Films that inspired you

K · Films that inspired you

Or moved you, made you think, or realise something.

Hello flickers

I have decided to do a project on this, to keep my brain ticking over. I'm going to make a list of inspiring/ affecting films and why they inspired people. Not films that just entertain you for two hours and you forget as soon as they finish.

Could you tell me which are your favourite inspiring films, and why?

The ones I can think of which affected me in some way are:

Crash [2004]- which reminded me that you really can't judge people by the words which come out of their mouths, you should look at their actions.

The Shawshank Redemption- keep on believing and trying and eventually you will win through [been a while since I saw this, so details are fuzzy].

The Seventh Seal- just an amazingly made film showing the range of humanity and the different types of love humans are capable of.

Ladies in Lavender- a reminder not to waste your life, just get on with it and enjoy it while you are here for such a short time.

Schindlers List- obviously a very moving film, I had to watch it in two halves as it was just so awful. But it made me think that the human race must always be careful not to encourage racism and bigotry, so it doesn't grow to such terrible proportions as Nazism and the like. Even in the little everyday things we say. I know I generalize about people but it must stop.

Jipdog

Straight off the top of my head: Fight Club and American Beauty.

K

Could you say why, Jipdog please?

Catnapper

The one's I can think of at the mo are....

American Beauty......visually stunning, moving, and shows how you don't know what's going on in people's minds or what turmoil they can be going through at times.
It's A Wonderful Life........even if you think your life has no meaning or you feel valueless, your life can affect so many people and events.
Reach For The Sky......the true story of Douglas Bader, an RAF pilot, who lost his legs in a terrible smash. It shows how the human spirit and sheer bloodymindedness can overcome the most terrible events in life.

Jipdog

Oops! Sorry K! I saw both films around the same time. I was in a dark place then. Both films made me realise that life is too short, and the changed my outlook on life. Not sure why, but they did.

K

Thanks for what you've posted so far.

Sorry to hear about your troubles Jipdog, but it perhaps goes to show that films can help us?

Lucifer_666

The Shawshank Redemption would be on my list too...I think its about always having hope no matter how bad things get...and as is narrated in the film "...hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." How can that not inspire anyone?

Twelve Angry Men...Seen this as a kid and even back then it struck a chord with me....its really about standing up for what you believe is right no matter who or how many are telling you the opposite...

Spartacus film...always moves me...its about fighting for freedom against an unstoppable foe...its about loyalty and about being free and to always fight for it ...when they all stand up to say they are Spartacus...its a great moment

A Christmas Carol always perks me up at Xmas and i do try to live with the Xmas Spirit of the past, present, and the future!

Rocky ...though truthfully i love the first four movies....they always makes me feel good...its basically about overcoming insurmountable odds

Inherit the Wind..Another film I seen as a kid....I do believe this film is ultimately about censorship and it being overcome and about thinking for oneself and not allowing any mob or religion tell you what you should think without the ability to question it

K

Oh, yes, Twelve Angry Men is brilliant isn't it? It seems so hopeless to start with, then the whole thing turns around. And Spartacus- was that bit true when they all stood up?

I'm wondering whether to watch Castaway on Sunday- don't know if it will frighten or inspire me.

big aundy

obviously

braveheart - stirred that scottish blood in me .

Lucifer_666

Yep K i love Twelve Angry men....its a classic film

As for Spartacus i don't think that stand up thing was true

but his body was never found and they did crucify the surviving slave army on the roads back to rome..those parts are based on facts

i do like Braveheart too...i always think of the Michael Collins film too when i think of that film...i guess it breings out that anti english feelings within me

Catnapper

There's been a recent film called P S I Love You about a young grieving widow (Hilary Swank) trying to come to terms with her husband's death. Her husband knew he was dying and left a series of letters with tasks for her to do, such as going back to Ireland where they first met. The film's all about not forgetting the past, but learning to let go and look to the future......so it's an inspiring film for anyone who's dealing with grief.

Anti English....how very dare you Luc

K

Yes, you see. All these Irish, Scots and Welsh can say how much they hate us English, but if we dared to say we hate them, we would be accused of racism and God knows what. I think its a double standard

Lucifer_666

you english tortured and used us all for years and now because we have come into an age of over the top extreme political correctness you all think we should say ...'oh nevermind we really love you english lot and your crumbled empire that you all still think you have'

like come on people apart from giving Michael Flatley to the world what harm has the irish ever done

You see that film Cat...its from a book written by the daughter of our last Taoiseach (Prime Minister) believe it or not

Catnapper

Lucifer_666

typical english.

...we have good reasons to hate you lot but like when was the last time Ireland took over and ruled England with an iron glove???

i don't mind you all hating us irish but at least have good reasons apart from 'Oh you hate us so we will hate you back' kind of thing

Though i don't hate England.... to be honest ..i just dislike when sometimes the media and politicians still think they are an empire and have great clout in world politics...like come on wake up and get back to the 2000's

Us irish are just so talented babe

Catnapper

We don't hate the Irish Luc

I don't know where you got that idea from! If that was the case, I'd end up hating myself cause I'm part Irish

I should have realised the P S I Love You writer might possibly be Irish....2 main characters are Irish and part of the film's set in Ireland too

Lucifer_666

I know babe

i'm just messing with you all

You have some irish in you

would you like some more

big aundy

oh dear bye putting braveheart have i started something .

Lucifer_666

You scottish sh*t stirrer you Sta

K

Lucifer_666

Oh god..please tell me your not bringing up that old gem of WW2 ...Don't get me wrong the British played a substantial part in the alies victory but you could just as easily argue that the Russians played a much bigger part and deserve all the gratitude and thanks from other countries...after all they held Germany off enough to prevent the Germans from mounting a serious invasion of the UK ...before the Americans got swept in...but lets face it..... the Americans.... thats were the real difference lay

Oh and the last i heard it was the British Empire that were allies not just the English part

so maybe they should be grateful to the scots, welsh and N. irish too