Sorry about the long absence.

Y'know, Christmas and all that nonsense.

"They don't need to act, they need to be."

From Shadow of the Vampire (2000). In this scene the director,

Dr. Murnau, is referring to the extras he picked, who were just random people in a pub in eastern Europe..

"What's the difference between a human and a lump of rotting meat? About one week."

To be perfectly honest, I don't know what book this is from, I think it's from a Kurt Vonnegut book, but I'm not sure which one. I wrote this quote down a while ago and just sort of abandoned it. I'm putting it up though, because it made me laugh a little.

"That's the most intelligent use of three wishes I ever heard of,"

"'That's the most intelligent use of three wishes I ever heard of,' he told the bird. 'You made sure you'd still have something worth wishing for- to get out of the cage'"

Another quote from a Kurt Vonnegut novel, this time from Breakfast of Champions. Unfortunately I don't have a lot to say about this one.

"I was a failure- I was a failure and I get very sad and depressed about it..."

This is from American Movie. It's a documentary about a guy who has devoted his life to making films. It's a fascinating film for any aspiring filmmakers out there. It's a fascinating film for anyone looking for the American dream. This movie carries every imaginable facet of modern America. As long as America has alcoholics, movies, divorce, family values, friends and the right to pursue your dreams, this movie will be relevant.

"quotation of excerpts in a review or criticism for purposes of illustration or comment..."

"The 1961 Report of the Register of Copyrights on the General Revision of the U.S. Copyright Law cites examples of activities that courts have regarded as fair use: 'quotation of excerpts in a review or criticism for purposes of illustration or comment; quotation of short passages in a scholarly or technical work, for illustration or clarification of the author’s observations; use in a parody of some of the content of the work parodied; summary of an address or article, with brief quotations, in a news report; reproduction by a library of a portion of a work to replace part of a damaged copy; reproduction by a teacher or student of a small part of a work to illustrate a lesson; reproduction of a work in legislative or judicial proceedings or reports; incidental and fortuitous reproduction, in a newsreel or broadcast, of a work located in the scene of an event being reported.'"
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

So, I decided I'd start posting clips I edited out myself instead of trying to find them online. That didn't work out so well. Apparently I'm violating U.S. copyright laws and this doesn't qualify as 'fair use.' How does posting 1:30 long clips not qualify under 'fair use' laws? This is free promotion Universal Studio's lawyers, I suggest you take advantage of it.

"The loneliest part of the book comes... when the man accidentally sees Dracula setting his table."

[Referring to the novel, Dracula]
Max Schreck: It made me sad.
Albin: Why sad?

Max Schreck: Because Dracula had no servants.

Albin: I think you missed the point of the book, Count Orlock.

Max Schreck: Dracula hasn't had servants in 400 years and then a man comes to his ancestral home, and he must convince him that he... that he is like the man. He has to feed him, when he himself hasn't eaten food in centuries. Can he even remember how to buy bread? How to select cheese and wine? And then he remembers the rest of it. How to prepare a meal, how to make a bed. He remembers his first glory, his armies, his retainers, and what he is reduced to. The loneliest part of the book comes... when the man accidentally sees Dracula setting his table.

This movie is perfect. period. this is the kind of movie that you sit in front of the TV, totally dumbfounded, long after the credits roll. The movie in question is Shadow of the Vampire. It's about the filming of Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens. However, there's a twist; the director, Mernau (played by John Malkovich), hires an actual vampire (played by Willem Dafoe). My expectations were really high for this movie and it still blew me away. Everyone reading this has to go and humt down this movie immediately.

EDIT:

OK. apparently if I keep the videos short enough, Universal's lawyers don't care.

"If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe."

This is from Carl Sagan's documentary series; Cosmos, which is scientifically proven to double your IQ if you watch the whole thing. This particular quote has been remixed by an amature DJ who calls him\herself Melody Sheep using an audio effect called auto-tune.

"I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire, don't touch me I'm a real live wire."

This was discussed on my facebook status, so I wanted to post it. Psycho Killer is easily one of my most loved songs, how can you not sing along? This song exemplifies how good the Talking Heads are at putting things into words in a way that makes you go "wow that sounds really neat"

"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles."

This one's from Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan. Mathias had to know this was coming when he asked me to be a guest writer.
Pretty much every line from this song makes me chuckle, its also famous for the music video in which Bob holds up a series of notecards with words different from the lyrics. I'm not as tech savvy as Mathias so I don't know how to add a youtube video, but I think all here know what video I'm speaking of.
I also like the line "You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows" from the same song.

