Earlier in the week many of you saw my video from the old cemetery I used to work at. Being back there brought back loads of memories at every turn from the nickname of every section in the yard to the hose I would cool off with on those broiling days. I could feel the sweat-stuck shirt, grass-covered jeans, and heavy work boots like it was yesterday.
I also went past many familiar stones with names you get familiar with in a strange way when you circle them in a ceaseless loop of grooming. Ah, the hard days of a simple life.
As I strolled around I remembered a question Knox McCoy asked me in that now legendary interview for Awesometown.
“If you had to put a movie line on your tombstone, what would it be?”
Anyone who knows me understands how much I love that question. I’ll seriously think about that one until the day comes when it’s time to apply my selection. Here’s how I answered:
I could go classic and predictable like Braveheart: “Every man dies; not every man really lives.”Or sci-fi quirky Back to the Future II: “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”But I think I’ll go with a little Shawshank [Redemption]: “Get busy living or get busy dying.”
That last one is courtesy of Morgan Freeman who turned 74 on Wednesday. I also considered that sage of the 80s Ferris Bueller who said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Knox’s question is too good to not ask the whole world. So now I’m asking you:
What movie quote would you put on your tombstone?
Would you go with one of my picks? I’d love to hear your thought process on this one, so come on back with as many good ones as you can think up.
Isn’t is obvious? “Clay Morgan: You are the wind beneath my wings.” And then Bette Midler’s music will come belting out from the speakers (cleverly and tastefully hidden in the headstone).
I woke up too giggly to take this seriously right now, but I’ve definitely decided to be cremated. Or stuffed. Either way, thanks for that.
I believe my 13 year old self would approve of this.
I like it. I can only imagine how much I inspire you.
The greatest danger for most of us lies not In setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. Michelangelo (not a movie quote, but my favorite quote of all time)
GREAT quote Kerry. Love that.
I understand that you little guys start out with your woobies and you think they’re great… and they are, they are terrific. But pretty soon, a woobie isn’t enough. You’re out on the street trying to score an electric blanket, or maybe a quilt. And the next thing you know, you’re strung out on bedspreads Ken. That’s serious.
From the movie Mr.Mom
Not sure it makes sense for a tombstone, but it’s hilarious. Everyone could visit my grave and smile.
Great one! BTW, Michael Keaton’s real name was Michael Douglas but that was already taken. Keaton’s a Pittsburgher too.
“This is an ex-parrot!” (Not a movie, but TV, so maybe it doesn’t count). I dearly love the Mr. Mom quote. We live right by a cemetery and walk our dogs there and frequently discuss what we would like to put on our headstones. This is never a serious conversation.
That’s great. No need to be serious! I have fun with it too.
Yipee Ki-yay Mr. Falcon. It’s from the TBS edited version of Die Hard 2. It’s the greatest movie dub in the history of movies and I say it would be great on my grave.
That’s hilarious. I now have a new quote to use when life gets crazy, which in my world is basically every 30 minutes.
LMAO, Rob! I never heard that one (and I adore Die Hard), though my favorite “almost swear” is currently “Shut the front door!”
I never had the pleasure of watching Die Hard dubbed.
However, another “hard” movie: The Hard Way (I think, it had Michael J. Fox) had this one scene where he was on the phone, and he screamed “Slug in ditch!” about 7-10 times in a row.
It is still my favorite movie dub. But then, I don’t watch movies aired on TV anymore…
When we were kids those TV dubs were always on. I probably still have some funny VHS versions somewhere recorded off TV.
That is tremendous. I think that should be on you grave. And nothing else.
From Cool Hand Luke “[He got] mad at dem damn eggs”
Great movie.
gvnbvbbbbbbyuob;vq8v5: This is what Vivian types when I’m getting William some cereal. I’m not sure what movie it’s from. I’ll be back later with real quotations…
Okay. Less gibberish now.
Some of my favourite lines from some of my favourite movies.
(1) “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives.” (It’s a Wonderful Life)
(2) “You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.”(To Kill a Mockingbird)
(3) “Nothing will die. The stream flows, the wind blows, the cloud fleets, the heart beats. Nothing will die.” (The Elephant Man)
Great post, by the way. Love your quotes.
Love that first quote. It’s a Wonderful Life = best movie ever!
You know how to win me over. Coming outta the gate with IAWL is brilliant. Good quotes all around.
I’m sure it means “Love my mom eh?” They learn Canadian from a young age.
“I’d rather light a candle than curse your darkness.” Gale Snoates (John Goodman) from Raising Arizona. My all-time favorite movie. Either that quote or “Son, you got a panty on your head.” It’s a toss-up.
Nice! I think you’ve got the chops to write a Friday Flick Faceoff around here sometime.
Well, I do loves me some alliteration.
