Movies That Motivate | The Adventures of Motivatorman!: June 2019

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Tip#1152: Life Lessons in Your Favourite Movies, Part 7 - Anna - Femme Fatale

I recently enjoyed an action thriller that featured a breakout new star and was so surprised to find there was no media promotion at all for this movie! No interviews with the filmmakers or the cast! The film Anna had a fantastic, kick-ass trailer and then it suddenly appeared in theatres with poor to mixed reviews. I felt bad for the lead actress Sasha Luss and everyone who worked on this film for the lack of promotion. Audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes are at 80% so it has at least others are feeling the positive experience I had.

It reminded me of other excellent films that are hidden from the general public. The 2002 movie Femme Fatale is classic Brian De Palma oozing with Hitchcock camera work and rich symbolism that also got mixed reviews and considered a box office bomb and yet I loved it. Roger Ebert, gave it a full 4 star review and called it one of De Palma's best films and has developed a cult status amongst cinephiles since.

One of the reasons why I write this movie blog is to draw attention to entertaining movies that get buried from the public. These films deserve a viewing because they also feature life lessons that could be inspirational to wherever you are in your life.

Anna (2019)

The action thriller film, Anna, is about the extraordinary strengths and skills of Anna (Sasha Luss) a victim of domestic abuse who gets trained to work as a powerful KGB assassin. This electrifying thrill ride has an intriguing, complex story and features great performances by Luss as well as Helen Mirren, Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy, Lera Abova and Alexander Petrov.
See: movie trailer
Watch movie: Amazon Prime

Aside from the breathtaking action, this is one of those films that keeps you on your toes with the twists and turns that come up. What I found inspiring about Anna was her amazing resilience and strategic thinking that is hinted at because of her love for chess. She has an ultimate goal that seems impossible to achieve but she makes it happen through long term thinking, incredible perseverance and indestructible optimism. I highly recommend you see this film for all these reasons and more!

Femme Fatale (2002)

The erotic mystery thriller film, Femme Fatale, is a contemporary film noir about jewel thief and con woman Laure (Rebecca Romijn) who experiences life changing events while trying to live the straight life. This mesmerizing story features an amazing opening sequence of a diamond heist and also stars Antonio Banderas, Rie Rasmussen, Peter Coyote and Eriq Ebouaney.
See: movie trailer
Watch movie: Amazon Prime

Director Brian De Palma pours in much of his Hitchcock influences to tell this story of second chances, synchronicities and dopplegangers. And the film, with all it’s twists and turns, is overflowing with clues hiding in plain sight that will prompt and immediate second viewing! There are audacious concepts in this movie but I highly recommend you see it without knowing anymore about this sexy thriller! For me the film's message of getting a second chance to do the right thing that steers your life in a positive direction was meaningful for me.

And after you watch it read some of these essays inspired by the film...
• CULT MOVIE REVIEW: Femme Fatale (2002)
• Femme Fatale (2002) – Tuesday’s Overlooked Film
• Roger Ebert, Femme Fatale 4 star review

Movies that get negative reviews or deemed box office bombs can still have much value for each individual. They can be highly entertaining or meaningful when you give them a chance. They may have that one golden nugget of inspiration that provides an answer to challenges you may have at that moment. Or years later could give you some excitement to lift up your day. Any movie you are drawn to could be that perfect cinematic medicine with life lessons you’ve been seeking!

SEE EMMANUEL's:

• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com

• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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 2019

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Tip#1151: Why Keanu Reeves is an Inspirational, Awesome Human Being - Little Buddha - Speed - The Devil’s Advocate

I remember in the early 90's having brunch with friends at Taro Bar & Grill on Queen St. West in Toronto when we suddenly saw Keanu Reeves walk by the big front windows. It was a thrill for me and it prompted stories my friends had heard about Keanu being such a nice guy in person. I would continue to hear wonderful, heartwarming stories about this celebrity for years to come!

Keanu has made many entertaining films that I’ve featured on my MoviesForMotivation.com website and blog. At the same time he has been an inspiration for me personally for being a compassionate, humble, down-to-earth human being! One example of his generous, thoughtful spirit is the viral video of him giving up his seat for a woman in a subway car. Plus it’s also the idea that Keanu was riding a public subway car in the first place! See: Keanu's Subway Act of Kindness

I recently saw another clip of Keanu on The Ellen DeGeneres Show revealing that he had a crush on Sandra Bullock while filming Speed in the early 90’s. Sandra had actually revealed having a crush on him on Ellen's show as well. The audience was delighted! This was around the time when three movies Keanu was starring in was being released: John Wick 3, Always Be My Maybe and Toy Story 4. Suddenly Keanu was being featured on many YouTube video compilations celebrating this amazing man! See...

