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Critics / Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat / Best
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
  • Official Websites:
    Spirituality and Prac…

FREDERIC AND MARY ANN BRUSSAT

Agrees with the Tomatometer 74% of the time.

Biography: Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat have been discovering spiritual meanings in films for 40 years. We are always on the lookout for movies that "speak to our condition" (a Quaker phrase) and reveal new possibilities for our lives. We love dramas that touch on universal experiences, knock down barriers between people, and evoke our compassion. We are enriched by stories that touch our hearts and send us out of the theater rejoicing. A truly good film is not only thought-provoking and entertaining, it also leaves the viewer with a sense of what it means to live deeply and fully every day. We are the authors of two books, Spiritual Literacy and Spiritual Rx, in which we frequently use movies to illustrate spiritual "takes" on everyday experience. We also regularly prepare "Values & Visions" Discussion Guides for film clubs. You can read about our approach to movies in "Befriending Films" and "Spirituality and Films" in the Spirituality & Film section at our website.
Favorites: We publish an annual list of the "most spiritually literate films of the year" (see "Other" section). Some all-time favorites are: Gandhi, My Life as a Dog, Babette's Feast, Wings of Desire, Forrest Gump, Dead Man Walking, Babe, Enchanted April, Jesus of Montreal, The Last Wave, Grand Canyon, Sunshine State, In America, Brokeback Mountain, American Beauty, Little Miss Sunshine, Water, Lars and the Real Girl, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Visitor, and Slumdog Millionaire.

Publications: Spirituality and Practice

Critics' Group: Online Film Critics Society, New York Film Critics Online

Total Reviews: 4147
Total QuickRatings: 197

Location: New York, New York

BEST REVIEWED FILMS

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# a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Results for All Genres
Showing 1 - 0 of 222
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« Rating T-Meter Title | Year Add Date (default)

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
90%

The Messenger (2009)

" An emotionally affecting drama about the birth of compassion in an Iraq war hero assigned to work for the Casualty Notification Office."

Posted Dec 17, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
83%

Avatar (2009)

" A thematically rich and imaginative sci-fi masterpiece that gives us a cosmology totally in sync with contemporary spirituality movements -- reverence for the Earth as a living being and Oneness consciousness celebrating the interconnectedness of all."

Posted Dec 14, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
76%

Invictus (2009)

" An astonishing and incredibly entertaining movie about the power of forgiveness, the importance of sports, the art of transformative leadership, and the reconciliation of the races."

Posted Dec 10, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
89%

Up in the Air (2009)

" One of the Best Films of 2009 with a bright, sassy, and relevant story about home, connections, unemployment, technology, and traveling light."

Posted Dec 5, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
73%

Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

" A haunting, innovative, and poignant film about childhood that may have you howling with the Wild Things inside and around you."

Posted Oct 18, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
88%

The White Ribbon (2009)

" A dark and foreboding film about the seeds of anger, violence, and hatred in the home that can lead to war and the rise of fascism."

Posted Oct 7, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
92%

Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (2009)

" An emotionally poignant film about a degraded and abused African-American teenage girl whose life is turned around by the love and concern of an inspiring teacher and the compassion of others."

Posted Oct 3, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
87%

A Serious Man (2009)

" A thought-provoking spiritual original by the Coen Brothers that salutes the mystery of God, the futility of seeking answers, and the need to live as best we can in a sea of roiling troubles and uncertainties."

Posted Oct 2, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Rotten
57%

The Invention of Lying (2009)

" A rare achievement for a romantic comedy -- bringing us to a closer and deeper sensitivity to the sharp edges of honesty and the ways in which deceptions can both heal and harm."

Posted Oct 2, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
75%

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

" Michael Moore's hard-hitting documentary about the egregious, toxic, and rapacious spin-offs from the American obsession with unbridled capitalism and greed."

Posted Sep 23, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
100%

Still Walking (2009)

" An appealing bittersweet drama about a Japanese family get-together that explores sibling rivalry, the need to be loved and appreciated, and the mysteries of death."

Posted Aug 27, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
75%

Julie & Julia (2009)

" Yum! One of the Best Films of 09 with its celebration of culinary creativity and the spiritual practice of enthusiasm as the energy which animates the efforts of two women to give their best to the world."

Posted Aug 7, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
65%

Adam (2009)

" A romantic drama with tender and touching characters that shows how those we love can be our greatest spiritual teachers."

Posted Jul 23, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
92%

The Way We Get By (2009)

" An extraordinary documentary that celebrates the heroism and the spiritual practice of kindness in the lives of three elders who serve as troop greeters in Bangor, Maine."

Posted Jul 13, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
86%

Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love (2009)

" An inspiring and edifying cinematic exploration of the power of music and the soul of a big-hearted African Sufi singer who has used his exceptional talent and creativity to make a better world."

Posted Jul 4, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
100%

Afghan Star (2009)

" An extraordinary documentary about an American Idol-like TV show that manages to capture the volatile mix of history, religion, and pop culture in contemporary war-torn Afghanistan."

Posted Jun 24, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
66%

Away We Go (2009)

" An incredibly original and appealing drama about the quest of two intimate lovers to find the perfect home to raise their child."

Posted Jun 3, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
81%

Departures (2009)

" An exquisite cinematic masterpiece that is both funny and sad and all the emotions in between; it touches the heart with its treatment of beauty, music, death, and abandonment."

Posted May 28, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
79%

The Garden (2009)

" A compelling documentary about an urban garden collective and their fight for justice in a nation where poor people are expected to keep quiet and not speak truth to power."

Posted May 8, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
97%

The Song of Sparrows (2009)

" Another gem about spiritual renewal by the great and sensitive Iranian director Majid Majidi."

