My publisher asks all of the new authors to write a list of our ten favorite movies. Since I spent way more of my life in front of a screen than a page, this was easier than picking ten favorite books. Some of my favorite quotes are included.
1. Sherlock “A Scandal in Belgravia”
Adler: Everything I said–it’s not real. I was just playing the game.
Sherlock: I know. And this is just losing.
2. The Big Sick
Kumail: What’s my stance on 9/11? Oh um, anti. It was a tragedy, I mean we lost 19 of our best guys.
Beth: Huh?
Kumail: That was a joke, obviously. 9/11 was a terrible tragedy.
3. The Big Short
Mark Baum: Ok, I want you to walk back in there and very calmly, very politely tell the risk-assessors to fuck-off!
Vinnie Daniel: Gentlemen, I just spoke with Mark Baum and he says to ‘fuck off.’
4. Money Ball
Billy: Would you rather get one shot in the head or five in the chest and bleed to death?
Peter: Are those my only two options?
5. Silver Linings Playbook
Tiffany: You know, I used to think that you were the best thing that ever happened to me, but now I think that you might maybe be the worst thing. And I’m sorry that I ever met you.
Pat: Good for you. Come on, let’s go dance.
6. Oceans Eleven
Danny: Does he make you laugh?
Tess: He doesn’t make me cry.
7. The Fugitive
State Trooper: Hey, Doc! We’re looking for a prisoner from that bus-train wreck a couple of hours ago, might be hurt.
Dr. Richard Kimble: Uh, what does he look like?
State Trooper: 6’1, 180, brown hair, brown eyes, beard. See anyone like that around?
Dr. Richard Kimble: Every time I look in the mirror, pal – except for the beard, of course.
8. The Importance of Being Earnest
Algernon: The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and to someone else if she is plain.
9. Midnight in Paris
Ernest Hemingway: You’ll never write well if you fear dying. Do you?
10. La La Land
Mia: I don’t want to do it anymore.
Sebastian: Why?
Mia: Because I think maybe it hurts a little bit too much.
Sebastian: You’re a baby.
