Movies That Motivate | The Adventures of Motivatorman!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Tip#781: Cultivate Community, Part 9 - The Hundred-Foot Journey

This movie blog was originally supposed to be about my two top passions film and food. I love how both can activate so many positive memories, emotions and pleasures for the senses! I also love how films and food can bring people together to create a sense of community and family. That’s why when I get to write about movies about food it is the ultimate blogging joy!

The food festival Taste of the Danforth is currently on this weekend here in Toronto and we are having perfect hot sunny weather. When it first started in 1993 it was predominantly Greek food but over the years this Greek neighborhood has grown in its multiculturalism. So restaurants serving Thai, Chinese, East Indian and more have made this annual event a tasty, vibrant multicultural experience drawing in thousands of food lovers!

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

The comedy drama film, The Hundred-Foot Journey, is about two different restaurants, French cuisine and Indian cuisine, within hundred feet of each other fighting with one another. It is also about how the power of food can bring people with differences together in love and respect. There are also romantic stories that add to the already tasty story and glorious scenes of delicious foods being prepared and served! The director Lasse Hallström also directed another popular foodie movie Chocolat. See: movie trailer

This film is almost fantasy like with its magical, lush scenery in the south of France. The soundtrack fusion of French and Indian tunes are also fantastic! Adding to all that are many inspiring life lessons and themes. Ultimately the beauty of the film is witnessing the bonding power of food across difference cultures and how trying something new can make you a better person! I highly recommend this movie to feed your senses, spirit and soul!

Inspirational Themes:
• Passion & Perseverance
• Indestructible Optimism
• Social Support
• Resilience
• Power in Family
• Power of Food
• Acceptance of cultural differences

Related Tips:
Tip#172: Cultivate Community, Part 1 – Witness
Tip#651: Cultivate Community, Part 2 - Defiance
Tip#656: Cultivate Community, Part 3 – Swapsity - Phenomenon
Tip#658: Cultivate Community, Part 4 – Into the White
Tip#668: Cultivate Community, Part 5 – Be Kind Rewind
Tip#686: Cultivate Community, Part 6 – Ip Man
Tip#687: Cultivate Community, Part 7 – Rotary Club - Groundhog Day
Tip#707: Cultivate Community, Part 8 – Movie Nights - Christmas in Connecticut
Tip#781: Cultivate Community, Part 9 - The Hundred-Foot Journey
Tip#853: Cultivate Community, Part 10 - Endurance - McFarland, USA

SEE NEW RESILIENCE TIPS PAGE:
See my top resources for increasing your resilience now on my Motivatorman website: 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, August 06, 2014

Tip#780: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 4 - Hercules

Business cards can tell an engaging story about a person when designed and communicated well. And today I am so excited about my new cards! A lot of thought and consultation went into its design right down to each and every word. Even designing a business card requires teamwork!

I am so glad a friend recommended new movie Hercules starring Dwayne Johnson because the trailers did not hook me. It was an unexpected retelling of the myth and also demonstrated the power of storytelling for Hercules as a service for hire. This write-up on the film can be applied to marketing ideas of a business as well as teamwork for the workplace AND for inspiring self-confidence and self-esteem.

Click image to see details

Hercules (2014)

The action adventure film, Hercules, is a revisionist story of Hercules (Dwayne Johnson) as a mortal man and his team of mercenaries for hire who show how they created the demigod myths. The movie is highly entertaining with exciting action sequences and engaging characters who demonstrate team spirit. This is definitely a movie to inspire teamwork in the workplace and also for believing in yourself. See: movie trailer

This movie is also great for business lessons as the movie shows the power of storytelling that helped brand Hercules and his services to help others. The film is also loaded with motivational quotes and inspiring life lessons. So check out this movie to help empower you in your workplace, business, career or life!

“You must learn to work together, react together. When you do each individual will become a link in a chain that will be stronger than iron.”

“In this moment, on this day, become the man you were born to be! You have within yourself to write your own legend.”

“We believe in you! We have faith in you! Have faith in yourself. Remember the man that you are. Remember the deeds you have performed, the labors you have accomplished. Now tell me, WHO ARE YOU?”

