MovieChat Forums > The Survivors (1983) Discussion > Best line

Best line

posted 16 years ago by HolyRomanEmperor
29 replies | jump to latest

I think the funniest part (and there were MANY funny parts) is when Williams is on TV giving his rebuttal to the editorial that labeled him and Matthau as bad guys for standing up to the robber.

He says something like...

"Why is there crime? I think the root cause is CRIMINALS. In order for there to be crime, there has to be A victims, and B criminals. Or maybe it's B victims and A criminals...I don't know. But there must be victims for the criminals to feed on....unless criminals just fed on other criminals. But I digress"

I also really like the part where he was on the phone trying to lure Reed up to the camp. he was talking very plainly and happily so Matthau (outside the phone booth) would think they were patching things up, but instead he was insulting Reed and daring him to come after them.

He ends the phone call by saying (in a very pleasant voice) "Well, you hurry and get up here because the sooner you do, the sooner there will be one less wart on the ass of society."

He then ends the call with a pleasant "Uh *beep* you too. Bye bye."

[–] bonehunter7 16 years ago

"BLASPHEMY! Oh, you'll smoke a turd in hell for that!

[–] rogueforte 15 years ago

Yeah, that would be mine, too. In fact, I got to use that line once years ago. In the military, sometimes meetings are held in churches simply because they can hold a large group of people. During one of these meetings, someone within earshot cursed, and I heard someone else say, "Hey, this is a church. You're not supposed to swear in church" to which I made the comment (to no one in particular), "Yeah, he'll smoke a turd in hell for that one". It got a big laugh from those that heard it.

[–] Ernie Pyle 14 years ago

It's the scene where Reed tracks Matthau to his house and wakes him up during the night to tell him he has to kill him. Matthau tells Reed it was pretty clever pretending to be black while committing the robbery. Reed answers "Yeah, well, we blame them for everything else." That line was cut during a TV broadcast several years ago. Can you believe such nonsense? A clever movie with cult status apparently only a few of us can appreciate.

[–] ms-kpitts 14 years ago

"You'll be one less wart on the ass of society." so poetic!

I laugh everytime I see this movie.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

I loved this movie. It's always stuck in my mind even though I don't much care for Robin Williams generally, but this one and the recent World's Greatest Dad are really funny - about the only two of his movies I like. I have a hankering to see this one again. Favorite line from World's Greatest Dad: "When we get home I'm going to put my penis in your vagina, and that's a SINGLE entendre".

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[–] Rupert__Pupkin 13 years ago

You only like 2 Robin Wiliams movies? Have you ever seen The World According to Garp, Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Awakenings, Good Will Hunting, or The Fisher King? C'mon.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

I haven't seen any of those movies. They don't appeal to me. I like very few big budget Hollywood films and tend to avoid them like the plague. Dunno, perhaps I'm a snob.

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[–] Rupert__Pupkin 13 years ago

You haven't seen ANY of them because they don't appeal to you? I just listed six movies that are completely different: one comedy, one dark comedy, three dramas, and a biographical film. The films span the early 80s to the late 90s. You dismissed all of them as being big budget Hollywood films when in reality, many of the movies had extremely small budgets. For example, Good Will Hunting had a budget of $10 million, which is less than a lot of independent films.

Some of these movies earned Oscars and/or were nominated for Oscars, which seems to discredit your claim that they're all big-budget Hollywood movies.

Just because a movie has a well-known actor in it doesn't make it a big budget Hollywood film. You're putting Awakenings in the same category as Avatar. It's absurd.

I don't know what kind of movies you do watch, but it's obvious that you're using too wide a brush to pre-judge movies and are consequently missing out on a lot. But it sounds like you don't mind. Ignorance is bliss.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

Perhaps I should have said "popular" Hollywood films - I hardly ever enjoy them. But that only applies to roughly post-1980 Hollywood. I loved many popular Hollywood movies of the '70s and earlier. Virtually all the big name Hollywood actors bore me nowadays - some especially, like Matt Damon for instance, who bores me to tears (hence my disinterest in Good Will Hunting). I don't care for Robin Williams' usual "shtick", in which he appears to be imitating Jonathan Winter's shtick. I am, however, a huge fan of The King of Comedy, so don't upset yourself too much. By the way, if you want to know what kind of movies I "do watch", all you need do is click on my username.

