human experience?
"screws fall out all the time, the world's an imperfect place" - Bender on The Breakfast Club Perfect quote, so simple and deep.
we like inside jokes. shit we can pull out in front of people who would only know what it's about and just get an ego boost from it.
I guess quotes are made famous/infamous based on context, the delivery/execution, the soundtrack of that moment, the lighting, the effects, etc. But what makes good quotes stick is that they are able to heighten and stir the dialogue/scenery's theme, message, or atmosphere. Take The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers and the scene at the end where Frodo asks Sam what are we holding on to? or something like that. Sam then says "That there is some good in this world..." The context being that they are in the midst of battle field and are already put off track to destroy the ring; his relationship with Frodo as his protector, but most importantly, his supporting friend; and of course, the struggle of the peoples of Middle Earth in a battle against an evil that still seems too overwhelming to overcome. Even not knowing what tribulations and challenges will come next, Sam musters up all the hope that's left within himself (which Frodo lacks in return) and is able to respond to him in a way that keeps them going on their feet for the last part of their journey. That moment was able to turn hesitation and doubt into hope and certainty.
Well, I think this one should be included, for the following reasons: "Bah Humbug." From, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge. Probably one of the best examples I can think of for affecting our culture, this quote has become a title for someone who openly doesn't like the festivities and/or the fuss about Christmas. Some people don't like shopping in crowds, some people don't like listening to Christmas songs about a billion times each, some people hate the snow. For whatever reason, these people are titled as Humbugs, or, they are given Scrooge's name even. I can't think of a more popular Christmas story, although there are many that come close, and I can't think of a Christmas story that has lasted for as long.
It seems like you guys keep missing the thing I've quoted twice now, but I think I've figured out how to write my justifications. Marushi seems to come closest so far. When it comes to The Dark Knight, Joker's quote ("Why so serious?") was so interesting to see, because it pretty much summarized his careless attitude, something that people weren't seeing in 2008's big films, especially since the United States of America was still in such a paranoid attitude after the 9/11 attacks. So many people kept thinking of what terrorists were planning, or what they're motivations were. The Joker, on the other hand, didn't have either plans nor motivations. He literally was "a dog chasing cars," and Heath Ledger's portrayal is still one of the most beloved performances in recent film history. The quote is used to this day, in order to almost make fun of someone else being severe. That's just a short version of my actual justification.