Inspirational Themes:
• Team spirit & teamwork
• Leadership
• Strategic thinking
• Power of storytelling & branding
• Believing in yourself
• Resilience

Related Tips:
Tip#626: Perseverance & Teamwork, Part 1 – The Fugitive
Tip#627: Perseverance & Teamwork, Part 2 - Wreck-It Ralph

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#954: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 8 - Captain America: Civil War Tip#735: Celebrating Friends & Team Spirit, Part 1 - The A-Team
Tip#779: Celebrating Friends & Team Spirit, Part 2 - Guardians of the Galaxy

SEE NEW RESILIENCE TIPS PAGE:
See my top resources for increasing your resilience now on my Motivatorman website: 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, August 03, 2014

Tip#779: Celebrating Friends & Team Spirit, Part 2 - Guardians of the Galaxy

I’ve been through many hardships over the past 15 years that made me feel separated from the “real world” and the “normal” path of life such as having a family. Thankfully I have close friends that feel like extended family where we’ve supported one another unconditionally through thick and thin. Everyday I express my gratitude for this extended family that sometimes feel like we are a great team!

This summer has had an unusual number of excellent films that I found highly entertaining and highly inspirational such as: X-Men: Days of Future Past, Maleficient, Edge of Tomorrow, Chef, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Boyhood, Lucy and I Origins. Then suddenly there comes another movie that just exceeds all these previous films on so many levels! Guardians of the Galaxy astounded me with how much fun a film could contain in almost every scene and, at the same time, deliver life lessons of friendship, extended family and team spirit!

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

The superhero action film, Guardians of the Galaxy, is about a space outlaw named Peter Quill/Star Lord (Chris Pratt) who must learn how to work as a team with four other misfit aliens in order to save a planet from destruction. These other characters include the assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Rocket Roccoon (Bradley Cooper's voice) and Groot (Vin Diesel's voice). This epic space blockbuster is visually creative, original and overflowing with exciting action, humour and a whole lot of fun, fun, fun! See: movie trailer

Extended family, friendship and team spirit were ongoing themes for this team of misfits as well as other organizations within the film. This movie is such a wonderfully strange mix of characters and storytelling elements that you just have to go and see this film for yourself. It will take you on a great space adventure and leave you feeling great and wanting to celebrate your workplace teams, friends and extended families!

Inspirational Themes:
• Team spirit and teamwork
• Extended family
• Power of music
• Dealing with loss
• Leadership
• Resilience

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#735: Celebrating Friends & Team Spirit, Part 1 - The A-Team
Tip#779: Celebrating Friends & Team Spirit, Part 2 - Guardians of the Galaxy

SEE NEW RESILIENCE TIPS PAGE:
See my top resources for increasing your resilience now on my Motivatorman website: 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, July 30, 2014

Tip#778: Expand Your Mind with Science Fiction, Part 3 – I Origins

My top favourite movie in the mid 90’s was Contact starring Jodie Foster and it represented a decade of my life filled with incredible metaphysical and spiritual experiences. Some of this I documented in the lyrics of my music CD “Rain of Angels”. The sci-fi movie Contact was highly entertaining and filled with thought-provoking topics about science vs spiritual faith.

Contact spoke to me deeply because some of my experiences included amazing synchronistic events that led me to people I felt I had past lives with. I had no scientific proof of this and yet these amazing, loving people and I just knew in our hearts and guts that we remembered each other from another life. This is why when I saw the film I Origins it re-awakened my memories of when my mind expanded because of wild, exciting events that re-wrote what I thought about our world!

I Origins (2014)

The science fiction drama film, I Origins, is about Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) and his lab assistant Karen (Brit Marling) making a stunning scientific discovery in their research on the evolution of the eye. It is also a unique love story between Ian and an exotic woman named Sofi (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) who shakes up Ian’s scientific world and beliefs. 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

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Tip#777: Activate Your Imagination Through Movies, Part 2 - Lucy

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
Albert Einstein

Ever since I saw the trailer for Lucy I was so excited to see the film! Like other movies The Matrix, Limitless or other superhero films I am always thrilled about seeing characters develop super human abilities. They inspire me to think big and unleash the best I can be at work and in life. These “cinematic role models” help activate my imagination so I can envision a better me!

