Tip#955: The Wonder of Movies - Midnight Special

I just updated my promotional graphic that playfully looks like a movie poster for my Movies for Motivation Speaker services! This is part of the fine-tuning of my niche and business brand that was mentioned in my previous post (see tip#954). I had so much fun designing it as well as the joke credits at the bottom!

The energy of this movie poster promo reflects my passion and excitement for cinema. It’s also how I want my audiences to feel when they hear me speak. There is a sense of wonder and positive emotional energy I feel whenever a film touches me in some way. And many other people feel it too because the audiences I speak to share their enthusiasm through their smiling eyes and interactions whenever I mention movies and specific film titles.

 Click image to enlarge

Some favourite films growing up that filled me with awe and wonder were Superman The Movie, Star Wars (A New Hope) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. They helped me visualize an exciting future even when I was faced challenges in the present.

This is why I love writing this blog and being a speaker because I believe films can help anyone transform their pain of unexpected adversities at work and in life. The audiovisuals of an alternate reality on the screen can re-energize the viewer. And it is also about re-activating that eternal child within to believe that anything is possible!

Midnight Special (2016)

The science fiction drama, Midnight Special, is about eight-year-old Alton (Jaeden Lieberher) and his father Roy (Michael Shannon) being chased by federal and local officers because of Alton’s special powers. This mystery thriller features some amazing, awe-inspiring visuals and engaging performances by the leads as well as Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Sam Shepard and Adam Driver. See: movie trailer

The story has much of the magic of a Spielberg film though feels more realistic as if what you are seeing is actually happening. The movie focuses more on the relationships and keeps the special effects to a minimal yet powerful level. There are also many inspiring themes about believing, perseverance, resilience and indestructible optimism.

Inspiring Themes:
• Believing
• Courage
• Perseverance
• Persistence
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Supportive Relationships

If you need a boost of positive emotional energy then seek out a favourite film to inject your day with enthusiasm and drive. Remember the feeling of awe and wonder from movies you grew up with or discover new ones that you resonate with. You’ll then re-activate that eternal child within you and believe anything is possible again!

Related Tips:
Tip#645: Fill Your Life with Wonder - Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Tip#915: The Power of Believing - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Tip#551: Activate Your Imagination Through Movies, Part 1 – Prometheus
Tip#803: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 6 – Interstellar
Tip#906: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 1 - Top 10 Movies

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
The latest 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
Movies for Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#954: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 10 - Captain America: Civil War

As I write this I can see the bright morning sunshine outside my window as I sip on a delicious cup of fresh brewed coffee with honey and virgin coconut oil mixed in! Deeelicious! I have been feeling really good as I enter the 50th day of my gut health diet (see tip#945). I am more alert, focused, enthusiastic and there have been days I've felt like a productive superhero in my life and at work!

I am also feeling good because of a recent conversation with Small Business Marketing Consultant, Kerry Lawrence, who has an equally awesome business name, Mighty Good Marketing Inc.! She helped remind me of how my passion for movies was a key factor in all my marketing and promotion as a professional speaker. She really “gets” the uniqueness of my work and services and that kind of support and acknowledgement was so appreciated and energizing to move my dreams forward! This is also what I talk about in my motivational keynotes and presentations.

Acknowledgement and social support is vital in the workplace and in life. It’s about having a team spirit attitude. Igniting team spirit is a key theme in my motivational presentations on Resilience & Indestructible Optimism and I really love when movies demonstrate examples of excellent teamwork. Superhero movies, especially Marvel films like X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers, are fantastic resources to gain teamwork lessons from!

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The superhero action film, Captain America: Civil War, is about superheroes being divided in their stand for or against a new United Nations system of policing and controlling their actions across the planet. The Avengers team splits up with one group led by Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and the other by Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). This highly entertaining, emotional and intelligent movie is full of powerful character moments as much as thrilling action scenes and battles! See: movie trailer

This movie is rich with lessons on teamwork as well as strong leadership. What is fascinating about the two leaders, Captain America and Iron Man, is they each demonstrate passion and confidence in their beliefs while having us see value on both sides. They each assemble their own team of individuals that share their same beliefs and vision. These individuals embody specific skills, talents and gifts that they apply to assist and support one another to achieve their tasks. This is team spirit in action and can be a mirror for an effective team in your workplace.

This film is also a landmark because it welcomes Spider-Man/Peter Parker into the Marvel Studios/Disney owned franchise of superheroes. Spider-Man is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment but is appearing in this Marvel Studios/Disney film through a new partnership. This in itself is a great example of team spirit and teamwork. By doing this, these two studios are acknowledging the millions of fans around the world who want to see Spider-man interact and team up with other Marvel superheroes. Note: 20th Century Fox owns X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool.

