This month we’re streaming movies and television series using the power of words to address serious social issues while still managing to entertain us with a dash of humor ans sincerity.
We have a documentary, four movies based on bestselling books that have been challenged or banned, and five television shows that use humor and sometimes brutal honesty to address important social issues.
Enjoy!
The ABCs of Book Banning – This Oscar nominated documentary film examines the banning of books in schools in the United States. It includes interviews with children about how they feel about losing access to books on topics such as LGBTQIA+ issues, wars, racial issues, and growing up. Available to watch on Paramount+
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is based on the novel of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer . This is the story of a boy’s journey through New York in the aftermath of September 11. It is available to stream on Prime Video, Vudo, Apple Tv, and Redbox.
A Wrinkle in Time is based on the novel of the same name by Madeleine L’Engle. After the disappearance of Meg Murry’s scientist father, three celestials come to Earth to help her look for him. Available to watch free on Sling TV and with a subscription to Disney+; stream for a fee on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home
The Great Gatsby is based on the book by the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) moves next door to millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and across the bay from his cousin Daisy Buchannan (Carey Mulligan)and her philandering husband Tom (Joel Edgerton). Nick is drawn to the glamourous world and becomes witness to the tragic love story between Jay and Daisy. Available to stream for a fee on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home
Beasts of No Nation is the first feature ever distributed by Netflix. Adapted from Uzodinma Iweala’s 2005 novel about a young boy, Agu (Abraham Atta) living in a West African country embroiled in civil war who is recruited as a child soldier. Agu performs atrocities and suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic commandant (Idris Elba). Available to stream on Netflix
Two Thousand Acres of Sky is a British TV dramady starring Michelle Collins, Paul Kaye, and John Straiton. Set on the fictional Scottish island Ronansay off the coast of Skye. Abby is a single mother of two living in London. She answers an advertisement for a family with two children to run a B&B on Ronansay after persuading her next-door neighbor Kenny to pretend to be her husband. Kenny, who is in love with Abby and her kids, hopes the move will prove his worth to Abby. Add to that a quirky cast of villagers and a sexy fisherman with eyes for Abby. The show also has a serious side and deals with domestic violence, and the effects of unemployment in the fishing industry. Season one is available on Freevee with ads. Seasons 2 and 3 are available on Prime Video.
Always Greener is an Australian series about a brother John Taylor and his sister Sandra Todd. John, a therapist/social worker lives with his family in Sydney. Sandra, a recent widow, lives in a rural community on a farm. John is burned out from giving so much to the community and losing so many clients to drugs and alcohol. During a visit to the country John jokes with his sister about swapping houses. They decide to try the swap which comes with interesting neighbors, culture shock and some serious issues like drug use, unplanned pregnancies, bullying, and domestic abuse. Available on Amazon Prime.
Unprisoned is a series on Hulu produced by Onyx Collective, a content brand operated by Disney Entertainment which primarily features projects from creators of color and other underrepresented groups. Paige Alexander (Kerry Washington) is a relationship therapist and single mom whose life is turned upside down when her father (Delroy Lindo) gets out of prison and moves in with her and her son (Faly Rakotohavana). Can be watched on Hulu or Disney +
Reasonable Doubts is also an Onyx production on Hulu. Jax Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi) is a talented lawyer struggling to repair her marriage to her husband Lewis (McKinley Freeman) and reconnect with her children. Jax and her close group of friends support each other as they address the problems facing women of color. Jax works at a law firm predominantly made up of White males. Strong language and adult situations.
The Pretender is an interesting series available on Amazon Prime. Jarod (Michael T. Weiss) is a genius imposter able to master any complex skill set quickly. He was raised at the fictitious Blue Cove Collective with other gifted children who were kidnapped from their homes and told their parents were dead.. The Collective specially trains the children to perform simulated tasks/missions to solve problems faced by their clients who may be terrorist organizations, paramilitary groups, or foreign governments. Available to stream on Amazon Prime.