I just posted 3 short video clips of one of my speaker presentations where I share examples of “cinematic role models” that helped me overcome depression and burnout.

RESILIENCE AT WORK & IN LIFE:
(3 to 4 min. each)
Part 1 - Overcoming Burnout & Depression
Part 2 - Break Negative Patterns
Part 3 - Have a Vision to Focus On

Lucy (2014)

The science fiction action film, Lucy, is about a woman named Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) who is accidentally exposed to an experimental synthetic hormone drug that activates her brain far beyond its normal usage. The results are shown in stunning visual effects as Lucy develops telekinesis, manipulates matter and accesses TV, internet and cell phone frequencies. See: movie trailer

The creative visuals also extend to astounding scenes of time travel and a lecture on brain potential by Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman) who, according to writer and director Luc Besson, is 90% true (see interview). And despite the 10% use of the brain myth discussed in the film I still found many thought-provoking ideas that activated my imagination. There is also a life lesson at the core of this movie. And it is whatever you've learned in life, it is meant to be passed on to others.

This movie is getting negative reviews as well as raves (read Time Magazine review) so it is up to you to decide what you want to believe. I suggest following your indestructible optimism and focus on the insights and aha moments you can get from any film you are drawn to seeing. You just may discover a new cinematic role model to help unleash your amazing potential!

Related Tips:
Tip#179: Important Messages From The Kid - Disney's The Kid
Tip#332: Your Thoughts Have So Much Power – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Tip#445: Everything is Going To Be Okay - Source Code
Tip#499: Choose A Future - Mr. Nobody
Tip#506: Time Travel & Alternate Reality Movies – 4 Hidden Gems
Tip#549: Yes, You Can Alter Your Reality - Men in Black 3
Tip#587: If You Could Talk To Your Younger Self What Would You Say? – Looper
Tip#590: Expand Your Mind with Time Travel Movies, Pt.1 - The Time Traveler’s Wife
Tip#759: Expand Your Mind with Time Travel Movies, Pt 2 - X-Men: Days of Future Past
Tip#682: What if You Could Go Back in Time? - Back to the Future Trilogy

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#551: Activate Your Imagination Through Movies, Part 1 - Prometheus
Tip#777: Activate Your Imagination Through Movies, Part 2 - Lucy
Tip#1053: Activate Your Imagination Through Movies, Part 3 - Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

SEE NEW RESILIENCE TIPS PAGE:
See my top resources for increasing your resilience now on my Motivatorman website: 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, July 23, 2014

Tip#776: Getting through Dark Times & into the Light - Snowpiercer

I may have to create a new category of the films I have mixed feelings about that are still a must-see for important life lessons, thought-provoking concepts or just to shake up your mindset! Suckerpunch, The Congress and Under the Skin are other films I’ve recommended but were a challenge to watch.

The latest movie I am featuring shows people in extremely difficult living conditions who do what they can to survive and then take action to have a better life. The movie Snowpiercer is an epic metaphor for overcoming long-term adversities with hardships and unexpected wonders along the way to finding freedom.

Snowpiercer (2014)

The science fiction action film, Snowpiercer, is based on a French graphic novel about the only survivors of a future ice age aboard a massive train called Snowpiercer perpetually traveling around the world. From the back of the train a group of “lower class” passengers are led by Curtis (Chris Evans) to fight their way to the front of the train to find freedom. It’s best that you don’t know anymore to enjoy the quirky characters (Tilda Swinton) and surprises along the way. See: movie trailer

My mixed feelings about the film come from the graphically violent aspects. Though, as I mentioned, these scenes can be a metaphor for life’s painful adversities. If you can get half way through the movie there will be unexpected wonders, a lighter tone and highly intriguing visuals. You will discover the train itself is also a metaphor for our current world. So if you are looking for a unique cinematic experience filled with dark and light imagery I highly recommend Snowpiercer.

SEE NEW RESILIENCE TIPS PAGE:
See my top resources for increasing your resilience now on my Motivatorman website: 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, July 20, 2014

Tip#775: Family & Nostalgic Memories, Part 2 - Boyhood

On my way to see the opening day screening of Boyhood the news of the Malaysian airline being shot down in eastern Ukraine was the major headlines. All 298 people aboard were killed. I was shocked.

This tragedy made me think of my loved ones which was part of the themes of the movie. The film was a reminder of how precious time is and the importance of family. The story and characters were so engaging that even after 3 hours I could have stayed longer.

Boyhood (2014)

The drama film, Boyhood, is about a 12 year story of a divorced couple, Mason (Ethan Hawke) and Olivia (Patricia Arquette) raising their young son Mason Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) from age 6 to 18. Along with their daughter Samantha (Lorelei Linklater) you get to see everyone age and grow since the movie was filmed over a 12 year old period. And though focused on Mason Jr. you still witness fascinating changes with all the characters over the years. See: movie trailer

Boyhood is a masterpiece and an epic cinematic experience about family and growing up. I was utterly speechless after seeing this stunning film. It triggered my own fond memories growing up and how emotionally powerful the little things in life can be.

This movie inspires on two major levels. First are the multiple life lessons throughout the story and second is the making of this 12 year story. Director and writer Richard Linklater had a fantastic vision he maintained for bringing all these actors together year after year. His pereverance led to an astonishing cinematic achievement that will touch your heart.

Some movies can help you escape from the adversities of life for a few hours. And some can help you reconnect with nostalgic memories of happy times growing up with friends and family. I highly recommend Boyhood because it achieves both! You will also be reminded at how precious time is with the ones you love.

Related Tips:
Tip#715: Family & Nostalgic Memories - A Christmas Story
Tip#775: Family & Nostalgic Memories, Part 2 - Boyhood
Tip#877: Family & Nostalgic Memories, Part 3 - J.J. Abrams - Regarding Henry – Forever Young

SEE NEW RESILIENCE TIPS PAGE:
See my top resources for increasing your resilience now on my Motivatorman website: click here

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

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

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
JOIN ME on TWITTER: Click here
JOIN ME on YOUTUBE: Click here
JOIN ME on PINTEREST: 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, July 16, 2014

Tip#774: Passion & Perseverance, Part 8 - Roger Ebert - Life Itself

I loved watching the Siskel & Ebert Show growing up. I enjoyed hearing the latest reviews of films and seeing these two critics passionately argue with each other. For many years to come I always looked for the “Thumbs Up” statement on newspaper ads for new films. Then in my adult years Roger Ebert's resilience with cancer would inspire me. His perseverance to continue writing reviews without his vocal cords would astound me.

I remember seeing Ebert in the early 90’s at the Toronto International Film Festival prior to his cancer years. It was an exciting moment as he walked right by me to enter a theatre. Little did I know then that he would inspire me to follow my own passion for movies both personally and professionally.

“For me the movies are like a machine that generates empathy. It lets you understand a little bit more about different hopes, aspirations, dreams and fears. It helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.”
Roger Ebert, Life Itself (2014)

Life Itself (2014)

The biographical documentary film, Life Itself, is about the life of film critic Roger Ebert and his legacy he left us of his knowledge of movies and his resilience facing the loss of his voice. The story shows Ebert’s journey as a Chicago Sun Times film critic to his Siskel & Ebert TV show that launched him into a celebrity. You also see the health challenges he had to endure in his final months while also seeing the deep love and support of his wife Chaz Ebert. See: movie trailer

Ebert inspires on so many levels. He is the only film critic to have won a Pulitzer prize. He had seen over 10,000 movies and his “Thumbs Up” approval of films had enormous influence on their box office success. For me, it was Ebert’s passion and perseverance to continue writing about movies after he lost his voice that inspired me the most. Ebert demonstrated the power of passion for film lovers and for the whole world to see.

I highly recommend you see this film to inspire more passion and perseverance in your life and work!

Related Tips:
Tip#534: Passion & Perseverance – 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

SEE NEW RESILIENCE TIPS PAGE:
See my top resources for increasing your resilience now on my Motivatorman website: click here

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

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

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
JOIN ME on TWITTER: Click here
JOIN ME on YOUTUBE: Click here
JOIN ME on PINTEREST: 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