Courtesy Carbon Arc
I laughed uncontrollably when I watched the movie Wedding Crashers.
And Superbad had me laughing so hard, my dog started barking. She didn’t know what was wrong with me!
Yes, I love a good, silly comedy like anybody else. But over the last few years, I’ve been less and less willing to waste my time on a bad movie at the theater or on a crappy show on TV.
I’m not talking about Wedding Crashers and Superbad.
I’m talking about movies and shows that do little for me. They’re just… “blah.” They’re movies that, after watching them, make me feel like I just ate a half gallon of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (it felt good at first…but now I feel like crap!).
Maybe I’m getting old. Or maybe I’m just too busy and less willing to waste any of my treasured down time.
But when I do carve out some time to watch TV or go see a movie, I’m looking for material that can move me in at least one of three ways:
- It makes me laugh
- It makes me cry
- It moves or inspires me
That last category is especially important. We need inspirational movies. Especially today. And especially if you make a living as an independent worker or solo professional.
A movie or show that stirs you up inside can be a great catalyst for action. It can move you to take more risks in your business. To try harder. To be a better person, a better parent, a better spouse. To live your purpose in a deeper and more profound way.
What kind of movies can do this? Here’s my partial list, in no particular order (although Seabiscuit is probably my top choice):
- Seabiscuit
- Shawshank Redemption
- Cinderella Man
- Les Misérables
- The Patriot
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- Good Will Hunting
- Forrest Gump
- The Color Purple
- Rudy
- Peaceful Warrior
Now it’s your turn. What are your top inspirational movies?
What movies send chills down your spine? Give you goose bumps. Get you pumped up. Give you the courage you need to do and be more. To do good. To become a better mom, dad, husband, wife, friend. To change the world.
We’d love to hear from you.
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Ed Gandia is co-author of The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle (Penguin/Alpha). To grab 3 free chapters of his book and a complimentary copy of his Freelancer’s Income Expander Kit (containing 4 reports worth $126), visit www.TheWealthyFreelancer.com/bonus
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Nice post Ed.
Cinderella Man indeed. Probably my favourite movie. The sacrifices Russell Crowe’s character makes reminded me of my own dad. And it was particularly meaningful for me because I watched it at the perfect time… when my wife was pregnant with our first child. If someone were to ask me for advice on being a dad, I’d hand them a copy of that movie and say, “Do this.”
Another tear-jerker I saw recently is Crazy Heart. Some good lessons in there, like… we have a duty to honour and nurture the talents we’ve been blessed with; they should never be taken for granted. And, the power of the human spirit to ‘do good’ is magnificent, even when you find yourself at rock bottom. What about it made me cry? Without giving anything away… it was the kind gesture Bad Black made at the end of the movie.
Hi Ed,
You have some great movies on your list. I also found Julie and Julia incredibly inspiring.
My honourable mention is Birdemic. It’s a modern take on The Birds and is being called the worst movie of all time. You can check it out here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgAbVfh6WYg. The director thought he was making a serious film about global warming and couldn’t figure out why people started laughing uncontrollably at the premiere. However, you have to admire the director’s perseverance and sincerity. He sells out every show. I’m hoping to get tickets to the Toronto premiere this week.
Cheers,
Rachel
“It’s A Wonderful Life” works. George Bailey IS the quintessential American entrepreneur. When he’s truly up against it he PRAYS for guidance right on screen. When was the last time we got that kind of affirmative from Hollywood?
Hotel Rwanda
The Visitor
This is a nice list Ed! For years my favorite movie has been “Cry, the Beloved Country.” See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112749/ for a synopsis. James Earl Jones is a great actor, and the theme of redeeming relationships during apartheid is inspiring and powerful. I lived in Africa for a time too which really made the movie come alive.
Wow! Looks like I have to beef up my Netflix queue! These are great additions, everyone. Many of which I haven’t seen yet.
Pete – Haven’t seen Crazy Heart. Will have to check that out… with a box of Kleenex. And I hear ya on “Cinderella Man.” You need to see “The Pursuit of Happyness” if you haven’t done so. Another great movie for dads — all about making sacrifices for your kids.
Rachel – Forgot all about Julie & Julia! Yes, terrific movie. Especially for those of us who love to cook, write and blog! Will have to check out Birdemic. Sounds intriguing.
Howard – Hard to believe, but I’ve never seen “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s now on my summer list. Sounds like the kind of movie the world needs to see right now. Thanks for that addition!
Philip – Have seen Hotel Rwanda and loved it! Will have to check out The Visitor. Just looked it up — sounds like a winner!
Mike — Love James Earl Jones. Adding this one to my queue. Thanks for the suggestion!
Keep ‘em commin’, everyone. Terrific list so far!
Did you know there is an iPhone for that? Check it out: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/top-500-movies/id346441853?mt=8
Bala – Why am I not surprised??
Actually, I’m waiting for the movie app that has the level of intelligence to know, with great certainty, which movies I’ll love. I see it as something where I rate, say, 50 movies and the app uses that data to come up with a very accurate profile of my tastes in movies. Much more sophisticated than what Netflix uses.
Wouldn’t that be something?!
I find Jerry Maguire very inspirational. And easy to watch, too.
My “go to” inspirational movie is “Miracle,” the story of the US Hockey Team.
The reason I love this movie is because Herb Brooks had a big, fat, hairy goal — win the gold medal even though no US team had done so in 20 years. No one believed him.
To achieve his goal, he came up with a “think big” plan: play hockey the way the Soviets did. Instead of incremental changes, he changed how the US team played — totally and completely.
He was completely focused on his goal and did not let anything, including world political crises, deter him from his goal.
He told his players, “We don’t need to be the best. We just need to win one game. We can do it.” And they did.
Love, love, love this movie and get something from it every time I watch it.
One of my favorites is A Knight’s Tale – A man really can change his stars.
Then there is this video that shuts me up when I feel like things are too hard…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY
And then the Bill Porter Story:
http://www.amazon.com/ABC-News-20-Moving-Journey/dp/B000IMVOVY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1275525918&sr=8-3
Sean – Oh, brother! What can one say about Team Hoyt? the unconditional love of a parent is a beautiful thing. It’s people like this who are guaranteed a front-row seat in Heaven. So inspiring to watch! Thanks for sharing.
Dianna – I forgot about “Miracle.” What an incredible story! And yes, a great reminder that we need to think BIG every day. It’s so easy to default to “safe” thinking and safe actions.
Hi Ed,
I like your list and completely agree with you on not wasting time on things that don’t further something in me – whether that be a belly laugh (good for my health), a tear (good for my sinuses) or inspiration (good to remember it exists). My two favorite movies of all time do all three:
Up
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Thanks for the interesting discussion!
Lisbeth – LOVED Mr. Holland’s Opus. As a music lover and first-chair drummer in concert and marching bands… it really touched my soul.