AUTHOR • EDITOR • NO ALLERGIES

Brian Abrams writes books and oral histories, posts the occasional TikTok, and, lucky you, resurfaces in the podcast world from time to time.

In Bookstores Everywhere

"You Talkin' to Me?"
The Definitive Guide to Iconic Movie Quotes

A fascinating and exhaustively reported deep dive into all the essential Hollywood dialogue we know and love, from "Here's looking at you, kid" and "I'll have what she's having" to "Always do the right thing" and "Noooooo! Wiiiiire! HANGERRRRRRRS!"

Drawing on interviews and archival sleuthing, the book traces the origins and deeper meanings of hundreds of iconic film lines: how they’ve shaped eras, echoed across generations, and defined the voice of Hollywood.

Packed with film stills, sidebars, lists, and behind-the-scenes lore, "You Talkin' to Me?" spans all genres and explores how iconic dialogue became cemented in the modern lexicon.

Buy on Amazon

Praise for You Talkin' to Me?

“A movie buff's treat, curated by a real movie buff!”
— Illeana Douglas, actor and author of I Blame Dennis Hopper and Connecticut in the Movies
“A richly entertaining and deeply researched book about the movie lines that live in our collective unconscious, infiltrate our speech, guide our actions, and shape our perceptions.”
— Dave Kehr, critic and curator
“Brian Abrams has put together a fascinating compendium of absorbing information on the films and stars who uttered the most memorable lines heard ’round the world. Wait ’til you discover what ‘Rosebud’ really refers to!”
— Josiah Howard, author of Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide
“From ‘You ain't heard nothin’ yet!’ to ‘Wakanda forever,’ Brian Abrams takes the reader on an enormously entertaining, zinger-filled tour of motion-picture history.”
— Noah Isenberg, author of We'll Always Have Casablanca
“Informative, fun, and compulsively readable.”
— Odie Henderson, author of Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras
“For those master screenwriters whose lines from their scripts are remembered forever, perhaps such immortality is its own reward. But, if not, maybe Brian's book will help.”
— Jake Tapper, CNN

Oral Histories

Never one to brag, Abrams has also written four best-selling oral histories, covering Late Night with David Letterman, Gawker, Die Hard, and the Obama presidency.

Now Available on Your Favorite Surveillance Platforms

Podcast

It Gets Better!

Abrams co-hosts It Gets Better!, a five-part series in which his friend Liz Charboneau tries to convince him to enjoy excruciatingly mainstream film franchises.

Season One takes on the Twilight film series. Here’s a trailer. Throw tomatoes.

Spotify

Apple

Follow Brian on TikTok and Letterboxd

Don't listen to the haters. The boy produces quality content. Just cut him some slack when he spirals down a giallo rabbit hole. It happens.

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Follow Brian on TikTok and Letterboxd