Some good books and movies….
Inside out – movie
The latest animated Pixar film has had great reviews. Directed and co-written by Pete Docter (director of Up), the film is set in the mind of Riley, a young girl who is moving with her parents to a new city. Five personified emotions guide her – Joy, Anger, Disgust, Fear and Sadness. These animated “creatures” live in Headquarters, Riley’s conscious mind, where they influence her actions and memories via a console. As Riley’s life changes, different emotions become prevalent, affecting her personality and mood. A year later, Riley has adapted and her emotions work together to help her lead a happy and emotionally complex life. Psychologists provided their expertise for the story, emphasising that human emotions are mirrored in interpersonal relationships and can be significantly moderated by them. The film has been praised for its concept and poignant subject matter. “Wise, witty and warm…” (T. Evans); “A fireworks display of fizzing ideas and bursts of imagination…” (J. Graham). I recently saw the film and its depiction of emotions was fun but also informative, opening discussions about mental health and memory. It would be useful in discussions about feelings and emotions with younger children, whilst older students could analyse features of emotions, the subconscious, neuropsychology and behaviour.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inside_out_2015/
http://theconversation.com/does-pixars-inside-out-show-how-memory-actually-works-43311
A monster calls by Patrick Ness – book and movie
This 2011 book is truly outstanding – winner of the Carnegie Medal, Kate Greenaway Medal and other awards. A film is currently in production, due for release in Oct. 2016, starring Liam Neeson as the monster, Felicity Jones as the mother and Sigourney Weaver as the grandmother. Author Patrick Ness was asked to write the book, based on an idea by YA author Siobhan Dowd, who died from cancer before she could write it. Thirteen year old Conor’s mother is being treated for cancer, when Conor is visited by an ancient monster who insists on telling him 3 tales. These tales ultimately help Conor face his mother’s imminent death and allow him to deal with the frequent nightmare that disturbs him. It is extraordinarily moving, even harrowing – and yet it offers real insight into what a child must cope with. The illustrations by Jim Kay are dark and frightening, adding great atmosphere to the story. “Realistic and magical, it is a fable about the complexity of our emotions, giving us permission to feel anger and illuminating the nature of loss.” (N. Jones). “Compelling, powerful and impressive.” (Philip Pullman). Ages 10 to 16 – but really for everyone. I loved it and definitely needed tissues.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8621462-a-monster-calls
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
This 2007 dystopian fiction book is on the ALA Best Young Adult Book list and consistently rates highly on Goodreads. It is the first of the Unwind Dystology series (4 books), set in the US in the near future. “The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child ‘unwound’, whereby all of the child’s organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn’t technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.” (Goodreads). Themes include free will, society, consciousness, law, trust, betrayal, hope. “Thought-provoking, terrifying and almost inconceivable.” (TeensReadToo). Book 5 in the series – Unbound – is expected in 2015. A film is currently in development.
http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Dystology-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053
Goosebumps – the movie
This 3D live action/computer-animated horror comedy film, based on the children’s book series by R. L. Stine, is due for release in Oct. 2015. In an unusual approach, the film is also a fake biography about Stine the author (played by Jack Black), who keeps the ghosts and monsters in the series locked up in his manuscripts, until teenagers Zach and Hannah accidentally release them. They must then all work together to put the monsters back where they came from. A TV series has previously been made, but not a film. Jack Black said he plays R.L Stine as a darker, more brooding character than he is in real life. Stine will make a cameo appearance in the film. “More monsters than you imagined, in one incredible adventure” – includes the abominable snowman, the dummy, giant mantises, the clown, the mummy and the scarecrow. Should be scarily crazy J
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1051904/