Tip#1017: Heartwarming TV Christmas Movies, Part 3

This Christmas was different as I stayed in Toronto instead of going on my annual Las Vegas holiday. My mom came here this year where our immediate family live. We had a wonderful family Christmas Day dinner together with my siblings for the first time in years. At the end of the evening we heard that pop singer George Michael had passed away. Two days later actress Carrie Fisher would pass away too.

Just before I discovered the Star Wars actress had passed my inner child had a craving for a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish. And as I sat down to eat I looked up at the TV monitor and saw the news of Carrie Fisher's passing. I cried and just sat there. Then I took a photo of the tabletop I was sitting at because it had an outer space look to it. I loved this photo and it will forever remind me of a beautiful, uplifting image during a heartbreaking moment when I lost one of my favourite princesses.

Though the Filet-O-Fish was delicious and how I remember it as a child I then needed an uplifting tonic and treated myself to a delicious Caramel Brûlée Latte from Starbucks. The little golden caramel Brulée sprinkle toppings brought me joy just looking at them!

That evening I watched a new Hallmark made-for-TV movie, A Christmas To Remember, and it warmed my heart and lifted my spirits even more. It was part of four other made-for-TV films that had a theme of broken hearts and of the healing power of Christmas. And though these films have a classic cheesy, sentimental romantic quality to them they still stirred my emotions and made me smile.

A Christmas To Remember (2016)
I was quickly drawn in by the quiet town and the warmth of family headed by single parent John (Cameron Mathison). He meets Jennifer (Mira Sorvino) who has amnesia and, with his family’s help rekindle’s her childhood Christmas spirit and heals the loss of her mother. See: movie trailer

A Prince for Christmas (2015)
I was amazed how this film unexpectedly drew me in with the engaging lead characters and the quiet little town they meet in. Emma (Viva Bianca) is a waitress who lost both her parents a few years back and has her heart warmed by a visiting Prince (Kirk Barker) in cognito. See: movie trailer

Christmas In The Smokies (2016)
I loved spending time in the beautiful Smoky Mountains in this film where Sarah (Shelby Haygood) faces a hurtful experience with an old boyfriend Mason (Alan Powell) who comes back to his hometown after making it big as a country singer. See: movie trailer

Hearts of Christmas (2016)
This film had a more serious tone though just as heartwarming as the other movies. Jenny (Emilie Ullerop) butts head with the new manager Matt (Krisoffer Polaha) who fired her supervisor Alice (Sharon Lawrence). They work in a hospital's neonatal intensive care unit and there are many heartwarming moments of the loving difference Alice made over the years in saving the lives of many babies. See: movie trailer

For some people, Christmas time contains sad memories of lost loved ones and broken hearts. And yet it can become a time of healing with the help of family, friends, meeting new people, uplifting holiday movies, childhood comfort foods and Caramel Brûlée Lattes. I hope you find something special that warms your heart this holiday season.

Related Tips:
Tip#716: Heartwarming TV Christmas Movies, Part 1
Tip#1012: Heartwarming TV Christmas Movies, Part 2 
Tip#1017: Heartwarming TV Christmas Movies, Part 3
Tip#908: Movie Messages of Hope for The Holidays, Part 1 - The Night Before
Tip#916: Movie Messages of Hope for The Holidays, Part 2 - Crown for Christmas

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#1016: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 7 - La La Land

“La La Land is a musical tonic for the times.” 
Review in: Macleans.ca

It is early Christmas morning as I write this and the film La La Land will be in wide release in theatres today. It is definitely the most magical movie I saw this year and have thought about it many times since seeing at TIFF 2016 in September. It exemplified the pure uplifting feelings and positive energy I've been getting from the cinema since I was a kid. And it was also a mirror for my life’s journey of what it is like to follow my passion and dreams.

My passion encompasses many art forms like illustration, photography and storytelling. Along with cinema these are all forms of uplifting and effective tonics. Writing this movie blog is a powerful tonic and it is fueled by the magic of movies like La La Land. The theatre may start off dark but then the movie takes me away to an exciting fantasy world and return me emotionally excited, moved to tears or inspired with ideas to move through current challenges and towards my dreams and goals!

La La Land (2016)

The romantic, musical, comedy-drama film, La La Land, is about two people following their dreams in modern day Los Angeles. Mia (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a jazz musician. This is a breathtaking tribute to 50's and 60’s musicals and Technicolor cinema with beautiful songs and magical dance sequences featuring Stone and Gosling.

See: La La Land movie trailer
See: La La Land Teaser 1
See: La La Land Teaser 2

Ever since I saw the two unique song trailers I was instantly hooked and eager to see this film! I loved classic 60’s musicals growing up like West Side Story, Sound of Music and later Moulin Rouge. I was just amazed at Stone and Gosling’s singing and dancing because there were so fantastic and timeless together. I highly recommend you give yourself a cinematic Christmas gift and see La La Land on the big screen! Your cinematic soul will thank you!

Inspiring Themes:
• Having a Vision
• Following a Passion & Dream
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Letting Go
• Supportive Relationships

There is so much magic in a movie when it touches your heart, ignites your emotions and stirs your imagination. They can also be a tonic for helping you deal with the ups and down of life. This holiday I hope you find magic somewhere in your day, in your relationships and everywhere you go!

