The New York Times has an interesting list of movies that help folks deal with aging up today. The list comes from Dr. Dennis McCullough and is listed in an appendix to his new book, “My Mother, Your Mother: Embracing ‘Slow Medicine,’ the Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones,’’ and updated on his Web site.

Some of the films include more classic works:

• Umberto D. (1952, Dir. Vittorio De Sica)
• Wild Strawberries (1957, Ingmar Bergman)
• Buena Vista Social Club (1998, Wim Wenders)

and some are more recent:

• The Savages (2007, Tamara Jenkins)
• Away From Her (2006, Sarah Polley)

Life is a long process, but too often our cinema is focused on youth (much more escapist). Films about age not only help those who are approaching their elderly years, but they also provide us young folks with some insight into what our older friends might be going through.

My favorite film about aging? You’ll find it after the jump

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Tomorrow marks the first day of summer (and my Mom’s birthday - Happy Birthday Mom!) - so spend the day outside and then curl up with a good movie! These are my Top 10 Summer Inspired Movies.

And takepart to learn how to keep for your house cool for yes and also be better to the environment.

1. Fat Girl (Catherine Breillat)

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Another Mother’s Day has passed (I hope you had a good one) but luckily for you the Top 10 Movie Moms are available all year round - here’s the final Top 10 - including 2 new ones not yet profiled! Keep in mind these Moms may not be the most typical (they’re all actually pretty unique) , but they are definitely the most dynamic and interesting to watch on the screen.

10. Carol White in Todd Haynes’ Safe

A disturbing and eeery portrait of a California housewife and step-mom that suddenly turns sick from the chemicals in the air is in part an attack of suburban culture and in part a more general metaphor for the AIDS epidemic. But these social critiques aside, Julianne Moore’s turn as Carol White is a fascinating look at a woman who wants more that to run a house. The scene of Carol at a pals baby shower, when a young child is sitting on her lap as she starts to experience an attack will sit with you for some time… As will the last moment of the film. It’s a true testament to the side our mother’s keep to themselves…

And even though Carol may have had other problems, to ensure we all have clean air to breathe!

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The sixth look at one of my favorite movie moms. (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are here)

Charlotte Andergast in Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata

The ultimate in mother movies, Bergman takes his namesake, Ingrid Bergman and makes her a mother you can’t soon forget. Ingrid’s Charlotte is a woman who gave up her family in order to have a music career and Liv Ullman plays her oldest daughter. When Charlotte pays a visit to Ullman’s house, the two share a night of emotional revelation that is amazing yet emotionally draining to watch. Combined with the striking visuals and colors of the film, Autumn Sonata will stay with you for some time.

to learn how you can ensure that kids across the country continue to have music in their classrooms (perhaps this would have helped Ullman’s character in the scene below the fold - you should really watch it!)

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