Well first since I have decided to be cremated (who knows what my kids will do with the Ashes) I will at least have an URN, so engraved on that I would want the words from a Musical that was a hit Broadway Play and a Movie RENT..”In 525,600 minutes how do you measure a year in the life, how about love”..
Look at you Arty. Not bad at all my friend.
Well. If I went with something that seemingly related to the context of, you know, being dead, I’d have to go with this:
“Well, I don’t really think that the end can be assessed as of itself as being the end because what does the end feel like? It’s like saying when you try to extrapolate the end of the universe, you say, if the universe is indeed infinite, then how – what does that mean? How far is all the way, and then if it stops, what’s stopping it, and what’s behind what’s stopping it? So, what’s the end, you know, is my question to you.”
That’s David St.Hubbins from This is Spinal Tap
Or, I’d go with something absolutely random, like “Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips.” (Burton Mercer, The Blues Brothers.
Oh, I love both of these!
That’s a pretty spectacular response! Love the philosophy of Spinal Tap into Blues Bros.
Worst question ever. Mainly because I misquote movies all the time.
What misquote is your favorite?
“On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.” Not a movie quote, but what W.C. Fields had wanted on his tombstone.
Good one!
I want Morgan Freeman (favorite actor of all time) to be at my funeral.
I really have no idea what movie quote I’d put on my tombstone. That one will require some thought and probably some research, since I don’t easily recall movie lines. Good food for thought, although I’m not sure I need help coming up with more things to think about.
What’s your favorite movie? Maybe that’s a spark.
“Lick me, all of you” Darla Marks from Dazed and Confused.
I f’in love that movie & Parker Posey’s character…
Oh, and by the way, my paternal grandmother (my favorite lady in the world besides my mom) always answered the question, “hi, how are you?” with “I’m pissed off” – it’s on her tombstone.
It’s on her tombstone? God, that’s hilarious, Tiffany!
I memorized that movie during undergrad. Watched it so many times back then!
Fun topic!
Easy Rider: I’m hip about time
The Devil’s Rejects: Some brilliant f***ing Mark Twain s#$@
There’s a couple unique picks. Thanks Catie!
“inconceivable!”
Then under that…
“I do not think it means what you think it means”
The princess bride, the most quotable movie ever IMHO.
I think I like you, Jackie.
I was considering these same quotes myself..
Yes! Love the Princess Bride. Great selections.
Hey all, just wanted to say I am at a conference and unable to reply to all your comments yet, but thanks for all the great suggestions.
Keep em coming!
IYKWIM
It would have to be a Captain Picard quote.
“Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. But I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey – reminds us to cherish every moment because they’ll never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we’ve lived. After all, Number One, we’re only mortal.”
Ooh nice. Going a little TNG on me eh? I like it.
This may be too obscure for you, but it’s from Stage Door (K. Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, A. Menjou, and many other big names):
“Belts will be worn tighter this year.”
Get it?
I do! Great one Kathy
Er… “I have a bad feeling about this…” from Star Wars, not every other damn film it’s been used in….
Nice distinction and good pick.
Oh, and it may not be a quote, but there’s also “Before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then when you do criticise them, you’ll be a mile away and have their shoes.”
Classic!
My all time favorite movie quote is definitely yours from Shawshank redemption.
My favorite quote from my mother is, “Did you do your best?” which was always followed by, “OK, then that’s good enough for me.”
Of course I’m hoping my daughter knows the answer to “What happens when you whine?” (I get NOTHING…)
Great post, Clay!
Great quotes Jenny! Glad you like the Shawshank too.
Easy one: “He’s alive!” From Frankenstein
Nice! Also from Young Frankenstein.
Wow, loved this post!
I’d have to go with Peter Pan, “To die would be an awfully big adventure.”
Of course you’d go with the Pan!
No tombstone! I’m gonna be cremated.
A popular choice these days. But you can still get an inscription on your urn.
“Hasta la vista, baby!”
Good one Larry!
How about the entire closing scene monologue from Carlitos Way? Too much?
Why not? I think you could start a revolution of tombstones with built in video playing! Scary that you know that will happen too. You heard it here first.
You just knew it was gonna have to be Princess Bride for me, so I’m going with “Have fun stormin’ da castle!” Mainly because I find so many uses for this one in my daily life, it would only be fitting to go out on that note too.
You can never go wrong with TPB!
I’m going to be cremated, but I like this one from “The Hours”:
“Someone has to die in order that the rest of us should value life more.”
Wendy
Good one Wendy!
Hot Rod:
“I used to be legit. I was too legit. I was too legit to quit. but now I’m not legit. I’m unlegit. And for that reason, I must quit.”
What else would I expect from Sir Tyler. Your fave movie right?
For me, it will be a Clint Eastwood line from Unforgiven. “We all got it comin’ to us, Kid.” Great post, Clay.