Movies That Motivate | The Adventures of Motivatorman!: November 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Tip#809: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 7 – The Man from Earth

For me, science fiction movies are fantastic “what if?” stories and intriguing glimpses into the future or an alternate reality. I recently attended a presentation on eCommerce marketing by Ian Francis of AffiliateTraction Canada where he talked about how Sci Fi movies like Steven Spielberg's Minority Report was coming true with personalized advertising. See: movie clip

In the film you see Tom Cruise’s character walking through a mall and into a Gap store and being personally greeted whenever his eyes are scanned. I always thought that was so cool and this is already beginning to happen today whenever we do online shopping. Sci Fi movies can expand your mind and the way you see the world. And some films can do this without dazzling special effects.

The Man from Earth (2007)

The science fiction film, The Man from Earth, is about Professor John Oldman (David Lee Smith) who claims to have lived more than 14,000 years, sharing this with fellow faculty members. The entire movie is set in and around Oldman’s house and is extremely riveting as everyone discusses and argues the “what if?” story being told. And no special effects! See: movie trailer

This is one of those hidden gem films that can intrigue you into thinking about the possibilities of a seemingly impossible premise. It’s best you see this film without knowing anymore! It reminded me of another “low fi Sci Fi” movie called Coherence (see tip#789) where its brilliance and wild concepts were fueled by an engaging cast.

It doesn’t whether you believe in the outlandish concepts presented in science fiction films. What matters is if they excite your imagination and expand the way you see the world. Wild ideas can change the way we shop and the way we communicate. Do you remember the first time you saw the original Star Trek TV show from the 60’s where Captain Kirk flipped open his communicator? Cool concept for a phone wouldn’t you say? :)

Related Tips:
Tip#748: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 1 - After the Dark
Tip#772: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 2 – The Congress - Under the Skin
Tip#778: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 3 – I Origins
Tip#789: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 4 – Coherence
Tip#790: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 5 - Frequencies
Tip#803: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 6 – Interstellar
Tip#809: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 7 – The Man from Earth
Tip#852: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 8 - Ex Machina
Tip#861: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 9 – Netflix’s Sense8
Tip#1004: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 10 - Arrival

NEED FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES: Click here

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

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

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Tip#808: The Power of Community and The Media, Pt.2 - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

I’ve been reading an outstanding book called Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg containing fantastic insights on sales and marketing and why people are drawn to certain products. It explains the fascinating success stories of Pepsodent toothpaste, Febreze air freshener and Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps.

The success stories are based on a simple three-step formula called the habit loop: cue, routine, reward. Discover the cue and reward of your product’s audience/customers and they will gravitate to your message. For example Pepsodent’s Cue is “film on your teeth” and the reward is “a sparkling smile”. This habit loop formula can be applied to any media message needed to make a strong connection to any audience.

Once again I synchronistically watched a film that explores this media sales and marketing concept…

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014)

The science fiction adventure film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1, is the third part in the story of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in a dystopian future where she is now needed as a rebellion leader called the Mockingjay. This film feels very different and much darker from the previous two movies though Katniss is riveting to watch as she overcomes extreme emotional pain to become a powerful leader. See: movie trailer

As with the previous two films I was most inspired by scenes where Katniss is helped with her authenticity to be used in the media. In this chapter she is being coached to deliver a video message to rally other districts to join the rebellion. As she is being videotaped in a studio her scripted delivery is obviously not successful. Her team analyzes what worked in the past for Katniss and they discover a solution that allows her authentic emotions flow for the camera. This film demonstrates the power of media, marketing a message and making emotional connections.

Movies can deliver entertainment as well as a myriad of lessons such as how the media can cultivate community and an audience. Be inspired by films whether it is for answers you seek in life, your workplace or business.

Related Tips:
Tip#528: Articulate Your Best To Others – The Hunger Games
Tip#708: Being Genuine & Being Strategic – The Hunger Games Catching Fire
Tip#517: The Power of Community and The Media, Pt.1 – Big Miracle
Tip#808: The Power of Community and The Media, Pt.2 - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

NEED FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES: Click here

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

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

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Tip#807: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 3 – The Artist

Before I do any motivational talks or radio interviews I always visualize the individuals in the audience feeling good as they listen to me speak. I picture them gaining an important answer to a challenge they currently face.

I recently did a 30 min. interview for A Kind Voice radio show with host Dominick Domasky where I talked about five movies for motivation: Rudy, Million Dollar Arm, Saving Private Ryan, Temple Grandin and Guardians of the Galaxy. Listen to the show

A few days afterwards I gave a motivational talk where I presented Guardians of the Galaxy as a key movie for teamwork and team spirit. I then posted a photo of me in action onto Instagram and soon the director of the film James Gunn had seen the photo and Liked it! I was so excited because I was now on this Hollywood director’s radar just sharing movies that make me feel good and that could help others feel good too!

Follow me now: Instagram

The Artist (2011)

The romantic comedy-drama, The Artist, is about successful silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) who faces being obsolete when talking pictures takes over the industry. It is also a love story of rising star, Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) who helps George through his difficult times. Shot in the style of a classic black & white silent film this Oscar winning movie is full of unexpected magic and uplifting, heartwarming moments.

