Tip#726: Keep Believing & Persevere, Part 1 - In a World

While on my recent Christmas vacation I reconnected to Las Vegas radio show host, Rejj Smooth and we had another exciting, inspiring conversation, this time over the phone. It also felt good to hear him be so supportive of my dream to turn my passion for film into a long-term endeavor. He said my job as a speaker and movies for motivation expert is very unique and can help many people stay positive.

We both agreed that passion was the primary key to career success and I told him one of the reasons why I loved coming to Las Vegas was the genuine passion from the servers in my favourite restaurants. Rejj said it’s because they absolutely loved their jobs. We both believed that if you loved what you do then you can have a fulfilling career at it. You just need to keep believing and persevering towards the vision of what you desire.

See video clips of Xradio interview in the studio with DJ Rejj Smooth: Groundhog Day Pt.1 - Movies that Motivate Tips 8 of 8

In a World (2013)

The comedy, In a World, is about an underachieving voice coach Carol (Lake Bell) who wishes she could be the voice-over on movie trailers despite it being a man’s job. She then finds herself competing for her dream job against her successful and established father Sam (Fred Melmed) and his protégé Gustav (Ken Marino). Movie fans will enjoy this hilarious film that was also written and directed by its star Lake Bell. Bell is so vibrant, funny and adorably goofy in her performance! See: movie trailer for this movie about movie trailers!

The movie is inspiring in that Carol maintained her vision and belief of what she wanted. Movie trailers in real life are dominated by male voice-overs and yet Carol was resilient and optimistic. She persevered despite her arrogant, unsupportive father and others saying her dream was impossible. And with a handful of people that believed in her, Carol received an exciting offer of being the first female voice-over to say “In a world..” in a movie trailer.

I highly recommend this entertaining film for inspiring you with your dreams and goals when others are not supportive. Keep believing and persevering in your vision of what you want in your career and life!

Related Tips:
Tip#726: Keep Believing & Persevere, Part 1 - In a World 
Tip#879: Keep Believing & Persevere, Part 2 - Little Boy
Tip#39: More About Believing: You’ll See It When You Believe It - 3 Movie Tips 
Tip#609: Believe in Yourself - ParaNorman Remember 

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE:
“Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career”
Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Speaker & Movies for Motivation Expert
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#725: Focus & Resilience, Part 1 – Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 42

Movies are magic because when I feel a strong urge to watch a movie again I somehow receive a powerful message for what my life and career needs at that very moment.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Recently I watched Hunger Games: Catching Fire again and this time I noticed how incredibly focused the heroine Katniss was when unexpected adversity hits her in one scene. She’s about to enter the battle arena she witnessed the sudden beating of her friend and stylist, Cinna. Within seconds she was in the arena and she quickly transformed her pain by focusing on the task at hand.

It was inspiring to recognize this fantastic example of focus and resilience on the second viewing of the film. And because I was noticing this quality of focus in the movie hero I knew this was a reminder for me to stay focused with something in my career right now. The movie hero helped increase my confidence with a current project I needed to complete! Films can inspire you in the same way as long as you are open to receiving the message.

Here’s another film that demonstrated astounding focus and resilience.

42 (2013)

The biographical sports film, 42, is about Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) becoming the first African-American player in professional baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. With the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) they weathered the intense racial discrimination that tested Robinson’s spirit and his relationships with fellow teammates, the players from other teams and anyone else who was racist. See: movie trailer 

There are many scenes where Robinson must stay focused in the face of prejudice people. One intense demonstration of racial discrimination occurs on the field in front of all the team players, media and audience. While at bat Robinson is heckled and verbally abused by Ben Chapman (Alan Tudyk) Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite the overwhelming racism inflicted on Robinson he maintained his focus. Despite the pain he felt he remained focused. And with the help of Rickey from the first day they met, Robinson becomes an inspiring example of amazing resilience and steely focus.

