Monday, January 21, 2013

Top 20 Movie Title Line Deliveries


It’s all in a name, right? So much is dependent on the title of a movie. Everything from the film’s marketing campaign to initial (and often premature) likeability, a title can make or break a film for many, and the way in which it is implored can often leave people intrigued or rolling their eyes.

This list is dedicated to the best-spoken uses of titles in their respective films. Hope you enjoy my picks, and feel free to share some of your favorites!

Shane! Come back!”


 “He was smiling... that’s right. You know, that, that Luke smile of his. He had it on his face right to the very end. Hell, if they didn’t know it ‘fore, they could tell right then that they weren’t a-gonna beat him. That old Luke smile. Oh, Luke. He was some boy. Cool Hand Luke. Hell, he’s a natural-born world-shaker.”

“Concurrently, the military banned long hair on males; mini-skirts; Sophocles; Tolstoy; Euripedes; smashing glasses after drinking toasts; labor strikes; Aristophanes; Ionesco; Sartre; Albee; Pinter; freedom of the press; sociology; Beckett; Dostoyevsky; modern music; popular music; the new mathematics; and the letter ‘Z,’ which in ancient Greek means ‘He is alive!’”

“Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.”

“Seven-six-two millimeter. Full. Metal. Jacket.”

“Doctor…”
“What?!”
“Always do the right thing.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“I got it, I’m gone.”

“Billy, listen to me: white men can’t jump.”

“A guy told me one time, ‘Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.’”

“WELCOME TO THE ROCK.”

“Some folks call it a sling blade, I call it a Kaiser blade.”

“…………….It’s Jackie Brown.”

He got game.”

“Part of me thinks the kid’s right. He asks what he’s done to deserve this. He wants to stay here, fine. Let’s leave him and go home. But then another part of me thinks, what if by some miracle we stay, then actually make it out of here. Someday we might look back on this and decide that saving Private Ryan was the one decent thing we were able to pull out of this whole god-awful, shitty mess.”

“STOP!.......GO!”

“Do you have some coins?”
“Who wants the worm?”
“I’ll take it.”
“Hey Tenoch. Tenoch. Tenoch.”
“Yes?”
Y tu mamá también.”

“How happy is the blameless vestal’s lot/The world forgetting, by the world forgot/Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!/Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d.”

“Looked dead, didn’t I? But I wasn't. But it wasn’t from lack of trying, I can tell you that. Actually, Bill’s last bullet put me in a coma. A coma I was to lie in for four years. When I woke up, I went on what the movie advertisements refer to as a ‘roaring rampage of revenge.’ I roared. And I rampaged. And I got bloody satisfaction. I’ve killed a hell of a lot of people to get to this point, but I have only one more. The last one. The one I’m driving to right now. The only one left. And when I arrive at my destination, I am gonna kill Bill.”

“To those who say people wouldn’t look; they wouldn’t be interested; they’re too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter’s opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. Good night, and good luck.”

“I don't fuck with no kids. And if that girl only hope is you, well, I pray for her, because she’s gone, baby. Gone.”

“You tell me where we start, where we’re going, where we’re going afterwards. I give you five minutes when we get there. Anything happens in that five minutes and I’m yours. No matter what. Anything a minute on either side of that and you’re on your own. I don’t sit in while you’re running it down. I don’t carry a gun. I drive.”

60 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I can't remember what you think of 'The Hours', but that's another great one. That whole scene where Ed Harris says:

      "But I still have to face the hours, don't I? I mean, the hours after the party, and the hours after that..."

      It's ssooo melancholy and devastating.

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    2. The Hours is a great example of me being convinced that I don't like a film (which I didn't, stemming from my one viewing in '02) but after rewatching it, realize I really quite enjoy it. Harris is my favorite part about that film, and that scene you mentioned is exactly that: melancholic and devastating.

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  2. What I admire most about you, aside from your taste in films, is your memory. (or in case you don't have great memory, whatever archiving techniques you use to keep all this information around.)

    How did you even remember all these? Commendable.

    Really interesting list.