Inspiring Themes:
• Having a Vision
• Passion
• Courage
• Confidence
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Strategic Thinking
• Supportive Relationships
• Family & Community

In the end there is a great movie message about having a sense of family, community and friendship. Having a strong connection and relationship with others is an essential factor for achieving goals. Superhero movies like this Marvel film delivers this important work and life lesson with colourful, cinematic role models and epic level visual effects!

Movies about team spirit and teamwork can help you envision the success possible in your workplace and personal life goals. If you are seeking tips on increasing team spirit remember that films are a fantastic resource to learn from. Find a film you resonate with and watch it together with your team today!



Related Tips:

Tip#477: Great Teamwork Movies Part 1 – X-Men: First Class – Kung Fu Panda 2

Tip#478: Great Teamwork Movies Part 2 – Red Cliff

Tip#540: Great Teamwork Movies Part 3 – The Avengers

Tip#780: Great Teamwork Movies Part 4 - Hercules

Tip#843: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 5 - Galaxy Quest

Tip#849: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 6 - Invictus
Tip#851: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 7 – Avengers: Age of Ultron 
Tip#865: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 8 – Eden Community Homes - Flight of the Phoenix
Tip#870: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 9 – Ant-Man
Tip#954: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 10 - Captain America: Civil War

Tip#926: Great Leadership in Movies, Part 4 - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Tip#779: Celebrating Friends & Team Spirit, Part 2 - Guardians of the Galaxy
Tip#429: Cultivate A Team Spirit Mindset - Rescue Dawn
Tip#850: The Greatest Self-Help Superhero Movie - Spider-Man 2
Tip#326: The Power of Acknowledgement, Part 1 - Groundhog Day

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
The latest 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
Movies for Motivation Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#953: Passion & Perseverance, Part 11 - Eddie the Eagle

I remember loving McDonald’s original hot apple pies growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. They were deep fried and so delicious! Sadly in the early 90’s they replaced it with the inferior, baked version. So imagine my delight when my friend and photographer, Derek Lang, told me that Harvey’s (Canadian burger chain) had a deep fried version just like McDonald’s!

I excitedly traveled to the closest Harvey’s and thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of biting into the crispy pastry and have hot apple pie oozing out. I was instantly transported to happy times as a child! Everything was beautiful and right in that moment. Each bite was so delicious I savored each taste with my eyes closed. It was comfort food for the soul!

A similar, joyful moment happened when I found a photo of my first motivational talk as high school Valedictorian of my graduation class of ’82. My high school reunion is coming up and I originally wasn’t enthusiastic about going. I had been thinking about the challenges in my life and career and felt a little embarrassed. But these thoughts quickly changed to feelings of positivity and empowerment when the photo reminded me of my overflowing value and successes I’ve had since high school!

That’s what I love most about movies, photos and favourite foods, they can all help you to feel good and confident with who you are and what you love. Having a passion gives you enthusiasm and that can fuel your drive, persistence, resilience and optimism for achieving your dreams and goals no matter what blocks your way!

Eddie the Eagle (2016)

The semi-biographical sports drama comedy, Eddie the Eagle, is about Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards (Taron Egerton) and his journey to become an Olympic ski jumper. This highly entertaining, inspiring and motivating film features fantastic performances by Egerton as well as Hugh Jackman as coach Bronson Peary and Jo Hartley as Eddie’s mother Janette Edwards. See: movie trailer

Many parts of this story and characters were created for this film though it didn’t matter to me because the positive emotional energy I felt watching this made me feel like I could accomplish anything! I felt like a superhero! Eddie was a likeable underdog that made you care about his life-long dream and root for him just like the real-life crowd did at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics as depicted in the movie.

The soundtrack was also filled with retro 80’s synth music and songs that invoked happy memories of my life in high school. And though there’s a bit of cheesy optimism in the movie it still demonstrates Eddie’s resilience to rejection, bullying and overcoming seemingly impossible odds. I highly recommend this film for all ages with its overflowing inspiration and motivation!

Inspiring Themes:
• Following a Dream
• Having a Vision
• Finding Yourself
• Passion
• Courage
• Confidence
• Perseverance
• Persistence & Tenacity
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Strategic Thinking
• Supportive Relationships
• Family & Community
• Power of the Media

Movies about real-life underdogs that achieve greatness have the power to lift the spirit and help you visualize success for your own dreams and goals. Feel your positive emotional energy flow through your heart and mind as you watch the hero’s journey through adversity and challenges. Let movies remind you of your past achievements in your own journey! Let them remind you to keep your passion and perseverance alive no matter what!

