• Welcome to BookAndReader!

    We LOVE books and hope you'll join us in sharing your favorites and experiences along with your love of reading with our community. Registering for our site is free and easy, just CLICK HERE!

    Already a member and forgot your password? Click here.

Movie Quotes and Language

Occlith

Occlith

Well-Known Member
The American Film Institute (AFI) will have a televised program "AFI'S 100 Years . . . 100 Movie Quotes: America's Greatest Quips, Comebacks and Catchphrases" to count down America's 100 greatest lines of dialogue spoken in the movies.
A jury will choose up to 100 movie quotes including entries such as "Here's lookin' at you, kid" (Casablanca), "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" (Gone With The Wind), "Why don't you come up sometime and see me?" (She Done Him Wrong), "May the Force be with you" (Star Wars), "I'll be back" (The Terminator) and "Show me the money!" (Jerry Maguire).
The jurors have been asked to consider the following criteria in making their selections:
Movie Quote:
A statement, phrase or brief exchange of dialogue spoken in an American film.
Legacy:
Movie Quotes that viewers use to evoke the memory of a treasured film, thus ensuring and enlivening its historical legacy.
Cultural Impact:
Movie Quotes that viewers use in their own lives and situations; circulating through popular culture, they become part of the national lexicon.

AFI'S 100 Years . . . 100 Movie Quotes.


Film and television has a cultural impact on the language in the USA. Quotes from film and from TV programs are used in speaking and writing; usually used informally, sometimes not.

I would like the opinions of forum members not living in the USA :

Do quotes from movies or television make an impact on the language or culture of your country? This can include quotes from domestic or foreign films.
Do "experts" in language or culture disapprove of their use?

For any forum members:

Do you use movie and television quotes in conversation or in your writing? Do you mind hearing them; are they overused?
 
Sure, movies are an intrinsic part of our society. Imagine if someone from even 100 years ago somehow found themselves here and now.

-So what did you do Saturday?
-I went to the movies and saw The Polar Express.
-Oh yeah, how was it?
-Huge disappointment. Good computer effects, but no plot. Just a cheap Shrek.
-That bad, eh? It is a kid's movie though.
-Yeah, but even kids need some substance. Trust me, it'll never stand up to the Grinch.
-How about the Rudolf?
-Come on now, that's like comparing Episode 1 to A New Hope!
-No kidding! You don't think it'll win an Oscar then?
-Hope not. That would be the epitome of bad judgment.
-Like ever casting Leo D again?
-Well, almost... ;)
-Anyways, time to fly. I have a hot date with a Harrison Ford look-a-like.
-Sounds cute! May the force be with you tonight! ;)
-Hasta la vista, baby!
 
The movies I hear referenced most often are Quest for the Holy Grail, Clerks, and Office Space. I think it's the "cult" movies that have crept into slang, by quoting those you reaffirm your membership in the group.
 
Some TV and movie quotes are over-used, but I don't really mind hearing them. I can't really remember many that I use right now, but one that has definitely passed into common usage is "I have a cunning plan" from Blackadder. Nearly everyone uses that! :)
 
I think most of the movie quotes people use are way over my head. Like I didn't even know "what we have here is a failure to communicate" came from the movie Cool Hand Luke (I think that's right, right?). Besides, I speak Dutch, so not much English quotes come up, unless I'm with this one friend who's incredibly good at making fun of everything. We tend to get sidetracked then.

No, I don't think it has much of an impact in standard conversation; it's only when the conversation takes a certain tone that the quotes come out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top