Daily Dirt: If you remember these quotes, you might be kind of a big deal

Daily Dirt for Aug. 24, 2021

I’ve made no secret about my long love affair with the silver screen, which is the top topic in Vol. 46 of the Daily Dirt. Since I was a wee lad — well, at least a lad — I have loved movies, and for decades even had them all ranked in a trusty notebook. In recent years, my obsession has relaxed somewhat, but I still can’t resist categorizing performances and memorable moments. With that in mind, I have assembled 10 of my favorite movie quotes since the turn of the century.

1. The first five are today, the top five tomorrow. 

10. “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” — Reese Witherspoon, “Legally Blonde” (2001). This line is arguably the highlight of Witherspoon’s career, which, of course, says a lot.

9. “I’m the one who does his job, You must be the other guy.” — Mark Wahlberg, “The Departed” (2006). This is a Martin Scorsese crime saga, which means it’s about as close as you can get to  guaranteed entertainment. That aside, every Mark Wahlberg flick I decide to watch I am sure I won’t like it. And (just about) every Mark Wahlberg film I actually do watch I enjoy. I think it’s the attitude he brings to his roles.

8. “At my signal, unleash hell.” — Russell Crowe, “Gladiator” (2000). Blood, gore, overall quality carnage and a guy with an accent. Yeah, baby.

7. “I don’t know how to put this, but I’m kind of a big deal.” — Will Ferrell, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004). There are two films that keep Ferrell semi-relevant, this one and “Old School.” We’ll hear more from “Old School” later in the countdown.

6. “To me, you are perfect.” — Andrew Lincoln, “Love, Actually” (2003). For me, this is not only my favorite Christmas movie, but it is also a classic romantic comedy built around eight separate relationships that all come together in a miraculous fashion. If you have somehow never watched this film and think Lincoln looks familiar when you do see it, well, yes, he does. He went on to fame as Rick Grimes in “The Walking Dead.” In this movie, however, his target of affection is Keira Knightley.

2. Today’s second thought targets baseball fans. If you are one of those, here are (potentially) the top free agents by position this winter. Remember, some or all of this could change if players sign extensions or new contracts.

FIrst base: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta.

Second base: Marcus Semien, Toronto.

Shortstop: Carlos Correa, Houston.

Third base: Kris Bryant, San Francisco.

Catcher: Yadier Molina, St. Louis.

Outfielder: Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati.

Starting pitcher: Zack Greinke, Houston.

Relief pitcher: Raisel Iglesias, Los Angeles (Angels).

Get out your checkbooks.

3. Today’s final thought deals with this back-to-school thing we’re all involved with in some way, shape or form. Here are three medal-winning quotes we can all appreciate about this time of the year:

Bronze medal: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” — John Dewey.

Silver medal: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe.

Gold medal: “Be curious, not cool.” — Ken Burns

Steve Eighinger writes for Muddy River News. He is a glass case of emotion.