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Uplifting Films is a spiritual but nonreligious evaluation of both mainstream and independent films. We recommend movies that have a positive vision of life, leave you feeling good and contain little or no gratuitous violence, exploitative sex or other types of negative imagery. We talk about films that delight, inspire, educate and enlighten. We are primarily for positive films, not against negative ones. Our reviews come from the heart as well as the intellect, our criteria are compassion and love.

We look for positive role models, important messages, humor, positive woman's or children's points of view. Political films are included but we warn viewers if there is disturbing content. Occasionally we find an action adventure film that we recommend. We are not advocates of censorship, for example we have no objection to loving sexuality on screen, but we do note its presence out of respect for those who want to avoid it. We hope that by supporting positive films, more will be made and their prominence in the fabric of society expanded. Uplifting Films can be thought of as a guide to mind nutrition for film viewers.

A sweet, gentle movie set in Kansas in 1910. A widowed father puts an ad in the newspaper for a new wife. Glenn Close plays a very positive, loving, independent, and strong willed woman who knows what she must do and does it. She teaches the family to listen to and be open with one another, and not to be afraid. A good film for the whole family, especially young women. The only proviso is that it deals with children (5 and 8) whose mother has died five years earlier. Although this is not shown, we would hesitate to show this film to young children who might have this fear planted in their minds.

Nostradamus (1503-1566) is best known today for his uncanny predictions of things that came to pass hundreds of years after his death -- Hitler, global pollution, aircraft, etc. This film, however, focuses on Nostradamus' struggle to communicate truth, healing, spirituality and metaphysical wisdom to a society that was not ready for it -- which would, in fact, have been happy to kill him for doing so. It is an extremely well made, fascinating film. Its message is to heed Nostradamus's warnings of environmental catastrophe. The film attempts to be historically accurate, showing the repression of an ignorant society dominated by the Inquisition and plague. The pain, suffering and unpleasant physical circumstances of life are realistically portrayed, so it is not totally uplifting viewing. However, the overall message and insights in this film are very deep and give us a window on our tradition of repressing any thought (especially metaphysical) which is not part of an established social institution.

Loosely based on the novel by Daniel DaFoe. This is a beautiful and heartwarming tale -- a great women's film, well made with high production values making you feel like you are really in the 18th century. The story chronicles two strong willed women from childhood and shows them remaining undaunted by adverse circumstance. Their determination, love and integrity ultimately pay off and lead them to a better life. This is a mild adventure story with some sexual content, but no gross violence. We feel it would be suitable for young adults. Great performances by Robin Wright as Moll and Stockard Channing as her benefactress, Mrs. Allworthy.

A really cute, charming, totally enjoyable film for both children and adults. Harriet is a bright, creative, and thoroughly charming 11-year-old who runs into realistic problems with her friends and finds the solutions through validating her personal power. It has wisdom and insight for both adults (parents especially) and children about life and the struggle to live according to one's inner needs, while maintaining a balance with the real world of other people's feelings. It has the potential to resolve problems any family might have, as well as to inspire younger ones to follow their hearts to a career as an artist. It's also about being influenced by a wise, somewhat eccentric, but extremely loving mentor, and has much to say about priorities in life. A great film for the whole family, not just a children's film which can be tolerated by adults.

Diana Oestreich and Elliott Landy are a husband and wife team with a lifelong passion for film and spirituality.

Diana Oestreich is a film producer. She has developed film projects for many actors, directors and studios including Warner Brothers, MGM, Paramount, HBO, CBS, Barbra Streisand, Christopher Reeve, and Goldie Hawn. She is currently developing a feature film which focuses on Zen Buddhism.

Elliott Landy is a well known photographer whose images of Woodstock, Dylan, the Band, and the sixties music scene are known worldwide. He has published several photography books, and is a music filmmaker and producer. He is presently producing and developing a CD-ROM for Panasonic Software, Woodstock Vision, The Spirit of A Generation, which will be released in 1997.

Uplifting Films by Diana & Elliott on the internet: http://www.upliftingfilms.com Visit our website for reviews of current films in theaters.

© LandyVision, Inc., POB 836, Woodstock NY 12498

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