Amour (2012)

This is a beautiful dark film.  It is not Hollywood -- definitely not.  We have a saying in medicine.  "N = 1."  One story here -- and everyone's death is different.  Amour raises many questions.  How can we let this happen?  We have become a culture of isolation.  So many disconnects.

I enjoyed the amazing cinematography.  The first "literary" work in the Western canon is Gilgamesh -- and its theme is death and what comes after.  Death has fascinated man from our earliest memories.

Amour is in the same category as Ikiru.
See it -- it will make you think. Around two hours.
Brian Maurer's review is worth reading. 

The Sessions (2012)

The Sessions is a must see.  I could not say it better than the Movie Slut.  Here is a link to Mark O'Brien's article about working with a sex surrogate that the movie was based on.

Door to Door (2002)

This inspiring made-for-cable movie tells the story of salesman Bill Porter (William H. Macy), who came into contact with many people during his decades of knocking on doors. Porter, suffering from cerebral palsy, didn't allow his condition to stop him from pursuing a career, and his story touched the hearts and lives of many of his potential customers. Macy also collaborated on the script with director Steven Schachter.  2002   91 minutes

NY Times Review

Also see Jessica Yu's excellent 1999 documentary about the life of  Mark O'Brien.

Flight (2012)

Pictures about Alcoholism

“Flight” is as strong as it is because it never pulls punches when it comes to portraying the dark side of protagonist Whip Whitaker’s (Denzel Washington) alcoholism. Whip’s character arc is as moving as it is because he’s surrounded by people that don’t know how to help him and people that want to hide him away so he can’t further embarrass them. Addiction is presented as an individual’s choice, albeit one that is incredibly hard to stop making, and “Flight” is just the latest in a line of humane and unsentimental dramas about alcoholics. From the horrors of finding one more drink in “The Lost Weekend” to the bitterly funny skid row life depicted in both “Barfly” and “Factotum,” this list is dedicated to films that neither baby their audience nor judge their protagonists too harshly. So before you see “Flight,” check out these five superior alcoholism dramas.   From: 5 Alcoholism Dramas 

NY Times Review.

Flight is a dark and compelling film.  If you are interested in the subject of alcoholism it is "must see."

How to Die in Oregon (2011)

This is an amazing and important documentary.  The Death With Dignity movement has become politicized.  Politicians and the medical societies seem to want to dictate how the public should be treated. Here in Massachusetts, we have a ballot initiative and the Massachusetts Medical Association recently sent a letter to all doctors urging us to vote against any type of death with dignity program.  Actually initiatives such as the one in Oregon do not require the active participation of a physician -- just a physician's order for Seconal or a similar drug.

"How to Die in Oregon" follows some brave people in their quest for a timely death.  It shows both sides.  One patient found the idea offensive, and strangely his insurance carrier (in his case Medicaid) seemed to suggest that option and he felt it was to save money.

The Death with Dignity movement will gather supporters in many other states.  Washington has followed Oregon's lead, and hopefully the people of Massachusetts will not listen to organized medicine but will allow individual patients to make this decision.

Here is a thoughtful review from the web.  You can get the film at NetFlix  2011  107 minutes

Official Web Site where you can order a copy if you want one.

Fred Won't Move Out (2012)

Starring Elliott Gould, the film was written and directed by Richard Ledes, and was shot in Ledes' childhood home in Westchester County, New York.  
The semi-autobiographical story follows two grown children who have to decide what to do when it appears that their parents are no longer better off staying in the family home in which they have lived for fifty years.
Opens is theaters September 21, 2012.

Official Website.

The Skin I Live In (La piel que habito) 2011

by Pedro Almadovar
This is a dark, crazy film about an obsessive plastic surgeon and the beautiful monster he creates. It is demented, haunting, sometimes a bit funny. The film channels Frankenstein to some extent.