Not all of our preparations have been work. Though it wasn't a requirement, I've been enjoying finding movies dealing with foster care and/or adoption. Thank you Netflix!
After one of our long days of PRIDE training, Chris decided that he really needed a break from foster/adopt stuff, so he went searching Netflix for something else. 20 minutes into X-Men, he realized that all of the characters were special needs foster kids dealing with attachment disorders and living in a residential treatment facility. He decided to save it for another time and switched to That 70's Show...we forgot that Hyde was a foster kid. Now that we're more aware, we're finding connections all over the place.
So, in case anyone wants to know, here's a list of movies I found after searching foster/adopt forums and blogs. Most of these came from an anonymous foster care licensing specialist and I'm not sure if they all deal directly with foster care or if some just touch on issues that may come up. I'm also including comments on some of my favorites.
Dramas:
1. Angels in the Outfield -- Didn't realize that the version we loved in our youth was a re-make. We went ahead and watched the original too...still think the new one is better. More depth and Christopher Lloyd...love it!
2. Antwone Fisher -- I like that this is a story about an adult reflecting on and dealing with his experience in foster care. It was really good at showing long-term effects of abandonment and abuse.
3. A Beautiful Mind
4. I am Sam -- Amazing movie! Really helped me work through how I feel about openness in foster/adoption.
5. Losing Isaiah -- In the Netflix queue, but I'm putting it off because I have the feeling it will keep me up all night thinking.
6. The Lost Child
7. Secondhand Lions
8. White Oleander -- Very disturbing...lost some sleep after watching this one.
9. Juno
10. Evelyn (2002)
11. Gracie’s Choice
12. Nell
13. The Lost Child (2000)
14. What about Bob (boundary issues)
15. America (2009)
16. Sybil (1976)
17. The Lost & Found Family (2009)
18. Foster Child (2007)
19. Saving Sarah Cain (2007)
20. The House of Love (2004)
21. Switching Parents (1992)
22. Who'll Save Our Children? (1978)
1. Angels in the Outfield -- Didn't realize that the version we loved in our youth was a re-make. We went ahead and watched the original too...still think the new one is better. More depth and Christopher Lloyd...love it!
2. Antwone Fisher -- I like that this is a story about an adult reflecting on and dealing with his experience in foster care. It was really good at showing long-term effects of abandonment and abuse.
3. A Beautiful Mind
4. I am Sam -- Amazing movie! Really helped me work through how I feel about openness in foster/adoption.
5. Losing Isaiah -- In the Netflix queue, but I'm putting it off because I have the feeling it will keep me up all night thinking.
6. The Lost Child
7. Secondhand Lions
8. White Oleander -- Very disturbing...lost some sleep after watching this one.
9. Juno
10. Evelyn (2002)
11. Gracie’s Choice
12. Nell
13. The Lost Child (2000)
14. What about Bob (boundary issues)
15. America (2009)
16. Sybil (1976)
17. The Lost & Found Family (2009)
18. Foster Child (2007)
19. Saving Sarah Cain (2007)
20. The House of Love (2004)
21. Switching Parents (1992)
22. Who'll Save Our Children? (1978)
Martian Child -- Chris and I agreed...this is one of our 2 favorite adoption movies.
Cartoons/Family Movies:
1. An American Tail
2. The Land Before Time
3. Lion King
4. Lilo and Stitch -- Some people had problems with showing this one to their kids, but I liked it. It has a good message...family means no one is forgotten or left behind.
5. Oliver and Company
6. Ice Age
7. Annie
8. Snow Dogs
9. Scooter Kidz (2001)
10. Hotel for Dogs
11. . Meet the Robinsons -- Our other favorite adoption movie.
1. An American Tail
2. The Land Before Time
3. Lion King
4. Lilo and Stitch -- Some people had problems with showing this one to their kids, but I liked it. It has a good message...family means no one is forgotten or left behind.
5. Oliver and Company
6. Ice Age
7. Annie
8. Snow Dogs
9. Scooter Kidz (2001)
10. Hotel for Dogs
11. . Meet the Robinsons -- Our other favorite adoption movie.
Free Willy
The Country Bears -- I only put this one in here to say it was horrible. Maybe there is something redemptive in the end, but I've sat through really bad movies before and I could not finish watching this.
Documentaries:
1. Taken In: The Lives of America's Foster Children (1998)
2. Someplace to Call Home: Surviving the Foster Care System
3. The Boys of St. Vincent
4. I Know My First Name Is Steven, also released as The Missing Years, (1989)
5. Just Ask My Children, 2001
1. Taken In: The Lives of America's Foster Children (1998)
2. Someplace to Call Home: Surviving the Foster Care System
3. The Boys of St. Vincent
4. I Know My First Name Is Steven, also released as The Missing Years, (1989)
5. Just Ask My Children, 2001
My Flesh and Blood
Aging Out -- We were both fighting back tears with this one. Aging out is such a problem...I'm really interested in finding out what different groups are doing to support these young adults as they transition out of the system.
I absolutely agree with your fave adoption movies! And it is amazing how you can see those themes repeated in pop culture when you look for it. I loved Martian Child- very powerful message and John Cusack was spot on in his frustrations yet love and support for a child the world saw as "weird" or different. He and the kid that played the son gave beautiful performances.
ReplyDeleteMeet the Robinsons was also a great one for adoption. And I have a soft spot for Hotel for Dogs :)
Great list- thanks for posting!
I haven't seen Hotel for Dogs yet. I'll have to move it up higher on my list...thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteA few more to add:
ReplyDeleteIn the section of Drama look for "Goodnight Mr. Tom" it's based on a book. I LOVED the book. Cried in some chapters. Haven't seen the movie yet.
What about Annie?
Under cartoons there's Despicable Me. Some adoptive parents hate it because of the bad message it sends, but my kids loved it. After all, what does it matter how "evil" the father may be to the world, if he turns out to be the most loving father to the girls?
There are also TV series's that have adoption or fostering as part of their storyline:
I'm completely hooked on Heroes, 90210, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters.
Yes, I'm a geek.
My son and husband loved Despicable Me too but it didn't do anything or me (which is surprising because I'm usually the one that likes kids flicks, lol). And it wasn't the adoption theme involved- just wasn't my thing. Still, I agree it does end up with the father realizing love for the kids. The minions are cute though :)
ReplyDeleteAnother fave- Babe. Love that little pig!
Thank you! I haven't heard of "Goodnight Mr. Tom." I will check that out.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, of course, is the most famous orphan out there. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about her...anything in musical form seems too sunny.
Then there's Anne of Green Gables...I found it really good for looking at the history of adoption in North America. Things have sure changed. It used to be that people only wanted teenage boyss.
Another TV show I would add: Kyle XY. Chris was even noticing something in the Simpsons yesterday...we're finding references and connections everywhere.
I'm loving how long this list is getting. Thanks guys!
ReplyDeleteLaura and Brian, I posted something just for you: http://addingstars.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-minions-for-laura-and-brian.html
ReplyDeleteMy blog is private so you'll need to email me your email address so I can invite you to view it.
Our email is bnlred@bellsouth.net :)
ReplyDeleteI agree about Despicable Me. I thought it was a good movie. My boss actually told me about it cause his daughter thought it was the "best movie ever."
ReplyDeleteI was wondering where you can buy Taken in and Someplace to Call Home. I work for a Fostercare/Adoption Agency and we would like our parents to watch these documentaries. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe watched both of them from Netflix, so I'm not sure where you can purchase them. Check eBay/amazon.
ReplyDelete-Chris