Growing up in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, cinema became more than entertainment. It became a lens through which to understand human nature, leadership, and the stories that move us to action.
The Power of Storytelling
Every great business, like every great film, begins with a compelling story. The films that resonate most deeply are those that explore universal themes: the struggle for freedom, the pursuit of excellence, the complexity of human relationships, and the courage to challenge established systems.
Jack Nicholson's McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest exemplifies the disruptive force that challenges institutional inertia. The character's rebellion against a system designed to suppress individuality mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit required to transform industries like healthcare technology.
Lessons from the Screen
The Godfather trilogy taught me about leadership, loyalty, and the weight of responsibility. Don Corleone's deliberate decision-making process, his understanding of leverage and relationships, offers timeless wisdom for anyone building organizations.
Blade Runner 2049 and Interstellar explore humanity's relationship with technology and our search for meaning in an increasingly complex world. These themes directly inform my work in healthcare AI, a field where we must constantly balance innovation with human dignity.
There Will Be Blood presents a masterclass in ambition's double edge. Daniel Plainview's relentless drive builds an empire while destroying everything that might have given it meaning. It's a cautionary tale for any entrepreneur.
Genre Appreciation
My taste spans the cinematic spectrum. Classic dramas provide emotional depth and character study. Crime films like Scarface and Casino explore the American Dream's darker corridors. Science fiction challenges assumptions about what's possible.
Comedy offers necessary balance. The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? remind us not to take ourselves too seriously. Even Borat and Idiocracy, beneath their absurdist humor, offer sharp social commentary.
The Rocky series represents pure inspirational storytelling. The underdog narrative, the commitment to preparation, the resilience in defeat. These aren't just sports movie tropes; they're blueprints for entrepreneurial perseverance.
Star Wars: A Founding Mythology
The original Star Wars trilogy arrived at a formative moment. George Lucas created a modern mythology that speaks to the hero's journey, the battle between light and dark, and the importance of hope against overwhelming odds. Even the prequels, for all their flaws, expanded our understanding of how democracies fall and institutions corrupt.
Cinema as Creative Fuel
Film remains a constant source of creative inspiration. The visual storytelling of Denis Villeneuve, the moral complexity of the Coen Brothers, the epic scope of Christopher Nolan. Each director offers a masterclass in their craft.
Living in Los Angeles means being surrounded by the industry's energy. It's a reminder that great work comes from the intersection of art and commerce, creativity and discipline, vision and execution.
Why Film Matters in Business
Cinema teaches pattern recognition. After watching hundreds of films, you begin to see the underlying structures: the three-act narrative, the hero's journey, the crucial midpoint reversal. These patterns appear everywhere in business.
A startup pitch is a story. A product launch is a premiere. A company culture is a shared mythology. Understanding narrative structure helps craft more compelling visions and communicate more effectively.
Great films also develop empathy. By inhabiting characters from vastly different backgrounds and circumstances, we expand our capacity to understand others. In healthcare technology, this empathy is essential for building solutions that truly serve patients and providers.