A Mile in His Shoes

Director: William Dear

Writers: Jason Koornick & Frank Nappi

Production: NGN Productions, Nasser Group, North & MIHS Films

Year: 2011

Annotation:

This film is based on the novel The Legend of Micky Tusslerby Frank Nappi. Baseball is an American favourite sporting event. The sports, drama & family film tell a story of Mickey’s amazing pitching skill throwing apples straight to the bullseyes that captures the baseball manager’s eye on his impressive skill. He is 18 and has Asperger’s syndrome who joins a minor-league baseball team. Micky’s condition makes him feel alienated from others and feels challenged with focusing on the sport and his own self. Furthermore, his teammates and people around him constantly makes fun of and teases him, which makes him feel put down. The story shows inclusion of diverse abilities and by giving Micky a chance to play and be treated with respect.

For more information:

IMDb

Common Sense Media review

Goodreads based from novel

The Black Balloon

Director: Elissa Down

Writers: Elissa Down & Jimmy Jack

Production: Australian Film Commission, The Australian Film Finance Corporation, Black Balloon Productions, Icon Entertainment International & The New South Wales Film and Television Office

Year: 2008

Annotation:

The film is an Australian comedy-drama romance on a family moved and settled in to New South Wales. The protagonist is Thomas, who is turning sixteen, lives with his autistic brother Charlie. Thomas wants to have a normal adolescence, but his brother is always in his way and takes every opportunity. The storyline portrays of the whole family dealing and coping with Charlie’s behaviour day by day. The care, love and support of Charlie is strong, though there are ups and downs moments. For Thomas, he feels isolated and embarrassed wishing that Charlie can be normal. Thomas find romance with Jackie which changes the situation where Charlie presents problems when she is around. Jackie understands and empathise of Thomas’s situation and circumstances. The feel and tone of the film is heart-warming, difficult and confronting.

For more information:

IMDb

Rotten Tomatoes

SBS On Demand film video

Movie Trailer

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Director: Stephen Daldry

Writers: Eric Roth (screenplay) and Jonathan Safran Foer (novel)

Production: Warner Bros., Scott Rudin Productions & Paramount Pictures
Year: 2011

Annotation:

Based on the novel by Joanthan Safran Foer, the drama, adventure and mystery film tell a story about a young boy name Oskar, with Asperger’s syndrome, who lost his father in the 9/11 World Trade Centre terror attack. Their father son relationship is very strong. He could not cope with the loss, starts lashing out at his mother and the world, and does not understand to why he died in that event. He wished that his mum be killed, not his father. A year later, he discovers a mysterious key in his father’s closet and makes a scavenger hunt to find out what the key unlocks to. Whilst on his quest and journey, he discovers many things from history to meeting lot of people and learn more with revelations about himself and the family. 

For more information:

Australian Council on Children and the Media Review

Movie trailer

IMDb