Related Tips:
Tip#534: Passion & Perseverance, Part 1 – 100th Year Anniversary - Titanic 
Tip#543: Passion & Perseverance, Part 2 – The Natural, Director's Cut 
Tip#652: Passion & Perseverance, Part 3 - The Company You Keep 
Tip#691: Passion & Perseverance, Part 4 - Rocky
Tip#731: Passion & Perseverance, Part 5 – The Right Kind of Wrong
Tip#752: Passion & Perseverance, Part 6 - Dolphin Tale
Tip#760: Passion & Perseverance, Part 7 - Today’s Special
Tip#774: Passion & Perseverance, Part 8 - Roger Ebert - Life Itself
Tip#864: Passion & Perseverance, Part 9 - Danny Collins
Tip#885: Passion & Perseverance, Part 10 - Outbreak
Tip#953: Passion & Perseverance, Part 11 - Eddie the Eagle 
Tip#1104: Passion & Perseverance, Part 12 – The Untouchables

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#334: Power of Persistence – Billy Elliot
Tip#19: Unleash Your Inner '007' & Tenacity - Casino Royale

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
The latest 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
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016

Tip#952: Celebrate Your Inner Geek - Keanu

I am so happy and grateful we live in a time that celebrates being a geek! Today anyone can celebrate their love for Harry Potter, Star Trek, etc. at whatever age you are. There is even a whole global culture of fans dressing in elaborate costumes of their favourite fantasy/Sci Fi characters called Cosplay. Just check out #cosplay on Instagram and you will see!

There are many definitions of this geek term but the best I found was on Wikipedia: The word geek is a slang term originally used to describe eccentric or non-mainstream people; in current use, the word typically connotes an expert or enthusiast or a person obsessed with a hobby or intellectual pursuit, with a general pejorative meaning of a "peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual, unfashionable, or socially awkward". 

As I’ve written before I loved the original Star Trek TV series but it wasn’t “cool” while I was in junior high school in the 70’s. Today it is “cool” to be a nerd and to love almost any topic that was once considered an outcast/outsider type theme. Many actors, such as Simon Pegg, Tina Fey, Wil Wheaton and Jennifer Lawrence, are self-proclaimed geeks as well as writer/director Joss Whedon who helped make the Marvel Cinematic Universe a massive, global success! Read about: Tina Fey and Conan O'Brien geeking off!

Action star Vin Diesel surprised the media when he shared his gamer passion for Dungeons and Dragons since the 70’s. He said, “We were all drawn to the game because it allowed us to become these characters. Playing D & D was a training ground for our imaginations and an opportunity to explore our own identities.”
See: Video clip of Vin Diesel “geeking out” for D&D
See: Video of Vin Diesel playing D&D on Geek & Sundry

I'm with Toronto Film Critic, Richard Crouse at the Keanu advance screening

I recently attended an advance screening of the comedy Keanu written and starring comedy duo Key and Peele. They are self-proclaimed movie geeks in real-life and they constantly demonstrate this in their Comedy Network series. One hilarious example is their segments about their passion for Batman and Liam Neeson. See: Key & Peele Batman clip 

At the advance screening I sat near my fellow movie reviewer pal, Toronto Film Critic Richard Crouse who, of course, shares a passion for films. During the screening there were many movie references and quotes that got laughs from the audience. The loudest laughs though came from Richard and I especially when some of the film references were obscure! That’s when I felt an inner geek bonding with Richard and the actors/writers Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. Even the title of this comedy is meant to invoke a connection to a major movie star!

Keanu movie posters parodies other popular films!

Keanu (2016)

The action comedy film, Keanu, is about two friends Rell (Jordan Peele) and his cousin Clarence (Keegan-Michael Key) retrieving Rell’s new found kitten named Keanu stolen from his home by drug dealer named Cheddar (Method Man). Despite the film’s flaws it has some hilarious moments, amazing comic timing by the film’s leads and hugely adorable scenes every time the kitten is on screen! See: movie trailer

The film is also a spoof and parody of film genres like the buddy cop theme and Michael Bay action films with its excessive violence. It also parodies and challenges racial and cultural stereotypes thanks to Key & Peele’s funny performances. In the end I recommend this to other movie lovers to enjoy all the film references and to stay during the end credits for more that will tickle the funny bone of every film geek! And if you love kittens you have to see this fantastic little actor!

Being a geek is about being true to yourself and what you love. It’s about celebrating your unique identity that always leads to your unique skills, gifts and talents that you can offer the world. And embracing your inner geek is also knowing you are not alone in your passions. There are others that understand your personal interests and will be eager to share their enthusiasm with you! Connect with them today!


Related Tips:
Tip#251: Be Yourself - Fanboys
Tip#702: Great Leadership in Movies, Part 1 – Ender’s Game
Tip#759: Expand Your Mind with Time Travel Movies, Pt 2 - X-Men: Days of Future Past

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
The latest 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
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016