Whenever I lose my focus on a goal or task I’ll watch a film like 42 or Hunger Games: Catching Fire to inspire my inner strengths. I highly recommend you do the same when you feel stuck. Revisit your own favourite movies you already find inspiring in some way.

Related Tips on Resilience:
Tip#957: Focus & Resilience, Part 2 - Race
Tip#47: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 1 - 18 Movie Tips
Tip#689: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 2 – Riddick
Tip#741: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 3 – Film Critic Richard Crouse - Amazing Grace
Tip#742: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 4 – The Pianist 
Tip#801: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 5 - Whiplash
Tip#134: You Can Bounce Back - Resiliency - Pixar's Boundin'
Tip#260: Be Resilient & Absolutely Confident - You’ve Got Mail
Tip#725: Focus & Resilience, Part 1 – Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 42
Tip#893: Focus & Resilience, Part 2 - The Walk IMAX 3D 

Related Tips:
Tip#389: Focus On The Reality You Want – Inception
Tip#665: Your Greatness, Purpose & Focus – Man of Steel
Tip#725: Focus & Resilience, Part 1 – Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 42
Tip#893: Focus & Resilience, Part 2 - The Walk IMAX 3D
Tip#957: Focus & Resilience, Part 3 - Race

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE:
“Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career”
Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Speaker & Movies for Motivation Expert
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#724: Warm Your Spirit with Good Food, Good Films & Good People - Harvey

I love organizing movie nights with friends and clients! Some of these fun evenings include home-cooked dinners so it combines three of my passions: movies, food and vibrant conversations! I was recently invited to a dinner and movie night by a friend’s work connection.

The wonderful event was hosted by Hal Spradling and Stacey Scher of All Canadian Self-Storage. I met other movie lovers and enjoyed a delicious meal of roast lamb, salmon, veggies, Processo, red wine and a choice of amazing pies: key lime, coconut cream and lemon meringue. My taste buds were singing!

It was a blissful evening where the meal, pleasant new meetings and a classic comedy made the icy weather outside completely disappear! The film we saw was one of my father's favourites and I finally saw it for the first time. The movie added to the warmed in my heart I was already feeling!

Harvey (1950)

The comedy, Harvey, is based on a play of the same name and is about a middle-age, eccentric man, Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart), whose best friend is in the form of a six-foot, 3 1/2 inch tall invisible rabbit named Harvey. When his sister, Veta (Josephine Hull) tries to have Elwood committed to a sanatorium that’s when the film accelerates into a hilarious screwball comedy of errors. See: movie trailer

What unfolds was the warm and pleasant personality of Elwood and how kind and thoughtful he was with every single person he meets. And though he does scare off some people when he introduces his invisible rabbit friend Elwood always maintained his authentic kindness. He ends up touching the lives of everyone around him including the doctors and staff at the sanatorium!

Elwood’s positive spirit and attitude, despite adversities he faced, inspired me. I highly recommend this film to inspire you to be more compassionate and thoughtful of others. That attitude will warm the spirit of everyone involved!

“Years ago my mother used to say to me, "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” 
Elwood P. Dowd, from the film Harvey

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE:
“Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career”
Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#723: Amazing Transformations, Part 2 – American Hustle

There have been many films that feature astounding physical transformations by actors. Robert Deniro gained 60 pounds in Raging Bull while Charlize Theron gained weight, wore unflattering makeup, brown contact lenses and stained, rotting teeth in Monster.

Christian Bale has made the most drastic transformations such as shedding an unbelievable 63 pounds for The Machinist and then within five months putting on 100 pounds for Batman Begins. He later lost weight again for The Fighter where he won an Oscar for best supporting actor.

See: Christian Bale’s body transformations

American Hustle (2013)

The comedy-drama, American Hustle, is loosely based on true events of the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Two con artists Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are forced by an FBI agent Richard DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) to set up a sting operation on corrupt politicians. This film has many fantastic and funny performances by the leads as well as from Jeremy Renner and a stunning Jennifer Lawrence. See: movie trailer 

All the characters feature dramatic and even hilarious appearances with hairstyles and clothes from the 70’s and 80’s. Bale gained 42 pounds for his beer belly as well as creating a receding hairline and comb-over. The film director says that Bale was so unrecognizable that when he introduced Bale to co-star Robert De Niro he later asked “Who’s that guy?” pointing to Bale!

