Know that line? It's from a movie. If
you don't, it's time you did.
Like most life-altering ideas, it began as a scheme to make lots of
money.
I'm not talking about a scene from Ocean's Eleven - although I will
be. I'm talking about a plan a friend and I have to pen a book made
up almost entirely of other people's words - a book that examines
memorable quotes from movies. You know, one of those
bathroom-reading tomes you see at Urban Outfitters. But not just
trite lines that became catchphrases, like "May the Force be with
you" (Star Wars), "We're on a mission from God" (The Blues
Brothers), or "Show me the money" (Jerry Maguire). Reusable quotes
that you can, and should, work into everyday conversations to not
only amuse yourself, but test others' knowledge of pop culture. For
example, from the films mentioned so far, these obscure or
under-used lines would work well in the following situations:
When a family member catches you in a fib, channel Star Wars:
[waving fingers in person's face] "These are not the droids you're
looking for."
When you're being pulled over for speeding, before the officer gets
there, turn to your passenger and recite
Dan Aykroyd's line from
The Blues Brothers: "I bet those cops got SCMODS."
When your buddy buys you a beer, recall Jerry Maguire: [quietly,
voice shaking] "You ... complete me." (Okay, that line's not
exactly original, but, let's face it, how often are your buddies
buying?)
When someone asks where you live, quote from the place this story
got its headline,
Mel Brooks' History of the World: Part I: [do a
shim-sham dance and slap your hands] "A hundred and twenty-fifth
street!"