Apollo 13 Quotes
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Source: Apollo 13
Speaker: Commander Jim Lovell
Houston, we have a problem.
Context
This famous quote is spoken by Commander Jim Lovell played by Tom Hanks in the movie Apollo 13 (directed by Ron Howard, 1995).
Everything is going swimmingly on the Apollo 13 moon-landing mission until a problem with the oxygen tanks proves that 13 is an unlucky number, whether it's about space missions or mystery novels.
When there's an explosion aboard the spacecraft, Jim Lovell, played by Tom Hanks, alerts NASA control (located in Houston, TX), "Houston, we have a problem."
Scariest. Words. Ever.
Where you've heard it
You hear this one literally any time anyone has a problem—whether that person is a serial killer, a Simpson, or a contestant on The Amazing Race.
P.S. Apollo 13 is a true story, and the actual quote is "Houston, we've had a problem."
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
As long as you don't think NASA actually cares about your problem, there's nothing pretentious about this quote.