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[–] Rupert__Pupkin 13 years ago

Okay, I clicked on your username and saw the movies you've commented on. You said that you prefer movies pre-1980, yet 13 of the 15 movies you've commented on were released after 1980, the vast majority of which were released after 2000. So it doesn't appear that you avoid newer movies. In fact, based on your comments, it seems that you strongly prefer them.

I completely agree with you that Hollywood studios can churn out complete garbage, but you're throwing out the baby with the bathwater. It makes me think of Van Morrison, who is quoted as saying that no good music came out after 1970 and that it's all the same crap being recycled. I like Van Morrison a lot, but this kind of comment just makes him look like an idiot. While we can all agree that the 60s were an amazing period for music, no one in their right mind would say that everything since has been garbage (though much of it has been).

You seem to take pride in not watching certain kinds of movies, the same way some people are proud that they've never seen Star Wars. Seems rather silly to me. You like independent films and less-popular films, which I can appreciate. But don't you think you're missing out on a lot? Awakenings, for example, is a beautiful movie with depth, terrific character development, and symbolism. The acting is superb, the tragic story is true, and the movie was nominated for multiple Oscars. It was praised by critics and fans alike and is warmly regarded more than 20 years later. Yet you dismiss it as another Robin Williams movie, just another Mrs. Doubtfire or an extension of Mork and Mindy. That would be like me dismissing the movie Martyrs because I watched "I was a Teenage Werewolf" with Michael Landon and decided that scary movies weren't for me. Apples and oranges.

Like I said before, you're missing out. It's just unfortunate that you'll never know.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

Didn't say I prefer pre-1980's movies *generally*, but *specifically* with regard to Hollywood, which isn't my cup of tea anyway, as you noted. Of course there are many worthy movies I or anyone else will miss in the course of a lifetime. Having just watched the trailer for Awakenings, I found it maudlin. Just not my thing - different strokes, etc. Also, having experienced more psychiatric "miracle workings" than I'd wish on my worst enemy, I appreciate positive depictions of that industry about as much as your average Jew might kvell over Triumph of the Will ;) I like Van Morrison too. My college roommate once described him as looking like the guy that comes to fix your refrigerator.

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[–] Rupert__Pupkin 13 years ago

You seem like a good person, but I take issue with your cavalier attitude towards things you don't understand and/or know nothing about. I've never heard of the majority of the movies you've commented on, but I wouldn't be so arrogant or haughty as to dismiss them based on the simple fact that they're independent films. A lot of independent films are definitely style over substance and get lost in their attempts to be deeply profound, pithy, and edgy. I could easily dismiss every independent film based on this premise, but that would be silly. Just like Hollywood films, some independent films are great. Some stink.

You dismissed the movie Awakenings based on a 21-year old preview. Talk about judging a book by its cover. Your dismissive statements only exemplify your profound lack of understanding. The film is a true story, one which Dr. Oliver Sacks says was very true to his book. The film is anything but maudlin. Any preview is going to hit on the emotional high points of a movie. Based on a 60-second trailer, one could describe Schindler's List as maudlin (based on its emphasis of showing children sent to death, families being separated, people forced onto trains, etc). But you've probably never seen Schindler's List because it was directed by Hollywood icon Steven Spielberg, and it was released by a major studio.

You even went so far as to accuse Awakenings as negatively depicting the field of psychiatry. Again, speaking out of ignorance. Dr. Sacks was/is an extremely compassionate physician (I've read two of his books), and the film depicts one empathic, caring, and generous psychiatrist. Based on your unsolicited self-disclosure, it sounds like you have an unstable mental health history of your own.

I'm having a real hard time taking you seriously as a movie fan. You remind me of those kids in high school and college that tried extremely hard to be different. They would only listen to bands that no one heard of. They didn't like any albums that sold more than 23 copies nationwide, and they didn't like bands that played venues larger than a coffee house. They would dismiss a band like The Beatles "because they sold out" or "they made silly pop tunes to sell records." These kids would never listen to the Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. because these bands were phony and commercial. But they would listen to some Australian aborigine blowing away on a didgeridoo for 60 minutes and say it was the best thing since sliced bread.

