Who doesn’t love Gary Busey? The star of stage and screen has appeared in such classic films as Big Wednesday, Lethal Weapon and Point Break. He’s also appeared in such non-classics as Hot Boyz, Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang and Latin Dragon. Movies aside, the real reason why people dig Busey is his certifiably crazed behavior. Ever since splitting his skull open in a 1988 motorcycle wreck, Gary has toed the line between eccentricity and insanity. He pretty much says and does whatever tickles his fancy and should be commended for doing so. Today marks his 66th birthday. To honor this special occasion, here’s a video of him pole dancing on a cruise ship.

While sitting in the theater this past weekend watching a jacked Jake Gyllenhaal leap and climb to and fro in the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, I found it refreshing that he wasn’t some costumed superhero aided by freakish powers and/or high-tech gadgetry. Well, he did use the Dagger of Time to remove himself from tight spots, so I guess that would count as a gadget of sorts. Not to mention he was also a Prince, which afforded him certain advantages over the average Persian.

All this got me thinking. Whatever happened to regular guy heroes in film? I came of age in the ’80s with a thrill-seeking archaeologist named Indiana Jones and tough as nails New York City cop John McClane. These were ordinary guys, placed in extraordinary situations, forced to use their strength and wits to survive dire scenarios. They were flesh and blood prone to mistakes and ass-kickings. In other words, they were human.

Nowadays, the likes of Batman, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Harry Potter dominate the box office. None of these heroes would ever be confused with Martin Riggs from the Lethal Weapon franchise. Sure, you can argue that Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark are just men, but let’s be real. Wayne has a limitless fortune backing his efforts as well as years of specialized training. Ditto Tony Stark, who is also a scientific genius capable of creating a suit that renders him nearly unstoppable.

This is not to say I don’t enjoy the Batman and Iron Man movies, because I do. I love how Christopher Nolan has retooled the iconic character by injecting him with edge and pathos. And Robert Downey Jr.’s natural charm and penchant for sarcasm has turned Stark into a charismatic crimefighter. Alas, each has an alter-ego, which will always separate them from the rest of normal society.

Are the days of Dirty Harry and Axel Foley gone for good? Who’s left to bear the torch for the common man? James Bond is still saving the world from powermad villains, so that’s good. What about Jason Bourne? I dig the Bourne movies and Matt Damon is convincing in the role, but can he really be called a regular guy? After all, he underwent experimental behavioral modification treatments that turned him into a single-minded government assassin. John McClane graduated from the Police Academy, but it’s not exactly the same thing.

The lying, cheating and stealing pirate Captain Jack Sparrow fits the bill. He’s a normal bloke with no otherworldly powers to speak of. Unless rum drinking and swashbuckling count as “super.” The fact that Johnny Depp plays Sparrow as a bit if a sap also adds to his distinctly human qualities. Captain Jack sees himself as a hero, but would actually prefer to stand on the sidelines when trouble arises. He lacks the badass nature of a Martin Riggs, but he still manages to sneak in a few moments of glory. Bond and Sparrow equals pretty slim pickings.

Do we need regular guys donning the white hats anymore? Is being vulnerable to cuts and bruising overrated? Has some ordinary Joe with a six-shooter and whip running around the desert become passe? And no, I’m not including that ridiculous geriatric romp Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in the discussion, even though it grossed $786 million. Any legit Indy fan recognizes it as a steaming pile of dung.

All I’m asking for is some variety. I see no reason why we can’t have a little Larry lunch pail sprinkled in with our Uncanny X-Men. Some jeans and t-shirts to go along with the colorful costumes and high-tech suits of armor. A dash of Incredible Bob to place alongside The Incredible Hulk.

One of these years the superhero well is going to dry up. It might be time for Tinseltown to start conjuring some new John McClanes and Dirty Harrys for when this day arrives. Either that or risk having nowhere to turn except a 65-year-old Bruce Willis and a 90-year-old Clint Eastwood. I love both dudes to death, but the prospects for “Die Hard at the Retirement Home” and “Dirty Harry 2020″ don’t sound very promising.