Related Tips:
Tip#581: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 1 – The Artist  
Tip#959: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 2 - Micmacs
Tip#987: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 3 - Café Society
Tip#988: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 4 - TIFF 2016
Tip#1001: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 5 - Amadeus Live at The Sony Centre 
Tip#1008: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 6 – Pete’s Dragon 
Tip#1016: Remember the Magic of Cinema, Part 7 - La La Land



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Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
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C) Inspiration & Motivation 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#1015: Coping with Depression, Mental Health & Wellness -Collateral Beauty

“I’m trying to fix my mind.” 
Collateral Beauty (2016)

I recently attended a preview screening of Collateral Beauty that was an epic, enjoyable, memorable event! Hosted by the Canadian Film Centre at the Cineplex VIP Lounge at Yonge & Eglinton Toronto, we were all treated to glasses of wine, hot delicious foods and jumbo popcorn boxes at the reception! The VIP screening room was gorgeous and it was the first time I’d seen catering set up right in a movie theatre.

My pal, Toronto Film Critic, Richard Crouse then introduced the director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, 2006) for a brief Q&A prior to the film. We then watched the film in our comfy reclining seats, fresh popcorn and a glass of Chardonnay in our hands! All the while I was very aware of how good I felt and that I was currently experiencing a good mental health period free of depression symptoms (see tip#1010). And this film would be addressing this important theme of depression, health and wellness.

Collateral Beauty (2016)

The drama film, Collateral Beauty, is about New York advertising executive, Howard Inlet (Will Smith) who has a unique coping method for dealing with a personal tragedy by writing letters to Love, Time and Death. His story expands to include an ensemble of characters wanting to help Howard move forward in his life. The engaging cast includes Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Kiera Knightley, Michael Peña, Noamie Harris and Jacob Latimore. See: movie trailer

I found it fascinating how Howard utilized his coping method of writing these letters and also the “what if” fantasy factor of having Love, Time and Death become personified and have meaningful dialogues with him. For me writing this movie blog does wonders for my mental state as well as engaging in my life-long passion for photography and other creative activities like illustrations, video production and composing music. This film can inspire others to be creative in their own coping methods for mental illness challenges or dealing with trauma, bereavement or rehabilitation.

This film also brings up issues and stigmas about mental health and depression. And yet the themes of resilience, creative coping tools and the importance of supportive relationships shine through not only for the individual suffering but for his loved ones and co-workers who do their best to help Howard face his inner pain and hurt.

Coping with painful challenges in life can feel like an isolating, dark journey with feelings of hopelessness. But it doesn’t have to be if you choose an alternative path. Be inspired by movie heroes who are able to find creative ways of coping and are able to welcome in the help of loving, caring people. Be open to your inner strengths and good people around you ready to empower you forward!

Related Tips:
Tip#1010: Health & Wellness for the Holidays - Love the Coopers
Tip#855: How Movies Saved My Life, Part 1 - Depression & Mental Health - Tomorrowland
Tip#863: How Movies Saved My Life, Part 2 - Depression & Mental Health - Inside Out
Tip#958: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
Tip#1000: Celebrating 1,000 Movie Tips & The Uplifting Power of Cinema – In the Film song



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
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MOVIE MESSAGES of HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
15 Films for Overcoming Depression & Difficult Times
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MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: Fresh Air Show 14 minutes

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Inspiration & Motivation 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#1014: Childhood Passions, Part 3 - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Seeing the original Star Wars film in 1977 changed my life! It inspired my imagination so much I had to collect all the action figures and replay the adventures in my own backyard. I also drew countless scenes recreating the space battle at the Death Star with Rebel X-Wing fighters chasing Imperial Tie fighters. I didn’t know it at the time but my passion had been ignited! See: tip#758

Now imagine decades later and a new film triggers memories of these childhood adventures where images of these ships filled the screen in a whole new way. That’s what I got and more from the 3rd act of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story! It was if my childhood memories of playing and drawing these space battles came to life. It even featured some of the same characters from the 1977 film. My inner child was in a state of overflowing bliss!

One of many drawings I did in 1977!

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

The action, adventure film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, takes place just before the opening scenes of Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) and tells the story of how the Death Star plans are stolen by the Rebel Alliance. This exciting chapter is filled with nostalgic nods to the original Star Wars while introducing us to new heroes such as Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), K-2SO (Alan Tudk) and many more. See: movie trailer

Despite the bliss I mentioned there are still a few negatives I felt about certain aspects of the film but these would be serious spoilers! I will instead focus on the delight of seeing the space ships I know and loved back in action as well as the AT-AT Walkers, surprise cameos, cues from John Williams magnificent score and Darth Vader in all his glorious darkness!

What was very different that I loved was the diversity of the characters with visible minorities such as actors Diego Luna (Mexican), Donnie Yen (Chinese) and Riz Ahmed (Pakistani). And having a female lead played by Felicity Jones excited me to know that this film will inspire the idea of team spirit and of supportive relationships for people of different backgrounds.

I’m hoping this film inspires the imagination of a whole new generation of kids and ignite their own passion for finding their inner strengths the same way the original film inspired my career as an illustrator, movie blog writer and motivational speaker (see: tip#758)!

Childhood passion is meant to be kept alive as an adult. Passion is the fuel that drives you forward on a joyful path in life and in career. Find movies that re-ignite your passions and see how exciting your life can be!

Related Tips:
Tip#178: Childhood Passions, Part 1 - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - Star Trek 
Tip#932: Childhood Passions, Part 2 – A Good Year 
Tip#1014: Childhood Passions, Part 3 - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Tip#758: Movies that Changed My Life - Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope



NEED SOME CHEERING UP?
SEE NOW: Uplifting 4 min. Hollywood movie montage & song by Emmanuel Lopez!

ON SALE NOW:
MOVIE MESSAGES of HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
15 Films for Overcoming Depression & Difficult Times
 The uplifting eBook by Emmanuel Lopez: Click Here

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: Fresh Air Show 14 minutes

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Inspiration & Motivation 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
The Movies-For-Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016