FIRE at the Movies

CuppaJoe

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When (if) you escape to the movies, do you get tips and inspiration about FIRE? Which movies that you liked have FIRE subtexts? One that pops to mind is "Castaway": employed guy copes with decisions and challenges of unplanned ER on bare-bones resources.
 
When I see movies that portray someone's downfall due to excessive greed, it reinforces my philosophy that one should know when they have enough to be happy.

Then there are movies with themes of taking a risk with the hope of getting a better reward, or taking a different path so as not to be stuck in the status quo like everyone else.

Sometimes the main character fails or dies trying, but at least he or she got the satisfaction of attempting what others were too coward or not smart enough to try.

Some good movies that fit these themes include:

Raging Bull

Cool Hand Luke

Wall Street

The Godfather

High Noon

Saving Private Ryan
 
I love Cary Grant!

Holiday

"Free-thinking Johnny Case finds himself betrothed to a millionaire's daughter. When her family, with the exception of black-sheep Linda and drunken Ned, want Johnny to settle down to big business, he rebels, wishing instead to spend the early years of his life on "holiday." With the help of his friends Nick and Susan Potter, he makes up his mind as to which is the better course, and the better mate."
 
These are all such good movies!

Also The Bucket List, still at theaters, I think--we saw it with two other couples and then discussed our own bucket lists. Made us grateful for what we have and think about what else we want to do.
 
Moby Dick -- Motivated type A overachiever fails to retire, and dies on high stress job because he gets tied up in his work.

That's what you're looking for, right?
 
Moby Dick -- Motivated type A overachiever fails to retire, and dies on high stress job because he gets tied up in his work.

That's what you're looking for, right?

Absolutely yes, T-Al, this thread has evolved beyond my wildest dreams with multiple viewpoints. I’m looking forward to seeing the comedies mentioned, also like Cary Grant, and am just starting to think about "Saving Private Ryan" in this light.

One thing about coming to this site is that it reveals aspects of myself that I may otherwise ignore. Beyond "Castaway" all I could come up with was "Joe and the Volcano" and then wondered if "Big" would work, then came a of flash of insight: I’m a Tom Hanks fan which in turn tips the issue of what to do as an anti-Super Bowl activity, "hello, Charlie Wilson."

Oh, yeah, Ahab was intent on revenge and completing the game, was it pride that tripped him up. Too often during the morning commute, I get a sudden moment of intense bliss that I’m in the game. Before FI, I thought I had to stay in the commute game. After FI, I can play another game, commute somewhere else, and I’m at war with myself.
 
Unforgiven - Clint Eastwood ER's to his farm while at the top of his game,
marries the woman he loves. She dies, he decides to accept some contract
work for a few extra $$$ in his old profession, and finds he's still got it. A
nice mix of work and relaxation. Morgan Freeman also ER's successfully, but
finds less success contracting back into his old profession.
 
Rambo seems to be doing pretty well with a low-income, possum-living Robinhood lifestyle.

I think his ordnance & ammo expenses are budget-busters, though, to say nothing of the criminal & civil litigation costs.

Plus the ending to the latest movie seems to imply that he has to move in with or care for his father...
 
I'm more The Last Holiday and The Bucket List type of person. So many things I like to do but (1) too cheap to; (2) too indulgent of a thing to do;(3) wait till I'm older; and (4) other similar martyr-like feelings. Yes, at least I know it, I just need to change it.
 
Mention of Rambo reminded me of Bond, James Bond; okay I was already fantasizing about the Bond lifestyle. I’d love to be his flat-fee financial planner: I see that your portfolio will indeed support that loaded motorhome which converts into a yacht; yes, you have enough to keep you in shaken martinis deep into eternity; the two tuxedos ruined on your last business trip are deductible business expenses; yes, buy another villa or two in this market; but forget the Lamborghini, get something more unique. I recommend a 90% SWR and when you run low on cash just head for the roulette tables again, but don’t be greedy, parlay the 10% up to your original portfolio plus inflation and as always, leave town fast.

But, really, Bond needs to ditch the Puritan Work Ethic. Toward the end of "Casino Royale" just as we think he’s getting some R&R after a really rough week, the ever-ready loyal employee just rolls over and agrees to the extra over-time.
 
About Schmidt is worth watching. A bad example is usually more powerful than a good example; and Warren Schmidt apparently made no non-financial preparations for his retirement.
 
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