In the end the lead characters Rosenfeld and Prosser go through transformations of their profession and ethics. The story also shows that people are hustling other people in some way, deceiving themselves along the way. The film demonstrates that dramatic changes can happen not just in physical appearances but also in a person’s attitude towards the treatment of fellow human beings.

What did you think about the film and the amazing transformations?

Related Tips:
Tip#722: Amazing Transformations, Part 1 – Dallas Buyers Club 

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE:
“Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career”
Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#722: Amazing Transformations, Part 1 – Dallas Buyers Club

Amazing transformations are inspiring to watch with movie heroes who are able to dramatically change their ways of thinking so they can solve seemingly impossible challenges. It is also amazing to see actors transform so much into their roles that they are almost unrecognizable.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

The biographical drama film, Dallas Buyers Club, is based on a true story of a reckless, homophobic electrician named Rob Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey) living life carelessly through sex, alcohol and drugs. Once he is diagnosed with AIDS and given 30 days to live Woodroof goes through a personal transformation towards a healthier lifestyle with a powerful will to keep living. He also learns to embrace the gay community. See: movie trailer

Woodroof also demonstrates effective entrepreneurial skills as he not only acquires the drugs and vitamins that prolong his life, he makes them available to help other AIDS patients through the Dallas Buyers Club. Actor McConaughey’s physical transformation is astounding having lost nearly 50 pounds for the role. Actor Jared Leto also lost over 30 pounds to play Rayon, a transgender woman with an equally powerful performance.

The character Woodroof inspires because of his transformation towards life, his health and his acceptance of lifestyles different from his own. He also helped others by raising awareness to the ineffective medical help being offered at the time. Let him inspire you to be more mindful of your own health and relationships so you may live life fully for as long as you can!

Related Tips:
Tip#723: Amazing Transformations, Part 2 – American Hustle

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE: “Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career” Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#721: The Need for Human Interaction - Her

It’s been over a week and I am finally feeling better after being sick in bed with the flu. During that time I was not well enough to talk or text or even be online with social media for very long. I started to get stir crazy because I really needed human interaction. Thankfully I got a lot of rest and I also had my movie collection to watch. And yet it really got to be very lonely.

Her (2013)

The science fiction romantic comedy-drama, Her, is about a lonely, introverted man named Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) who develops a deep relationship with the female voice of his computer’s new operating system named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson). The film is an excellent and unique exploration of the primal needs of love and relationships and how far a man goes with artificial intelligence. The soundtrack is also amazing with its moving piano arrangements capturing the love between Theodore and Samantha. See: movie trailer

Phoenix and Johansson’s performances are so emotionally engaging it’s easy to see why this film is winning top awards and expected to receive Oscar nominations. I was so drawn into the story and it made me look at my own life as well as see the film’s insights on relationships we build online. Here are some favourite, inspirational quotes from the film.

“The past is just a story we tell ourselves.” 

“We are only here briefly, and in this moment I want to allow myself… joy.” 

“I trust myself, I trust my feelings. I’m not going to try to be anything other than who I am anymore and I hope you can except that.” 

“You know, I can feel the fear that you carry around and I wish there was something I can do to help you let go of it because if you could I don’t think you’d feel so alone anymore.” 

I hope these quotes help inspire your start to a new year filled with rich interactions whether they be in person or online via social media. And if you see this film please let me know what messages it gave you that were motivating or empowering.

