"When the World Trade towers fell on September 11, 2001, there was one refrain I heard over and over again, a common response that was both automatic and indicting: “It looked like something out of a Michael Bay movie.” More specifically, the explosions and citywide carnage resembled Armageddon, the Bay-directed action vehicle that had come out four summers prior and contained scenes of epic metropolitan mayhem that were still something of a cinematic novelty at the time. We pray that nothing on the scale of 9/11 will ever happen again, but if something actually did, we’d now have a sickening number of summer movies to compare it to. This weekend’s Man of Steel is only the latest film this year to exploit familiar 9/11 imagery in ways that are far more extreme and blatant than anything we’ve seen on the big screen before, as though Hollywood feels the need to out-9/11 itself. It’s lazy, it’s cheap, it’s deadening, and it needs to stop."

"I address you tonight not as the President of the United States, not as the leader of a country, but as a citizen of humanity. We are faced with the very gravest of challenges. The Bible calls this day "Armageddon"; the end of all things. And yet, for the first time in the history of the planet, a species has the technology to prevent its own extinction. All of you praying with us need to know that everything that can be done to prevent this disaster is being called into service. The human thirst for excellence, knowledge. Every step up the ladder of science, every adventurous reach into space, all of our combined modern technologies and imaginations, even the wars that we've fought have provided us the tools to wage this terrible battle. Through all the chaos that is our history, through all of the wrongs and the discord, through all of the pain and suffering, through all of our times, there is one thing that has nourished our souls, and elevated our species above its origins, and that is our courage. Dreams of an entire planet are focused tonight on those 14 brave souls traveling into the heavens. And may we all, citizens the world over, see these events through. Godspeed, and good luck to you."

"[briefing Harry and Grace Stamper on the situation] When the rogue comet went through the asteroid belt, it sent shrapnel right for us. For the next 11 days, the Earth's in a shooting gallery. Even if the asteroid itself hits the water, it's still hitting land, it'll flashboil millions of gallons of seawater and slam into the ocean bedrock. Now if it's a Pacific Ocean impact, which we think it will be, it will create a tidal wave about three miles high, travelling a thousand miles an hour, covering California and washing up in Denver. Japan is gone, Australia is wiped out. Half of the Earth's population will be incinerated by the heat blast, the rest will freeze to death in a nuclear winter."

"[addressing staff on the NASA flight center network after the space shuttle Atlantis is destroyed] Okay, I want three groups. One: internal malfunction; get the log tape and start working back; maybe it's a glitch. Two: I want NORAD, Space Command and the 50th Tactical comparing all the space junk you tracked in every orbit. I want you to check, re-check and then do it all over again. Number three: wild cards, anything and everything alright? Now, Big Russ, I want you to get on the phone and wake up 11,000 people. Walt, get 'em going."

"[last words as he activates the manual detonator] We win, Gracie!"

"[After Freedoms Armadillo is destroyed] Get a hold of Truman, and prepare the world for bad news."

"[After informing his crew on the current situation] The United States government just asked us to save the world... Anybody want to say 'no'?"

"Dyllan Christopher - Tommy Chappell"

"Peter Stormare - Lev Andropov"

"[to command firefighter] Ok, shut down all exterior operations, get your asses in there and find him. Go-go-go."

"[speaks into radio] Deputy Chief One to communications I'm on location assuming command, strike out a fourth alarm!"

"[last words, sadly] It's never an easy thing; Saying goodbye to a brother firefighter. It's not. And this time, particularly, is difficult for me, because, I watched Jack grow into a-- Well, into one of the finest firefighters I've ever known. He joined this department because he wanted to help people. Who knows how many homes are still standing because Jack was there, or how many lives were spared? He gave his life for that cause. We'll never forget you, Jack. And we're better for having known you. But I make you this one promise; Tomorrow, when that bell rings, we will be back on the truck, because you were the bravest of the brave. People are always asking me: "How is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out?" Well, Jack, you answered that question by saving another man's life. Your courage is the answer. And, today, we will be as brave as you. By not mourning you, but by celebrating your life. So, I'd like everyone to stand up and celebrate the life...of Jack Morrison. [everyone gives Kennedy a standing ovation.]"

"[his firefighters are fighting] Hey! HEY! [throws chair against a wall with a loud bang, stopping the fight] What the Hell's going on here?! HUH?! I come back from tellin' a mother her son is dead. And this is goin' on, in my house. [bellows] IN MY HOUSE! [angrily] We deal with this by stickin' together. We take it. We learn from it. And we get back on the GODDAMN TRUCK, AND THAT'S HOW WE HONOR DENNIS! YOU GOT THAT?! Anybody thinking of lowering the flag? [looks at Jack] [in stern voice] Do it."

"Billy Burke - Dennis Gauquin"

"Morris Chestnut - Tommy Drake"

"Robert Patrick - Lenny Richter"

"Jacinda Barrett - Linda Morrison"

"John Travolta - Captain Mike Kennedy"

"Joaquin Phoenix - Jack Morrison"

"Everything they know. All that they love. Is what they risk every day."

"People are always asking me how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. Courage is the answer."