• Keanu Reeves Had a Crush on 'Speed' Co-Star Sandra Bullock
• This Is How Keanu Reeves Spends His Millions
• 10 Times Keanu Reeves BROKE the Internet
• 25 Breathtaking Facts About Keanu Reeves

This all inspired me to rewatch three of his early films from the 90’s that I’ve always enjoyed but haven’t featured yet on my movie blog: Little Buddha, Speed and The Devil’s Advocate

Little Buddha (1993)

The fantasy drama film, Little Buddha, is about a young boy Jesse (Alex Wiesendanger) in modern-day Seattle who Tibetan monks believe might be the reincarnation of their great Buddha teacher. It also intercuts with the story of how Prince Siddhartha (Keanu Reeves) found enlightenment 2,500 years ago and became Buddha. This lush and visually stunning film was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and also stars Bridget Fonda, Chris Isaak and Ying Ruocheng.
See: movie trailer
Watch now: Amazon Prime

This magical film explores the dedication of Prince Siddhartha and his spiritual quest in many memorable scenes including the powerful finale. Keanu is highly engaging and almost unrecognizable at first as Siddhartha and goes through several physical transformations. I’ve always loved this movie as it reflected my own spiritual journey in the 90’s. I also believe that this character really embodies the kind spirit of Keanu in real life! I highly recommend you see this hidden gem of his.

Speed (1994)

The action thriller film, Speed, is about Jack (Keanu Reeves) an LAPD police officer who tries to rescue civilians on a city bus rigged with a bomb programmed to explode if the bus slows down below 50 mph. This gripping story features many memorable moments and also stars Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper, Joe Morton, and Jeff Daniels.
Watch now: Amazon Prime

Jack demonstrates many leadership qualities while in the face of intense pressure such as perseverance, resilience, resourcefulness and teamwork. I was also inspired by the sense of community and support of all the bus passengers who, because of their shared pain, bond and help one another through this ordeal. Keanu clearly established himself as an action hero with this movie!

The Devil’s Advocate (1997)

The supernatural horror film, The Devil's Advocate, is about a successful young lawyer Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) invited to a major New York City law firm headed by John Milton (Al Pacino). Strange, frightening things begin to happen that threaten Jack's life and his wife Mary Ann (Charlize Theron). This intense and gripping movie also stars Judith Ivey, Jeffrey Jones, Craig T. Nelson and Connie Nielen.
Watch now: Amazon Prime

This film is really freaky with it’s surreal, horrific moments and Pacino’s charismatic yet creepy performance and appearance. The story also has powerful messages and life lessons about the ethical choices we make in life and the harsh consequences that result. Keanu also delivers an emotional performance as an unbeatable lawyer faced with unexpected tragedies and truths about who he really is in relation to Milton.

There are many movie stars that portrait heroes on the big screen. And then there are movie stars like Keanu Reeves who is also a hero in real life for every day people he comes across. Keanu is constantly celebrated for his films and humanity on social media and this is my special shout out for his continued service to others and for inspiring me! How about you? Has Keanu inspired you in a meaningful way?

Related Tips For Keanu Reeves Films:
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
• The Lake House (2006)
• The Matrix Trilogy
• Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

SEE EMMANUEL's:

• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com

• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Tip#1150: Benefits of Box-Office Bombs, Part 5 – Dark Phoenix

As I write this I am so aware that I’m feeling fantastic! I recently returned to Midland for Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival on June 8th where it was hot and sunny and filled with good food and good friends! And since it’s spring time I am not feeling any symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)! I am soaking up every moment of joy and bliss before the fall and winter months return!

This was the same weekend the X-Men film, Dark Phoenix, opened and it was immediately considered a box-office bomb and was absolutely trashed by critics and fans alike. So I was so surprised to have enjoyed it despite overwhelming problems with the story and film. I just happened to feel an emotional connection with the movie that mirrored so much of what I’ve learned about how my repressed childhood emotions resulted in issues or blocks in my adult life and career.

The movie’s themes of childhood traumas, the love of family, emotions that are trapped, repressed or suppressed and finally released are exactly what I experienced for 16 weeks in a day treatment program at a Toronto hospital I recently completed. It was life changing because the group therapy program showed me that every emotion, even dark emotions like anger, shame or guilt, were so important to feel. And I am so grateful movies allow me to feel when I am numb from episodes of depression or seasonal affective disorder.

Dark Phoenix (2019)

The superhero, action film, Dark Phoenix, is about the X-Men mutant Jean Grey/Phoenix (Sophie Turner) who struggles with her immense, suppressed powers when a cosmic energy source invades her body during a rescue mission in space. This darker chapter of the X-Men series features exciting action scenes and emotional moments of loss and redemption. Returning cast includes James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp and new addition is Jessica Chastain.
See: movie trailer
Watch now: Amazon Prime

First let me address that there are many problems with the film both in the production, dialogue and the continuity within the X-Men series. And yet once I set those aside I was fully engaged with the movie. Hans Zimmer’s great, moody soundtrack really helped. Part of the reason many fans and critics hated this film is that it doesn’t have the visual grandness and spectacle of recent X-Men movies. But the director and producers designed the movie to strip down to the basics to focus on the characters. Not only do I feel it was a success in this area but also brings the tone full circle to the stripped down feeling of the very first X-Men film of 2000.