Posted Apr 2, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
75%

Cold Souls (2009)

" An engrossing surreal comedy that takes an inventive look at soul, dreams, emotions, and the emptiness of a life devoid of meaning."

Posted Mar 30, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
86%

Treeless Mountain (2009)

" A wonder-inducing drama about a six-year-old Korean girl who takes on adult responsibilities when she and her little sister are abandoned by their mother."

Posted Mar 22, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
87%

Amreeka (2009)

" Uplifting story of a resilient Palestinian mother and her son struggling to make a new life in America: hope is the tonic that keeps her going and you will find yourself cheering her on every step of the way"

Posted Mar 22, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
89%

Everlasting Moments (2009)

" An extraordinary film by Swedish director Jan Troell about a poor working-class mother of seven who keeps her soul alive through nurturing her talent as a photographer."

Posted Mar 3, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
82%

Cherry Blossoms (2009)

" An exquisitely acted and visually stunning German film which vividly conveys the beauty and profundity of impermanence."

Posted Jan 9, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
92%

Tokyo Sonata (2009)

" A startling and creative contemporary fable about some of the drastic changes that are rocking the traditional understanding of work and family life in Japan."

Posted Sep 22, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
92%

The Lemon Tree (2008)

" A moving and important movie about the healing power of empathy in the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

Posted Apr 15, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Rotten
43%

Yes Man (2008)

" A frolicsome spiritual comedy about a loser whose life is turned around when he opens himself up to a new world of possibilities by saying yes to what presents itself."

Posted Dec 19, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
71%

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

" The wild and wonderful adventures of an oddball outsider with a terrible physical affliction who makes the most out of his journey in the company of a lovable band of eccentrics and misfits."

Posted Dec 19, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Rotten
55%

The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

" An absolutely wonderful animated screen version of a Newbery award-winning children's book about courage, love, light, and forgiveness."

Posted Dec 18, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
80%

Gran Torino (2008)

" An extraordinary spiritual movie about an angry, lonely, bigoted old man whose his heart softened through his relationships with members of a Hmong immigrant family who live next door."

Posted Dec 11, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
78%

Doubt (2008)

" A brilliantly acted and thought-provoking spiritual drama about faith, openness, certainty, and not knowing; one of the year's best films."

Posted Dec 9, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
93%

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

" A phantasmagorical movie directed by Danny Boyle filled with dazzling and varied sights of India, characters we can identify with and cheer for, and a jubilant message about destiny and love."

Posted Nov 2, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Rotten
58%

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

" A remarkably heart-affecting screen version of the deeply spiritual novel by Sue Monk Kidd about the healing and transforming power of love."

Posted Oct 12, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
92%

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

" One of the best portraits of an enthusiastic person ever put on the screen."

Posted Sep 22, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
97%

The Class (2008)

" A rounded and revealing portrait of a French teacher in a multiracial Parisian school and the challenges he faces in the classroom."

Posted Sep 22, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Rotten
38%

Henry Poole Is Here (2008)

" A deeply spiritual movie about miracles, hope, love, and living in the present -- one of the best films of the year."

Posted Aug 14, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
75%

A Man Named Pearl (2008)

" An extraordinary documentary about a talented African-American, a garden of exquisite beauty and love, and a community that has been brought to life by his artistry, enthusiasm,and generosity."

Posted Jul 17, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
96%

WALL-E (2008)

" The tender and touching story of a lonely robot on Earth who falls in love and becomes a spiritual teacher to all who encounter him."

Posted Jun 26, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
73%

When Did You Last See Your Father? (2008)

" A sensitive and compelling exploration of a troubled father-son relationship whose universal themes will connect with many adults."

Posted Jun 5, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
82%

The Dhamma Brothers (2008)

" A remarkable documentary about inmates at an Alabama prison who do a 10-day silent meditation retreat which opens them to the experience of inner peace and compassion."

Posted Apr 11, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
90%

The Visitor (2008)

" Depicts the way a professor's closed-off heart is opened by music, friendship, and love; one of the most touching and impressive films of the year."

Posted Apr 11, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
88%

Young@Heart (2008)

" An extraordinary documentary about a senior citizen chorus that reveals singing as a spiritual practice that opens our hearts, provides fresh energy, and connects us with others."

Posted Apr 7, 2008

Fresh
5/5

N/A

Megane (2008)

" A thoroughly enchanting drama about an up-tight and driven woman who is softened and opened up by the slow and sensuous rhythms of island time and living in the present moment."

Posted Mar 22, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
88%

War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death (2008)

" A hard-hitting documentary against the madness of war and the failure of journalists to speak truth to power."

Posted Mar 15, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
78%

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (2008)

" A joyous and kind-hearted romp with Horton the caring elephant who is on a mission of mercy for the small ones."

Posted Mar 13, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Rotten
58%

Bab'Aziz - The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul (2008)

" An enchanting and parabolic film by Tunisian director Nacer Khemir about the beauty, grace, humility, and love of the Sufi path of the heart"

Posted Feb 7, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
67%

Bliss (2007)

" A mesmerizing Turkish film about the mysteries of human nature."

Posted Aug 7, 2009

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
91%

August Evening (2007)

" A shooting star of a movie with awesome beauty in its characters, in the natural world, and in the cycles of creation and destruction depicted in the emotionally affecting drama."

Posted Sep 13, 2008

Fresh
5/5

Fresh
79%

La Zona (2007)

" An explosive Mexican drama depicting how the poor are being given the shaft in a class war that is raging around the world as the privilges of the rich and the powerful are protected."

Posted Mar 22, 2008
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