Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Tomatometer-approved critic
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat have been discovering spiritual meanings in films for five decades. 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 movies that touch our hearts, illustrate universal experiences, knock down barriers between people, and evoke our compassion. We believe that 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. You can read about our approach to movies in "Befriending Films" and "Spirituality and Films" in the Film section at SpiritualityandPractice.com.
We publish an annual list of the Most Spiritually Literate Films of the Year -- features, documentaries, foreign language, and animated.
Claremont, CA
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Empire of Light (2022) |
A tribute to how kindness creates friendships and how movies can be transformative. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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Nope (2022) |
A sci-fi horror flick that raises some interesting questions about why aliens might come to Earth and what for. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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Living (2022) |
A well-crafted story about a bureaucrat's spiritual transformation in the face of death.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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Nothing Compares (2022) |
A bold documentary about a prophetic singer and songwriter. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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White Noise (2022) |
An unforgettable movie about family, disasters, consumerism, addiction, and finding meaning in surprising places.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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Good Night Oppy (2022) |
A remarkably touching documentary about twin robots exploring Mars who became like family to people on Earth. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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The Duke (2020) |
A true story about a elder who steals a painting in order to help others, demonstrating the philosophy of ubuntu.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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The Territory (2022) |
A documentary revealing how indigenous peoples are trying to protect their land -- and the whole Brazilian rainforest -- from the invasion of nonnative farmers and illegal settlers. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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EO (2022) |
A travelogue starring a donkey who experiences the good, the bad, and the beautiful in our world
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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A House Made of Splinters (2022) |
A documentary filmed inside a special orphanage in the Ukraine where the children express both sorrow and hope. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) |
A heartwarming, hilarious, poignant, and life-affirming story about a mystical shell. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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The Elephant Whisperers (2022) |
Up-close and personal portrait of an indigenous couple in India who tutor us in the spiritual art of caregiving to animals.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2022) |
A delightful adventure story about four new friends sharing their wisdom about life, challenges, and home. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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A Good Person (2023) |
Touching story about three people who are able to face addiction and grief through their kindnesses to each other.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 28, 2023
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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023) |
An enchanting dramady about an eleven-year old girl dealing with her changing body and her curiosity about religion. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted May 15, 2023
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Kangaroo Valley (2022) |
A fascinating documentary that probably will answer all the questions you have about kangaroos.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Jan 27, 2023
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Women Talking (2022) |
A parabolic drama, about a group of abused women discussing how they will respond to their abusers, that demonstrates how conversation can lead to change. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Jan 11, 2023
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The Swimmers (2022) |
True story of two sisters who flee war-torn Syria and as refugees use their swimming skills to help and inspire others.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 30, 2022
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Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022) |
Adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s controversial novel placing the emphasis on love leading to a new life.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 30, 2022
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The Same Storm (2021) |
A look at what is revealed about New York City residents during the pandemic lockdown.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 30, 2022
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The Quiet Girl (2022) |
A very special coming-of-age drama that focuses on the characters’ kindness, compassion, and nurturing. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 30, 2022
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The Good House (2021) |
Portrait of an accomplished real estate agent suffering from alcoholism and the disease of playing God. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 29, 2022
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Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022) |
A supernatural drama based on a Stephen King story that raises questions about cell phones. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 29, 2022
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Argentina, 1985 (2022) |
Shocking and highly ethical presentation of genocide, justice, and empathy. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 27, 2022
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Tár (2022) |
An invitation to ponder the spiritual complexities of power through the lens of the particular world of music, featuring a brilliant performance by Cate Blanchett. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 27, 2022
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All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) |
Gripping and graphic portrait of the war that changed the nature of combat. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 27, 2022
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The Long Walk (2019) |
Both of these characters are moral mentors who help draw out our deepest feelings and beliefs about moral education, nonviolence, church, prejudice, empathy, conscience, and commitment. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 20, 2022
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Tantura (2022) |
Documentary about the conflicting accounts of the genocide in a Palestinian village by Israeli troops, revealing the power of denial. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Dec 13, 2022
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Catherine Called Birdy (2022) |
A raucous and ribald medieval comedy that will cheer independent adolescent girls. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 27, 2022
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Causeway (2022) |
Story of two wounded people who harvest a friendship out of pain and trauma. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 27, 2022
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Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song (2021) |
The origin story of the spiritual song that has swept the world as a modern prayer.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 21, 2022
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The Wonder (2022) |
A mystery set in 1862 Ireland in which reason is pitted against faith as a nurse tries to figure out a so-called miracle. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 21, 2022
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Looking for Home (2022) |
A variety of accounts of the meaning of home around the world.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 21, 2022
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Till (2022) |
Inspiring and touching story of a Black mother whose bearing witness catalyzed the civil rights movement. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 20, 2022
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Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America (2021) |
A startling and thoroughly researched documentary about the history of slavery and racism in the United States. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 12, 2022
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Descendant (2022) |
A thematically rich documentary about the last ship to bring enslaved people to the United States. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 12, 2022
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See How They Run (2022) |
A whodunit with plenty of suspense where the focus is on the funny interactions of the detectives.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Nov 12, 2022
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The Other Tom (2021) |
Poignant story of a mother trying to decide what is the best approach for dealing with her son who has ADHD. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Oct 27, 2022
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The Book Keepers (2022) |
A keen documentary with spiritual insights into grief and resilience. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Oct 22, 2022
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Cat Daddies (2021) |
Portraits of the mutually rewarding relationships between nine men and their cats, showing us what we can all learn from human-animal connections.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Oct 12, 2022
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Blonde (2022) |
A portrait of Marilyn Monroe as the poster girl for the abused and exploited woman. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Oct 11, 2022
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Escape from Kabul (2022) |
A hard-hitting documentary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the evacuation of tens of thousands of Afghan citizens. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Oct 04, 2022
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Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) |
A coming-of-age story and murder mystery about a young naturalist living in the marshes who has to find out who she can truly trust. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 30, 2022
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Carmen (2022) |
Jubilant movie about a middle-aged woman who has spent her life serving the church and finds a new more fulfilling way forward. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 29, 2022
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Ali & Ava (2021) |
Sweet story about two quite different people who connect through music. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 29, 2022
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Murina (2021) |
An intense and well-acted psychodrama about misogyny.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 21, 2022
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Hustle (2022) |
A rousing basketball film about the importance of passion.
- Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 19, 2022
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Explorer (2022) |
Documentary portrait of the man considered to be the world’s greatest living explorer. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 14, 2022
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The Phantom of the Open (2021) |
True story of a golfer who crashes the British Open and teaches us all about the way of failure. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 11, 2022
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The Legend of Molly Johnson (2021) |
An intense Western set in Australia dealing with the toxic trinity of violence, chauvinism, and injustice. - Spirituality & Practice
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| Posted Sep 08, 2022
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