If You Say So...

 Some of my favorite dialogues from various films

My Best Friend’s Wedding(1997)

Julianne: I'm pond scum. Well, lower actually. I'm like the fungus that feeds on pond scum.

Michael: Lower. The pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum. On the other hand, thank you for loving me that much, that way. It's pretty flattering.

Julianne: Except it makes me fungus. 

   

Juno(2007)

Bren: Oh, you think you're so special because you get to play Picture Pages up there? Well, my five year old daughter could do that and let me tell you, she's not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed. So why don't you go back to night school in Mantino and learn a real trade.

Pulp Fiction(1994)

Jules: The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

My Cousin Vinny(1992)

Vinny Gambini: I bought a suit. You seen it. Now it's covered in mud. This town doesn't have a one hour cleaner so I had to buy a new suit, except the only store you could buy a new suit in has got the flu. Got that? The whole store got the flu so I had to get this in a second hand store. So it's either wear the leather jacket which I know you hate, or this. So I wore this ridiculous thing for you.

The Dark Knight(2008)

Harvey Dent: You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

The Joker: This city deserves a better class of criminal. And I'm gonna give it to them!

As Good As It Gets(1997)

Carol: I don't quite get how that's a compliment for me.

Melvin: You make me want to be a better man.

Carol: ...That's maybe the best compliment of my life.

Melvin: Well, maybe I overshot a little, because I was aiming at just enough to keep you from walking out.

Inception(2010) 
Cobb: Dreams fell real when we're in them. Its only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange

Goodfellas (1990)

Tommy DeVito: I'm a little f*cked up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to f*ckin' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

The Sound of Music(1965)

Maria(to Butler):  I'm from the convent. I'm the new governess, captain.

Butler: And I'm the old butler, fräulein.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring(2001)

Galadriel: The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

Inglourious Basterds(2009)

Lt. Aldo Raine: You probably heard we ain't in the prisoner-takin' business; we in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, business is a-boomin'.

The Godfather(1972)

Don Corleone: I'm gonna make him an offer he won't refuse.

No Country for Old Men(2007) 

Anton Chigurh: What's the most you have lost in a coin toss? 

A Life In Movies Part II: 1986 to 2000

Here Goes the second part of Life In Movies for the Remainder of my Life.

2000: Memeto. Christopher Nolan made very good impact in his very first movie. Most notable is the way of storytelling – starting at the end and then coming towards start. You know how this is going to end in very first scene but it doesn't k kill suspence for you, it builds on it. Other movies that deserve to be mentioned: Chocolat, Traffic.

1999: The Matrix. It took me long time to understand this movie and then like it. However, over the years I have learnt to appreciate it, especially after watching next two parts(For the record, Second one was OK but I hate last one). Greatness of this movie lies in that amazing concept of artificial reality created by your own mind. Other movies that deserve to be mentioned: The Green Mile and The Sixth Sense.

1998: Saving Private Ryan. I think this is the best war movie made ever, afilm of great Vision and scope. It also has some of the most memorable moments. Opening war scene at Omaha Beach - I usually find myself stopping at this point to catch my breath and then Tom Hanks speech after he lets POV go - Golden moments. It is quite an experience that you live with while watching a film. Notable Mentions: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, American History X and Life Is Beautiful.

1997: One of my Favorite years. There are so many movies made this year that I love. As Good As It Gets, Good Will Hunting, My Best Friends Wedding - List goes on and on. However, best movie of the year to me was The Sweet Hereafter. It is an extremely honest and painful Canadian movie which I have talked about earlier here. Special Mention: Children of Heaven.

1996: Jerry Maguire, for the lack of better option. For some reason, I do not appreciate many of supposed great movies made this year - The English Patient, Fargo. They are not bad movies rather they are good just not good enough to make in my favorite movies. maybe, I am missing some good ones...

1995: The Usual Suspects. Nothing is as it seems in the multilayer-ed, velvety movie. In the end, when Kevin Spacey breaks his limp and starts walking normally was one of worst moments of my cinematic experience. I just could not believe it. IF there are points for an ending, Usual Suspects will get 100/100 for unusual, unsuspecting ending. Notable Mention: Se7en

1994: Pulp Fiction. Outrageously violent and time-twisting but extremely influential film And we have many equally influential films in the same year e.g. The Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump or should I just say a typical Tarantino Film? But believe me, even Tarantino will find it very difficult to better this. And Samuel Jackson reciting Ezekiel 25:17. HEAVEN!! 

1993: Schindler's List: This movie is a rare combination of being an uplifting as well as disturbing. One of the best works of Spielberg's career as well as any holocaust movies made. Spielberg handles this controversial, sophisticated story with real sensibility. Others worth mentioning: Philadelphia, Groundhog Day, The Big Lebowski.

1992: A Few Good Men. There are very few examples of monologues better than Jack Nicholson's testament at the very end of the movie which leaves you flabbergasted. Jack Nicholson has a very small part to play, but even during that time he leaves you in awe. Others worth mentioning: My Cousin Vinny, Scent of a Woman.

1991: The Silence of the Lambs. One of the only 3 films to win all the big Oscars, Best Film, Actor, Actress, Director and Screenplay and I wouldn't doubt it especially Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. Other Notable mentions: JFK, Terminator 2: Judgement Day. 

Now, this is going to be a real test. For some reasons, there aren't many personal favorite movies during 80's. Give me 70's and I am much more comfortable. I am still going to try my best.

1990: Goodfellas. One of the legendary films Scorsese made during his equally legendary career. Its legendary status was elevated by Academy's snub over Dances with Wolves (REALLY??) However Goodfellas is a kind of film which will appear on almost any Best of XXXX List I will make. Runner-Up: Pretty Woman.

