Summers are for going and doing and having all the fun you can’t go/do/have in other seasons. But when heat and humidity drive us indoors, movies provide a restful escape from the sun.
For our family, watching movies together and talking about them in the days that follow is one of our favorite collective pastimes. Especially in the summer.
Movies remain the most popular form of visual storytelling for a reason. It’s been said that we are neurologically hard-wired for story. Good stories communicate universal truths and experiences amidst time and place beyond our reach. They teach us and help us process emotions vicariously through them. Stories help to shape our realities and make sense of our world.
Good movies do all these things.
In case you need a few recommendations for those hot days ahead, I have two new titles and one oldie worth rewatching. All three very different movies fed my speech and language appetite through amazing storytelling. They made me want to gather all my speech peeps to unpack them and I’ve been looking forward to sharing them with you here. (Plus, I threw in a few links to deep dive into each one!)
Breathe
Released in 2017, Breathe is basically about how to live a joyously full life amidst loss and tragedy. Starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy (The Queen!) this film tells the true love story of Robin and Diana Cavendish. When Robin contracts polio shortly after their wedding, they each must decide how hard to fight for their life together. Trailblazing through unchartered territory for disabled individuals, this story will make you cheer and bawl your eyes out at the same time. Watch the trailer on Youtube and the movie free on Amazon Prime.
Also if you need a little more backstory, check out this article. Fun fact, this movie is the directorial debut of Andy Serkis, aka Gollum!
A Quiet Place
Disclaimer: This movie is listed under the horror genre. Let me explain. I can count on three fingers the number of “horror” films I’ve seen in my lifetime. I didn’t sleep for three days in college after watching a VHS copy of The Shining with a group of friends. And that’s with fingers in ears and eyes screwed shut. Horror shows just don’t jive with my mental and emotional constitution.
So why in the world did I see this in the theater and why am I recommending it to you? Well, married in real life John Krasinski and Emily Blunt. Need I say more. Seriously though, I circled this movie warily for days before dragging my husband and our best friends to see it. I read up on the plot, found out all the spoilers beforehand, and decided I could handle more than a few jumpy moments and creepy aliens. Jim from the Office helped write it, directed and starred in it. The Emily/John duo was just too much for me to resist.
A Quiet Place surprised me on so many different levels. I love movies that do that. After watching it, I reject the horror label, suggesting instead thriller/suspense. At its core, this is a story about family and the power of communication. With almost no dialogue, the family must rely on nonverbals and sign language to survive blind aliens with supersonic hearing. I love that the actress that plays the deaf daughter is deaf in real life. The film will be released on DVD in early July. To get ready, listen to this awesome podcast and watch the trailer. And if you need a little more Krunt this will make you LOL.
The King’s Speech
There is probably no one reading this post that hasn’t already seen The King’s Speech. Shame on you if you haven’t because it received four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is probably the most famous “speech” movies ever made. When I watched this in the theater, the audience erupted in spontaneous applause at its conclusion. I definitely rank this film in my top five favorites and enjoy it immensely every single time.
It is based on the true story of Prince Albert’s unexpected rise to the throne. Starring Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter, this movie is an example of storytelling at its very best. Geoffery Rush plays Lionel Logue, the future king’s speech “correctionist”. Dysfunctional family dynamics, the delicacy of male friendship, marriage and politics, this movie weaves together a story worthy of rewatching. I suggest finally buying the thing and be done with it. Lastly, here is an article on the man I consider the hero of this story and a few more words I wrote about his friendship with the king.
Now it’s your turn. Tell us in the comments what your favorite speech related movie is!
and get A Blessing for the Speech Pathologist,
a free printable to
help you remember your WHY
