Hey folks, I’ve been pumped for today’s post for a long time. Our guest is writer Randall Allen Dunn…and he’s talking about one of my favorite topics ever: movies!
Randall is an action, adventure and suspense writer who’s got some great short stories available at Amazon. I met Randall in Chicago at the MacGregor Literary seminar last fall. You can check out his Amazon author page here and find his stories.
Randall also has a website where he dishes on movies, TV shows, books and more that offer positive, character-building lessons. How awesome is that! Enjoy!
13+ Character-Building Movies to Watch in 2013
I carry a Batman lunch bag to work every day. My cellphone’s ringtone is the theme from “Mission: Impossible”. Weather-permitting, I wear an Indiana Jones fedora that I bought at Disneyworld.
I am a proud product of popular culture.
Such a life is not without risk. Every popular story carries a message: something it presents as truth about the way to live our lives. If we listen too much to the wrong messages, they can subconsciously persuade us to make poor decisions in life. So I use my website, Character Entertainment (www.CharacterEnt.com) to promote the positive life lessons to be found in the stories and poems we consume every day through movies, TV shows, music and books.
For today’s blog, I’m suggesting a short list of 13+ movies with strong moral lessons you can apply to your life. Pick a few to watch – or watch again with a focus on the movie’s message – in the coming year, and share a few of them with your family and friends.
The more we absorb the positive virtues presented in the media and weed out those messages that promote selfish and superficial thinking, the more those stories can change us for the better. Please feel free to add your favorite character-building films to the list!
1. (Disney’s) Beauty and the Beast – This romance demonstrates the transforming power of genuine love. When the Beast finally becomes a hunky human again, Belle won’t get close to him until she confirms he’s actually the Beast she loves!
2. Searching for Bobby Fischer – Powerful lessons for parents and teachers on accepting kids for who they are, not just what they can do.
3. It’s a Wonderful Life – Not just for Christmas, this movie celebrates life itself, when self-sacrificing George Bailey glimpses the world deteriorating without him and discovers he’s worth much more than he thought!
4. Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan – Theme of life vs. death is vividly demonstrated through Captain Kirk’s mid-life crisis while his friends train the next generation of replacements and his enemy, Khan, obsesses over vengeance. Spock’s ultimate sacrifice shows Kirk what life is really about.
5. Jaws – Great (but somewhat gory) film about taking responsibility instead of turning a blind eye to a threat.
6. Schindler’s List – Ambitious everyman Oskar Schindler changes his entire worldview when confronted with the Holocaust, ultimately risking his own life to save as many people as he can.
7. Any of the Harry Potter films – Every film shows how to exercise humility, courage, loyalty and friendship. (Two highlights: In “Order of the Phoenix”, Harry stops the evil Voldemort from possessing him when he focuses on what’s good in his life instead of giving in to fear and anger. In “Chamber of Secrets”, when Harry fears he might become like Voldemort, his mentor reminds him we are not defined by our abilities but by our choices.)
8. Rocky II – Thinking about getting married? Watch this movie first to experience the pitfalls of poor financial planning, the struggles of finding a stable career, and the importance of adjusting to the way the opposite gender thinks. And Rocky’s devotion to Adrian during her hospital stay is the truest display of film romance I’ve ever seen.
9. The Prince of Egypt – Genuine faith isn’t a crutch. In fact, it can place harsh demands on your life. God calls young Moses to bring an unpopular message, dictating terms to his own brother, who happens to rule all of Egypt. Moses learns – and leads others – to believe in miracles when everyone is convinced that God has abandoned them.
10. Kit Kittredge, American Girl – Frustrated with the economy? Watch how Kit and her family struggle to make things work, and manage to survive it all. You’ll get a more realistic perspective on your current financial situation and some great ideas for what to do about it.
11. Regarding Henry – No one likes having to start over in life. But after Henry Turner literally forgets his sordid past, he discovers he can become something better than he once was, no matter what anyone else thinks about his new choices.
