5 movies that have inspired my blog

Today, the WordCount headquarters suggested a special theme for #blog2012: 5 movies that have inspired my blogging. I love my “5 things” lists, so this one is no different!

Fit for Life captures adventures in homesteading and personal fitness. Among these areas include the understanding of social conventions and the ability to question them, pursuit of better, whole, closer-to-home food choices, both body and mind wellness, and the support of spontaneous adventures. I wanted to make sure to choose movies that reflect these different topics and goals!

After some serious contemplating, I present my list, in no particular order:

1. Into the Wild

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Though I consider The Road Warrior my favorite movie (see below), Into the Wild is my favorite story. I first listened to the story via audiobook on our epic drive to Florida and back (from Maryland). I immediately fell in love with Chris McCandless. Among my favorite parts of the movie are his appreciation of each day, the active questioning of social conventions and societal norms, the happy pursuit of an outrageous goal, and the community he creates on his way to pursue this goal. I’d like to pursue a lifestyle much closer to his.

2. King Corn

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Though not my favorite foodie movie now, King Corn had quite the impact on my understanding of agriculture and the overwhelming presence of high fructose corn syrup in just about anything that is sold in a supermarket. For the first time, I saw food differently. I think I first watched the film in 2008, just after its release. I’m more aware and conscious of the types of food I eat now, and credit this film for my active pursuit of healthier, more whole foods! You won’t see boxed foods, frozen dinners, or many items with high fructose corn syrup on this blog.

3. 13 Going on 30

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Beyond being a silly chick flick, this movie captures the essence of being a child in an adult world. Too often, I catch myself acting serious or taking myself too seriously. This movie helped me recognize and adore the child within me. I try to channel her through my writing, and most definitely during my adventures. I like to think of all of us–even “adults”–as children, too. If we’re all children, we can play more often and worry less.

4. American Psycho

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A little edgier, I’ve included American Psycho in the mix because it demonstrates (in the most extreme case) what can happen when obsession, control, and corporations take over the life of an individual. Patrick Batemen represents monoculture. Even more than just monoculture, Patrick Batemen reminds me of a corporation. He works to make himself bigger, richer, and more important to drown out the competition. Along the way, he destroys people and places, without much afterthought or care. Through my blog, I champion–and work to build–community, elevating all organisms around me. This movie represents my polar opposite and serves as a reminder for avoiding negative monoculture!

5. The Road Warrior

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Probably my favorite movie of all time, The Road Warrior was the first movie that made me consider the emergence of a post-apocalyptic world. Though the characters attempt to recreate former lifestyles through the constant pilfering of each other’s limited oil/gasoline supplies, I think the bigger story here is in the creation of community and the importance of skill-building. After seeing The Road Warrior, I wanted to learn so many skills that would become useful outside our current culture: building fire, hunting, tracking, and less reliance on limited resources. I hope to continue to share these advances and adventures through the blog!

So, there we have it — 5 movies that have inspired my blogging. From the realization of skills and community building necessary in a post-peak oil world to the identification of monocultures to avoid, to  the happy spirit of being a child, to the push toward more wholesome, single-ingredient foods, to living life on purpose and actively pursuing adventures that lead me away from social conventions, my writing and overall outlook has improved from these different stories.

What movies have inspired you?