Thursday Movie Picks: Adopted/Foster Families

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This year's final "All in the Family" edition of Wandering Through the Shelves' Thursday Movie Picks centers around families with adopted children and/or foster care. There's definitely no shortage of these films, but I found that I actually used some of them for other categories before. Luckily, some great ones were still out there: 

 1) Short Term 12

 This is one of my favorite movies in recent years, and it really showed what it's like to work in a short term foster home/rehabilitation facility. This film got everything right. It was incredible and Brie Larson is a gem. 

 2) Running With Scissors

 Poor Augusten's mother not only randomly puts him up for adoption when he's a teenager, but she gives him to her odd shrink and his even more bizarre family. Someone is going to be wtf'ing for life. 

 3) Gigantic

 This cute little indie is about a guy named Brian(Paul Dano) who feels very empty in his life and is trying to adopt a child from China. Then he meets Happy (Zooey Deschanel) and things get a bit weird. It might be the typical "quirky" indie, but I've always liked it. 

 Bonus: Child of Rage - Sure, this is a Lifetime TV movie but it's based on a true story of a family that adopts a child with severe reactive attachment disorder. It's not a film I'd ever watch again, but I thought of it when I saw this theme. It's intense. 

Comments

  1. Courtney SmallSeptember 24, 2015 at 7:02 AM

    I really need to get around to seeing Short Term 12. It has been in my Netflix queue for ages. Was not a big fan of either Running with Scissors or Gigantic, but can appreciate their inclusion on this particular list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 24, 2015 at 9:22 AM

      Short Term 12 is nothing short of amazing, you should definitely watch it as soon as possible.

      Delete
  2. UnknownSeptember 24, 2015 at 10:42 AM

    Oh man, your post just reminded me I still need to see Short Term 12! Gonna get on that asap :)
    - Allie

    ReplyDelete
  3. joel65913September 24, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    Have seen none of these. Been meaning to see Running for years and keep forgetting about it, I'll have to make a point of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 24, 2015 at 11:45 AM

      I think they're all good films, Short Term 12 being the best. I hope you get a chance to see them.

      Delete
  4. BirgitSeptember 24, 2015 at 3:37 PM

    I have not seen any of these! I haven't even heard of these but then I live in a city where they think Robocop is the next Shakespeare

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 25, 2015 at 6:44 AM

      OMG. lol. I guess I did go the complete indie route this week.

      Delete
  5. DellSeptember 24, 2015 at 5:32 PM

    I've only seen Short Term 12 and I really liked it. Brie Larson was outstanding.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownSeptember 24, 2015 at 8:12 PM

    I secretly loved Running With Scissors despite it's poor reception. I think because the book is one of my favorites of all times, I was determined to love the movie. Plus, all the actors in it are great even if it does fall a little flat.

    SO MUCH YES TO SHORT TERM 12!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 25, 2015 at 6:42 AM

      I was really surprised how poorly Running With Scissors was received. I expected it to be a decent Oscar contender. It got a Globe nomination, but that's it. I still liked it quite a bit.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2015 at 9:20 PM

    I have never seen Gigantic but your other recommends are so wonderful, I just know I have to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 25, 2015 at 6:41 AM

      Gigantic does fall under the "Zooey Deschanel's quirky indie" category, but I love her and Paul Dano so much. I enjoyed it.

      Delete
  8. DanielSeptember 25, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    UGH I still need to see Short Term 12. LOVE Brie Larson!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 25, 2015 at 9:31 AM

      She is so good in Short Term 12 I can barely handle it. She's going to slay in Room.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2015 at 3:53 PM

    I haven't seen Gigantic, but the other two choices are terrific. I loved Short Term 12.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Alex WithrowSeptember 28, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    Love that Short Term 12 makes this list. Great pick for the topic. What a gem of a film.

    ReplyDelete
  11. WandererSeptember 30, 2015 at 2:30 PM

    I so want to watch Short Term 12.
    Running With Scissors...well that was a wacky family,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 30, 2015 at 10:20 PM

      They win the prize for weirdest family ever. I hope you get a chance to see Short Term 12.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousOctober 1, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    Great picks! Love the Short Term 12 mention.

    I've heard good things about Gigantic...I should check that one out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 1, 2015 at 8:49 AM

      It's typical quirky Zooey, but I love typical quirky Zooey. lol

      And of course all things Paul Dano.

      Delete
  13. JoshOctober 5, 2015 at 1:51 AM

    Good stuff. I bought Gigantic in a bargain bin, but never watched it. I need to give it a look.

    ReplyDelete

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