Movie List - Neuropsychological and Medical Disorders
Long Kiss Goodnight, The
Genre: Drama Year: 1996 Rating: R
Actors: Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Yvonne Zima
Topics: Amnesia
A typical mom living a normal life, teaches school, and gets a bump on the head, causing her to
begin recalling her past, in which she was a top secret agent! Of course, she has old enemies who
now are out to get her and her old skills come back to her. Her memory recovery is much like
"Gilligan's Island Syndrome," which usually involves 2 coconuts (the first one causes the amnesia,
the second one returns memory) - we must have missed the first coconut. Not quite a realistic
portrayal of amnesia…
Memento Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2000 Rating: R
Actors: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
Topics: Amnesia
This definitely is a film for those interested in neuropsychology. Leonard has anterograde amnesia
(he can't form new memories). To compensate, he tattoos notes to himself all over his body. He
is on a quest to find the person who raped and murdered his wife. You'll have to watch this one
closely to follow the plot - it is told in reverse. The attempt to accurately portray anterograde
amnesia should be commended, but there are several points where Leonard acts as if he has
"held" a memory longer than could be working memory alone (e.g., he sleeps between the event
and writing it down). What else can you find that is inaccurate? What about the failed avoidance
learning by the insurance claimant?
My Left Foot
Genre: Drama Year: 1989 Rating: R
Actors: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Disability, Drugs/Alcohol
Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Great film about childhood
misdiagnosis of cerebral palsy as mental retardation and the difficulties adjusting to an adult life
with disabilities.

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