51–60 of 151 posts
The Social Network
Don't overlook the obvious: The Matrix Also: Primer, Amadeus, Ratatouille Older movies: The General and other Buster Keaton movies, Trouble in Paradise and other Lubitsch movies.
To each his own, but can I ask what about Buster Keaton movies motivates you? Just wondering.
But he is special because he's a genius at failure: his disasters are beautiful, cinematic, and spectacular. Here's a simple but representative example from the Cameraman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgS55PvjXHM&feature=relat...
He's taken the title job, but he doesn't really know how to operate a camera, so he accidentally double and quadruple exposes the film. He's ridiculed, since he obviously failed to do what he was trying to do (gather news footage), but the images he does create seem on another level sublime, magical.
I'm reluctant to map it directly to startups/HN, but let me try anyway: People talk about failing frequently, learning from failure; they say that startupers need to allow specific projects/ideas/initiatives to fail. That's correct, but failures still can hurt and sometimes demotivate; it's tempting also to move on before we've learned from the failure so as to put the failure as far behind as possible. These movies remind me that there can be great stuff to see and learn during a failure; I think they make failures less taxing emotionally and sometimes joyful.
The Social Network - have seen it twice, both times eager to get out of the cinema and rush home to continue working on my own projects. We all know it's possible to create something and have the world take notice, but to see the journey and the all too familiar scenarios was hugely inspiring. As much as the lead character may come across as an unemotional awkward individual - you can't help but want his sharpness and drive. Oh, and success.
Good Will Hunting - Maybe I happened to watch this at the right time, during a period where I had met someone special and certain obstacles had me holding back. This movie had me book a flight the second the credits began rolling. There's similarities with The Social Network too, a special yet flawed individual, whose mistakes pale in comparison to his potential. Every line in the film is a quotable.
Hangover - This will be the first and only mention I expect of this film, but in terms of leaving a cinema and feeling inspired, this is up there for me. Would happily have left on the road trip of a lifetime if my groups of friends were to join me. Sure I'd have broken down 2 miles into the journey, broke and a little homesick but I'd have given it a go.
The Social Network
Am I the only one who found the film a bit disappointing given all the hype? While the first half was pretty cool and I really enjoyed the Facemash hacking scene, the second half felt like it was just endless squabbling over who owns what. Not exactly inspiring.
1. The Killing Fields http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The-Killing-Fields/671140?... 2. Danny Deckchair http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Danny-Deckchair/60033353?trk... 3. As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me (German film) http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/As-Far-as-My-Feet-Will-Carry... 4. Vitus (another German flick) http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Vitus/70068654?trkid=496751#... 5. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Fren…
Fight Club
Brewster's Millions always cheers me up around Christmas, as does Trading Places (http://www.themovietracker.com/movies/9749), both of which are slightly business related (although not exactly real-world related).
Someone else posted the pursuit of happyness (http://www.themovietracker.com/movies/7605), when I stick that on it comes across as a bit schmaltzy for me but has a good message.
A beautiful mind (http://www.themovietracker.com/movies/1112) is another great film about an incredibly smart but tortured genius who makes a massive contribution to economics.
Catch me if you can (http://www.themovietracker.com/movies/1798) is based on the true story of a fraudster who ripped off banks for tons of money and did all kinds of amazing things with it. It's a great romp and I'd highly recommend a first watch.
Life is beautiful (http://www.themovietracker.com/movies/5583) is hardly an uplifting film but is incredible and if it doesn't make you thankful for what you have, then I'd question whether or not you have a soul.