Reviews of “Gleason” and “Mediterranea” and a podcast preview are all available in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the Blog Page of The Good Radio Network, available by clicking here. Former NFL star and ALS patient Steve Gleason cradles his son, Rivers, in director Clay Tweel’s candid, heartfelt documentary, “Gleason.” Photo courtesy of Open Road Films ...

“The Family Fang” (2016). Cast: Justin Bateman, Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett, Kathryn Hahn, Harris Yulin, Jason Butler Harner, Mackenzie Brooke Smith, Taylor Rose, Jack McCarthy, Kyle Donnery, Marin Ireland, Linda Emond, Grainger Hines, Frank Harts, Edward Mitchell, Patrick Mitchell. Director: Justin Batemen. Screenplay: David Lindsay-Abaire. Book: Kevin Wilson, The Family Fang. Web site. Trailer. Our parents always have our best interests at heart, right? Are you sure? What if they have agendas riddled with unusual, self-serving plans and schemes? What kind of impact would such undertakings have on impressionable young minds? Would the effects be detrimental or beneficial (or possibly both)? Questions like these are at the core of the offbeat comedy-drama-mystery, “The Family Fang,” now available on DVD and video on demand. Annie and Baxter Fang (Nicole Kidman, Justin Bateman), the adult children of performance artists Caleb and Camille Fang (Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett), have issues with their parents. They haven’t seen their folks in years, and they’re not in any hurry for a reunion. But, when Baxter is injured in a freak accident, the entire family is unexpectedly reunited for the first time in ages. So why are Annie and Baxter at odds with their parents? ...

“Don’t Think Twice” (2016). Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Mike Birbiglia, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher, Ben Stiller, Seth Barrish, Erin Darke, Sondra James, Maggie Kemper, Kati Rediger, Steve Waltien, Emily Skeggs, Gary Richardson. Director: Mike Birbiglia. Screenplay: Mike Birbiglia. Web site. Trailer. Striving for success in the world of entertainment is full of hopes, dreams, challenges and frustrations. When we pursue it on our own, it can be terrifying, bewildering, exhilarating and, above all, lonely. But, when we aspire to greatness as part of a group, we at least have the support of others to make the struggle more tolerable and, one would hope, creatively fulfilling. Of course, being part of a collective is also fraught with the competition (sometimes friendly, sometime far from it) that comes with seeking to stand out from one’s peers, a potential threat to professional friendships and collaborations. Journeys like this are full of many distinct, meaningful moments, some euphoric, some bittersweet, but few of them dull. Learning how to address these kinds of issues is central to the lives of the protagonists in the outstanding new indie comedy, “Don’t Think Twice.” Making one’s way in the world of improv comedy is an ...

Reviews of “Don’t Think Twice” and “The Family Fang” and two podcast previews are all available in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the Blog Page of The Good Radio Network by clicking here. Members of the Commune improv comedy troupe (from left, Tami Sagher, Gillian Jacobs, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Birbiglia, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci) seek to make it big in “Don’t Think Twice.” Photo courtesy of Jon Pack/The Film Arcade ...

“Captain Fantastic” (2016). Cast: Viggo Mortensen, George McKay, Frank Langella, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn, Ann Dowd, Samantha Isler, Annalise Basso, Nicholas Hamilton, Shree Crooks, Charlie Shotwell, Trin Miller, Elijah Stevenson, Teddy Van Ee, Erin Moriarity, Missi Pyle. Director: Matt Ross. Screenplay: Matt Ross. Web site. Trailer. Getting away from the crush of the world’s worries undoubtedly holds tremendous appeal, particularly for those seeking to support and raise their families in a natural, healthy environment untainted by the corruption, perils and concerns of everyday life. But does this kind of retreat from mainstream society truly live up to the promise of paradise found? That’s the question examined in the new family drama, “Captain Fantastic.” Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen) has rejected the evils of the outside world in favor of the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. He lives in the forest with his six kids (George McKay, Samantha Isler, Annalise Basso, Nicholas Hamilton, Shree Crooks, Charlie Shotwell), teaching them how to live off the land, how to practice sustainable self-sufficiency and how to lead exceedingly ethical lives. He home-schools his children, educating them in a wide variety of subjects (often involving material far above what’s taught to their real world peers), and ...

Join me and host Frankie Picasso today for this month’s Movies with Meaning segment on the Frankiesense & More radio show! We’ll discuss some of the summer season’s inspiring new releases, among other topics. Tune in at 1 pm ET by clicking here ...