As I lay curled up on my couch nursing a hangover this weekend, I did what any good college student does when faithfully trying to uphold the age old tradition of procrastination. I dug out some old videos and refused to move (except, of course, to let the pizza guy in).A very important step in the art of procrastination is rationalization. My rationale, as I lay in a video-induced haze, was that I was engaging in a very important social ritual. How you ask? I was brushing up on my movie quotes.Think about it, there are some movies which will go down in pop culture history because of their quotability. And, these quotable classics create unique social bonds within our generation.My friends and I have had entire conversations based solely on favorite movie lines. I have bonded with complete strangers because of shared memories of favorite flicks. Certain movie lines are so classic that they act as a sort of secret code ‹ those that know the line are instantly accepted to join in the group. And, movie line jeopardy is always a favorite at gatherings.For me, it really began with “Animal House” and the classic line “don’t get mad, get even.” Then there was “The Outsider’s” with it’s lovable “Socs” and “greasers.” Of course one of the all-time classic flicks for quotes is “The Breakfast Club.” I’ll bet there isn’t a single gen-Xer who will be able to name her daughter Claire without thinking of Judd Nelson declaring it a fat girl’s name. Remember the toking-up scene and a scrawny Anthony Michael Hall philosophizing about women: “The chicks, can’t hold the smoke, that is what it is.” (OK I may not have that word for word correct, I was hung over after all).Anyway, this list of classics is long, but I would like to honor my personal favorite top 10 memorable movie moments:”Raiders of the Lost Ark,” for tough guy Harrison Ford’s “Why’d it have to be snakes?” line.Monty Python’s “Life of Brian,” for the ending scene in which a chorus of crusifixtionees sing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.””Better Off Dead,” for the always-funny psycho paperboy.”Reality Bites,” for the term “time suckage.””Pretty in Pink,” for the scene in which the Duckman lays a big wet one on Molly Ringwald’s boss.”Sixteen Candles,” for the scene where the freshmen pay to see Molly Ringwald’s panties.”The Breakfast Club,” when Molly Ringwald breaks down and screams “NO I NEVER DID IT!” (OK, yes, I think Molly Ringwald should be crowned queen of the 1980s).”The Princess Bride,” for the classic truism, “Life is pain! Anyone who says different is trying to sell you something.””Heathers,” for bringing us strip croquet and such great lines as “my after-life is so boring” and “you’re a Girl Scout cookie.”And, finally “Say Anything,” for the infamous buying/processing monologue, the title “keymaster” and the most romantic scene in Hollywood history as Lloyd Dobler holds up a boom box out side of Diane Court’s room playing the truly spectacular tune “In Your Eyes.”
Heather Luce is a senior majoring in journalism who is convinced that reciting movie lines is the most amusing way to deal with strangers.
