My Sister's Keeper (2009)

A former defense attorney (Cameron Diaz) finds herself back in the courtroom when she and her husband (Jason Patric) are sued for medical emancipation by their 11-year-old daughter, Anna (Abigail Breslin), who is expected to donate a kidney to her dying older sister. The subsequent trial tests ethical boundaries and the limits of parental love. Joan Cusack and Alec Baldwin round out the cast in this powerful drama based on Jodi Picoult's novel. 2009, 1 hr and 50 minutes (from Netflix)

New York Times Review

I found this movie satisfying and thought provoking.  It stuck fairly close to the book, although, as in most cases, the book, by Jodi Picoult, was a more satisfying treatment of this subject. DJE

Never Let Me Go (2010)

One reviewer for NetFlix wrote: "This is a brilliant film, disturbing and evocative. A great story, brilliantly translated for screen, and delivered with quiet and painstaking control. This film will stay with you for some time after." It addresses topics such as organ transplantation and medical ethics and is sadly beautiful, poignant and memorable. Not to be missed. Trailer.

The movie is closely based on the darkly moving book of the same title and was co-produced by the author, Kazuo Ishiguru

Illness as Experience (2000)

This is a moving and important documentary about a patient with neurofibromatosis and his dermatologist of over 40 years, Dr. Irwin Braverman. It may be hard to obtain, however the film maker, Angelo Volandes may have copies. Volandes was a student at Yale Medical School when he produced this film. He can be reached at: Email.

The film is appropriate for medical students, residents, physicians and all other care givers. It is an unsung gem that focuses on an illness and the doctor-patient relationship.

Dark Victory (1939)

From NetFlix: Fast living comes easy for Long Island socialite Judith Traherne (Bette Davis): Lavish soirées, free-flowing booze and raising thoroughbreds are among the pleasures in her hedonistic existence. But a horse-jumping accident forces her to come to terms with her lifestyle -- and mortality -- when a handsome doctor (George Brent) discovers that Judith suffers from a potentially fatal brain tumor. Humphrey Bogart costars in this timeless tearjerker. 1939, 104 minutes

A classic. Great acting and moving story.

A Choice for K'aila

May Parents Refuse a Transplant for Their Child? [video recording]

SUMMARY: A portrayal of parents faced with a life and death decision about their baby, and a doctor trying to protect the baby's life. Leslie and Francois Paulette were told that their eight-month- old would need a liver transplant to survive. They were deeply disturbed by the possiblity of the baby's enduring painful treatment only to face a life of uncertain prospects. In addition, they held the Native American belief that in this life, the physical and spiritual being is interconnected. Foreign organs from another person should not be transplanted. Their doctor, though sympathetic, was deeply disturbed at the prospect of witholding treatment. He brought the case to the attention of Social Services, who apprehended the family. The case went to court in Alberta, and the family was permitted to take K'aila home to die.

A CBC Television production.
CALL # RD546 .C52 1992.
PUBLISHER: New York, NY : Filmakers Library, c1992.
DESCRIPTION: 1 videocassette (28 min.) : with b&w ; 1/2 in.

Side Effects

Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau is a mom, wife and former drug pusher (legally) turned filmmaker. At 35, with no prior filmmaking experience, she wrote, directed, and co-produced the critically acclaimed independent film Side Effects.

The film, starring Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy) is closely based on her decade working for Big Pharma as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Katherine Heigl delivers a jaw dropping performance in this smart and sexy comedy.

Due to the overwhelming response to Side Effects, Kathleen went on to make the award-winning documentary Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety which delves deeper into the issues of pharmaceutical influence. Money Talks features interviews with key opinion leaders from Harvard, UCLA, and Columbia.

Kathleen chose to the make the films as an entertaining way to reach and educate the public about the questionable marketing tactics the industry uses to push its pills. Her goal is to encourage consumers to make wiser choices about the drugs they are putting into their bodies�and ultimately take control of their health.