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 #19

Day 19. Film That Made You Cry The Hardest

I used to not cry at ANYTHING but all of a sudden something switched and now I cry during most movies. I don’t know what happened!!

• Ladder 49 (2004)–Follows the heroics of a Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison, who is trapped inside a warehouse fire and his recollection of the events that got him to that point. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta. This was the first movie to really make me cry. These men are real heroes but to see the action unfold and know what’s going to happen. Ahh it’s just too sad!

• Stepmom (1998)–A terminally-ill mother has to settle on the new woman in her ex-husband’s life, who will be their new stepmother. Starring Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris, Jena Malone and Liam Aiken. Whenever I need a good cry, this is the first movie that I watch. It’s such a touching story with amazing, strong women. And the puppy in this movie is so freaking cute!!

• Toy Story 3 (2010)–The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it’s up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren’t abandoned and to return home. Starring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. This ending to a great movie trilogy came at just the right time to make me feel all the emotions that the movie explores. Even though I was in my junior year of college, I still felt like I could relate to everything that Andy was going through.

• My Girl (1991)–Vada Sultenfuss is obsessed with death. Her mother is dead, and her father runs a funeral parlor. She is also in love with her English teacher, and joins a poetry class over the summer just to impress him. Thomas J., her best friend, is “allergic to everything,” and sticks with Vada despite her hangups. When Vada’s father hires Shelly, a makeup expert, in his funeral parlor, and begins to fall in love with her, Vada is outraged and does everything in her power to split them up. Starring Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky. So freaking sad! I can’t even talk about this movie…it still makes me sad just thinking about it.

• The Blind Side (2009)–The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. Starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. I don’t know what it is with movies about families taking in kids that need a home but I love them. They always make me a mixture of sad and happy. It just shows how people really do have huge hearts!

What movie makes you cry the hardest??