Some of my favorite movies are ones that inspire me to ponder the mysteries of life. All it takes to get my gears spinning is a mind-blowing performance, an ingenuous script or the unique way a director frames a shot. More often than not though, it’s a simple quote that delivers the most impact. We all have memorable lines from countless flicks rattling around in our skulls. Some make us laugh, others serve as motivation, and a select few move us to think.

Whatever their meaning, these fictional phrases become permanently embedded in our individual personalities. They help define who we are and how we see the world. While many quotes can affect us on a personal level, there are plenty that are more universal. These are the go-to lines that steer us through the monotony of our daily routines. Here are ten that fit the bill.

10 – “Pain don’t hurt.”

Delivered by: Professional bouncer James Dalton in Road House.

Why it matters: We learn at an early age that a lot of stuff will cause us pain. It sucks, but it’s inevitable. Using Dalton’s Zen-like philosophy, we can disconnect the pain thus rendering it powerless. Works great when you slam your finger in the car door.

9 – “You dick!”

Delivered by: Surfer dude Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Why it matters: We will meet plenty of assholes and morons in our lifetime. Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade and tell these purveyors of douchebaggery what you think of them. It might lead to a confrontation, but it beats being a doormat.

8 – “Look eye, always look eye.”

Delivered by: Martial arts master Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid.

Why it matters: You’ll get a lot further down life’s path if you look people in the eye. Don’t give them a reason to think you’re hiding something or that you’re not trustworthy. Show no fear. Stare them down like a professional fighter, minus the psychotic snarl.

7 – “I’m not a smart man… but I know what love is.”

Delivered by: Dimwitted sage Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump.

Why it matters: You don’t have to be a genius to feel love. However, you do have to be mentally and emotionally prepared to deal with its crushing effects.  Heartache and rejection will befall each and every one of us. Don’t let it defeat you. Be like Gump.

6 – “Stay frosty.”

Delivered by: Badass Colonial Marine Corporal Dwight Hicks in Aliens.

Why it matters: The worst thing you can do when you’re in a tight spot is panic and lose your water.  Keep a level head no matter the predicament. Unless it has to do with man-eating aliens with acid for blood. Then you can freak out and run for the hills.

5 – “Deserve’s got nuthin’ to do with it.”

Delivered by: Cold-blooded outlaw William Munny in Unforgiven.

Why it matters: Awful crap happens to everyone for no rhyme or reason. You could be the world’s greatest humanitarian or the world’s biggest villain. Don’t look for the “why.” You won’t find it. It’s a cruel fact of life that none of us are immune to tragedy.

4 – “I have a lot of problems… but they belong to me.”

Delivered by: Dysfunctional recluse Graham Dalton in Sex, Lies and Videotape.

Why it matters: I don’t know anyone that isn’t effed up a little bit. It doesn’t mean they should be fitted for a straitjacket. Got minor hangups? It’s normal. Got serious hangups? Might be a good idea to talk to someone. Locking yourself inside a self-imposed prison isn’t very healthy.

3 – “Never tell me the odds.”

Delivered by: Clever space smuggler Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back.

Why it matters: I used to gamble back in the day. Knowing the odds was critical. That being said, on occasion I picked instinct over logic and it paid off huge. Life is all about taking the plunge. Sitting back and playing it safe is for losers. Sometimes you gotta close your eyes and roll the dice.

2 – “I’m too old for this sh*t.”

Delivered by : Grizzled police Sergeant Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon.

Why it matters: Getting old blows. Trust me when I say that a night of nonstop barhopping is much tougher to recover from at 35 than 25. If you’re not a youngster anymore, stop pretending to be one. You’ll end up looking like what you are — an old fool.

1 – “Time to die.”

Delivered by: Ruthless Replicant Roy Batty in Blade Runner.

Why it matters: No one gets out alive. The sooner we come to terms with that little nugget, the easier it will be to enjoy the time we are allotted. Roy Batty wanted more. Once he learned that wasn’t possible, he graciously accepted his fate and said goodbye.