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    1. Wow, what a compliment. Thanks man!

      That's actually a tricky question for me to answer, usually because people think I'm joking or am some kind of Rain Man. But the honest answer is that I have a photographic memory, and once I see something, it just stays. Now, this isn't widespread to everything. If you asked me to do any type of long division, for example, I'd stare at you blankly, because math doesn't interest me. At all. But with film... well, it's kind of like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting: When it comes to that stuff, I could always just play.

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  3. That is a great list. Z is a film I'm planning to see in May for my annual Cannes marathon. Those are some great lines.

    Notably Cool Hand Luke.

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    1. Thanks man. Z is such a great great film. It really blew me away. Ferocious from frame one.

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  4. Great idea.

    Oh when Y tu mamá también happened, I was totally gobsmacked. Followed by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Margaret followed a similar formula, which I liked as well. Of course I love Kill Bill and Drive, so yaay!

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    1. Thanks :)

      Y tu mamá también, what a weird little title, you know? And then he SAYS it and you're like, "Oh... shit." It's perfect.

      I love the Kill BIll and Drive ones so much!

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  5. My favorite is within this exchange:

    "Syncopators - does that mean you play that fast music - jazz?"
    "Yeah. Real hot."
    "Oh. Well, I guess some like it hot. I personally prefer classical music."

    (Added bonus: one character mentions a "lost weekend" in The Apartment.)

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    1. Oh that's a great title delivery right there. I've never noticed the lost weekend line in The Apartment! That makes me really happy.

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    2. This is why Billy Wilder is a favorite of mine.

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    3. He was one of the all time greats. I'll forever love his work.

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  6. Very interesting list. The Alexander Pope one always makes me tear up.

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    1. Thanks man. Yeah the Pope delivery is really solid. Dunst did a good job there.

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  7. Great idea for a list! This was fun to read.

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  8. Awesome list! My favorite has gotta be Chinatown.

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    1. Thanks! That's such a perfect line, isn't it? Kind of says nothing, while saying it all.

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  9. Awesome list, Alex. You're putting me to shame lately with these great lists. Good Night and Good Luck was an inspired choice, as were Eternal Sunshine and Do the Right Thing. Chinatown is one of the classic examples from cinema history for sure. Nice job!

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    1. Ha, thanks Dan! I really like putting lists like these together. Tons of fun.

      Chinatown is probably the most classic title delivery ever - really glad people dig that one.

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  10. Totally. Freaking. Awesome. And so many movies on this list that I love. Well done! :)

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    1. Thank. You. So. Much! Glad you like these flicks!

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  11. Awesome choices! Chinatown is such a classic example I'm pretty sure it would be on everyone's list. LOVE the fact you used Jackie Brown, the way SlJ delivered that line was fantastic. Heat and Drive are terrific too.

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    1. Thanks! I love that you love the delivery of SLJ's "Jackie Brown." That look, the slow push-in, then BAM, it just clicks. Great stuff.

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  12. Cool quotes Alex and I like the whole idea of this post.

    I think my favorite from drive would be the shut your mouth one: "How 'bout this. You shut your mouth. Or I'll kick your teeth down your throat and I'll shut it for you"

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    1. Thanks! Oh that's a terrific line. Just the way he sharply turns his eyes and nails him with it. Perfect.

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  13. Flawless list. Eternal Sunshine and Kill Bill's deliveries are my faves from the list. My most definitive additions would be Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf and Mulholland Drive. They really stick out in my memory.

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    1. Thanks dude! Mulholland Dr. definitely almost made the cut, a love Watts' delivery there. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf is one I blankly looked over, but damn, that is a perfect pick.

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  14. Great choices. Love seeing the Gone Baby Gone, Jackie Brown, and Saving Private Ryan ones make the cut. I'd probably include Don Cheadle's one from Crash and any from In Bruges.

    By the way, my ballot is posted now. :)

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    1. Just left a comment on it! Great work man.

