Sunday, December 7, 2008

Classic Moments of Pragmatism in Film

Today we open a new periodic series entitled "Classic Moments of Pragmatism in Film." Number One is my favorite scene from "Team America: World Police." The United Nations has sent Hans Blix to determine once and for all whether Kim Jong Il has weapons of mass destruction.


Kim Jong Il: Hans Brix? Oh no! Oh, herro. Great to see you again, Hans!

Hans Blix: Mr. Il, I was supposed to be allowed to inspect your palace today, but your guards won't let me enter certain areas.

Kim Jong Il: Hans, Hans, Hans! We've been frew this a dozen times. I don't have any weapons of mass destwuction, OK Hans?

Hans Blix: Then let me look around, so I can ease the UN's collective mind. I'm sorry, but the UN must be firm with you. Let me in, or else.

Kim Jong Il: Or else what?

Hans Blix: Or else we will be very angry with you... and we will write you a letter, telling you how angry we are.

Kim Jong Il: OK, Hans. I'll show you. Stand to your reft.

Hans Blix: [Moves to the left]

Kim Jong Il: A rittle more.

Hans Blix: [Moves to the left again]

Kim Jong Il: Good.

[Opens up trap, Hans falls into tank where he is torn to pieces by Kim Jong Il's pet shark.]


Number Two is from Mel Brook's 1974 classic, Blazing Saddles. Black Bart, the new Sheriff of Rock Ridge, has arrived to claim his office. The townsfolk react poorly to a black sheriff and pull out their firearms. Bart is covered by at least twenty weapons. The Reverend Johnson seeks to calm the situation:


Reverend Johnson: Gentlemen, gentlemen, allow not hatred to rule the day.
[holds up his Bible]

Reverend Johnson: As your spiritual leader, I implore you to pay heed to this good book and what it has to say!

[Townspeople shoot the Bible, blowing it apart]

Reverend Johnson: [turning to Bart] Son, you're on your own.



Readers are free to make their own submissions. Send to GeorgeMason1776@aol.com.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

from "V for Vendetta" - two classic quotes:

Dominic: What do you think will happen?
Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people with guns.
---------------------------
V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.