Which film gave you real inspiration for life?

[Bruce Achterberg]

While I could probably make a fairly long list of movies that have inspired me in some way, a movie I recently watched that renewed my sense of honour and inspired me to be, well, more honourable and more of what I would call a “real man” was 300.

I’m sure lots of people are going to get offended and turned off by all the violence and the macho, testosterone-fuelled elements in the movie and completely miss the all-important themes that make 300 much more then a rather satisfying and entertaining gore-fest, but I assure you, if you look deep enough, they’re there.

Whether they mean to or not, all forms of media make a statement, and in my opinion, 300 makes some pretty damn good ones.

[escapee]

The bloody 300 movie. I 'm not really into war movie but this one actually made me shedding some tears at the end. I was so full of bravery on that day.

[Lucas]

Dead Poets Society, for sure.

[Nicholls]

Recently I saw 300 which really made me question my beliefs about death, I guess you could say that was inspiring. However I just bought Tarzan again and that has such an inspiring song for personal growth - search Son of Man Tarzan on youtube for it.

[annie]

Braveheart.....FREEDOM!!!!!!!

Also, Amazing Grace (currently in theaters, but will leave soon because it's too morally uplifting so nobody goes

[Andrew Brunelle]

American Beauty was one of the best inspirational movies to this date, at least in my book. I also liked the Pursuit of Happyness, to a lesser extent.

[Craig]

I thought that the Fountain was one of the most underrated movies last year. Read more about it here. The soundtrack aint too shabby either.

[CoachChar]

The Pursuit of Happyness, the film based on the life of Christopher Gardner. I was deeply moved and fired up by how he refused to give up his dream of being a stock broker and his dream of being a good father to his children.

[blueman70]

Mr. Holland's Opus.

[Craig]

I liked Waking Life.

Here's a similar short film entitled Grasshopper, which you can view for free via iTunes.

[ken nubo]

I'm gald you made this topic. I love Fight Club, and it largely altered the path of my life. I don't know if it's cliche if Fight Club changed alot of people.

No, I didn't start my own fight club, it just gave me 150% more confidence in myself

First watched the movie 2-3 years ago? Love it.

[Silex7]

1) Shawshank Redemption AMZAAAAZING!!

2) Patch Adams

3) the Will Smith movie with the golf player guy..i dunnt remember the name

4) Simon Birch

5) Prison Break absolutely!

[Ree]

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is my all-time favorite movie. I loved the idea of the possibilities in the universe, and the theme of friendship with all beings. More recently, Signs. "Nothing is a Coincidence"

[Nathan]

The Peaceful Warrior was also an inspiring for me aswell. A lot of film was fictional but it still got some great points across and didnt fail to get me thinking (which is generally what makes a good movie for me).

[Crowghost]

There are so many, one of the recent ones is 'Crash'.
It put in perspective for me the pressures imposed on all races in an evermerging world.
The emotion was real, and the added magic of innocence in the tangle of things was something that they captured perfectly, to get the most important of points across.

[Flyingwithoutwings]

Originally Posted by CeciL

Recently I would have to say the new Rocky movie...

rocky horror? ^_^

[SoonToBe]

First off, I must mention Fight Club, because a movie that awesome deseves to be mentioned a fourth time. As far as inspirational movies go, Fight Club tops my list easily.

The runners up might surprise some though. In no particular order, and leaving out those that have already been mentioned:

Starship Troopers: Solely because of Drill Instructor Zim. "PAIN is in the MIND!"

Conan The Barbarian: Watching Schwarzenegger kick massive amounts of ass without being bogged down by things like "plot" or "dialog" is to me, very inspirational. I don't think I've ever watched this movie without doing pushups afterwards.

Catch Me If You Can: It's always refreshing to see someone who doesn't play by the rules. When done as effectively as the main character in this movie does, it becomes inspirational. It's amazing what can be done with some intelligence and outside-the-box thinking.

[Dolazy]

La Meglio gioventù had a strong impact on me.

[madgeylou]

"lost in translation" helped me sort out a weird relationship i was in, that was both going somewhere and not at the same time.

"the fellowship of the ring" is what i watch when i need courage.

[Love]

The Matrix and A Beautiful Mind!

Beautiful Mind made me see that people do have courage to fight the same battles over and over again... and that they are defined by that courage.

Matrix is just wonderful... makes you think. Know thyself.

[Scumfrog]

An common choice but Fight Club did make me look at my life a little differently. I began to question things in my life that I hadn't thought too much about previously.

[veranadine]

To be honest, for me it would have to be The Age of Innocence.

So many of my friends have been made to suffer through this film and all say the same thing at the end: THAT is you favorite movie. It's so depressing!

I guess that I get something out of it that other people just don't.

Yes I suppose it could be seen as depressing and some days I have seen the depressing side of this movie.

But if you look at it right it is a story about honor and integrity, loyalty and grace.

Maybe that is why it inspires me, because it has all the downs that one can find in real life but still displays the ups: beauty and tenderness.

That's it for me.

Blessings,
Vera Nadine

[artic123]

There are so many I like:

The Lord of the Rings Triology
Simon Birch
Working Girl
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Any and all of Anne of Green Gables

"Tomorrow is another day with no mistakes in it" -- Anne of Green Gables

Artic

[BanditFlyer]

Out of all the responses in this thread, roughly 6 gave an reason or description of their choice. All the others - What a complete waste of time?!?!

To those few among you who gave reasons for your recommendations, Thank You! :up:

[Truefire]

Originally Posted by BanditFlyer

Out of all the responses in this thread, roughly 6 gave an reason or description of their choice. All the others - What a complete waste of time?!?!

To those few among you who gave reasons for your recommendations, Thank You! :up:

chill out bro. You're in the "FUN" section of the forum!

For me, I loved 300. I happen to be exploring my more masculine traits (google David Deida). King Leonidas was symbolic to me in that sense. I was fascinated by Spartan culture for a time, reading what little I could find. The King dying to protect his people was a very powerful idea for me.

A small force fighting with strength and class, in spite of impossible odds and certain death, is inspiring in any sense.

I could have said that...but I didn't really care to go deeper at the time; not to mention, reasons weren't asked for.

That said, you've got a great idea about describing why a particular movie was inspiring.

[Jenny]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I really loved the path the characters took in this movie to discover truths both about themselves and each other. I thought the underlying message was great - they weren't "plastic" people they (their lives and choices) were messy, sometimes inspiring and true to their natures. Even with all of that they were capable of true empathy and love for one another.

[Niki]

Yesterday I watched "What the bleep do we know"

Nice movie, some things became much more clear to me. I can say it will definitly change my life, because that's my choice.

[Amit_S]

Wall Street and The Aviator

(yeah yeah I'm a Darkworker )

Are there any other movies like Wall Street?

[Bole]

Well if we are talking about inspiration for life my list would be:

The Shawshank Redemption
25th Hour
Diarios de motocicleta
The Doors

etc. Cant remember other. I prefer music for inspiration

[Argentum]

Originally Posted by jakeyang

Shawshank Redemption - talk about long term planning and patience!

Another vote for this awesome movie. Absolutely brilliant.