The list is now being updated by Planned Legacy:
Last Updated: April 24, 2010
12 Angry Men - the justice system - Review
2008 Human Rights Watch International Film Festival - Film Reviews
A Beautiful Mind - mental illness - Review
A Civil Action - justice - Review
Ali - race and success - Review
All The President's Men - political corruption, investigative journalism - Review
Ann Jillian Story, The - cancer - Review
A Raisin in the Sun - family crisis, prejudice - Review
A Simple Twist of Fate - greed, adoption, human redemption - Review
A Time To Kill - vigilante justice, racism - Review
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - poverty, alcoholism - Review
American History X - racism, hatred, violence - Review
Antwone Fisher - child abuse - Review
An Inconvenient Truth - global warming, environment - Review
As Good As It Gets - health care system - Review
Avatar - environment, survival, culture, species - Review
Awakenings - biomedical research - Review
Away From Her - Alzheimer's Disease - Review
Bandit Queen - culture, India, pain, retribution, based on true story - Review
Beautiful Thing - coming out (young gay male) - Review
Benny and Joon - love, mental illness, tolerance - Review
Best Years Of Our Lives, The - war and its effect on family - Review
Beyond The Gates - genocide, failure to help - Review
Bicycle Thief, The - poverty, desperation - Review
Big Fish - father/son relationships - Review
Billy Elliot - gender role definitions - Review
Bird Cage, The - tolerance, love - Review
Blood Diamond - greed, poverty, family - Review
Bob Roberts - political satire - Review
Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The - The Holocaust, tragedy, friendship - Review
Boys Don't Cry - transgender, hate, intolerance, ignorance - Review
Born on the 4th of July - war, political protest - Review
Bowling For Columbine - violence - Review
Boyz 'N the Hood - poverty, crime - Review
Brians' Song - true story, friendship, race relations, courage, sports - Review
Bridge To Terabithia - the power of friendship - Review
Bus 174 - poverty, violence - Review
Calendar Girls - fundraising limits - Review
Candidate, The - politics, victory versus integrity - Review
Children Of A Lesser God - deaf student/teacher love story - Review
Children Of Men - the importance of children - Review
China Syndrome, The - the dangers of nuclear power - Review
Cider House Rules - youth development - Review
Cinderella Man - character, overcoming the odds, family values - Review
Cipher In The Snow - loneliness - Review
City of God - urban decay, poverty, slums, drugs, violence - Review
Color Purple, The - poverty, child abuse, social change - Review
Constant Gardener, The - politics, abuse of power, drugs, poverty - Review
Cove, The - animal rights, activism - Review
Crash (2004) - racism, culture clash, human behavior - Review
Crossing Guard, The - relationships, grief - Review
Cry Freedom - struggle against apartheid, courage, individual activism - Review
Dances With Wolves - native culture, intolerance - Review
Dead Man Walking - capital punishment - Review
Dead Poets Society - education/youth development - Review
Deer Hunter, The - ravages of war - Review
Defiant Ones, The, - race and relationships - Review
Dirty Pretty Things - illegal aliens, the struggle to survive - Review
Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The - stroke victimsReview
Do The Right Thing - hatred, bigotry - Review
Driving Miss Daisy - relationships - Review
Easy Rider - nonconformity, search for freedom, counterculture - Review
Elephant Man, The - genetic impairment, prejudice - Review
Ellen Foster - child abuse, adoption - Review
El Norte - illegal immigration, poverty, discrimination - Review
Emperor's Club, The - education/youth development - Review
Erin Brockovich - fighting injustice - Review
First You Cry - cancer - Review
Finding Forrester - overcoming odds, education, mentorship, literature - Review
Finding Neverland - teaching children, family - Review
Flowers for Algernon - developmental disability - Review
Flow: For Love of Water - environment - Trailer and Info
Forrest Gump - developmental disability - Review
Freedom Writers - race relations, inner city, writing - Review
Frequency - righting a wrong, family, science fiction - Review
Fried Green Tomatoes - friendship, life, tolerance - Review
Fundi - The Story of Ella Baker - civil rights - Review
Gentleman's Agreement - anti-Semitism - Review
Get Real - coming out (young gay male) - Review
Glory Road - racism, the ability to overcome - Review