1989: Just one of the years I hate 80's for. It isn't a case that there are not any good movies, it had Crimes and Misdemeanors, Steel Magnolias, Glory and When Harry Met Sally. They just aren't good enough. Ok. Crimes and Misdemeanors for the lack of better option.

1988: Grave of the Fireflies. One more tearjerker. But it is an extremely touching story, specially the character of Satsuko. As adorable as little girl from Monsters. Inc(2001). This film leaves its impression on you long after you have seen it. Other Notable Mentions: Cinema Paradiso, and Rain Man. 

1987: The Last Emperor even though it is little too lengthy. and Just like 1989, there are few good movies as well like Wall Street, The Princess Bride and Moonstruck.

and Finally 1986: Platoon.  This is closest a war movie can be Anti-War. Oliver Stone directorial debut venture is brutal but realistic account of a soldier's experience in Vietnam War. Stone himself served in Vietnam and film is pretty much based on his experiences itself. Runner Up: Hannah and Her Sisters, Aliens.

So How does it Look?

These are a Few of my Favorite Things…

Rowan Atkinson forgetting names while attending his first wedding as Minister in Four Weddings and Funeral(1994). 

Dialogue delivery in Juno(2007) especially scenes with her best friend and very first scene in movie

Audrey Hepburn learning to break an egg in Sabrina(1954).

 Baby Voice in Monsters Inc.(2001).

Joe Pesci trying to understand his own sense of humor in Goodfellas(1990).

Henry Fonda producing the same knife in 12 Angry Men(1957).

Audrey Hepburn saying ‘Thank You’ after returning home in Roman Holiday(1953).

Cate Blanchett's Introduction of The Lord of The Rings: Fellowship of the Ring(2003). 

Glee and Grey’s Anatomy.

Whole Chase sequence in My Best Friend’s Wedding(1997) till Julia Roberts and Camerom Diaz’s fight in Ladies Room

Marisa Tomei as an expert witness in My Cousin Vinny(1992).

Julia Roberts, pretty much anywhere

“What’s the most you have lost in a Coin Toss?” Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men(2007)

Testimony of Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men(1992).

Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in their last interview in Frost/Nixon(2008).

Dan Brown and J.K. Rowling

Ingrid Bergmnn and Humphrey Bogart as a pair in Casablanca(1942).

Same Changes by The Weepies and Strip Me by Natasha Bedingfield from Morning Glory(2010).

Olympia Dukakis pushing Shirley MacClaine to be hit by Sally Field in Steel Magnolias(1989).

Jack Nicholson complementing Helen Hunt in As Good As It Gets(1997).

Samuel Jackson delievering Ezekiel 25:17. Pulp Fiction(1994).

Musicals from Singin' in the Rain(1952) to Mamma Mia!(2008).


And Yes, Christopher Nolan !!


 

Movies I watch again and Again

Somewhere in my 3^rd Year of Engineering, I borrowed an extended version of the whole “Lord of the Rings” Series – almost 11 hours Run Time; one of my friends and I still remember running home to watch it immediately. I think I started watching it around 6-6.30 in the evening and I was watching it the whole night till I finally finished it sometime in the morning. That was first of many more LOTR nights me and few of my friends had since then. I have seen those movies so many times that I know most of the dialogues by heart. Watching so much fighting, orcs and Gollum and other creatures my parents initially were little worried. They even tried talking me out of it. But now they walk out of the house whenever I put these movies on. Maybe they have given up on me now.

“Lord of the Rings” Trilogy is just one of the movies I watch time and again. Many times because I don’t remember certain dialogue in one of the scenes. That much trivial reason is enough for me to go back and watch those movies one more time. Sweet Home Alabama(2002), not a very well known film, but I have watched it at least dozen times. Reese Witherspoon and great dialogues of this movie make up for otherwise very predictable movie. Juno(2007) is about teen pregnancy- subject which tells me only one thing: ‘Stay Away!’ but believe me I can watch this movie any time any day. Jason Bateman and Ellen Page deserve a lot of credit to make such a movie and moreover make it thoroughly entertaining. Ellen Page even received her very first Oscar Nomination for this role.

Let us talk about some classics. 12 Angry Men(1957) took me by surprise the first time I saw it. I sure was expecting a good movie - courtroom drama with racial elements. It will take a special effort to fail such a movie. But 12 Angry Men takes it to another level. Movie does not go out of the jury room and does not let you out of your seat. During my second and third viewings of the film, I did a small exercise. Every time they used to take a vote in movie, I will stop and think How will I vote? and it was hell of a job.

And then there is Roman Holiday(1953). One of my very good friends in college used to talk very fondly of this movie. She still does. But back then I didn’t even know that there is a movie by this name. So, one fine day I saw Roman Holiday just because she insisted and I have seen it 7 times in last 2 years. Believe me; I would have enjoyed it as much even if it was a silent movie. No disrespect to Gregory Peck but Audrey Hepburn on the screen that’s all I need. Her pristine, divine beauty had me tongue tied. And yes, I still try and say ‘Thank You’ the way she does in this movie.                                                          

And there are many more. So many that I can go on for at least 2-3 more posts like this. However, I will limit myself to just list them here. Morning Glory(2010): Rachel McAdams all the way. She has put a display of emotions in this. Inglourious Bastards(2009): Show me a longer and better scene than the one in Bar with Diane Kruger and I will stop watching movies forever though Col. Hans Landa is a reason enough to watch is again and again, My Best Friend’s Wedding(1998): 'Julianne: I'm pond scum. Well, lower actually. I'm like the fungus that feeds on pond scum. Michael: Lower. The pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum'. I am all over the floor and I am watching it for umpteenth time. Sound of Music(1965): Songs, Songs and Songs. Priceless(2006),Sarfarosh(1999), Satya(1998), Walk the Line(2005), Casablanca(1942).