I Learned It At The Movies

Mix Tapes

2006-02-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

ROB GORDON (John Cusack): “The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to take it up a notch, but you don’t wanna blow your wad, so then you got to cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules.”
HIGH FIDELITY, 2000

Pasta Sauce

2006-02-07T06:11:00.000-08:00

PETE CLEMENZA (Richard Castellano): “Heh, come over here, kid, learn something. You never know, you might have to cook for twenty guys someday. You see, you start out with a little bit of oil. Then you fry some garlic. Then you throw in some tomatoes, tomato paste, you fry it; ya make sure it doesn’t stick. You get it to a boil; you shove in all your sausage and your meatballs. Heh? ... And a little bit o’ wine. An’ a little bit o’ sugar, and that’s my trick.”
THE GODFATHER, 1972

Ogling

2006-02-07T06:05:00.000-08:00

ROGER SWANSON (Campbell Scott): “First, learn to read the sun, where it sits. You’ll notice…correlation between backlighting and transparency. They wear light-colored clothing, underwear shows right through. Bra straps, panty lines. No need to stretch or squint… Step back, OK? Let her pass. Give it a few seconds. Watch this, and then camouflage the move. Check of the watch is good, or the pager. Or looking for a street sign, like you’re lost.”
ROGER DODGER, 2002

Obscure but true

2005-12-30T06:29:00.000-08:00

Chili
COOK (Jim Siedow): “No secret, it’s the meat. Don’t skimp on the meat. I’ve got a real good eye for prime meat. Runs in the family.”
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2, 1986

All-time favorite: Dating

2005-12-30T06:25:00.000-08:00

MIKE DAMONE (Robert Romanus): “First of all Rat, you never let on how much you like a girl. ‘Oh, Debbie. Hi.’ Two, you always call the shots. ‘Kiss me. You won’t regret it.’ Now three, act like wherever you are, that’s the place to be. ‘Isn’t this great?’ Four, when ordering food, you find out what she wants, then order for the both of you. It’s a classy move. ‘Now, the lady will have the linguini and white clam sauce, and a Coke with no ice.’ And five, now this is the most important, Rat. When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.”
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, 1982