Goodbye Lenin - cultural change - Review
Ghandi - peaceful resistance, colonialism, ethnic strife, personal courage - Review
Girl, Interrupted - mental illness - Review
Good Night, and Good Luck - doing the right thing, power, politics, integrity - Review
Good Will Hunting - education, mentorship, coming of age - Review
Gone Baby Gone - child abduction, ethics - Review
Grace is Gone - war, love, family, loss - Review
Grapes of Wrath, The - poverty, injustice, social and political commentary - Review
Great Dictator, The - spoof against Hitler and what he stood for - Review
Grey Gardens - aging, family - Review
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - race relations, romance - Review
Half Nelson - drug addiction - Review
Harold and Maude - aging, romance - Review
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - fighting for good - Review
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - fighting for good - Review
Hotel Rwanda - genocide, heroism - Review
Hurricane - racism, the ability to overcome - Review
I Am Sam - developmental disability - Review
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - child abuse - Review
Imitation of Life - racial issues - Review
In America - family struggles, immigration, poverty, hope - Review
In The Gloaming - AIDS - Review
In The Heat of the Night - racism, the human condition - Review
Inside I'm Dancing - Muscular Dystrophy - Review
Insider, The - the cost of doing the right thing - Review
Insight in Mind - mental illness - Review
Iris - Alzheimer's Disease - Review
Iron Jawed Angels - women's rights - Review
It's a Wonderful Life - poverty, community - Review
Joshua - religion, values - Review
June Bug - family and small towns - Review
Juno - teen pregnancy, family, adoption - Review
K-Pax - the human condition - Review
King of Hearts - war - Review
King of Masks - Chinese culture, gender justice, tolerance - Review
Kinsey - human sexuality - Review
Latter Days - coming out (young adult gay male) - Review
Life of David Gale, The - capital punishment, passion and beliefs - Review
Life is Beautiful - The human spirit, war, family - Review
Little Big Man - Native American issues - Review
Little Man Tate - youth development - Review
Little Miss Sunshine - the importance of family - Review
Love Actually - love, life, relationships - Review
Mad Love - mental illness - Review
Magdalene Sisters, The - religion, abuse - Review
Malcolm X - race and success - Review
Maria Full of Grace - exploitation of the poor to satisfy the rich, desperation - Review
Mask - deformation, the ability to overcome - Review
Matewan - labor and violence - Review
Men of Honor - prejudice, tenacity, the ability to overcome - Review
Milagro Beanfield War, The - community development - Review
Miracle - team work - Review
Miracle Worker, The - story of Helen Keller - Review
Million Dollar Baby - family, relationships, courage, disability - Review
Mindwalk - scientific, social, ecological challenges - Review
Mississippi Masala - racial tension, class struggle, political exile - Review
Monster's Ball - racism - Review
Mr. Holland's Opus - helping the deaf, pursuing one's dreams, mentoring students - Review
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - values, fighting the system, govt. corruption - Review
Music of the Heart - poverty, youth development - Review
My Left Foot - cerebral palsy - Review
My Man Godfrey - life lessons, having faith in yourself, social commentary - Review
My Name is Bill W. - alcoholism, support, history - Review
My Sister's Keeper - mental illness - Review
Norma Rae - fair working conditions - Review
Normal - coming out (transgender male to female) - Review
North Country - women's rights, sexual harassment, abuse - Review
Notebook, The - life, love, relationships - Review
Omega Code, The - religion, good vs. evil, values - Review
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - developmental disabilities & the health system - Review
Other Sister, The - developmental disabilities, love - Review
Ordinary People - family tragedy - Review
Outsiders, The - fitting in - Review
Passion of Christ - religion, controversial - Review
Patch Adams - mental health, compassion, healing with spiritual zeal - Review
Paths of Glory - war - Review
Pay It Forward - making a difference - Review
Philadelphia - HIV/AIDS discrimination - Review
Pianist, The - the Holocaust - Review
Planet Earth - documentary - Review
Pleasantville - general diversity - Review
Priest - coming out (adult gay male) - Review
