Best psychological movies

We all love to watch a good movie. Some of us love to be scared out of our wits, to be sent off into an amazing fantasy, to imagine that we are off on some exciting, heart-pounding adventure. Or, we may enjoy great family entertainment, a love story, or, to laugh outloud at a hillarious comedy!! Since I also enjoy a good movie and being sent far away from the worries and stresses of the moment, I decided to compile a list of some the best psychological movies that I am aware of. These movies can help us see ourselves at a deeper level, help us take a personal inventory of our lives, our relationships, and may help with some personal growth. Please feel free to send me some of your favorites. In the future, I may report on the best scary movies, funny movies, etc.

• The Shining - will we ever forget that menacing image of Jack Nicholson looking through the bathroom door growling "here's Johnny"??
• The Sixth Sense - a great movie, a sensitive portrayal of a child's emotional difficulties, a good portrayal of effective therapy (even though with a paranormal twist); who knew Bruce Willis could so be good in this type of role?
• Ordinary People - another great movie, a must view of a dysfunctional family and the healing process; brilliant acting!
• A Beautiful Mind - amazing story of a brilliant mathemetician and his ordeal with severe mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia).
• Patch Adams - Robin Williams at his best as an extraordinary member of the helping profession; if only we could have him for a doctor!
• Wit - riveting portrayal of a woman dieing of cancer and volunteering as a research subject; fairly intense personality study; a must for health care professionals as well.
• Pieces of April - great acting, family dynamics and relational issues.
• An Unfinished Life - great acting (Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman), deals with redemption, human limitations.
• Golden State - powerful portrayal of human experience, interesting perspective on mental health.
• Once Were Warriors - powerful handling of resiliance, redemption, meaning and domestic violence.
• House of Sand and Fog - great acting, deals with relationships, family, honor, and meaning.
• American Beauty - quirky portrayal of a dysfunctional family in middle America, entertaining, Kevin Spacey at his best.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - a classic, examines coping in a mental hospital environment, Jack Nicholson at his best.
• Pleasantville - charming handling of social ostracism, conformity, and choice.
• Good Will Hunting - excellent handling of relationships, trust, and therapy issues.
• Maze - deals with a man suffering with Tourette's disorder, and the struggles he goes through.
• Girl Interrupted - entertaining interplay of the characters - teenage girls in a mental hospital, trust, and caring.
• The Crossing Guard - examines the way people approach grieving and reconciliation, great cast.
• My Life Without Me - explored one woman's journey after finding out she's going to die; very good cast.
• Grand Canyon - thoughtful movie, puts humans in perspective in the context of the universe.
• Antwone Fisher - a story of healing, building trust, and therapeutic growth.
• Sylvia - great portrayal of a woman's struggle with pain, sorrow and death (Gwyneth Paltrow).
• The Shawshank Redemption - very powerful, issues of incarceration, freedom, meaning and healing.

There are a number of other important films that belong here as well. This is a partial list that may stimulate some interest. I hope others can add to this list with their favorites. Send me a reply. If you haven't seen all of these, check them out at: