35 Inspirational Movies That Will Change
Your Life
The best inspirational movies
leave an indelible impression on the viewer. In this selection I’ve chosen 35;
from Oscar winners to cult favorites, they’re worthy of anyone’s DVD
collection.
This wonderful period epic, loosely based on
Mozart’s genius, boasts fine performances and exceptional music.
“This was a music I’d never heard. Filled
with such longing, such unfulfillable longing.” A description of Mozart’s
music.
King George III loses his mind, throwing
government into chaos. Revolutionary medical man Dr. Willis is called in to
restore order in this brilliant drama.
“No life is without its regrets yet none is
without its consolations.” King George III.
A quirky, life-affirming claymation film. Two
loners become pen pals and strike up a long distance friendship.
“My fifth job was a garbage collector.
I cleaned up after litter bugs and didn’t have to talk to anybody.
Sometimes I liked to pretend I was an intergalactic robot.” Max.
A sweeping masterpiece from Studio Ghibli.
Young warrior Ashitaka fights to restore order between supernatural forces and
the human world.
“This is what hatred looks like! This is what
it does when it catches hold of you!”Ashitaki.
Schoolgirl Chihiro is inadvertently
transferred to the spirit world, forcing her to work in a Japanese bathhouse to
reclaim her freedom.
“Once you’ve met someone you never really
forget them. It just takes a while for your memories to return.” Advice for
Chihiro
Three teenage boys, annoyed by their
families, take to the woods to live in a house they’ve built, embracing life
along the way.
“You’re right, it’s a classic kidnapping. They took our
children and the canned goods and pasta.” Frank, an irritated parent.
A thrilling account of the 1976 Formula 1
season. James Hunt and Niki Lauda battled for the World Title, the latter
overcoming an appalling accident in the process.
“It’s impossible to perspire through a skin
graft, so sweat will never run into my eyes again, which is good for a driver.”
Lauda following his accident.
A quirky romantic drama. Adam Sandler’s
eccentric loner Barry Egan is wooed by Emily Watson’s mysterious Lena.
“I have a lot of puddings, and in six to
eight weeks it can be redeemed. So if you could just give me that much time, I
think I can get enough mileage to go with you wherever you go.” Barry to Lena.
Gary Sinise’s excellent adaptation of John
Steinbeck’s classic novella. Strong willed George, and mentally disabled
Lennie, travel around America as farm hands, dreaming of one day owning their
own land..
“We got a future. We got somebody to talk to
that gives a damn about us.” George.
Based on Jean-Dominique Bauby’s book, this
poignant French film tells of his life after a paralysing stroke. Suffering
locked-in syndrome, he nevertheless wrote a novel.
“I decided to stop pitying myself. Other than
my eye, two things aren’t paralysed, my imagination and my memory.” Bauby.
A couple divorce, forcing their children
(Walt and Frank) to cope with the psychological games which erupt between their
parents.
“We’d look at the knight armor at the Met.
The scary fish at the Natural History Museum. I was always afraid of the squid
and whale fighting.” Walt.
Sylvain Chomet’s sublime animated tale of a
struggling magician as he travels across Europe, bonding with a young fan on
the way.
“Magicians do not exist.” The Magician’s
note.
Anxiety ridden Charlie Kaufman (Nic Cage) is
a screenwriter adapting a difficult novel, becoming increasingly unstable
during his attempts.
“All my problems and anxiety can be reduced
to a chemical imbalance or some kind of misfiring synapses. I need to get help
for that. But I’ll still be ugly, though.” Charlie.
This fantasy drama centres around six year
old Hushpuppy. As her community is stricken with environmental issues, she
learns to adapt to a new world.
“I see that I am a little piece of a big, big
universe, and that makes it right.” Hushpuppy.
The story of Pi’s fight for survival whilst
stranded in the Pacific Ocean. A volatile Bengal tiger is his sole company.
“The whole of life becomes an act of letting
go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.” Pi.
Based on neurologist Oliver Sack’s book.
Robin Williams stars as introverted Dr. Sayer, who discovers a drug which
awakens catatonic patients.
“Another awakening took place; that the human
spirit is more powerful than any drug—and THAT is what needs to be nourished:
with work, play, friendship, family. THESE are the things that matter.” Dr. Sayer.
Jack Nicholson stars as Randal P. McMurphy. A
maverick, he feigns madness to escape prison time in a mental institute,
causing mayhem in the process.
“What do you think you are, for Chrissake,
crazy or somethin’? Well you’re not! You’re not! You’re no crazier than the
average asshole out walkin’ around on the streets.” McMurphy.
WWII veteran Alvin hears his estranged
brother has had a stroke, so sets off on a 240 mile journey to see him—via
his tractor.
“There’s no one knows your life better than a
brother that’s near your age. He knows who you are and what you are better than
anyone.” Alvin.
Roman Polanski’s account of Polish
pianist Władysław Szpilman’s remarkable fight for survival during Nazi
deportation of Jews in WWII.
“[taking off his watch] Here, sell this. Food
is more important than time.” Szpilman.
Daniel Day-Lewis gives an exceptional
performance as Irishman Christy Brown. He suffered with severe cerebral palsy,
yet became a noted writer.
“This is Christy Brown, my son. Genius.”
Christy Brown’s father.
Roberto Benigni’s WWII film of a father who
uses his imagination to protect his son from the horrors of war.
“This is my story. This is the sacrifice my
father made. This was his gift to me.” The son narrates.
A tense survival tale by Werner Herzog,
featuring Christian Bale as POW Dieter Dengler. A true story, Dengler’s bravery
and charmisma are truly inspiring.
“Empty what is full. Fill what is empty.
Scratch what itches.” Dieter Dengler.
Young Brit Jim becomes a POW at a WWII
internment camp. Over the years, whilst fighting for survival, he matures from
a petulant child to a mature young adult.
“First one side feeds you and the other side
tries to get you killed, then it’s turned around; it’s all timing.” Advice for
Jim.
Two teenage boys discover the enigmatic Mud
living on a sparse island. As they become friends, it’s soon apparent the law
are after him.
“There are fierce powers at work in the
world, boys. Good, evil, poor luck, best luck. As men, we’ve got to take advantage
where we can.” Mud.
Following a painful divorce, struggling
author Miles heads off for a wine tasting weekend with hedonistic friend Jack.
Chaos, and new love, ensues.
“Its flavors, they’re just the most haunting
and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and… ancient on the planet.” Miles.
Truman Burbank lives an ordinary middle class
life, unaware he’s actually the star of the most popular TV show on Earth.
“There’s nothing fake about Truman himself.
No scripts, no cue cards. It isn’t always Shakespeare, but it’s genuine. It’s a
life.” Christof, the show’s creator.
Aron Ralston traps his arm whilst hiking,
leading to an unnerving realization.
“This rock… this rock has been waiting for me
my entire life.” Ralston.
Léon is a hitman and loner. Suddenly forced
to care for a child (a young Natalie Portman), he finds his humane side and
seeks a change.
“You’ve given me a taste for life. I wanna be
happy. Sleep in a bed, have roots. And you’ll never be alone again,
Mathilda.” Léon.
hy Joel and hedonistic Clementine begin a
relationship, unaware they already share a unique history.
“Are we like those bored couples you feel
sorry for in restaurants? Are we the dining dead?” Joel.
A rags to riches story. Maggie, a humble
waitress, makes a break as a boxer and rapidly shoots to stardom.
“It’s the magic of risking everything for a
dream that nobody sees but you.”
Estranged siblings Jon and Wendy Savage are
reunited when their father displays signs of dementia.
“This upward mobility fixation of yours, it’s
counterproductive and, frankly, pretty selfish. Because it’s not about Dad,
it’s about you and your guilt.” Jon Savage.
When his wife is hospitalized, wealthy Matt
King (George Clooney) and his family must adapt to sweeping changes.
“You give your children enough money to do
something but not enough to do nothing.” Matt King.
A British drama focusing on a happily married
couple. Over four seasons they observe their unhappy friends as they attempt to
structure their lives.
“Young people. Everything’s for young people.
Those bars, you know, they’re full of young people shouting about nothing.” A
friend laments life.
Will Ferrell performs against type as
introverted Harold Crick, who starts to hear a voice in his head (Emma
Thompson) narrating his every move.
“I’m cursing you, you stupid voice, so shut
up and leave me alone!” Harold Crick.
Last but not least, 2013’s thrilling sci-fi
epic. Boasting exceptional special effects, this inspiring look at space is a
visual treat.
“Either I make it down there in one
piece and I have one hell of a story to tell! Or I burn up in the next ten
minutes.” Dr. Stone.
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/35-inspirational-movies-that-will-change-your-life.html
No comments:
Post a Comment