Speed

Pop quiz, hot shot: The elevator's about to fall, there's a bomb on a bus, there's a gap in the elevated freeway, the bad guy has my new girlfriend hostage and he's Dennis Hopper (double trouble), the train won't stop and the tracks are also unfinished (what is with LA transit construction? Seriously...), AND you're Keanu Reeves. What do you do?

For starters, just saying "Pop quiz, hot shot" will let your audience know that you mean to reference some Speed (and if they don't you should just walk away because you're smarter AND taller than they are). You should also keep in mind, for context, that Keanu Reeves is still pretty young, dumb and full of cum. This is Jeff Daniels' last movie before he committed career suicide in one of the greatest, most quotable comedies of all time. And Dennis Hopper has this to look forward to...

Keeping all this in mind, Speed in all it's ludicrousness might be the most rational movie for the three of them in the 90's. Forget the plot, it doesn't really matter. Fine, here, this is the plot and a way for me to mention Sandy Bullock. 

 

Isn't that really who Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock is anyway? That girl from the bus. That's pretty much Speed. 

This is the heart of the movie, right here. A pseudo serious back and forth between Reeves' Jack Traven and Hopper's Madman Bomber. Jeff Daniels' Harry (he loves playing guys named Harry, doesn't he?) throws in a brilliant idea, but says little else when it counts. 

Lots of nuggets to take away from this one, just make sure you're getting your 'pop quiz, hot shot' in there to set the mood. Here's one: 

Say someone horrible says something to the tune of, "This has been a pretty disappointing day, I don't mind saying". You can come back with, "Why because you didn't get to (_____) everyone?" Preferably make the blank something other than 'kill' lest they miss the reference and call the cops. For example, say that person is throwing a big barbecue and there's a problem with the terrible food they make. Then the line becomes: "Why because you didn't get to poison everyone?"

Next, envision a group of dudes gathered together having a real bull session, as they are wont to do. Perhaps they're speaking derogatorily of a lady you know and like, or ladies in general. Perhaps they're bragging about their bench, their favorite flavor of chewing tobacco or what 5 inches actually looks like. You may happily interrupt them with: "Oh we've got all the balls in the world right here, man!"

And finally, if someone has you beat, let your partner know you're in trouble with this one liner: "Shoot the hostage".

Hopefully he or she will respond in kind.