Neuropsychological Review
Inside Out of Memory and Emotions
By Victoria A. Grunberg, M.S.

Inside Out (2015) is an entertaining cartoon film that demonstrates the emotional complexity and development of an 11-year old girl, Riley Andersen, as she experiences the stress of moving across the country with her parents and adjusting to a new school and new friends. From a neuropsychological perspective, the movie demonstrates several facts regarding the impact of emotions on memory, how sleep is related to memory consolidation, and the role of emotions for interpersonal functioning. This film appeals to all ages, and could be used to open discussions with children regarding emotions, challenging situations, and how to cope.  

A brilliant neurosurgeon finds himself in a telepathic relationship with a surgically removed brain.  

Dr. Hfuhruhurr is the world’s brightest neurosurgeon for his innovative cranial screw top brain entry surgerical technique.  While in Vienna, another surgeon, Dr. Necessiter eagerly shows Dr. Hfuhruhurr his radical research that preserves and stores live human brains.  A lonely Dr. Hfuhruhurr finds that he can telepathically communicate with the brain of Anne Uumellmahaye, and he finds her conversation to be enchanting.  Dr. Hfuhruhurr falls in love with Anne for her personality rather than her body.  But when the brain of Miss Uumellmahaye begins to die, Dr. Hfuhruhurr must decide between saving Anne or committing murder.    

An overprotective clownfish, aided by an amnestic blue tang fish, goes on an ocean wide journey to find his abducted son.

Marlin, an overprotective father, watches as his son Nemo is taken by a scuba diver.  On his quest to find his son, Marlin encounters an extraordinary fish named Dory who volunteers to help him find Nemo.  Dory’s anterograde amnesia (inability to form new memories) leads this dynamic duo into some unexpected and sometimes dangerous situations including surfing sea-turtles, mazes of jelly fish, and recovering fish addicted sharks.  Throughout, Marlins impatience with Dory’s deficits leads to  conflicts. However, Dory is able to remember the most vital piece of information that will help reunite Marlin with his son. 

Neuropsychological Review
Just Keep Swimming: Aquatic Advice For Coping with Amnesia
Danielle Brinckman

“I just, I remember things better with you.” Such a simple statement and yet such a poignant idea. While Finding Nemo may appear to be...

A young man follows his passion to become an elementary school teacher while coping with challenges associated with his Tourette’s Syndrome.

Brad Cohen, a young man with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS), dreams of a career in teaching.  But, as a child, kids teased him and adults scolded him for his outbursts and tics.  Despite the poor understanding of his condition by most and his father’s lack of acceptance Brad is determined to be a teacher.  When he gets a chance to be a second grade teacher he can finally teach others about TS and show he’s got what it takes to be teacher of the year. Based on a true story. 

Neuropsychological Review
Ariana Tart-Zelvin

In flashbacks throughout the film, Front of the Class highlights a number of tic-related school problems. In one case, Brad is sent out of a test when his motor tics become severe.

 A young Russian princess loses her true identity and gradually regains it as reminders of her past emerge. 


The Russian princess Anastasia, loses her family to the revolution then loses her identity after falling from a train and hitting her head while escaping with her grandmother. 10 years later, she leaves the orphanage to embark on a quest to find her identity and family. Although con men and evil characters try to take advantage of her, tokens, songs and memories from her past gradually emerge to jog her memory and reunite her with her grandmother and reveal her true identity.