Movies That Motivate | The Adventures of Motivatorman!: December 2018

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Tip#1126: Family & Nostalgic Memories, Part 6 - Bumblebee

Happy New Year to all my devoted readers and fans around the world!

I continue to soak up the sunshine’s vitamin D here on my annual Christmas vacation in sunny Las Vegas! I’ve been feeling no seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms! I also continue to see that my mom and dad had kept my artworks especially ones I drew for them as gifts over the years! I found this anniversary card I did displayed on a shelf. Not only was this fun illustration remind me of my artistic talents it also reminded me of the immense love of family I had growing up.

See more art & illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

I also got emotional when I watched Matt Damon's opening monologue on Saturday Night Live's Christmas show. He talked about his dad letting him stay up late to watch SNL with him when he was a kid. To my surprise Matt then said his dad passed away a year ago on Dec. 14th and that got my tears going because it's the same day my dad passed away in 2000. Hearing that touched my heart and I just felt happy feelings that my dad’s love and spirit was with me and my mom this Christmas vacation. See: Matt Damon on SNL Christmas Show

My dad also sent me more dimes from heaven that always surprise me when I see them! On Christmas Day I found two shiny dimes while stepping out of a Walgreens store and then, on another day, in Bath and Body Works store. I plan on publishing a book on my photos of these divine discoveries! In the meantime our family Christmas Day movie choice was so synchronistic in it's heartwarming themes of family and dealing with grief.

Bumblebee (2018)

The science fiction action film, Bumblebee is the sixth installment of the live-action Transformers film series where the title character is discovered hiding in 1987 by teenager Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld) who is struggling with the passing of her father. This action packed, heartfelt story also includes exciting special effects and battle scenes starring John Cena and Jorge Lendeborg Jr..
See: movie trailer
Watch now: Amazon Prime

This entertaining movie had a classic family film feeling with a great 80’s soundtrack that triggered happy memories of my own teenage years. And the heartfelt friendship that develops between Charlie and Bumblebee was funny and mesmerizing to watch unfold. For Transformers fans they will get to see how Bumblebee came to Earth and how he became known for transforming into a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle.

Inspiring Themes:
• Courage
• Confidence
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Supportive Relationships
• Family
• Friendship
• Grieving

It was so synchronistic to see this film and witness Charlie deal with her father’s unexpected death at a time when I miss my own dad the most at Christmas and New Years. I loved how Charlie’s mom, brother and step-father did their best to love and support her. In the end the story reminded me how the trauma of losing a family member does heal over time and that the love of family and friendship are key to overcoming these painful times.

Movies can help comfort you by triggering happy, nostalgic feelings of your life growing up. They can remind you that family is so important no matter what challenges they include. Films can also help you see you are not alone when dealing with the loss of a loved one. Cinema can help take you away from your problems and return you feeling happier and even fill you with hope. Find a special film today to be your warm blanket and lift your spirits!

Related Tips:
Tip#436: 12 Healing Movies For Grieving The Loss of a Loved One
Tip#1125: Family & Nostalgic Memories, Part 5 – Mary Poppins Returns

See 100's of inspirational movie tips now: Movies for Motivation

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION OR DIFFICULT TIMES?
• READ: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
• READ: Emmanuel & Depression featured in The Toronto Star
• LISTEN: Emmanuel's CBC Radio Interview on Movie Messages of Hope: The Fresh Air Show
• WATCH: Uplifting Movie Montage produced by Emmanuel Lopez!
• DISCOVER: 8 Creative Tools for Motivation & Depression

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

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Tip#1125: Family & Nostalgic Memories, Part 5 – Mary Poppins Returns

It’s a few days before Christmas and I’m with family on my annual Las Vegas Xmas vacation. I’ve been feeling waves of happy memories as I unearth boxes of my published illustrations my mom and dad collected from my years as an illustrator from the 80’s and 90’s! I had forgotten so many wonderful, fun images I had created when I was a regular illustrator for The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and many more newspapers and magazines. Seeing these pictures from the past put a big smile on my face!