12. Les Miserables – Jean Valjean escapes the eternal prison of his “convict” label and lets God transform him into a savior of his community, wherever he goes, as the hardline Inspector Javier chases after him. This version pares away other details to show a clear depiction of the biblical principle of operating in grace vs. judging people by the letter of the law.
13. Can’t Buy Me Love – There are no bad guys in this movie, just high schoolers functioning within their own cliques. Until Ronald Miller steps outside of his nerd clique and they all realize they’re following a herd mindset instead of choosing for themselves who to have as friends.
If I had time, I would also tell you why you should also watch movies like:
The Karate Kid (with Ralph Macchio)
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Spider-Man (with Toby Maguire)
Rudy
Hotel Rwanda
Fireproof (with Kirk Cameron)
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
City Slickers
Star Wars trilogy (episodes 4-6)
The Family Man
Enemy Mine
Soul Surfer
A Christmas Carol (with Alastair Sim)
Evan Almighty
The Blind Side
The Book of Eli
Invictus
Freedom Writers
Hitch
A Walk to Remember
Cheaper by the Dozen (with Steve Martin)
… but you can figure that out when you watch them.
Happy 2013!
*****
Randall Allen Dunn was raised on a steady diet of James Bond, Batman, Star Trek and Indiana Jones. His study of stage acting in high school and college helped him learn how to create vivid, compelling characters. He now shares his love of action, adventure and infinite possibilities through novels and short stories, the writing classes he conducts, and his website, Character Entertainment, dedicated to Building Character Through Fiction, at www.CharacterEnt.com. You can follow Randall for publishing and family updates on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Smashwords.
Such a fun post, Randall! Readers, what movies do you love which also offer character-building themes?
Comments 53
You mentioned Invictus… favorite movie ever! I am happy.
Invictus was REALLY powerful and inspiring. I love how calm Morgan Freeman handles everything as Nelson Mandela. Like when one of his staff comes to warn him, “The police are here,” and he says, “What did you do?”
Have a great day!
(:^D
– RAD
Laura, I apologize that I still haven’t seen Invictus. Are we still friends?
I think it would take more than you not watching Invictus for us to not be friends. Maybe you watching it and not liking it. (j/k- if you absolutely hate it I will still love you.) ps- Mexico! You know you want to!
I love, love, love movies and I’ve seen many of these. I’m definitely going to check out your site!
Tagg, he mentioned JAWS! Can’t wait for Linds to read that! Yes!
I don’t care about moral messages if it means I’ll be dreaming about sharks eating me!!!!
Lindsay – I understand. I know I’ll never get my sister-in-law to watch “Jaws”. You can always watch “Jurassic Park” instead, for a similar message. … unless you’ll dream about cloned dinosaurs chasing you. (:^D
Hi, Jessica!
Yes, JAWS is awesome.
Have a great day!
(:^D
– RAD
Jess, I had a feeling your or Linz would have something say about Jaws! Ha!!
Linz, what if you watch Jaws, but then follow it by watching something extremely syrupy and happy? Like Sound of Music or something? Although maybe then you’d just dream about singing sharks…who knows…
Or ones that frolic on Swiss mountaintops…
I was hoping I had a solution for you, but I can’t find it on YouTube. One of the best single scenes in JAWS has only one main character, Roy Scheider, and the only shark is in the pictures of a textbook he’s reading. It’s the dock scene where two bozos throw a hunk of meat in the lake to catch the shark and it pulls the dock apart.
I’ve used this scene to teach on how to create suspense. Maybe a friend can have you watch that part where – hey, no shark!
(:^D
I’m more of a reader than movie goer, but I loved Phantom of the Opera, and While You were Sleeping.
Thanks for introducing us to Randall, Melissa!
Hi, Pat!
I actually had to cut “While You Were Sleeping” from my list, just for space. But it’s my 2nd favorite romance, after “Beauty and the Beast”, and my favorite romantic comedy! I love how it shows that a relationship is not just about finding the right person, but incorporating their entire family into your life, too!
