Do you quote movies a lot?
Native English speakers throw in movie quotes in conversations all the time.
It is a fun way to build relationships by sharing cultural experiences.
In today’s episode, Lindsay and Aubrey share six movie quotes from famous English movies that you can use to make the connection with friends and co-workers.
Are You A Movie Buff?
Lindsay asks Aubrey if she likes watching movies.
Aubrey answers yes and shares that she is a huge movie buff.
She recently saw Top Gun last night and loved it.
She said they did a really good job with the continuation of the film from the original movie 30 years ago.
Lindsay said that she heard it was getting good reviews and she is looking forward to watching it.
Aubrey recommends it.
She also mentions that there are a lot of movie quotes being used in English conversations that we don’t realize are from a movie.
Like in Top Gun the movie, the quote is “I got the need, the need for speed.”
When Aubrey is in the car with her kids, she often uses it when she starts the engine.
Lindsay agrees with this and there will be listeners out there that do the same in their own language.
You must have a movie in your culture where you use the lines in everyday conversation.
In today’s episode, Lindsay and Aubrey will help you do the same thing in English.
Making Connections Through Movie Quotes
Native English speakers often use movie quotes when they talk.
This is a good skill to learn because it helps you build connections with other people.
It is a good opportunity to bond over similar things.
It is nice to share cultural experiences with friends and co-workers.
This topic of movie quotes has come up a lot and was even mentioned in one of an episode in All Ears English.
This was AEE 1790: Don’t Make Monotone Part of Your Act where Michelle mentions the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
She used this famous movie quote to talk about being monotone.
The quote is “Bueller, Bueller.”
This is also often used to catch the attention of someone who is not listening.
Lindsay adds that quoting movies can also make connections on a generational level.
So you have to consider if the person you are talking to can relate to the movie quote based on whether hey have watched the film.
The movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” may be a famous movie for Lindsay and Aubrey’s generation but Aubrey’s kids may not know it.
Famous Movie Quotes
Lindsay and Aubrey now share with you six movie quotes from famous English movies that you can use to make the connection with friends and co-workers.
Here they are:
“There’s no place like home.”
– The Wizard of Oz, 1939
This movie quote from “The Wizard of Oz” is said when you arrive home from a business trip or vacation. This is a classic movie. Aubrey loves this film. Dorothy who is the main character in the movie said this famous quote. Lindsay shares that this quote has become part of the culture so much and sounds like an idiom. Aubrey agrees and says that her kids may use this phrase and not realize that it is a quote from the movie.
“Houston, we have a problem.”
– Apollo 13, 1995
This is a movie quote from the movie “Apollo 13” and is said when you have a problem or you can’t figure something out. Aubrey uses this all the time when she is faced with a difficult situation. Lindsay explains that the astronaut that said this line was reporting back to the space center which was based in Houston, Texas.
“Elementary, my dear Watson.”
– The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1939
This movie quote from “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” is used when you figure out a problem or when someone asks you a question and you know the answer. Elementary means to say something is simple or basic. Lindsay funnily imagines that if you’d like to use this quote you may say it in a British accent.
“You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender.”
– On the Waterfront, 1954
Aubrey shares that she would often hear this being quoted in sports. This movie quote is from the movie “On the Waterfront.” It is used when you make a mistake or you didn’t perform well and you know you could’ve done better.
“I’m walking here! I’m walking here!”
– Midnight Cowboy, 1969
Aubrey uses this movie quote a lot too. This is from the movie “Midnight Cowboy.” You can use this when someone cuts you off or nearly runs into you when walking. Lindsay laughs and imagines Aubrey using this quote when she used to live in New York. This is one of the quotes that is embedded so much in the English language that you can hear it used even in current movies.
Roleplay
Now that you’ve heard some of the famous movie quotes native English speakers often use, Lindsay and Aubrey will do a quick roleplay for you to better understand how it is used.
In this scenario, Lindsay and Aubrey are returning home after a short vacation.
Aubrey: There’s no place like home!
Lindsay: Seriously! I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed!
Aubrey: Uh oh. Houston we have a problem.
Lindsay: What is it?
Aubrey: Look, everything in the freezer has melted! It must have lost power while we were gone.
Lindsay: Oh, look. The breaker was tripped. At least we know what the problem was. Elementary, my dear Watson!
Takeaway
Native speakers throw famous movie quotes into English conversation all the time.
It’s a fun way to build connections through shared cultural experiences.
Go see the films mentioned in this episode and look for the line.
Practice using a couple of these so you can use them next time you’re chatting with a friend or colleague.
What is your favorite movie quote?
Share it in the comments below on how you will use that movie quote in a conversation.
