I spent most of last year fighting cancer and the last thing I wanted to hear or watch was sad movies or songs. I remember participating in the survivors walk at our local Relay for Life event and I hated when they played ballads or sad songs over the PA system.
What I wanted was music and movies that gave me a fighting spirit! Here's a few of the movies that I loved watching and still watch today to get me pumped up:
1. Gladiator – Here's the basic plot: "When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by a corrupt prince, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge." I love the "against all odds" drama of this movie and especially like that he's one man going against a powerful foe. Although you might think the ending a bit of a downer, it's the fight to the finish that I like.
2. Band of Brothers – The fact that this is a true story is the real kicker behind this World War II recap of the heroics of the 101st Airbourne. These guys had to face injuries, extreme cold, lack of basic necessities and even death. What I identify with is that these are real-life people who were not superheroes but more likely your next-door neighbor! They rose to the occasion in a great way, making it through a savage war all the way to Hitler's deserted hideout in the mountains. Truly inspiring and the music is almost as great as the story.
3. Jesus of Nazareth – There are probably different versions of the life of Jesus but I think this one by director Franco Zeffirelli is the best. This movie really brings Jesus to life and does a great job portraying the apostles as people who were struggling to understand what was going on, just like many of us.
Have any other ones you find inspiring?