Have a great day!
(:^D
– RAD
You’re welcome, Pat. 🙂 And yay for you and Randall both liking While You Were Sleeping.
OMG (yes, I sound like a teenage girl) I LOVED this! So many movies I’ve loved, so many great memories attached to them:) Can’t Buy Me Love??? Jaws (didn’t swim in ANY water–pools included–for years! Indian Jones? Karate Kid! Oh so many!
Hi, Susan! This is the advantage I have of being raised on movies, having a long memory, and being OLD! (:^D It’s funny to watch “Can’t Buy Me Love” now and see Patrick Dempsey playing the perfect true-to-life nerd, with Seth Green looking & acting TOTALLY different as his younger brother! Have a good one! – RAD
Didn’t swim in any water for years…love it, Susan!! I’m going to admit that I’ve not seen Can’t Buy Me Love. But yours and Randall’s recommendation means I’m pretty sure I need to see it SOON. 🙂
Just be warned – there is some very real promiscuity and alcohol abuse involved among those teens. In other words, it shows a realistic glimpse of high school “partying”. Enough to make parents worry about what kind of parties their kids might go to! And enough to help kids think twice about what to do at the parties they attend!
Nice to meet you, Randall! Great list.
Mel, you know I’m an Anne of Green Gables girl. Of course, I also love Pride & Prejudice…it reminds us that first impressions are not always right and that people are not necessarily a product of their families (i.e., they shouldn’t be defined by the family they were born into).
Good to meet you, Lindsay! Hope you don’t dream of sharks!
I started listening to Pride & Prejudice on audio last year, to study up for teaching a romance writing unit. The first 1-2 chapters were hilarious! I got buried in other work so couldn’t finish it, but it’s on my list to return to! – RAD
Linz, I think we might be the American version of Anne and Diana. But I promise never to get you drunk on cherry cordial. (Or vice versa if you’re Anne and I’m Diana…?)
P&P!! Randall, I love that you see the humor in P&P…it’s a great romance with wonderfully imperfect characters, but so often people forget about the humor of it!
I laugh at Mrs. Bennett every time I watch that movie. I mean…outrageous!!
And yes!! We’ll forever be bosom friends and kindred spirits. 😉
I only got started into it. But the family at the beginning is hilarious, w/ the father “agreeing” with the mother that their daughter’s coughs are most inconsiderate, and the daughter’s reply: “I don’t cough for my own amusement.”
Thanks for the nice intro, Melissa! Oddly enough, I HAVE seen a lot of Anne of Green Gables, even though I’m a guy. But it’s because I’m a MARRIED guy! (:^D Nevertheless, Anne’s melodramatic antics are hilarious! I’ve also seen a couple other great movies you mentioned, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and You Can’t Take It With You, as well as What’s Up, Doc?, though I’m not sure what the character-building message of that would be, either. Either to make sure you’re engaged to someone less high-maintenance than Madeleine Kahn, or beware of strange women like Barbara Streisand who keep showing up at odd times to ruin your life! Have a great day! – RAD
Yes, I’m so proud of you for sitting through Anne of Green Gables. In college I convinced a friend to watch it with me. He made me watch 8 Seconds with Kiefer Sutherland as payback. I’m not sure which one of us was most traumatized.
Yes, What’s Up Doc is fabulous. Although, I totally don’t think Barbara Streisand ruins Ryan O’Neal’s life…before her, all he had was rocks and Eunice (Kahn). 🙂 Being from Iowa, one of my absolute favorite lines in the whole movie is:
Howard: I’m Howard Bannister and I’m from Ames, Iowa.
Judge: No excuse.
🙂
Lord of the Rings is my all-time favorite. Plus, I love that Tolkein was such a believer and so instrumental in C.S. Lewis’ conversion back to Christianity. Where would we be without those two?
Hi, Marney!