Prince of Egypt, The - religion, leadership - Review
Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, The - forgiveness, family, social commentary - Review
P.S. I Love You - love and loss - Review
Pursuit of Happiness, The - father-son relationships, breaking the cycle of poverty - Review
Qatsi Trilogy - environment, social, third world, cultural issues - Review
Radio - developmental disability - Review
Rain Man - autism - Review
Ray - overcoming disability and racism - Review
Remember The Titans - racism, teamwork - Review
Rabbit Proof Fence - racial prejudice - Review
Roger and Me - downsizing, community pressures - Review
Roots - racism, slavery, history - Review
Rosie the Riveter - women's labour, race, patriotism, war - Review
Rumble Fish - peer pressure - Review
Schindler's List - racism - Review
Salt of the Earth - labor strife, prejudice - Review
Save The Tiger - the high cost of success, morality - Review
Sea Inside, The - euthanasia - Review
School Ties - religious diversity - Review
Shawshank Redemption, The - hope, unjust treatment, prison - Review
Shine - pressure, mental illness, based on true story - Review
Shirley Valentine - self actualization - Review
Silkwood - whistle blower - Review
Skulls - peer pressure - Review
Sleepers - child abuse - Review
Smoke Signals - Native culture, family, alcoholism - Review
Sounder - loss, family, poverty - Review
Stand and Deliver - impact of good teaching on children - Review
Stanley and Iris - literacy - Review
Station Agent, The - grief, diversity, loneliness - Review
Stepmom - family, relationships, dealing with grief - Review
Strangers in Good Company - courage, bonding, friendship, aging - Review
Swing Kids - racial diversity - Review
Tender Mercies - the human condition - Review
To Kill a Mockingbird - racism - Review
Vera Drake - abortion, poverty - Review
Veronica Guerin - exposing corruption - Review
Visitor, The - immigration, war, scoial commentary - Review
Waiting to Exhale - relationships - Review
We are Marshall - true story, loss, tragedy, teamwork, spirit, sports - Review
What's Eating Gilbert Grape - poverty, disabilities, fate - Review
Woman Thou Art Loosed - sexual abuse, forgiveness, redemption - Review
2008 Human Rights Watch International Film Festival - Film Reviews
A Beautiful Mind - mental illness - Review
A Civil Action - justice - Review
Ali - race and success - Review
All The President's Men - political corruption, investigative journalism - Review
Ann Jillian Story, The - cancer - Review
A Raisin in the Sun - family crisis, prejudice - Review
A Simple Twist of Fate - greed, adoption, human redemption - Review
A Time To Kill - vigilante justice, racism - Review
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - poverty, alcoholism - Review
American History X - racism, hatred, violence - Review
Antwone Fisher - child abuse - Review
An Inconvenient Truth - global warming, environment - Review
As Good As It Gets - health care system - Review
Avatar - environment, survival, culture, species - Review
Awakenings - biomedical research - Review
Away From Her - Alzheimer's Disease - Review
Bandit Queen - culture, India, pain, retribution, based on true story - Review
Beautiful Thing - coming out (young gay male) - Review
Benny and Joon - love, mental illness, tolerance - Review
Best Years Of Our Lives, The - war and its effect on family - Review
Beyond The Gates - genocide, failure to help - Review
Bicycle Thief, The - poverty, desperation - Review
Big Fish - father/son relationships - Review
Billy Elliot - gender role definitions - Review
Bird Cage, The - tolerance, love - Review
Blood Diamond - greed, poverty, family - Review
Bob Roberts - political satire - Review
Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The - The Holocaust, tragedy, friendship - Review
Boys Don't Cry - transgender, hate, intolerance, ignorance - Review
Born on the 4th of July - war, political protest - Review
Bowling For Columbine - violence - Review
Boyz 'N the Hood - poverty, crime - Review
Brians' Song - true story, friendship, race relations, courage, sports - Review
Bridge To Terabithia - the power of friendship - Review
Bus 174 - poverty, violence - Review
Calendar Girls - fundraising limits - Review
Candidate, The - politics, victory versus integrity - Review
Children Of A Lesser God - deaf student/teacher love story - Review
Children Of Men - the importance of children - Review
China Syndrome, The - the dangers of nuclear power - Review
Cider House Rules - youth development - Review
