Coen Brothers... this one's for you, Scott: A Serious Man (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hnvLCkCiU8 Larry Gopnik: So, uh, what can I do for you? Clive Park: Uh, Dr. Gopnik, I believe the results of physics mid-term were unjust. Larry Gopnik: Uh-huh, how so? Clive Park: I received an unsatisfactory grade. In fact: F, the failing grade. Larry Gopnik: Uh, yes. You failed the mid-term. That's accurate. Clive Park: Yes, but this is not just. I was unaware to be examined on the mathematics. Larry Gopnik: Well, you can't do physics without mathematics, really, can you? Clive Park: If I receive failing grade I lose my scholarship, and feel shame. I understand the physics. I understand the dead cat. Larry Gopnik: You understand the dead cat? But... you... you can't really understand the physics without understanding the math. The math tells how it really works. That's the real thing; the stories I give you in class are just illustrative; they're like, fables, say, to help give you a picture. An imperfect model. I mean - even I don't understand the dead cat. The math is how it really works. Clive Park: Very difficult... very difficult... Larry Gopnik: Well, I... I'm sorry, but I... what do you propose? Clive Park: Passing grade. Larry Gopnik: No no, I... Clive Park: Or perhaps I can take the mid-term again. Now I know it covers mathematics. Larry Gopnik: Well, the other students wouldn't like that, would they, if one student gets to retake the test till he gets a grade he likes? Clive Park: Secret test. Larry Gopnik: No, I'm afraid... Clive Park: Hush-hush. Larry Gopnik: No, that's just not workable. I'm afraid we'll just have to bite the bullet on this thing, Clive, and... Clive Park: Very troubling... very troubling...

Real Genius (1985) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ds0wYpc1eM INT. PACIFIC TECH LAB - DAY Chris, Mitch, Kent, Bodie, Carter and Hathaway are all present. Chris is explaining what's happened while Mitch passes out goggles. CHRIS: As you know Mitch and I were working on the cyanide system. Well, earlier today it ate itself. But these little setbacks are sometimes just what we need to take a giant step forward. Right, Kent? Needless to say, I was a little despondent over the meltdown. But then, in the midst of my preparation for Hari Kari it came to me. It's possible to synthesize excited bromide in an argon matrix. Yes, it's an excimer, frozen in it's excited state. KENT: That's impossible. CHRIS: It's a chemical laser, but in solid not gaseous form. Put simply, in deference to you Kent, it's like lasing a stick of dynamite... as soon as we apply a field recoupled to a state that is radiatively coupled to the ground state. (gets up and goes over to the laser) I figure we can extract ten to the 21st photons per cubic centimeter, which would give one kilojoule per cubic centimeter at 600 nanometers or one megajoule per liter. BODIE: That's hotter than the sun! Chris pulls out the laser and begins to prepare it. CARTER: It's small. HATHAWAY: It's supposed to be small. CHRIS: Of course we only have the one sample. And it's going to destroy itself as it lases. Mitch passes out radiation vests. CHRIS: But everything's going to be fine... isn't it Mitch? MITCH: Yeah! Chris closes the laser lid. KENT: This is a complete waist of time. Hathaway, Bodie, & CARTER: Shhhh! CHRIS: Do me a favor, Kent, and put the target in front of the cinderblocks, will ya? Kent does so as Mitch rolls over a protective shield for them to stand behind. Chris prepares the laser. MITCH: Okay, everyone come behind the shield. They all finish putting on their protective gear. CHRIS: Okay, Mr. Taylor. Anytime you're ready. MITCH: Okay, ready? Laser on! He hits the button and a huge laser comes on. It goes right through the target and cinderblocks. It lasts for 15 seconds and then stops. MITCH: All right! Mitch looks at the target MITCH: Look at this! They roll away the target and the cinderblocks and see that the window's been hit as well. MITCH: Oh, sorry about the window, sir. KENT: (looks out the remains of the window) And the trees across the quad!! CHRIS: (to Mitch) We're a team! MITCH: Yeah! They hug. HATHAWAY: (to Chris) You did it. KENT: I did my part too. HATHAWAY: You graduate. You get the job. KENT: What?! You can't! That's my job! I've done everything you've ever asked me to! Hathaway looks around at the laser and everything it hit. KENT: Look at this! (goes to unlock a nearby door) I teach your classes for you! I get your laundry! MITCH: What is he doing? Kent goes into the room and comes back out with a large mirror. KENT: Look, I mounted the optics for the phase conjugate target tracking system. Now look at this mirror. Look. Look!! Hathaway glances at him before leaving. KENT: Wait. Wait! MITCH: Let's celebrate! CHRIS: Absolutely. They head out.