Yes, I didn’t get to include The Chronicles of Narnia in my short list, but that and the LOTR series are fantastic! – RAD
Ahh, I looove Lord of the Rings. And (cough cough) Aragorn. Either of you see The Hobbit? I definitely enjoyed it, but it was no LOTR, in my opinion.
Hey Randy! How are you!
Love the list! B & B is my FAVE Disney movie!! And I watch “A Walk to Remember” when I need a good cry! Btw, have you ever seen the Fisher King? Love love love the love story. She’s so quirky and he’s so shy and funny and .. yeah. I’ll stop.
Happy New Year! -Raj
Hi, Raj!
Some of these movies, like “Beauty & the Beast”, never get the attention they deserve. It’s a brilliant story of people changing their perspective on how they view one another and themselves. “A Walk to Remember” is a great example of how people can change, if you believe they can.
I haven’t seen The Fisher King but I heard it was excellent.
Have a great day!
– RAD
Now I have Angela Lansbury singing “Tale as Old as Time” in my head. 🙂
I’ve never seen Fisher King, but sounds like a good one.
I’m going to echo others and say the Narnia movies. Great lessons there!
Great interview!
The books are great, too!
– RAD
Narnia, yes, great lessons and…the guy who plays Prince Caspian has great hair.
Yes. The hair makes the film, really.
Hey my Chicago buds! Miss you guys so it’s great to see the team up today (even if Melissa is talking about Anne of Green Gables 🙂 But you get points for What’s Up Doc Melissa. HI-larious.
Great picks Randall. Hopefully we’ll get to talk movies again this year.
Hey, Clay!
Yes, we need to know some of the best character-building zombie movies or other horror movies out there. I mentioned Jaws already & scared people. Also mentioned Jurassic Park. Any other suggestions?
– RAD
Clay, you cannot say anything bad about Anne of Green Gables. That’s, like, sacrilege to girls everywhere. And Canadians. 🙂
But What’s Up Doc, oh yes, soooo good…Peter Bogdanovich (sp?) will be my hero forever for giving us that movie!
Sweet movie list! Might I also add Jane Eyre? I think it’s a story story of being caught between what you want to do, and doing the right thing.
Oh yeah, that IS a good one. Jane has to go through a lot of dark periods before she gets her happy ending, that’s for sure!
Beth & Melissa,
I’ll have to trust you both on Jane Eyre. Have not read or seen it. But I’ve heard it’s great.
(:^D
– RAD
I love the movie Can’t Buy Me Love! 🙂 I thought Les Mis was amazing. The movie lends itself, more so than the stage, to really making the characters and their struggles come to life.
Hi, Stacy!
Can’t Buy Me Love has a great message, and it’s really trippy to watch, as an ’80’s film w/ some younger actors.
Les Miserables is my wife’s favorite musical. She can’t wait to see the new movie. And we love the Liam Neeson version. One of these years, I’ll set aside a month and actually read the book!
(:^D
– RAD
Such a fun blog, Melissa! And waving at Randall!
I was raised on a steady diet of good old-fashioned movies starring June Allyson, Doris Day, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby, Maureen O’Hara, Jimmy Stewart and on and on! I still love watching them – and sharing them with my children. I will choose an oldie over a contemporary movie any day. On the most part, oldies were focused more on a good message than movies of today. One of my very favorites is the Andy Hardy Series, starring Mickey Rooney! I LOVE those movies. 🙂
Hi, Gabrielle! Nice to meet you!
I agree. So many of the older films have something good to teach us, compared to most newer films. (Of course, that could just be because we only continue to watch the old classics that were worth watching!)
I still plan to see some old Mickey Rooney movies one of these days. Maybe you can recommend the best ones.
Have a great day!
– RAD
(:^D
Coming to the party late, but it’s still Wednesday in Colorado — and I’m thankful I didn’t miss this interview!! I love Randall’s approach — his vision — for movies!
Thanks, Beth! Glad you enjoyed it.
You’re welcome to come visit my site at CharacterEnt.com for more life lessons on books, movies & music that are good for you!
Have a great day!
(:^D
– RAD
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