30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #23

Day 23. Movie That Inspires You

OMG so many movies to choose from in this category! I find that most movies have some sort of inspiration to them so it really just depends on the mood you’re in.

• Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)–The sisters come back to Delores’s show to get her back as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of students in their parochial school which is doomed for closure. One of the girls, who is the most talented of the bunch, is forbidden to sing by her mother, although the choir has made it to the state championship. A group of stereotypical incompetent monks tries to stop them. Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, Maggie Smith and Lauryn Hill. It’s a great story that teaches kids to follow their dreams and that it only takes one person to inspire many. I absolutely love this movie!! Especially all the songs. They have wonderful voices!

• Mulan (1998)–To save her father from death in the army, a Chinese maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China’s greatest heroes in the process. Starring the voice of Eddie Murphy as Mushu. Way to go Disney for bringing in the girl power. Mulan finally breaks the barrier for princesses. She doesn’t need a prince in shinning armor to come save her. She’s gonna be doing all the saving herself. LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

• Pay It Forward (2000)–A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance. Starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment and Helen Hunt. I have a love/hate relationship with this movie. It’s just too damn sad. But the idea that if you reach out to three people and that chain continues, is an inspiring one. The world really can be a better place.

• Remember the Titans (2000)–The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit. Starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris and Ryan Hurst. It’s a great story about young people putting aside their differences and realizing their similarities. It’s moving to know that things like this really did happen and that people do truly stand up for what they believe in.

• Soul Surfer (2011)–A teenage surfer girl summons the courage to go back into the ocean after losing an arm in a shark attack. Starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Lorraine Nicholson, Kevin Sorbo and Carrie Underwood. The real story of Bethany Hamilton is a truly moving one that plays out so well in this movie. I figure if a girl who lost her arm is able to do so much and help so many people, I could do great things too.

What movie inspires you??

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #15

Day 15. Favorite Play Adaption Independent Films

I’ve seen and read a lot of plays but not many that have been made into movies…or good movies worth seeing. I don’t feel like doing this one and I felt that there was a major category missing: indie movies. I’m obsessed with independent films but I have a hard time comparing them to bigger films in each category…they deserve their own. Sorry it’s so many, I just couldn’t cut it down so here goes.

• Bottle Shock (2008)–The story of the early days of California wine making featuring the now infamous, blind Paris wine tasting of 1976 that has come to be known as “Judgment of Paris.” Starring Chris Pine, Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman. Wine, Alan Rickman, Chris Pine with long hair…what more could you ask for in a movie?

• HappyThankYouMorePlease (2010)–Captures a generational moment-young people on the cusp of truly growing up, tiring of their reflexive cynicism, each in their own ways struggling to connect and define what it means to love and be loved.  Josh Radnor writes, directs and stars along side of Malin Akerman, Zoe Kazan and Kate Mara. Josh Radnor is just amazing!! I love Ted Mosby!!

• The Amateurs (2005)–Citizens of a small town, under the influence of a man in the midst of a mid-life crisis, come together to make an adult film. Starring Jeff Bridges, Ted Danson, Joe Pantoliano and Lauren Graham. A hilarious film with extremely quirky characters making a porno…just so freaking funny!!

• Trucker (2008)–A trucker, leading a life free of depth and on the way to nowhere, is forced to make a decision about her aggressive loner 11-year-old son whom she openly deserted ten years previously. Starring Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Fillion and Benjamin Bratt. I seriously love Michelle Monaghan in this movie. She plays a good tough woman.

• Wild Target (2010)–A hitman tries to retire but a beautiful thief may change his plans. Starring Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt and Rupert Grint. A great mixture of comedy and action. Watching the characters figure out what is going on is the highlight of the film.

• Ruby Sparks (2012)–A novelist struggling with writer’s block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence. Zoe Kazan writes and stars along side of Paul Dano, Chris Messina, Annette Bening and Antonio Banderas. So freaking adorable!! I love knowing that these two (Zoe and Paul) are dating in real life and Zoe wrote it for them to play these roles. It’s a great look at how people are in love with the idea of someone and not that actual person.

• Sleepwalking (2008)–The drama follows a 12-year-old girl’s struggle to come to terms with her mother’s abandonment. Starring Charlize Theron, Nick Stahl, Dennis Hopper, and AnnaSophia Robb. This movie is a bit haunting as a young girl tries to figure out what to do when her mother leaves. She develops a real child/parent relationship with her uncle who really wants to do good by her.

• Win Win (2011)–A struggling lawyer and volunteer wrestling coach’s chicanery comes back to haunt him when the teenage grandson on the client he’s double-crossed comes into his life. Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy. Starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor, Melanie Lynskey and Alex Shaffer. There is something so real about getting caught up in doing something bad for a selfish reason and learning to be a better person. It’s a remarkable cast!

• Bachelorette (2012)–Three friends are asked to be bridesmaids at a wedding of a woman they used to ridicule back in high school. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, Rebel Wilson, Adam Scott and James Marsden. It’s a great portrayal of realistic girl friendships…girls seem to have this relationship that is competitive yet they are always there for one another. My favorite part of the whole movie though is the relationship between Lizzy Caplan and Adam Scott’s characters…maybe it’s because I loved them in Party Down but yeah. So fucking funny!!

• Dirty Girl (2010)–It’s 1987 and Danielle, the high school ‘dirty girl’, is running away. With her is chubby, gay Clarke, a bag of flour called Joan and a walkman fill of glorious ’80s tunes. Starring Juno Temple, Jeremy Dozier, Milla Jovovich, Mary Steenburgen, William H. Macy and Tim McGraw. I love this movie! I think that Juno Temple is going to be a huge star!!

What are some of your favorite independent movies??