I recently saw this wonderful film at a friend’s luxurious condo theatre and got to see it through the eyes of people watching The Artist for the first time. They loved it! It’s always amazing to see how magnified the emotion, humour and joy of the characters and scenes are with no dialogue. The visuals, exuberant dancing and music always take me to a happy world!

I highly recommend seeing this feel-good film to lift your spirits. It will remind you of the simple joys in life and that there is always hope, optimism and help when you need it most!

Related Tips:
Tip#828: Motivatorman’s Top 10 Feel Good Movies
Tip#756: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 1 - Fusia Magazine 5th Anniversary Party - Million Dollar Arm
Tip#806: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 2 - St. Vincent
Tip#807: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 3 – The Artist
Tip#979: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 4 - Pelé: Birth of a Legend

NEED FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES:
Click here

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

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

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Tip#806: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 2 - St. Vincent

I had a great weekend at my friend’s cottage/home with other close friends! Helped chopped wood for the winter season and experienced a really magical snowfall. My friend also had a new hot tub which I was eager to try but it was semi-outdoors so the room was extremely chilly. I almost talked myself out it. And yet once I braved the cold air and slowly acclimated to the hot, whirling waters it was absolutely blissful! BLLLLLISSFUL!!!

That contrast was a perfect metaphor for adversities I’ve faced in life where things looked and felt really negative at first but later revealed something highly beneficial. I grew as a person or these challenges led me to meeting some great people. This latest film I saw mirrored this wonderful reminder that below a nasty surface could be a fantastic feel-good experience.

St. Vincent (2014)

The comedy-drama film, St. Vincent, is about a grouchy, mean, gambler named Vincent (Bill Murray) who gets recruited to babysit his neighbor’s 12-year-old son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Despite being a mismatched pair they help each other grow through hilarious and heartwarming antics. This is classic Bill Murray where his and every other performance is outstanding by actors Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts and Chris O’Dowd. See: movie trailer

This film demonstrates that characters like Vincent may be negative and nasty at first but still have a warm, compassionate side. He is ultimately celebrated as a modern day saint (hence the movie title!). This reminds me to always be as understanding as I can be when I encounter unpleasant people or situations in life. I highly recommend this excellent feel-good film to lift you up if you are feeling down. And it will remind you to never judge a book by its cover and to give the grouchiest of people a chance to show their humanity!

Related Tips:
Tip#828: Motivatorman’s Top 10 Feel Good Movies
Tip#756: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 1 - Fusia Magazine 5th Anniversary Party - Million Dollar Arm
Tip#806: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 2 - St. Vincent
Tip#807: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 3 – The Artist
Tip#979: Top Feel-Good Movies, Pt 4 - Pelé: Birth of a Legend

NEED MORE FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES: Click here

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

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

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Tip#805: Resilience Resources, Part 2 - Depression - It’s Kind of a Funny Story

As I mentioned in tip#803 I used my creativity to create illustrations, artworks and compose and record songs to lift myself up from my depressions and SAD (seasonal affective disorder). The thing is I didn’t even know I was depressed or had SAD back in the 90’s or earlier! I just figured out a powerful coping method for the feelings of hopelessness and isolation I’d slip into from time to time.

Watching movies and writing this blog twice a week also became coping methods because they helped stop the ruminating in my mind that occurs in depression (see tip#801). Recently during a difficult week with SAD I was listening to a song I recorded and released in 1999 called Rain of Angels. It immediately soothed my mind and I decided to produce a music video that would include colourful artworks I also created during times of depression.

Creating the music video was yet another coping method and the extra joy I felt came from my intention to post it online to help others going through difficult times, depression, winter blues or SAD. If you or someone you know could benefit from this video please send them this link: Rain of Angels Music Video

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2014)

The comedy drama film, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, is about a stressed 16 year old named Craig (Keir Gilchrist) checking himself into a mental-health clinic. Since the youth wing is closed he must spend his five-day stay in the adult wing where he makes friends with Bobby (Zach Gaifianakis) and another teen Noel (Emma Roberts). The film is a humorous look at mental pain and depression some people experience. See: movie trailer

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Tip#804: Resilience Resources, Part 1 - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - The Theory of Everything

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD):
A mood disorder subset in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year, most commonly in the winter.

I will always remember 2014 as the year of my revelation that I experience symptoms related to winter blues and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The lack of sunlight and shorter days of Fall and Winter (and random periods in Spring and Summer) have affected me for over 25 years and this is the first time I’ve entered this difficult and dark time knowing what I know. I have decided to share more details of my journey towards solving this form of depression on this movie blog with the vision that my findings can help others around the world.

I have been encouraged by a small handful of close friends and colleagues to share my SAD experiences because it still links directly with the Resilience Resources I’ve already been sharing for years in the form of movies. Many other synchronicities have also been coming up to support this as part of my mission and purpose in life. So the timing of seeing The Theory of Everything movie further inspired me to tell my story about SAD.

More about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
1) 'Tis the Season (Again): How to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder
2) Good overview with Winter Blues author, Norman E. Rosenthal, MD
3) SAD Pinterest Board

The Theory of Everything (2014)

The romantic biographical film, The Theory of Everything, is based on the memoirs of Jane Wilde Hawking (Felicity Jones) and her life adventures with her ex-husband theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne). This deeply inspiring film shows their heartbreaking and heartwarming journey together as they face the challenges of Hawking’s motor neuron disease or ALS. See: movie trailer

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2014