EDIT:

I kept the video part of this music video intact since it's relevant.

-Mathias

"'Like hell it is.' I took it off and looked at it. I sort of closed one eye, like I was taking aim at it. 'This is a people shooting hat,'"

Oh, except for this one from Catcher in the Rye. this one I'm posting.

No quotes this weekend, sorry.

I just have too much work to do.

"Usually a pale creepy guy staring at you from across the dining area just means you're eating at Denny's."

This is a joke from the Rifftrax version of Twilight. If you don't know what Rifftrax (more famously known as Mystery Science Theater 3000) is, it's basically an audio commentary for a [usually bad] movie. The people doing the commentary spend the whole movie just making fun of everything going on on screen. If you're one of those people who really hates it when people talk during movies (even really bad ones), than this isn't for you; otherwise, you should definitely check this out.

"Fabulous. University education, you can't beat it."

This is from a forgotten gem of the world of British comedy called Blackadder. In fact, it was where quite a few famous comedians got their start, including: Stephen Fry, Hugh Lauri, and Rowan Atkinson.

"I tried to talk with God to no avail calling Him in and out of nowhere said if You won't save me, please don't waste my time."

This is a quote from the song Falling Down, by Oasis. Jamie D. recommended that I put a quote from Noel Gallagher up. Since this is the only song of theirs I listen to, I thought it would be a good pick.

"And you've just had some kind of mushroom and your mind is moving low"

This quote is from White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane. I think this song might be about drugs, just a guess.

"We got this man, we got this by the ass"

We'll, at least we thought so at the time...

From George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978).

"A little nothing, oh God, goes a long, long way"

This is yet another quote from God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. The most underrated novel by the most unappreciated novelist; Kurt Vonnegut. The quote is written in pencil on the walls of heaven, according to a short story written by the main character; Eliot Rosewater.

"People who count their chickens before they are hatched..."

"People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately."

Yup, it's that time again. Oscar Wilde is just keeps on saving my ass. I just hope I don't run out too quickly.

"If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now it's just a spring clean for the May queen"

Um... OK.

This is from Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin on Led Zeppelin IV. I wouldn't bother picking this one apart, it's just weird.

Happy Turkey Day!

"Don't fight it son. Confess quickly! If you hold out too long you could jeopardize your credit rating."

This is a quote from Brazil, a film by Terry Gilliam. This film is basically what would have happened if 1984 was written by Douglas Adams. However, I wouldn't recommend this film, it's not because it's too weird (I like weird); it just doesn't warrant the insane directing style Gilliam's other films do. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is all about drug trips, that needs to be crazy. Brazil is about bureaucracy, here, the craziness just gets distracting.

"Listen up you primitive screwheads; this is my boomstick!"

I just couldn't decide which quote to put, I didn't want to to two quotes from the same movie; not in the same day anyway. So, my deciding factor is that this quote is actually from Evil Dead III: Army of Darkness, so that makes it fair game. ha!

p.s. This is probably the most famous quote you're ever going to see on The Internet Quote Database.

"Groovy."

In a movie as cool as Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn, this is all you need to get a spot on The Internet Quote Database. Plus, this scene has some pretty cool Stanley Kubrick style camera work.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum."

This is a quote is from John Carpenter's They Live. They Live is a

strange film, even by John Carpenter standards. While not

necessarily all that weird in terms of plot, It has a mood and pacing

that makes it absolutely impossible to categorize.

"...We may have years, we may have hours, but sooner of later, we push up flowers."

"All day long, Manny, I sort through pure sadness. I find evidence, and I piece together stories. But none of my stories end well - they all end here. And the moral of every story is the same: we may have years, we may have hours, but sooner of later, we push up flowers."

Yeah, yeah. I know I've been going a little heavy on the video game quotes recently but goddammit, people just don't give them enough credit! Besides, I've been meaning to put a quote from this particular game for a while. The game in question is Tim Schafer's brilliant film noir masterpiece, Grim Fandango. In this scene, Membrillo is describing his job as a coroner to the main character, Mannuel Calavera.

"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups."

This is the caption on one of those demotivational posters from Despair Inc. that i saw a while back. I'm not entirely sure why but this quote has stuck with me for a downright staggering amount of time. I'd say there's a high likelihood that it will be my epitaph.

"Our preternatural purpose? To dream a race. To make a people from the weather."

