Memorable Movie Quotes
In its latest entry in the 100 Years Series, the American Film Institute is ranking the 100 most memorable movie quotes of all time. The evaluation is based on the degree to which a line has endured over the years and become a part of the popular lexicon. "Show me the money" is one of the nominees not because it is a brilliant line but because of the way it permeated throughout our culture, becoming the cool way to say, "I want what's mine" or "put your money where your mouth is."
Some of the nominees surprised me. They don't seem to be especially resonant or worthwhile. Reading others made me smile, as I enjoyed hearing them in my head and felt the same emotion as when I first heard them. It is, after all, the way the lines are delivered as much as the words themselves that make them endure "as time goes by." Sidney Poitier's conviction in saying, "They call me Mr. Tibbs" that lends the line its aura of authority, gives its staying power some thirty years after the movie opened.
For me, the most memorable line is "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," since it immediately came to mind. Second is "What we have here is failure to communicate," the signature line from Cool Hand Luke.
Results will be broadcast on CBS in June. In the meantime, play along if you like, noting your most memorable line.
Comments
The first out of my head was Dirty Harry: 'Go ahead, make my day.'
But my favorite is Cher in Moonstruck: 'Come on! Snap out of it!
Posted by: Mom | March 11, 2005 11:27 PM
"...Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes."
"E.T. phone home."
Posted by: Lesley | March 12, 2005 07:26 AM
They are all among the nominees. In my opinion, the best Dirty Harry line is from the original: "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?" Of course, it's the way Clint Eastwood says it, throuh gritted teeth, the menace in his voice, the way he underscores "punk" that makes it resonante.
Another line that I love but that isn't eligible is from last year's The Incredibles, when Frozone, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who can deliver a line with the best of them, demands of his wife, "Where is my supersuit?" Though her response might be even better. When he says he needs it for the greater good, she retorts, "I'm the greatest good you'll ever have."
Posted by: Jon | March 12, 2005 08:17 AM
best movie quote from aussi movie called BLURRED. "excuse me, whats that smell?" or in an old school flick called screwballs "i siad no talking" funny shit
Posted by: Princess Sami | March 14, 2005 06:25 AM
I would have done better were it not for the Eastwood mentions. I particularly like the scene in Pale rider where the girl is reading of the riders of the apocalypse and Eastwood appears through here window just as she reads:
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."
Posted by: Justin | March 14, 2005 03:15 PM