These printed samples from my past reminded me of how busy and successful my illustration business was back then. And now I get to enjoy these artworks purely as art while feeling so much joy celebrating my imagination! This re-vitalized my passion for sharing more of these once buried illustrations on my art website so please take a look at my treasure chest of samples! See: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

See more illustration samples: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

Once again I was synchronistically drawn to seeing a new film that captured the joy of my illustration years with its wonderful, vibrant visuals and songs that tickled my spirit and inner child. It was the perfect holiday film to celebrate the imagination and see with my mom and sister at Christmas!

Mary Poppins Returns 2018)

The musical fantasy film, Mary Poppins Returns, is about the iconic, magical nanny of the same name (Emily Blunt) returning decades after her original visit to help Michael Banks’s (Ben Whishaw) children save their home from bankruptcy. This holiday gem is highly entertaining on so many levels with wonderful songs and performances by Blunt, Whishaw, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emily Mortimer and other surprises! See: movie trailer

I don’t remember the original movie leaving a lasting impression when I saw it as a kid but this new film definitely captured the magical feeling and memories of my childhood. This film absolutely celebrates the pure freedom of childhood imagination. It also had the feeling of an instant Disney classic and was filled with original songs and lyrics that were super catchy! My favourite song was “The Royal Doulton Music Hall” performed in a fantastic sequence that recreates classic Disney animation with live action people.

All the song lyrics were also brimming with life lessons for all ages. They spoke about imagination, finding your way home, loss of a loved one and having indestructible optimism. The film finds an amazing balance of fantasy with the realities of grieving, family sticking together or losing a home due to unexpected hardships. I found this balance amazing and it touched my heart deeply. Highly recommend this movie for the whole family!

Inspiring Themes:
• Imagination
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Supportive Relationships
• Family
• Friendship
• Hope

There is so much magic in happy childhood memories and even forgotten memories as an adult. They sometimes get lost over the years but movies can help unearth these happy thoughts and the love of family. They can help re-energize your imagination and indestructible optimism and give you hope if you are facing your own unexpected hardships. Find a film today to re-vitalize your inner eternal joy!

Related Tips:
Tip#1107: Family & Nostalgic Memories, Part 4 - National Velvet
Tip#422: Keep Your Playful Imagination Alive – Imagine That

See 100's of inspirational movie tips now: Movies for Motivation

Sunday, December 09, 2018

Tip#1124: Identify Your Multiple Talents, Part 2 - Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

For the past two weeks I’ve been revisiting old promotional sheets of my illustrations I did decades ago. It’s been such a joy looking at images I created that were either just for myself or for my illustration business, Crackers World Communications. Some these illustrations I unearthed were custom laser prints that I signed and had sold to people who wanted to own a piece of my artistic expression. I was surprised these have been in storage for so long collecting dust.

The urge to take inventory of these art and illustrations was definitely the results of the self-love workshop I took two weeks ago (see tip#1123). I feel it allowed me to go inward and see the brightest sides of myself. It also reminded me that my biggest dream was to share countless artworks in storage that people have never seen and would bring them so much joy. This self-discovery process has left me questioning what to do next in my career.

I know I am an artist, illustrator and caricature artist and yet I am also a passionate movie blogger, motivational speaker and photographer for my Instagram page. I am also a songwriter and musician, an author and a social media consultant. Though I’ve loved all these aspects of my career and now question if I’ve actually fragmented myself. Thankfully a movie has magically come along to provide me with some answers and insights!

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018)

The fantasy adventure film, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, is based on the stories of Rudyard Kipling about the human child Mowgli (Rohan Chand) raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. This grittier version of Disney’s The Jungle Book is filled with lush scenery, exciting action sequences and fantastic voice and motion capture performances from Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Naomie Harris, and director Andy Serkis (played Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy). See: movie trailer

I was amazed at the emotive qualities of the animal characters especially Christian Bale as Bagheera the black panther and Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan the Bengal tiger. Along with the rest of the animals they help Mowgli soul search of where he belongs in this world. They help him see he is not an animal nor is he a regular human. He is more.

Mowgli, through his conflicts, helps him focus on his unique strengths and talents to face his fears and adversities in the amazing, unique ways only he could achieve. And that, to me, inspired me to know I’ll find the answers I seek in moving forward with my life and career. The film also reminded me that I have a loving community of friends, family and work colleagues!

