I know there will be lots of you out there with differing opinions on this top five list.  What is inspirational to one is garbage to another, I understand that.  But it is also a timely topic with all the Presidential Hoopla carrying people away.  So here are the five most inspirational movies in my humble opinion, feel free to comment with your own if you think I missed any.

5. Bulworth – in the spirit of the season, I have to admit I have always been inspired by Warren Beatty’s straight-talking politician.  Sure, his sudden bout of honesty is brought on by insomnia and not a troubled conscience, but nevertheless it is an ideal for which I wish more representatives would strive.  And Halle Berry is so so hot.

4. Lord of the Rings Trilogy – When I think the darkness is closing in and all hope is lost, I remember Frodo and the ring and how, against all odds, the smallest of people can change the world.  I know it seems silly, and Tolkien would hate for his stories to become allegory, but to me its true.  As Margaret Mead put it, “Never underestimate the power of a small but committed group of people to change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

3. Rocky – I know its cliche, but the Italian Stallion always inspires me to go out and power up a set of public steps and then dance around on top like I am king of the world.  Who doesn’t love the underdog in Stallone, and feel sometimes as beat up as he, only to triumph in the end?

2. Pre or Without Limits - OK, I know this is a twofer, but they are both so intertwined in my mind I can’t remember which I like better, so I always lump them together.  Of course Prefontaine is one of my all-time heroes, and I will always mourn the tragedy of his short life – and yet envy his ability to go out on top and avoid the eventual fade away most of us will experience.

1. Miracle – There may never be a true story as compelling, at least for Americans, as the Miracle on Ice.  The 1980 US Hockey team beating a stronger, more experienced and for all-practical purposes superior Russian team when it counted most is an unbelievable fairy tale, except that it really happened.  The downfall of this particular movie is that Disney made it so the ice-cream treatment of the plot leaves a little to be desired, but nevertheless the topic is unbeatable.

So that’s my top 5 (or so), but there were many that could have been included.  300, the idea of a small band of Spartans holding off the entire Persian army long enough for Greece to prepare to defend herself is moving.  Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, Glory, and any number of other war movies come to mind but were purposely left off the list – the fact is they drum up a response of patriotism and pride but do not really inspire me the way others do.  Any Given Sunday, The Replacements, and other football movies can be pretty inspirational, but also kind of all blend together to me – perhaps because I never played football.  Similarly, The Natural and other baseball movies are awesome, but don’t resonate with me personally.  I am sure I have missed a bunch, but that just gives you more opportunity to comment!