I am a person who only buys movies when they absolutely love the movie. However, when I moved into my dorm room for my first year at Texas State, I knew I could only bring a few of my favorite films with me and I had to make sure most of them were my absolute favorites.
If you are interested in learning more about the movies in the slideshow check out the IMDb links below.
Photo by Erin O’Donnell
I will be the first to admit that I hate to exercise. I find a day doing absolutely nothing to be a lot better than a day, running around, getting sweaty, and just moving about. However, to stay alive and live a beautiful balance life, you have to exercise at least sometimes per week, if at least once a week.
Working out takes a lot of effort through, and for me to feel the need to workout I have to be motivated to do so. This is where movies come into the equations. Since the invention of the movie montage and just action films in general, it is a lot easier to find the inspiration I need to get out of bed a compete for a decent 45-minute workout on the stationary bike.
The movies that I am about to list below, always make me want to better myself and change my lifestyle for the better. Whether it is because I have been inspired by the film and the odds the characters, have been able to defeat. Or the fact that I think some of the characters look cool, and I would love to be able to save the city in my free time, without a doubt these are the movies that make me want to change for the better.
“Rocky”– Let us face it, the first movie you think about when it comes to workout movies, is the Rocky Franchise. Not only did Rocky popularize the training montage in Sports movies, but it also brought a new interest in boxing. In fact, whenever I get done watching any Rocky film, the iconic theme is stuck in my head, and I just pretend to punch the air until I realize I am acting a little bit weird. This is a film that makes me what to take a kickboxing class because I think it looks cool and would be a fun way to workout without having actually to go into the ring.
“X-Men”– I feel this goes without saying, but I love the X-Men universe. Just whenever I watch any of these movies, I just want to do a complete cardio workout and hope that Fox calls me in as a replacement. The last part of that sentence may be a stretch of a daydream, but every time I watch these movies I just want to spend weeks upon weeks completing a full body workout and just running on the treadmill. This film series makes me want to change for the better so I can be just like my favorite superhero team and help save the day where ever I am needed.
“Guardians of the Galaxy”– Sometimes I still can not wrap my head around the fact that Andy Dwyer of “Parks and Recreations” and Starlord are played by the same people. The body transformation that Chris Pratt put himself through for his role has Starlord has inspired me never to give up on my workout and give to 110% when I do a workout. I have figured if he can complete such an incredible transformation, then I sure can too.
“The Hunger Games”– Now we can all agree that the world Katniss lives in is awful. However after watching the whole series, I have been inspired to pick up a bow and arrow and just practice archery. Hunger Games, may have glorified violence and popularize the teen dystopia film and book genre, yet whenever I watch the movies, I think about the hours of work the actors have put to bring these phenomenal performances on screen.
“Man of Steel”– Two-Words, Henry Cavill. I have a lot of issues with the film itself, but I can not say it does not inspire me to pick up a dumbbell and just start lifting. Ever since I was a kid I loved Superman, and in my honest opinion, I think Henry Cavill is the spitting image of Superman from the comics. He has not only the perfect physique but his acting as Clark Kent as proved to me that an actor can do both roles perfectly. “Man of Steel” just makes me want to become a better person, not just for the world, but for myself as well. It was after watching this movie that changed my outlook on working out, as well as inspired me to attempt to make it a part of my daily routine.
Photo by Erin O’Donnell
As stated before on this blog, I am a huge fan of all things movies and watching movies is one of my favorite hobbies. However, movies are not the only thing I put my time and effort into. Outside of film, school work, and sleep, my next biggest passion is music and especially singing.
Since the age of three, I have been performing, whether it be on stage or in my bedroom, I have to sing. When I can’t sing it feel like the world is crumbling below my feet, dropping me down into a pit of despair. A bit dramatic, but it gets the point across. To me, singing and music are like breathing; I need it to live. In fact, music is what I am currently getting my minor in because I love it that much and couldn’t bear to part ways with it after high school. I have spent all of middle school and high school in the choir, and I plan to spend all of college in the choir as well.
My love for music through, along with my love for film, has reminded me that so many great pieces of music were made for movies, whether it be the score or a song included on the soundtrack. In fact, this led to me realizing that a lot of my favorite songs were written for movies.
To make this list a little easier, I have decided to exclude musicals and Disney musicals, as they have the upper hand when it comes to songs for movies. What I am writing about are those songs or scores that provoke and stirred emotions in me the way music should. The other criteria I am including is that the song just had to be written for a movie and including on the soundtrack. I am not just listing my favorite songs that have been nominated or have won awards because let us face it not every great original song is even nominated, just songs that were made for movies.
1.”Breath of Life”: by Florence + the Machine for the film “Snow White and The Huntsman”– From the pounding drumbeat to the angelic choir, to Florence Welch powerful voice, this song proves original songs can sometimes outshine the movies they were made for. In a couple of years, most people will barely remember “Snow White” existed, yet everybody will remember one of the most emotional heart-wrenching songs to every grace a pair of earphones.
2.”Falling Slowly”: by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova for the film “Once”– This is a song you listen to when you are head over heels in love. From the poetic structure to the sweeping acoustic guitars, and the blending of the leads vocals. The song may be simple in nature and structure. However, it is potent in meaning about such a pure and honest feeling. A must listen to for anybody who is in love, or who has once been in love.
3.”My Heart Will Go On”: by Celine Dion for the film “Titanic”– I believe it is impossible to have a best original song list without “My Heart.” Not only is it one of the best power ballads of all times, but just one of the greatest love songs ever written. Dion incredible voice mixes well with the tremendous energy the songs has in its instrumentals. This song is just as good as the movie it was made for, if not just a little bit better.
4.”When She Loved Me” by Sarah McLachlin for the film “Toy Story 2”– Not once have I been able to listen to this song without bawling because it that good. McLachlin was able to convey the fleeting nature of childhood while displaying the emotions a toy feel for its owner. McLachlin soprano vocals blend well with the piano score and create poetry in motion.
5.”Main Theme/Overture” by John Williams for the film “Star Wars”– From the soft opening to the powerful sweeping motions, this song is legendary and has become synonymous with the movie itself. In front of every opening sequence in every Star Wars movie to date, it hard to find somebody who has not listen to this song at least once in their lives. The Duh, Duh, Duh Da Da Duh, Duh as becomes pop culture itself. This score changed the game of how audience related to music in movies and proved scores could be just as powerful as the movies themselves.
A Reel Geek 