Not one, but TWO movies wide-released on the very same day (November 17) quote famous lines from 21st century cinema WITHOUT referencing the movies they originate from, assuming their fame precedes them to such a degree that no explicit citation is necessary. 

Customarily, such quotes require years — if not decades — to attain this presumed status of stood-the-test-of-time mass recognition. And because we’re more than two decades into the century, these new movies test whether the quoted lines are now permanent residents in our history books.

The whole moviegoing populace may not remember Eli Roth’s, “Two hits: I hit you, you hit the ground” from Inglourious Basterds, but the vast majority of Thanksgiving viewers will undoubtedly think of the Bear Jew when a teenage character drops the saying in the opening scenes of Roth’s latest (capsule review: the man’s flair for gore remains). 

A lot less niche is Liam Neeson’s “particular set of skills” monologue from Taken, a ubiquity that Next Goal Wins takes for granted when Michael Fassbender regales us with an unannounced, extended excerpt. 

Which got me wondering: is it the most popular piece of screenwriting from the 21st century? Other contenders?

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P. S. Thanksgiving shares an ending with basically every other horror movie ever made:

The good guys seemingly defeat the baddie in the triumphant climax, leading to a seemingly peaceful denouement depicting their new horror-free lives…

UNTIL, RIGHT BEFORE THE CREDITS ROLL, THERES A HINT THAT THE BIG BADDIE HASNT BEEN PERMANENTLY VANQUISHED AFTER ALL, AND THEYLL CONTINUE THEIR REIGN OF TERROR in the sequel. 

By this point, it might be cliche even to point out this cliche.