Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#1

Post by olalonde » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 6:31 AM UTC

When feeling demotivated or simply in need of a gentle kick in the ass, watching a good inspirational/feel-good movie can never hurt. Which movies did you find inspirational? Bonus point for business related movies.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#2

Post by kingsidharth » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 6:40 AM UTC

The Lord of the Rings Triology (when you have loads of time - there is something about it) Kick-Ass Jerry Maguire The Thief Lord Pursuit of Happyness

Not all are 'hacking' or 'enterprising' but something about them that does the trick.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#3

Post by olalonde » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 6:44 AM UTC

I'll answer my own question: Catch Me If You Can (2002). It's basically the adventures of a very skilled social engineer.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#4

Post by gsivil » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 6:53 AM UTC

One of my favorite movies that I watch quite often and belongs in that category is "The Shawshank Redemption" from 1994. Persist in adverse environments, make lifetime friends, resist to cruel authorities, develop side projects ;), use your skills in a good and moral way.

"Small Time Crooks" 2000 by Woody Allen. A movie about naive accidental lovable millionaires. Funny and sometimes bitter.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#5

Post by prodigal_erik » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 7:00 AM UTC

Iron Man. I can't say why Downey's portrayal of being in the zone is so compelling, but it makes me want to build something.

Apollo 13. When engineering had heroic scope.

Sometimes 300 is stirring and brings a sort of you're-not-alone feeling when I'm stuck at the office. Also the RiffTrax commentary is hilarious.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#6

Post by hardik » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 7:17 AM UTC

I find 70s Japanese action movies very inspiring. Very hard to explain why, but just do.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#7

Post by bigmac » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 7:22 AM UTC

The Social Network

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#8

Post by coryl » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 7:39 AM UTC

bigmac wrote: post #7

The Social Network

A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool? A BILLION dollars.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#9

Post by udfalkso » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 7:41 AM UTC

Rudy. This movie will inspire you to work harder every time.

Re: Ask HN: Inspirational movies

#10

Post by stevenp » Wed, Nov 17, 2010, 7:46 AM UTC

bigmac wrote: post #7

The Social Network

I couldn't agree more. It's the only movie I've ever seen that references "wget", and the entire time as I sat there watching the early Facebook geeks write code, I kept thinking about how I should be at home working on my startup instead of sitting at the movies.