My Top 5 Most Inspiring Movies
There is no shortage of movies to inspire you.
Whether it is a movie that helps you get over a rough patch, or a movie that can power you up to train like a monster unchained.
5) Pumping Iron
The movie that started it all for Arnold Schwarzenegger. You get an inside the unknown world of bodybuilding to the Mr. Olympia which has now spawned into an insane extravaganza weekend. The movie showcases legends like Lou Ferrigno, Arnold, and Franco Colombo. It also shows some of the shenanigans that take place (still) behind the stage. Pumping Iron has some cool training montages. There is some interesting dialogue between Lou and his authoritarian father. Also, Arnold’s thoughts on getting a muscle pump being like having an orgasm.
I saw this with my dad when it came out and instantly said I’ll be doing that one day.
4) Mr. Hollands Opus
I love this movie, and anything Richard Dreyfus stars in. The music, the time periods, the relationship with his wife and son. The final part of the movie where his musical score gives me the chills every time I hear it.
3) Rocky Balboa
This movie wraps up Rocky’s fight career in a heartwarming, albeit sad ending. Rocky 5 sucked. This put the finishing touches on one of the most beloved movie characters of ALL TIME. The movie’s fight scenes are shot like an HBO fight. I love the way they updated the ring scenes so that it looked realistic. It also has the famous training montages that Rocky movies have made legendary.
2) Million Dollar Baby
One of the greatest rags to riches movies you can watch. It takes a crushing turn at the end, and the movie is a huge squeeze on the heart. Clint Eastwood co-produced, scored, directed, and acted in the movie as the salty old mean bastard of a coach who’s life gets enriched by Hillary’s character. Oh, and Hillary Swank is badass. Morgan Freeman is well, Morgan Freeman. He never fails to play a great part. This movie is no exception.
1) Rocky
The original. It takes a club fighter and part time leg breaker from Philadelphia and gives him a title shot with the champ, Apollo Creed. The movie introduced the training montage. It has a great third act, where Rocky reveals that all he wants to do is go the distance with Creed. To show the world he wasn’t just a bum from the streets. The final act is an amazing heavyweight fight with a great ending.
“You’re gonna eat lightnin’ and you’re gonna crap thunder! ”
Honorable mentions:
Pursuit of Happiness
You root for the two from the beginning.
Erin Brockovich
It’s Julia Roberts as a badass.
The Great Escape
My dad’s favorite and mine. Breaking out of a Nazi prison camp takes planning. Incredible movie.
Karate Kid
It’s corny as hell, but it was a great 80s flick that I cant stop and NOT watch.
Generation Iron
A sort of followup to Pumping Iron, only 3 decades later. Some major changes in physiques, players, and the same shenanigans.