      See, in all honesty, if I made the opposite of this list, as in the worst title line deliveries, Crash would definitely be on it. There's too much emphasis on the word, and during the opening credits... ah, I dunno, it just doesn't sit well with me, for whatever reason.

      In Bruges though, now we're talking!

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    2. Just saw it. Thanks man!

      That's fair. Crash was one that popped into my head, but I'm not sure it would make the final cut. I'm sure I could find 10 better ones. :)

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    3. Yeah I try to take it easy on that flick, since so many people hate the hell out of it. But yuck to that title delivery. Ha!

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  15. Great list man, especially love to see Eternal Sunshine here, to this list I'd have to add:

    "Call it American History X."

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    1. Thanks dude!

      AHX is a great line delivery. Definitely considered that one. Avery Brooks really isn't in enough.

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  16. Wow, I had to check this list a few times to make sure, but how in the world did you miss the be all end all, title in ANY movie?!
    Wait for it you're going bowl over:

    "I'M SPARTACUS!... I'M SPARTACUS!... I'M SPARTACUS!"

    Whew... with that out of the way, "...but pirates seized the galley carrying this priceless token and the fate of the Maltese Falcon remains a mystery to this day..."
    "This is our independence Day!"
    "Dr. Strangelove, do we have anything like that in the works?"
    "Eventually it leads up to Revolutionary Road..."
    "It's called Inception"
    a recent but nonetheless great entry "Argo, f**k yourself!"





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    1. Ha, you're too funny. Yes Spartacus is a great choice. Indeed.

      I really like the eerie tone of the Revolutionary Road one, that's probably my favorite of the others you listed. Great picks all around.

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  17. This is just awesome. I take great pride in concocting lists that go off the beaten path and this is definitely off the beaten path. Very original. Much respect.

    My contribution is just to reflexively quote my favorite movie of all time: "For they are all there but one - I, Chingachgook, Last of the Mohicans."

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    1. Thanks man! I love unique lists as well, but there's always the risk of being too unique, you know? I honestly didn't know if people would dig this list at all, but I'm glad people seem to!

      Anyhow, great personal choice. That is such a powerful delivery.

      I didn't know that was your favorite film. It's a damn fine one indeed. That "I will find you" scene is just... wow. DDL on point.

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  18. Man, you always come up with the coolest lists! So many great choices here. Hard to pick a favorite, but I think mine might be Chinatown. That's one hell of an ending.

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    1. Thanks dude! Chinatown quote is forever iconic. Just a perfect delivery. Glad you dug the list!

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  19. I love the Kill Bill delivery! Possibly my favourite on the list.

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    1. I love what Uma does with that scene too - so intense. Bummer that it's cut from the Whole Bloody Affair version!

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    2. No it was there! You mean the: "Aware that her daughter is still alive?...."

      I remember wondering if he was going to cut it, but it's definitely there!

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    3. Same with the final line of Volume 1 :(

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    4. Oh really! I thought it was removed, that's good to hear.

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    5. Definitely not as effective when they're put together though.

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  20. I love this list. That intro of Kill Bill Vol 2. is just so bad ass makes me wish for a Deadly Viper Squad animated series

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    1. Glad you dig the list! Oh man, a DVS animated series would've been epic.

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  21. Halfway through this (excellent idea for a) list I was like "Man, Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind" has to be on there somewhere! Glad to see I wasn't disappointed.

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    1. Hell yeah man! Glad you liked the list and weren't disappointed!

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  22. Fantastic list! I like the line when the title for Catfish is explained. Also, I know this isn't really a line delivery, but I like when they reveal the meaning of "Moonrise Kingdom." I thought that was super sweet.

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    1. Thanks! Oh the Moonrise Kingdom explanation really was nice. I had forgotten that. Good call.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

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  23. I'm late but:

    She was my Rushmore, Max.

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    1. Never too late to deliver a classic. Good call there.

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  24. "Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A DARK KNIGHT."

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  25. This is one of your most underrated posts. I. Love. It.
    Mine would be (if it counts): "Shit, man, I'm a natural born killer."

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    1. Thanks man! And yeah, that one definitely counts.

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