I like some art house films. I like some big budget films. I like GOOD movies, regardless of the studio from which it was released. I don't think you're a movie fan. I think you're a, "Look at me everyone, I'm different, special, and unique!" fan. Not trying to be mean. That's what I see.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

You consistently misconstrue my meanings and now you accuse me of possibly being unhinged for not sharing your taste in movies! As to your last paragraph, I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of my cinematic tastes (unlike a certain someone). I grow weary...however, I will leave you with this encouraging factoid - I did see Schindler's List more than once and even liked it.

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[–] Rupert__Pupkin 13 years ago

It comes down to one thing: I can't stand the willfilly ignorant. I apologize if my disdain was so transparent.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

You want honesty? This discussion has been all about your own insecurity. If I were to inquire as to someone's taste in films that I found perplexing, I would do so humbly and without judgement, tempered by the awareness that no one can fully understand the mind of another. You share the taste of the hoi polloi and are offended by anyone who doesn't. The entire tone of your argument/grievance has been "how dare you have these tastes that are so different from mine?". What would the world be like if everyone has the same opinions? You haven't taken one moment to take an honest look at yourself and ask why this upsets you so much. People consume art for many different reasons. It might be the case that a particular film is extremely well done and has great value to one person and little value to another, because those two people are on different journeys through life and find value in different things. Nothing wrong with that.

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[–] Rupert__Pupkin 13 years ago

I'm not criticizing your taste in movies (or lack thereof). I'm criticizing your apparent sense of pride over the fact that you choose to remain ignorant.

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

Ignorant of what? Of the movies that you like?

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[–] Rupert__Pupkin 13 years ago

Enjoy your bliss.

[–] roell29 13 years ago

Thank you - I shall try to muddle through as best I can without benefit of Mr. Williams' remarkable oeuvre.

Welcome to Costco, I love you...

[–] brn-turner 12 years ago

Ya know I really can't believe you idjits just used a "best line" on The Survivors message board to argue about who's smarter. I'm an even bigger idjit for having read it! You're everything that's wrong with IMDB message boards. Stick to the topic turds! oh yeah..... "HIS TONGUE IS IN MY HAND!!!"

[–] roell29 12 years ago

Oh yeah?? Yo mama.

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[–] ZevII 14 years ago

My favorite line was when James Wainwright tells the survivialists that they are to kill a person and one of the men says:

"Will this cost extra?"

[–] greeneyedsoul 13 years ago

"You're so cool, you piss ice cubes"

Been using that line ever since the movie came out.

Before music, there was silence.

[–] avantro 13 years ago

I think there's a line near the beginning where Matthau's character says something like "I'm a sensitive guy, so please tell your problems to someone else".

Is that right and if so can anyone give an exact quote and the context? I remember Matthau saying it in some movie and I think it's a really great line and I find myself saying it myself now and then.

[–] FridayOnElmStreet 12 years ago

"What kind of a man gives cigarettes to trees?!"

[–] Bernnard_Black 11 years ago

"Can you write? Is there anyone there with an education above the first grade? Well, you just take highway sixteen...yes, that's right, it's "one" and five numbers after it, great, great!"

"You wanna kill me? All right, mister honkey mo-fo, take your best shot! Ow, that's the same ARM!"

"Lady, I own a damn gas station! What am I supposed to do, have my customers push their cars in so I can change their oil?"

"I'm allergic to mace."

"You've got collitis? I bet they can hear you coming, don't they?"

"I figure we oughta blame everything on the blacks anyway, right? So I'm a putz."

Here's to the health of Cardinal Puff.

[–] rogueforte 10 years ago

"Wes says society is heading for the big flush, and we're going to be the ones who are clinging to the rim while everything else goes down."

[–] ChilliCheeseDog 10 years ago

Not a line but a scene when Jerry was in the bedroom with Walter and his daughter.

Robin was halfway up the stair when Jerry said "I didn't hear the door slammed" the scene switch to Robin and his face was like *beep* so he crept back down the stairs and slammed the door real loud.

That scene always get a LOL out of me.

[–] dutchusc 8 years ago

Jack to his wife : "So I'm not out there committing adultery. I'm out there committing murder."

Jack's wife : "Oh thank god!"

-------AND----The next scene-----

Sonny to Donald : "You are a professional *beep* disturber!"