The film’s life lessons and messages for me were loud and clear. Jean’s powers were suppressed in childhood following a traumatic family experience and the film explores the painful consequences years later for everyone involved. This is an important reminder for everyone and is the reason why psychotherapy is a key tool for dealing with repressed or suppressed emotions. It's about acknowledging and embracing our dark sides. Jean is a mirror for anyone suffering from trapped emotions and wants to break free.

I also resonated with this movie because of the other X-Men characters who got to express their own dark emotions like rage and anger. Beast, Cyclops, Nightcrawler and Storm got to shine more than any other film in showing off their gifts and powers. Along with Jean, they all mirrored what I’ve learned to do with my repressed emotions growing up. They need to be released and expressed. As Jean says in the end, her emotions don’t make her weak, they make her strong.

Movies can help us all feel our emotions. They can feature characters that we resonate with because of the happiness or pain they are feeling. They can be an inspiration and reminder for us to embrace and express our own dark emotions and no longer bottle them up. They can inspire us to be free of our own self-imposed walls! Find a movie today that inspires this kind of freedom!

Related Tips:
Tip#1087: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 8 – Finding Neverland – Peter Pan 2003
Tip#912: The Power of Emotional Release - Supergirl - Creed
Tip#975: Benefits of Box-Office Bombs, Part 4 – Independence Day Resurgence

SEE EMMANUEL's:

• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com

• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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

Sunday, June 09, 2019

Tip#1149: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 9 - Rocketman

My long journey with personal growth and healing led to many therapies I discovered to break through blocks that held me back in my life and career. These answers came down to healing my inner child, embracing my self-worth and core values and ultimately learning to love and forgive myself. I also realize that the lifelong pain that stemmed from my childhood also helped birth my creative drive, imagination and a successful career as an award-winning illustrator. See my artworks: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

Part of the repressed pain stemmed from being regularly bullied as a child for being the shortest in the class or being the only visible Asian minority. That caused me to turn inwards and allow my imagination to flourish in my artwork and express myself through my drawings. And then in recent years, through group therapy programs, it was absolutely paramount to learn to love and forgive my child self for suppressed feelings of guilt, shame and anger I still carried into my adulthood. I had to feel my tears and give my inner child a loving hug!

Many biographical films show how famous people’s careers and legacies were founded on difficult, traumatic childhood lives. These are films that bring so much insight to the origins of where greatness comes from. And lucky for us they can inspire us to see the silver linings of our own challenges growing up!

Rocketman (2019)

The musical fantasy film, Rocketman, is the biographical story of rock performer Elton John (Taron Egerton) and his uncensored breakthrough years. This colourful, rich and highly entertaining movie captures the rockstar’s nostalgic music of the 70’s and also stars Jamie Bell as Elton’s songwriter partner Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as his manager John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as his mother Sheila.
See: movie trailer
Watch now: Amazon Prime

This glittery film is filled with classic songs like Your Song, Crocodile Rock, Tiny Dancer, Honky Cat, Rocketman, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and so much more. All the songs were sung by Egerton and he does a fantastic job in this Oscar-worthy role. His extravagant stage costumes and performance scenes were stunning to watch!

Elton was born Reginald 'Reggie' Dwight and we get to see how musically gifted he was as a child prodigy. He was able to immediately play back music he heard via a piano. Reggie was also able to hear original music in his head when reading the lyrics written by his writing partner Taupin. At the same we begin to understand the pain young Reggie faced because of his unloving father and cold mother. The pain increased when Elton deals with his homosexuality and a volatile affair with his manager Reid.

Both Elton and his younger self, Reggie turn out to be the heroes of this story. Through the magic of this musical fantasy they get to interact and even sing together! They both become cinematic role models for the power of personal growth and group therapy which is what frames the movie. Elton, with the help of his child-self, ultimately demonstrate courage, perseverance, resilience, self-love and self-forgiveness.

Movies can be incredible inspirational learning tools to show each of us a way out of the darkness of wherever we are in life. They can show us heroes brave enough to go into their pasts and heal pain that’s been buried for years. Find that special movie today to provide you with a shining light of hope to lead you through!

Related Tips:
Tip#1123: Learning to Love Yourself, Part 3 - Ralph Breaks the Internet
Tip#1087: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 8 – Finding Neverland – Peter Pan 2003
Tip#953: Passion & Perseverance, Part 11 - Eddie the Eagle

SEE EMMANUEL's:

• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com

• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com

• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

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