There are many ways to help the environment -- planting trees, bringing your shopping bag, attending rallies -- but a low-key entertaining way is to watch a new environmental movie or documentary to keep yourself informed about the issues.

The environment was a pop culture staple last year, so we’ve reeled in a cast of green-themed flicks from 2009 for your consideration...

 

A Chemical Reaction—The Story of a Green Revolution
Documentary- Directed by: Brett Plymale

A Chemical Reaction is said to be based on one of the most powerful and effective community initiatives in the history of North America. The film tells the story of a town’s recognition of the potential dangers of chemical pesticides used on their lawns, the pushback the town received from the producers of these products, and the movement started by Dr. June Irwin to ban these chemicals from the town.

http://www.pfzmedia.com/

 

Avatar
Science Fiction- Directed by James Cameron
Winner of Golden Globe- Best Picture and Best Director

If you haven’t already seen it, this is a must-see, not to mention it won Best Picture of the Year at the Golden Globes! Avatar is the story of an ex-marine who ends up on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate right for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. Many have said that the movie advocates the preservation of natural areas, and makes those who conserve and protect nature the heroes of the story, while those who seek to mine for mineral resources are the villains.

www.avatarmovie.com

 

Fuel
Documentary- Directed by Josh Tickell
Winner of Sundance Film Festival- Best Documentary Audience Award

FUEL is an insightful portrayal of America’s addiction to oil and the need for new energy solutions. The film tracks the rising domination of the petrochemical industry — from Rockefeller’s strategy to stop Ford’s first ethanol cars to to Vice President Cheney's petrochemical company sponsored energy legislation. The director reveals the scope of available solutions to "repower America.” A must see for those of you interested in alternative energy solutions!

http://thefuelfilm.com/

 

No Impact Man
Comedy- Directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein

A guilty liberal man has his green “ah ha” moment, so he decides to give up plastic, goes organic, starts riding his bike everywhere, turns off his power and tries to save the polar bears and the rest of the planet from environmental catastrophe. While doing all this he drags his baby daughter and Prada-wearing, Four Seasons–loving wife along for the ride. This movie gets 4 stars on the funny scale!

http://www.noimpactdoc.com/index_m.php

 

Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands
Documentary- Directed by Peter Mettler

The Alberta tar sands are easily the most controversial natural resource in Canada. Filmmaker Peter Mettler takes audiences on an eye-opening aerial tour of Alberta’s tar sands in this beautiful, haunting and vital documentary. Produced by Greenpeace Canada and shot primarily from a helicopter, the film reveals the tar sands impact on the environment by way of stunning imagery. Recently released, check the website for screenings in your area!

www.petropolis-film.com

 

The Age of Stupid
Science Fiction/Documentary- Directed by: Franny Armstrong

This British film depicts the devastated future world of 2055 through real documentary footage and a fictional storyline. A lone and mournful archivist looks at film and video from the early 2000s (flash floods, earthquakes and rampant air travel) and wonders: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? A cautionary tale worth watching.

http://www.ageofstupid.net/the_film

 

Earth
Directed by: Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield

Disney’s Earth is the story of three animal families and their remarkable journeys across the planet. The film showcases the most intimate moments of our planet’s wildest and most mysterious creatures. This is a great movie to teach kids about our planet in all its forms.

http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/disneynature-earth.html

 

So grab some popcorn, turn off everything in your home (except the TV of course) and watch a movie about the environment.

Have suggestions of your own? Email us at prabhjit@earthday.ca