Inspiring Themes:
• Personal Identity
• Talents, Skills & Gifts
• Courage
• Confidence
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Supportive Relationships
• Family & Community

Movies that magically come our way can be inspirational learning tools to help us look into ourselves and find the brightest parts of our souls. They can help unearth hidden talents, skills and gifts. They can provide cinematic role models young and old to help us through conflicts we face in our lives or careers. Find a film today to mirror your inner strengths, multiple talents and shining potential to move forward with confidence!

Related Tips:
Tip#277: Unearthing Your Passion & Purpose - Get Shorty
Tip#628: Identify Your Multiple Talents - Magic Mike
Tip#299: Share Your Hidden Gifts – The Incredibles

See 100's of inspirational movie tips now: Movies for Motivation

Sunday, December 02, 2018

Tip#1123: Learning to Love Yourself, Part 3 - Ralph Breaks the Internet

I just had a fantastic, productive week and it’s thanks to a powerful personal growth workshop called the Radical Self-Love Workshop at Shift Collab! It was hosted by Melissa di Fonzo and Elizabeth Wilson who guided us through empowering group discussions of where we are each stuck in our lives, a mirror/affirmations exercise and a sound bath using two crystal bowls.

We each felt so energized that some of us went for lunch afterwards at the vegetarian restaurant Fresh on Bloor. We continued our lively discussions over a delicious meal where I shared examples of my artworks. Their enthusiastic reactions to my art felt extra meaningful because of the self-love workshop results. See my art: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

The day got even better when, right after lunch, we bumped into actor Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings Trilogy)! I had a short, enjoyable chat with Viggo and then told me he was doing a surprise Q&A for his new film Green Book at The Varsity Cinemas. I got a selfie with him and then rejoined my workshop group who were waiting nearby. To my surprise Viggo ran up to us to tell me the time of the screening. I was so in awe that he did that! He was so thoughtful and a really nice guy!

I believe this chance meeting was more results of the amazing personal growth workshop. It felt like magic especially considering Viggo played the title character of Best Picture Oscar winner The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. I felt this brush with greatness was a mirror for my own greatness that had been battered over years due to struggles with clinical depression, SAD and other life crisis. The self-love exercises were designed to help let go of these negative thoughts and feelings. This is a continual process so thankfully there are movies that also help us to get unstuck in life and can mirror our inner strengths!

Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)

The computer-animated comedy film, Ralph Breaks the Internet, continues the adventures of video game bad guy Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit/car racer Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) as they travel into the World Wide Web to save her video game world with the help of Shank (Gal Gadot). This highly entertaining movie is filled with hilarious scenes and pop culture cameos from Disney films as well as the films of Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel Comics and The Muppets. See: movie trailer

Inspiring Themes:
• Follow a Passion or Dream
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Letting Go
• Teamwork
• Supportive Relationships
• Learning about the Internet

This movie is absolutely jam packed full of recognizable characters and that it definitely requires repeat viewings! One example that’s seen in the film’s promos is the gathering of Disney princess characters in one room that include Cinderella, Snow White, Pocahontas and more. It was also fun to see so many internet brands like eBay, Google, Facebook, Twitter and so many more!

Ralph and Vanellope are once again a lot of fun together and they take their friendship further with a brilliant life lesson of how our negative thoughts and emotions can multiple in strength and destroys relationships and the world around us. Without giving away details this life lesson is about letting go of these destructive thoughts and refocus on the positives in life. And as I learned the core answer is learning to love one’s self more and unconditionally.

Sometimes when we lose our way in life or relationships it’s the perfect time to pause and look in the mirror. The external problems we face could have been created by unresolved pain stuck in our minds and bodies. Thankfully there are many personal growth resources like books, coaches and workshops we can explore to help us be more kinder and loving to ourselves. And thankfully we have movies to help mirror our inner strengths and greatness to move forward in life!

Related Tips:
Tip#630: Learning to Love Yourself – Angel-A
Tip#1029: Learning to Love Yourself, Part 2 – How To Be Single
Tip#1123: Learning to Love Yourself, Part 3 - Ralph Breaks the Internet

See 100's of inspirational movie tips now: Movies for Motivation