DAILY DIRT: Arnold may have said it in 1984, but ‘I’ll be back’ remains with us today

And as I once said to J. Robert Gough, “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 827 of The Daily Dirt.

1. What makes a movie memorable, or a great film even greater?

For me, it is that one line that sticks with us for decades, maybe forever.

Here are my all-time favorite one-liners that, over the years, have worked their way into our everyday speech:

1. “I’ll be back”: For those who might be too young to have ever seen the movie, this iconic phrase originated in “The Terminator” (1984). It immediately gained a life of its own, thanks to the delivery and overall performance of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

2. “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get”: Tom Hanks’ role as the endearing “Forrest Gump” (1994) gave us this metaphor regarding life’s unpredictability.

3. “Here’s looking at you, kid”: We owe this one to the legendary Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca” (1942).

4. “May the force be with you”: Thanks to the worldwide popularity of “Star Wars” (1977), May 4 is now known as Star Wars Day. And this phrase may be as popular as it was almost 47 years ago.

5. “There’s no place like home”: Judy Garland, as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), provided us with those immortal words.

Honorable mention

“You talkin’ to me?”: I don’t remember much about “Taxi Driver” (1976), except for that line from the Travis Bickle character portrayed by Robert DeNiro.

2. There’s only one week remaining in the NFL regular season.

Here are The Daily Dirt rankings going into the 18th and final week:

1. Baltimore (13-3): Just give that MVP trophy to Lamar Jackson right now.

2. Cleveland (11-5): Destiny’s darlings?

3. San Francisco (12-4): Attention fantasy leaguers: Christian McCaffrey will not play this week due to a calf strain.

4. Dallas (11-5): I’m still not 100 percent what did — or did not — materialize at the end of that game with the Lions.

5. Kansas City (10-6): Has the ship been righted?

This week’s marquee contests:

(Sunday night) Buffalo (10-6) at Miami (11-5): There is still a lot riding on this game. Prediction: Miami 35, Buffalo 24: I’m pretty confident the Dolphins will regain some of their swagger after that 56-19 blowout loss to the Ravens.

(Saturday night) Houston (9-7) at Indianapolis (9-7): These are two of the three teams tied for first in the AFC South, Jacksonville is the other. Prediction: Houston 28, Indianapolis 24

(Saturday afternoon) Pittsburgh (9-7) at Baltimore (13-3): Steelers still in the hunt for a wild card, and it’s unlikely we’ll see too much of the Ravens’ key players since they’ve already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Prediction: Baltimore 21, Pittsburgh 17. Ravens’ second string still good enough to turn back Steelers.

3. Let’s kick off a new year of “Found on Facebook”:

• “To those I offended in 2023, try to improve, so I don’t have to do it again in 2024.”
• “Onion rings are just vegetable donuts.”
• “When Alabama loses, America wins.”
• “The first million people who send me $1 will get my guide on how to become a millionaire.”
• “Patient: I broke my leg in three places. Doctor: Then don’t go to those places.”

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I have to think Monday’s two games of the College Football Playoffs represented the greatest set of semifinal games in any sport ever. If next week’s Michigan-Washington championship matchup is half as interesting as the either of the semifinal games, especially the endings, we as viewers will have absolutely no complaints.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Michigan and Washington will be B1G foes next season. Makes no sense.