This quote is from Martin Amis' Time's Arrow spoken by the narrator. I thought Mathias would appreciate it because we talked about it recently. Martin Amis stated that his main inspiration for the novel was the scene in Slaughterhouse 5 in which a bombing occurs backwards. Time's Arrow is written completely in reverse order, starting with the man's death and ending with his birth. The book is narrated by a "voice" who lives inside the main character, of whom the main character seems to be unaware. In the quote I chose the narrator is talking about what he experiences at Auschwitz, where the main character is an officer. Because he believes that time progressing backwards is the normal way of life, he believes that this man he is living inside is bringing thousands of people to life rather than killing them. I understand this book sounds strange, but if you have time to read a very short book, I would highly recommend it.

Name Change

It would appear I'm not the only blogger with an affection for Jeopardy, quotes and word play. There is not one, but two other blogs that involve the name Potent Quotables. But I have not failed in my originality, you see, the other two blogs are a gossip rag (featuring quotes from celebrities) and someone posting random things her friend said. So, at least I win in a war of classiness (this coming from the guy who just posted the intro to SotN). The new name may not be clever, but it'll do until I can find a replacement.

"What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets!"

Richter: Die monster you don't belong in this world!
Dracula: It was not by my hand that I am once again giving flesh... I was called here by humans who wish to pay me tribute.

Richter: Tribute!?! You steal men's souls and make them your slaves!

Dracula: Perhaps the same could be said of all religions.

Richter: Your words are as empty as your soul. Mankind ill need a savior such as you!
Dracula: What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk have at you!

This the most unintentionally funny dialog I've seen! I love this game.

The game is called Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It was developed and published by Konami.

"So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking..."

So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again.
The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older,
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

I seem to be having a short run of off days. So, I give you my favorite quote of all time, from my favorite song of all time, on my favorite album of all time, by my favorite band of all time. Which is, incidentally, Time by Pink Floyd on The Dark Side of the Moon. I was saving this one for a rainy day and, metaphorically, this is in fact a rainy day! how convenient.

"The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing."

I'm not in the mood for quotes today, so I've chosen another Oscar Wilde quote. Wilde has become my official standby for off days.

"And it made her look like a corpse to me, made me look like a corpse to her. 'there-' she said, 'that's what we'll look like when we're dead.'"

This is from Kurt Vonnegut's Mother Night. A fictional memoir about an American spy in WWII Germany named Howard W. Campbell, Jr. In the scene this quote was taken from he's describing a scene where his mother lights an alcohol fire in a saucer (presumably because she was a mentally unstable alcoholic). He says that he and his mother were afraid to talk to each other from that point forward.

"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world."

Some of my followers will scoff at this entry but the Half-Life series really is the Citizen Kane of video games in the sense that it created (as well as perfected) a unique kind of storytelling that would be impossible to do in any other medium. In addition to that, writer Marc Laidlaw created some of the best monologues in video game history, certainly better than anything you might have seen in theaters this year. Sure the G-man's voice is pretty campy but he still manages to be genuinely frightening. This isn't the best quote but it's the only one that doesn't contain massive spoilers.

"Life is much too important a thing ever to talk seriously about it."

This oddball Oscar Wilde quote is one that I've practically built my life's philosophy around. Plus, I had to balance out all the movie quotes.

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the War Room!"

This is a quote from Dr. Strangelove. A film from the brilliant mind of Stanly Kubrick.

Another quote submitted by Olivia S.

"Someday this war's gonna end."

This one is sort of two quotes in one. First you have "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." Then you also have "Someday this war's gonna end." These quotes are from Apocalypse Now and were submitted by Robert S.

"I felt like destroying something beautiful."

Today's quote was sort of suggested by my sister Olivia. it's from the scene in Fight Club after *spoilers* Tyler beats angel face to a bloody pulp. Unfortunately I can't find a video for this one.

"Under the cities lies a heart made of ground but the humans will give no love."

Still no suggestions... no matter, I've got dozens of these things in a file cabinet in a dark corner of my brain somewhere.

Today's quote comes from A Horse With No Name by the strangely named British folk-rock band America.

"We don't piss in your ashetrays, so please don't throw cigarettes in our urinals."

Since I have yet to receive any suggestion, this is another one of my favorites. It comes from Kurt Vonnegut's Pearls Before Swine A.K.A.: God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater.

"Wait! We can't stop here... this is bat country."

This blog is dedicated to quotes. Quotes from film, books, music, TV, Internet forums, your proctologist or even the homeless man who lives in your closet. They can be funny, insightful and maybe sometimes depressing. You leave suggestions in the comments section and, if your quote wins, I'll put it up in the next post with your name attached. be sure to cite your sources.

Today's quote is from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas