You sharpen the human appetite to the point where it can split atoms with its desire. You build egos the size of cathedrals. Fibre-optically connect the world to every eager impulse. Grease even the dullest dreams with these dollar-green gold-plated fantasies until every human becomes an aspiring emperor, becomes his own god. Where can you go from there? As we’re scrambling from one deal to the next, who’s got his eye on the planet? As the air thickens, the water sours, even bees’ honey takes on the metallic taste of radioactivity ... and it just keeps coming, faster and faster. There’s no chance to think, to prepare; it’s buy futures, sell futures ... when there is no future. We got a runaway train, boy. We got a billion Eddie Barzoons all jogging into the future. Every one of them is getting ready to fistfuck God’s ex-planet, lick their fingers clean, as they reach out toward their pristine, cybernetic keyboards to tote up their fucking billable hours. And then it hits home. You got to pay your own way, Eddie. It’s a little late in the game to buy out now. Your belly’s too full, your dick is sore, your eyes are bloodshot and you’re screaming for someone to help. But guess what – there’s no one there! You’re all alone, Eddie. You’re God’s special little creature. Maybe it’s true. Maybe God threw the dice once too often. Maybe He let us all down. ibid.
John Milton: Who are you carrying all those bricks for anyway? God? Is that it? God? Well, I tell ya, let me give you a little inside information about God. God likes to watch. He’s a prankster. Think about it. He gives man instincts. He gives you this extraordinary gift, and then what does He do? I swear, for His own amusement, His own private cosmic gag reel, He sets the rules in opposition. It’s the goof of all time. Look, but don’t touch. Touch, but don’t taste. Taste, don’t swallow. Aha ha ha. And while you’re jumpin’ from one foot to the next, what is He doin’? He’s laughin’ His sick, fuckin’ ass off. He’s a tight-ass. He’s a sadist. He’s an absentee landlord. Worship that? Never!
Kevin Lomax: Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven – is that it?
John Milton: Why not? I’m here on the ground with my nose in it since the whole thing began! I’ve nurtured every sensation man has been inspired to have! I cared about what he wanted and I never judged him. Why? Because I never rejected him, in spite of all his imperfections! I’m a fan of man! I’m a humanist. Maybe the last humanist. Who, in their right mind, Kevin, could possibly deny the 20th century was entirely mine? All of it, Kevin! All of it! Mine! I’m peaking, Kevin. It’s my time now. It's our time. ibid
We’re destined to lose, dad. ibid. Kevin to Devil
Allow nothing in your life you cannot walk out on in thirty seconds flat if you spot the heat around the corner. Heat 1995 starring Al Pacino & Robert DeNiro & Val Kilmer & Tom Sizemore & Diane Venora & Amy Brenneman & Ashley Judd & Mykelti Williamson & Wes Studi & Ted Levine & Jon Voight et al, director Michael Mann
When these guys walk out the door of whatever score they’re gonna take next they are gonna have the surprise of a lifetime. ibid. Pacino
I told you I’m never going back. ibid. DeNiro
Of course I’d recognise the bastard. Robbery 1967 starring Stanley Baker & Joanna Pettet & James Booth & & Frank Finlay & Barry Foster & William Marlowe & Clinton Geryn & George Sewell & Glynn Edwards et al, director Peter Yates, mother with victim in arms
We’re got capital and half the investment. We all agreed to go ahead? ibid. Paul to gang
Three or four million pounds ... It’s a night mail train ... This is the big one. The biggest. ibid.
You start cheating, Paul, you end up thinking everyone else is cheating too. ibid. her to him
Don’t move for half an hour. ibid. gangsta to train guards
Money to burn, Dave? ibid. rozzer
I feel like I’ve gone down in the ranks since he’s come. This is England 2006 starring Thomas Turgoose & Joe Gilgun & Jo Hartley & Andrew Shimm & Vicky McClure & Stephen Graham & Rosamund Hanson & Andrew Ellis & Perry Benson & Frank Harper et al, director Shane Meadows, young gang member
That’s what this nation’s been built on – proud men … So we can stick our fucking flag in the ground and say, Yeah, this is England. ibid. Combo
Our country has been stolen from under our noses. ibid. NF bloke
There are many stories about Michael Sullivan ... But I once spent six weeks on the road with him in the winter of 1931. This is our story. Road to Perdition 2002 starring Tom Hanks & Tyler Hoechlin & Paul Newman & Jude Law & Daniel Craig & Stanley Tucci & Jennifer Jason Leigh et al, director Sam Mendes
20,760. Boy: Why are you always smiling?
Daniel Craig: ’Cause it’s all so fucking hysterical. ibid.
Natural law: sons are put on this Earth to trouble their fathers. ibid. Newman
There is only one guarantee: none of us will see Heaven. ibid. Newman
My name is Marlow. General Sternwood wanted to see me. The Big Sleep 1946 starring Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall & John Ridgely & Martha Vickers & Peggy Knudsen & Regis Toomey & Charles Waldron & Charles D Brown & Bob Steele et al, director Howard Hawkes, opening scene
Vivian: So you’re a private detective. I didn’t know they existed, except in books. Or else they were greasy little men snooping around hotel corridors. My, you’re a mess, aren’t you?
Marlowe: I’m not very tall either. Next time, I’ll come on stilts, wear a white tie and carry a tennis racket. ibid.
My entire life is devoted to helping you and helping Johnny. The Manchurian Candidate 1962 starring Frank Sinatra & Angela Lansbury & Janet Leigh & Laurence Harvey & Henry Silva & James Gregory & Leslie Parris & John McGiver et al, director John Frankenheimer, mother to son
Allow me to introduce our American visitors. I must ask you to forgive their somewhat lackadaisical manners. But I have conditioned them. Or brainwashed them, which I understand is the new American word. ibid. Dr Yen Lo
Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I have ever known in my life. ibid. Sinatra
Shoot Bobby, Raymond, through the forehead. ibid. Dr Yen Lo
I tell you there’s something phony going on. There’s something phony about me, about Raymond Shaw, about the whole medal of honor business. ibid. Sinatra
There are exactly fifty-seven card-carrying members of the Communist Party in the Department of Defense at this time. ibid. senator
Well we are at war. It’s a Cold War. But it will get worse and worse until every man, woman and child in this country will have to stand up and be counted. To say whether they are on the side of right and freedom or on the side of the Thomas Jordans of this country. ibid. mother to son
I keep telling you not to think. ibid. wife to husband
It’s been decided you will be dressed as a priest ... You are to shoot the presidential nominee through the head. ibid. mother to son
Defending America even if it means his own death. Rallying a nation of television viewers into hysteria to sweep us up into the White House with powers that will make Martial Law seem like anarchy. ibid.
I just made the world’s easiest five grand. The Sting 1973 starring Paul Newman & Robert Redford & Robert Shaw & Charles Durning & Ray Walston & Eileen Rennan & Harold Gould & John Hefernan & Dana Elcar & James Sloyan & Larry D Mann & Sally Kirkland & Jack Kehoe & Robert Earl James et al, director George Roy Hill, victim in taxi
Luther said you learn fast. I hope he’s right. ibid. Henry to Johnny
Johnny: He’s [Doyle Lonnegan] not as tough as he thinks.
Luther: Neither are we. ibid.
You can’t play your friends like marks, Hooker. ibid. Henry to Johnny
Revenge is for suckers. ibid. Henry to Johnny
Henry: You’re not going to stick around for your share?
Johnny: Naah, I’d only blow it. ibid.
In the 16th century, during the Civil Wars, an endless cycle of conflict left the countryside overrun by bandits. Seven Samurai 1954 starring Tikashi Shimura & Isao Kimura & Yoshio Inaba & Daisuke Kato & Minoru Chiaki & Seiji Miyaguchi & Toshiro Mifune & Bokuzen Hidari & Kamatari Fujiwara & Keiko Tsushima & Yoshio Tsuchiya et al, director Akira Kurosawa, opening caption
Is there no God to protect us? ibid. village woman
We’ll fight. ibid. old man
Defence is more difficult than offence. ibid. #1 Samurai
This job affords no stipend and no reward. ibid.