Related Tips:
Tip#721: The Need for Human Interaction – Her 
Tip#1020: The Need for Human Interaction, Part 2 - Passengers 

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE: “Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career” Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here 

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#720: When It's Time to Purge – The Wolf of Wall Street

I just entered my sixth day sick in bed with flu. But there is a silver lining. As in all Christmas holiday vacations to Las Vegas I overindulged in the delicious foods at restaurants, buffets (as in all you can eat) and family gatherings (as in all you can eat :)). I felt bloated and sometimes disgusted with myself. I was lacking in fresh fruits and vegetables and felt my body breaking down and needing help.

Getting the flu forced me to immediately flush my system full of liquids, live foods and vitamins. The purge now feels fantastic and I am on the mend towards an exciting, healthy new year.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

The film The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. The story features a hard look at Belfort’s addictions with drugs and alcohol and his unethical practices. And though the performances are excellent and humorous there are characters, like Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill), that are horrible human beings. See: movie trailer

I questioned whether or not to write about this film because watching Belfort at times was extremely disturbing in his self-destructive addictions and business practices. And Azoff is just an appalling character. Even director Martin Scorsese has been targeted by angry reactions to the film. In the end Belfort is an antihero, like Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, and ultimately punished for his crimes. His consequences forced him to purge himself of the toxic lifestyle he created for himself and others.

What do you think? Have you seen The Wolf of Wall Street?

Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE:
“Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career”
Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#719: Top 10 Movies for Motivation from 2013

On my last day of my Las Vegas vacation I started to feel sick. Once I got off the plane in Toronto that feeling escalated into an intense flu. And even though this is my 3rd day sick in bed I’m going to write my regular Sunday post from a previously written list.

Here’s my list of top 10 movies for motivation from 2013 in alphabetical order. All these films show excellent examples of passion, perseverance and indestructible optimism. They also show how the movie heroes achieved their goals with the help of people who believed in them.

1. About Time (See: tip#701)
2. The Croods (See: tip#642)
3. Delivery Man (See: tip#706)
4. Ender’s Game (See: tip#702)
5. Gravity (See: tip#694)
6. Her (See: tip#721)
7. Now You See Me (See: tip#681)
8. Oz the Great & Powerful (See: tip#637 and tip#659)
9. Saving Mr. Banks (See: tip#713)
10. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (See: tip#718)

Runner ups include: The Book Thief, 12 Years a Slave

Of course there are always top 10 lists that do not include your favourite films. So please let me know if you discovered a movie from 2013 that was inspiring or motivating in some way.

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE:
“Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career”
Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Tip#718: Stop Dreaming Start Living - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

It is early New Year’s morning (PST) as I write this and my Las Vegas/Santa Barbara holiday vacation slowly comes to an end. More than any other vacation I felt compelled to stay off social media and emailing so I can stay more in the moment of the relaxing, warm and rejuvenating environments I’ve been in.

And whenever I took photos during family gatherings I felt like an “observer” rather than a participant of the events and festivities unfolding. I felt out of the moment. Synchronistically, this was explored in a film released at Christmas whose tagline was “Stop Dreaming Start Living”. Dreaming is still important as long as it is balanced with action.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

The adventure fantasy, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, is about Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) an employee at Life magazine who daydreams frequently of fantastical adventures. He daydreams of how he’d change his situations in life and at work like having a romantic relationship or dealing with a harsh boss. He must then do something extraordinary and travel around the world in search of photojournalist Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn). See: movie trailer 

This magical and imaginatively filmed movie is overflowing with motivational messages about living life to the fullest. Almost every scene contains an inspiring statement either subliminal or obvious. And the message of really experiencing life rather than daydreaming or being an “observer” is delivered loud and clear. Being in the moment is a great message to start off the New Year. It is also the message of one of my all time favourite films, Peaceful Warrior (see tip#69).

With that in mind I will now go back to sleep after a late night of festivities here in Las Vegas. I am going back to being in the moment of vacationing bliss! I wish you a Happy 2014 and hope you live every moment to the fullest!

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 

EMMANUEL’S FIRST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE:
“Movies for Motivation: How To Stay Strong in Your Life & Career”
Read the Introduction and 1st Chapter now: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Providing Inspiring Movies to Empower Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014