Oscar Wilde needs no introduction, of course. The Irish writer was quite simply, one of the funniest people to have ever picked lived. One of the all-time great wits. Below are eight of my favourites quotes. How many do you recognise? Do you have a favourite?
So this is what you meant
When you said that you were spent
And now it’s time to build from the bottom of the pit
Right to the top
Don’t hold back
Taken from the song It’s Time by Imagine Dragons, from their debut album Night Vision (2012). It was the breakout single for the Las Vegas band, who have had continued success with their following two albums.
Actually I did once do a parachute jump. Of course they attach you to the instructor, dont they, and you jump out together. I was in this aeroplane they attach me to this bloke and we jumped out. It was really frightening because half way down he said: “So how long have you been an instructor?”
One of the many, many, jokes by comedian Tim Vine. The genial English stand-up has twice won the award for funniest joke at the Edinburgh Fringe and once held the Guinness World Record for most jokes in one hour.
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Taken from the song Wish You Were Here (1975), from Pink Floyd’s album of the same name. I’m a huge fan of the English band and have quoted their songs Comfortably Numb, Learning to Fly and Time, as well as including them in Gr8at Debut Albums and Non-Festive UK Number Ones. I was also able to see Their Mortal Remains, their exhibition at the V&A.
I wasn’t planning on doing another film quiz soon after my Magic post, but in the comments section from my Teachers quiz an idea for foreign films was suggested by Leí, whose blog I discovered recently. While most of my quizzes focus on Hollywood, I have always had a fondness for films from different cultures, and even did a Blogathon entitled Foreign Favourites. Below are 15 stills from successful films made in different languages and cultures. How many can you work out? There are countless more I could have included, so feel free to mention any you’re especially fond of.
Film 1 (1940s)
Film 2 (1950s)
Film 3 (1960s)
Film 4 (1980s)
Film 5 (1980s)
Film 6
Film 7 (1980s)
Film 8 (1990s)
Film 9 (1990s)
Film 10 (1990s)
Film 11 (2000s)
Film 12 (2000s)
Film 13 (2000s)
Film 14 (2000s)
Film 15 (2000s)
Answers below
If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the self-help section?” She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.
In America, anyone can become president. That’s the problem.
Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? They never mention that part to us, do they?
Just several examples of the outrageously gifted and highly influential comedian George Carlin (1937 – 2008). Happy to tackle any topic within his lifetime, the cynical New Yorker is frequently voted among the best stand ups.
Where there is heroism there will always be hope.
Sir Winston Churchill (John Lithgow) in the historical Netflix drama The Crown (2016 – ). With a third series currently in production, the biographical show covers the life of Queen Elizabeth, stretching back to 1947. You can find mre examples of the inspirational wisdom from the great man here and here.
I’ve always been a fan of magic, The powerful to create something using powers that others don’t have for spectacular affect. Though I think Roald Dahl said it best when he explained that those who don’t believe in magic will never see it. How many of the films below can you work out?
Film 1 (1950s)
Film 2 (1970s)
Film 3 (1990s)
Film 4 (1990s)
Film 5 (2000s)
Film 6 (2000s)
Film 7 (2000s)
Film 8 (2000s)
Film 9 (2000s)
Film 10 (2000s)
Film 11 (2000s)
Film 12 (2000s)
Answers below
Nature never fails to amaze me. This kaleidoscopic set of wondrous colours was quite the sight when looking out of the window.
A long time ago, in the underground realm, where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamed of the human world. She dreamed of blue skies, soft breeze, and sunshine. One day, eluding her keepers, the Princess escaped. Once outside, the brightness blinded her and erased every trace of the past from her memory. She forgot who she was and where she came from. Her body suffered cold, sickness, and pain. Eventually, she died. However, her father, the King, always knew that the Princess’ soul would return, perhaps in another body, in another place, at another time. And he would wait for her, until he drew his last breath, until the world stopped turning…
Pan (Toby Jones) in the masterpiece fantasy horror film Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). Set during Spain five years after the 1936 – 1939 Civil War ended, the “Alice Wonderland for adults” tells of a young girl’s escape into a magical and mystical world.
