For uplifting films by Austin talent to view with family and friends, here are my current top suggestions:  

The Blind Side , which features Austin's Sandra Bullock, is meaningful and inspirational. Sandra has won many top awards for her performance in this autobiographical movie. I am glad to add this movie to my list of effective, enlightening, and entertaining redemptive movies.

Temple Grandin on HBO is an inspirational and redemptive film with fine acting. Claire Danes is remarkable as Temple Grandin. In this movie the audience sees that Temple, who is autistic, is not disabled but abled differently and brilliantly. This heartfelt movie was made in Austin with Central Texas  talent. Again, it makes my list of redemptive, heart-felt, insightful films.

Inspirational, heart-warming films such as these reveal universal ideas and meaning that lift viewers from negativism, cynicism, and/or pessimism to what is positive, renewing, and hopeful. Although, they present honest struggles, they turn what can be difficult and debilitating to what is freeing, beautiful and eternal.

Austin is the independent film capital of the world. Here film talent and crew can work on a broad range of substantive training, industrial, independent, and feature films. I have been participating in such projects and tracking these Austin film developments for many years.

See Dr. Diane Howard's other recent fim reviews, recommendations and publications.