Cinderella Man - character, overcoming the odds, family values - Review
Cipher In The Snow - loneliness - Review
City of God - urban decay, poverty, slums, drugs, violence - Review
Color Purple, The - poverty, child abuse, social change - Review
Constant Gardener, The - politics, abuse of power, drugs, poverty - Review
Cove, The - animal rights, activism - Review
Crash (2004) - racism, culture clash, human behavior - Review
Crossing Guard, The - relationships, grief - Review
Cry Freedom - struggle against apartheid, courage, individual activism - Review
Dances With Wolves - native culture, intolerance - Review
Dead Man Walking - capital punishment - Review
Dead Poets Society - education/youth development - Review
Deer Hunter, The - ravages of war - Review
Defiant Ones, The, - race and relationships - Review
Dirty Pretty Things - illegal aliens, the struggle to survive - Review
Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The - stroke victimsReview
Do The Right Thing - hatred, bigotry - Review
Driving Miss Daisy - relationships - Review
Easy Rider - nonconformity, search for freedom, counterculture - Review
Elephant Man, The - genetic impairment, prejudice - Review
Ellen Foster - child abuse, adoption - Review
El Norte - illegal immigration, poverty, discrimination - Review
Emperor's Club, The - education/youth development - Review
Erin Brockovich - fighting injustice - Review
First You Cry - cancer - Review
Finding Forrester - overcoming odds, education, mentorship, literature - Review
Finding Neverland - teaching children, family - Review
Flowers for Algernon - developmental disability - Review
Flow: For Love of Water - environment - Trailer and Info
Forrest Gump - developmental disability - Review
Freedom Writers - race relations, inner city, writing - Review
Frequency - righting a wrong, family, science fiction - Review
Fried Green Tomatoes - friendship, life, tolerance - Review
Fundi - The Story of Ella Baker - civil rights - Review
Gentleman's Agreement - anti-Semitism - Review
Get Real - coming out (young gay male) - Review
Glory Road - racism, the ability to overcome - Review
Goodbye Lenin - cultural change - Review
Ghandi - peaceful resistance, colonialism, ethnic strife, personal courage - Review
Girl, Interrupted - mental illness - Review
Good Night, and Good Luck - doing the right thing, power, politics, integrity - Review
Good Will Hunting - education, mentorship, coming of age - Review
Gone Baby Gone - child abduction, ethics - Review
Grace is Gone - war, love, family, loss - Review
Grapes of Wrath, The - poverty, injustice, social and political commentary - Review
Great Dictator, The - spoof against Hitler and what he stood for - Review
Grey Gardens - aging, family - Review
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - race relations, romance - Review
Half Nelson - drug addiction - Review
Harold and Maude - aging, romance - Review
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - fighting for good - Review
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - fighting for good - Review
Hotel Rwanda - genocide, heroism - Review
Hurricane - racism, the ability to overcome - Review
I Am Sam - developmental disability - Review
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - child abuse - Review
Imitation of Life - racial issues - Review
In America - family struggles, immigration, poverty, hope - Review
In The Gloaming - AIDS - Review
In The Heat of the Night - racism, the human condition - Review
Inside I'm Dancing - Muscular Dystrophy - Review
Insider, The - the cost of doing the right thing - Review
Insight in Mind - mental illness - Review
Iris - Alzheimer's Disease - Review
Iron Jawed Angels - women's rights - Review
It's a Wonderful Life - poverty, community - Review
Joshua - religion, values - Review
June Bug - family and small towns - Review
Juno - teen pregnancy, family, adoption - Review
K-Pax - the human condition - Review
King of Hearts - war - Review
King of Masks - Chinese culture, gender justice, tolerance - Review
Kinsey - human sexuality - Review
Latter Days - coming out (young adult gay male) - Review
Life of David Gale, The - capital punishment, passion and beliefs - Review
Life is Beautiful - The human spirit, war, family - Review
Little Big Man - Native American issues - Review
Little Man Tate - youth development - Review
Little Miss Sunshine - the importance of family - Review
Love Actually - love, life, relationships - Review
Mad Love - mental illness - Review
Magdalene Sisters, The - religion, abuse - Review
