4. "Plastics"-The Graduate (1967)
Dry humor at its finest. something about a college graduate makes everybody think that they need to give them important advice. something about the way Mr. Robinson has his arm around Ben Braddock, the sheer cockiness that what he has to say is going to blow his mind with how smart it is. That pause right before he says it that lasts just long enough to make it awkward. And of course the pure irony that the movie displays it as silly advice, and that investing in plastics ended up being very good advice seeing how many things are manufactured in plastics since the '60s.
Dry humor at its finest. something about a college graduate makes everybody think that they need to give them important advice. something about the way Mr. Robinson has his arm around Ben Braddock, the sheer cockiness that what he has to say is going to blow his mind with how smart it is. That pause right before he says it that lasts just long enough to make it awkward. And of course the pure irony that the movie displays it as silly advice, and that investing in plastics ended up being very good advice seeing how many things are manufactured in plastics since the '60s.
3. "Rosebud"-Citizen Kane (1941)
Not only one of the most famous one-word lines, one of the most famous lines in general. Considered to be one of the greatest films ever and the whole film revolves around this man's last words, the way he says it, the zoom in on the lips, the gentleness of it, you can tell how much he cared about it. The twist of what it represents; it leaves you in such mystery when he says it. Its a great way to kick off the film, you need to know the meaning of what this word means to this man.
2. "Elaine!"-The Graduate (1967)
I had hard time choosing the shouting of names, "Adrian!", "Shane!", "Stella!". I'm sure you are surprised I didn't pick the one from my favorite film. Something about the beat change that occurs in this line is just great. You have Dustin Hoffman running all around trying to find the love of his life, to the tune of Mrs. Robinson. It's very fast paced, driving fast, running fast. He's all out of breath. Then he stops. The music goes quiet. There is a large window of glass separating him from Elaine. He's seeing the worst thing he can see and if only there is something he could do. your heart has stopped wondering what will happen. "ELAAAIINNEE!" with the pounding on the glass the pure essence of "I don't want you to do this, I love you, I want you, I'm sorry, come with me, I don't want to lose you." all boiled down to one word yelled, and the way he pounds on the glass almost like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. I love that moment so much.
I had hard time choosing the shouting of names, "Adrian!", "Shane!", "Stella!". I'm sure you are surprised I didn't pick the one from my favorite film. Something about the beat change that occurs in this line is just great. You have Dustin Hoffman running all around trying to find the love of his life, to the tune of Mrs. Robinson. It's very fast paced, driving fast, running fast. He's all out of breath. Then he stops. The music goes quiet. There is a large window of glass separating him from Elaine. He's seeing the worst thing he can see and if only there is something he could do. your heart has stopped wondering what will happen. "ELAAAIINNEE!" with the pounding on the glass the pure essence of "I don't want you to do this, I love you, I want you, I'm sorry, come with me, I don't want to lose you." all boiled down to one word yelled, and the way he pounds on the glass almost like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. I love that moment so much.
1. "Freedom"-Braveheart (1995)
The message of the film clearly yelled. A martyr dying for the purpose of freedom, "any last words?", sure how about I scream why I'm doing this and let it echo in the ears of theater-goers for years after they see the movie. I can't think of a more passionate, emotion filled cry in any other word in any other movie. I know the movie is really drilling in the point of the idea but I really consider Braveheart the ultimate movie about freedom (well actually Spartacus, but Braveheart is a close 2nd). It would be like if the Movie Gandhi ended with Gandhi screaming "PACIFISM!". you really feel how important this man believes in the idea that he is fighting for and dying for.
The message of the film clearly yelled. A martyr dying for the purpose of freedom, "any last words?", sure how about I scream why I'm doing this and let it echo in the ears of theater-goers for years after they see the movie. I can't think of a more passionate, emotion filled cry in any other word in any other movie. I know the movie is really drilling in the point of the idea but I really consider Braveheart the ultimate movie about freedom (well actually Spartacus, but Braveheart is a close 2nd). It would be like if the Movie Gandhi ended with Gandhi screaming "PACIFISM!". you really feel how important this man believes in the idea that he is fighting for and dying for.
This is going to be a hard one. Mainly because you chose two of the best (Rosebud and Freedom) right off the bat. I'll try to come up with a list that would bring diversity in the proceedings and at the same time point out that both quotes I'd otherwise put on my list are B.S.. "Rosebud" was said to no one so how could the newspapermen and their editors know what Charles Kane's last words were? As for "Freedom;" never actually materialized for the Scots both during William Wallace's time and just a few weeks ago.
4. "Toga!" from Animal House (1978)
I had been building an impressive DVD collection for years by the time my freshman year of college came. The first film I watched in my college dorm room on my brand-used 12 inch screen TV was National Lampoon's Animal House; still the absolute gold standard for college themed movies. What better way to exemplify the films bacchanalian spirit than with Bluto (John Belushi) screaming "Toga!" at the top of his lungs? With those immortal words the boys of Delta House muster up the materials for a "Roman Toga Party...which received more than two dozen reports of individual acts of perversion SO profound and disgusting that decorum prohibits listing them here."
3. "Khaaan!" from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Captain Kirk; a man so resourceful he battled a Gorn using only his hands and ingenuity. A man who tricked the NOMAD with a contradictory statement and spotted a cloaking Bird of Prey from the dark recesses of space (yes I know I'm a nerd). Kirk finally meets his match with Khan Noonien Singh. Khan had just taken the Genesis Machine and left Kirk and his crew marooned in the center of a dead planet. With no plan of action or escape, Kirk lets out a blistering yell, screaming out the name of his foe. So next time you're back is up against a corner try yelling in Shatneresque fashion. It might make you feel better.
2. "Bueller?" from Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Actor, writer, comedian, political commentator and evolution denier Ben Stein has made a career out of being the the least liked guy in the room. No where is that more clear than in Ferris Bueller's Day Off a film I personally don't like that much but admit its memorable. Ben Stein plays a bit part as a droning History teacher who calls Ferris's name during attendance, only to find that once again the habitually truant student is not at his desk. Where is he? Ruining a parade, sneaking into a 4-star restaurant, going to a Cub's game and wrecking his sick friend's car all for his sick satisfaction.
1. "Whoa" from The Matrix (1999)
Oh Keanu Reeves. Despite such a limited range, the man is in so many memorable films and is given a good amount of priceless lines. If it's not the hundred or so "bogus's" in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1991) or Johnny Mnemonic (1995) "It's a Fish," there's this gem from The Matrix which 1. does a good job expressing my thoughts on the Wachowski Siblings masterpiece and 2. expresses my disbelief of his impressive career. The man played Buddha for godsakes! Not well but he did! He has one hell of an agent.
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