Malcolm X - race and success - Review
Maria Full of Grace - exploitation of the poor to satisfy the rich, desperation - Review
Mask - deformation, the ability to overcome - Review
Matewan - labor and violence - Review
Men of Honor - prejudice, tenacity, the ability to overcome - Review
Milagro Beanfield War, The - community development - Review
Miracle - team work - Review
Miracle Worker, The - story of Helen Keller - Review
Million Dollar Baby - family, relationships, courage, disability - Review
Mindwalk - scientific, social, ecological challenges - Review
Mississippi Masala - racial tension, class struggle, political exile - Review
Monster's Ball - racism - Review
Mr. Holland's Opus - helping the deaf, pursuing one's dreams, mentoring students - Review
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - values, fighting the system, govt. corruption - Review
Music of the Heart - poverty, youth development - Review
My Left Foot - cerebral palsy - Review
My Man Godfrey - life lessons, having faith in yourself, social commentary - Review
My Name is Bill W. - alcoholism, support, history - Review
My Sister's Keeper - mental illness - Review
Norma Rae - fair working conditions - Review
Normal - coming out (transgender male to female) - Review
North Country - women's rights, sexual harassment, abuse - Review
Notebook, The - life, love, relationships - Review
Omega Code, The - religion, good vs. evil, values - Review
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - developmental disabilities & the health system - Review
Other Sister, The - developmental disabilities, love - Review
Ordinary People - family tragedy - Review
Outsiders, The - fitting in - Review
Passion of Christ - religion, controversial - Review
Patch Adams - mental health, compassion, healing with spiritual zeal - Review
Paths of Glory - war - Review
Pay It Forward - making a difference - Review
Philadelphia - HIV/AIDS discrimination - Review
Pianist, The - the Holocaust - Review
Planet Earth - documentary - Review
Pleasantville - general diversity - Review
Priest - coming out (adult gay male) - Review
Prince of Egypt, The - religion, leadership - Review
Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, The - forgiveness, family, social commentary - Review
P.S. I Love You - love and loss - Review
Pursuit of Happiness, The - father-son relationships, breaking the cycle of poverty - Review
Qatsi Trilogy - environment, social, third world, cultural issues - Review
Radio - developmental disability - Review
Rain Man - autism - Review
Ray - overcoming disability and racism - Review
Remember The Titans - racism, teamwork - Review
Rabbit Proof Fence - racial prejudice - Review
Roger and Me - downsizing, community pressures - Review
Roots - racism, slavery, history - Review
Rosie the Riveter - women's labour, race, patriotism, war - Review
Rumble Fish - peer pressure - Review
Schindler's List - racism - Review
Salt of the Earth - labor strife, prejudice - Review
Save The Tiger - the high cost of success, morality - Review
Sea Inside, The - euthanasia - Review
School Ties - religious diversity - Review
Shawshank Redemption, The - hope, unjust treatment, prison - Review
Shine - pressure, mental illness, based on true story - Review
Shirley Valentine - self actualization - Review
Silkwood - whistle blower - Review
Skulls - peer pressure - Review
Sleepers - child abuse - Review
Smoke Signals - Native culture, family, alcoholism - Review
Sounder - loss, family, poverty - Review
Stand and Deliver - impact of good teaching on children - Review
Stanley and Iris - literacy - Review
Station Agent, The - grief, diversity, loneliness - Review
Stepmom - family, relationships, dealing with grief - Review
Strangers in Good Company - courage, bonding, friendship, aging - Review
Swing Kids - racial diversity - Review
Tender Mercies - the human condition - Review
To Kill a Mockingbird - racism - Review
Vera Drake - abortion, poverty - Review
Veronica Guerin - exposing corruption - Review
Visitor, The - immigration, war, scoial commentary - Review
Waiting to Exhale - relationships - Review
We are Marshall - true story, loss, tragedy, teamwork, spirit, sports - Review
What's Eating Gilbert Grape - poverty, disabilities, fate - Review
Woman Thou Art Loosed - sexual abuse, forgiveness, redemption - Review
These tend to be all English speaking films. If you have any films that are non-english speaking that you believe should be on the list, please email me at closesteves@gmail.com with the subject: Social Films
