Laura Loves Movies: Top 5 Vegan Flicks 2011

I wanted to do some sort of end-of-the-year round up, and although I'm sure I'll analyze and complain about all the awards nominees once Oscar's are announced, I figured, why not talk about the animals? I was absolutely thrilled to make this is list, mostly because it was such a great year for vegan movies.

Here are my top 5 favorite film experiences that I had last year watching movies that I felt carried a message (in one way or another) for the animals. Be sure to check them all out! IMMEDIATELY!

 1) Vegucated- I LOVE THIS MOVIE! By far the best documentary I've seen in ages, Vegucated is hilarious, entertaining, informative, and well paced. I would recommend this engaging movie to any viewer, vegan or non. This film's intention is clear-cut and persuasive. I can hardly wait to see how many people it affects. Vegucated gets my number one spot on this list because I truly enjoyed it as a movie, vegan ideals aside. Vegan ideals not aside, I couldn't agree more with its approach and execution. Bravo Vegucated!!

**Vegucated DVDs are available via it's website. It is also available to purchase and rent via itunes. It will soon be available for streaming on Netflix too.

 2) Contagion- This blockbuster is jam packed with celebrities and follows the outbreak of a deadly and highly contagious virus which is quickly spreading across our planet. Unsure of how it started, the CDC springs into investigative action and as we are riveted by what happens to our beloved characters, as we are held captive by the unknown origin of this fatal disease. Two moments stand out as startlingly anti-animal agriculture, one being when a CDC executive rolls his eyes at a government official who suspects the outbreak may be a weaponized version of the bird flu and responds, "No one has to weaponize the bird flu. The birds are doing that." The second is the ultimate payoff at the end of this delightfully scary movie when we learn the point of the illness's origin. Be sure to check out this chilling flick, a horrifying romp, with a sharp commentary on the way we eat.

3) Forks Over Knives- I could hardly make a 2011 vegan films list and not include this one. It's impossible to sum up all the acclaim this documentary has received, but for starters check out this wonderful no-nonsense review by Roger Ebert. This film which is essentially an on-screen adaptation of The China Study, took what is admittedly a difficult to read, dry book, and made an extremely accessible, relevant, and easy to understand documentary. It has also been cited as the deciding factor in the announcements of Russel Brand, Ozzy Osbourne, and Eliza Dusku's conversion to a vegan diet. I ranked this film at 3 for two reasons. First, I think it's a little boring. Second, they make zero comments about animal welfare so it's message is not my favorite. But really, who cares?! Look at the difference it's made already. You rock Forks Over Knives!

**Forks Over Knives is available for streaming on Hulu Plus and Netflix. You can also buy it via their website. 

4) No Gano (You Can't Win)- No Gano is an extraordinary 12 minute documentary short about cockfighting in Puerto Rico. I had the pleasure of viewing this powerful film at a screening.  Simply and beautifully executed by Jorge Torres-Torres I was startled and touched by it's message. The images of suffering birds are incredibly potent and a glimpse into this dark world is a compelling one.

**Unfortunately I do not know of a way you can see this film as of right now. I will update this page if I become aware of an option.

5) Rise of the Planet of the Apes- What? She put this silly movie on there? YOU'RE DANG RIGHT I DID. I just saw this movie for the first time recently and all I can say is that it is exciting, fun, creative, action packed, and absolutely FILLED with animal love. There were no animals used in the movie at all (RIGHT ON HOLLYWOOD) yet the apes look amazingly lifelike. It also has an extreme anti-vivisection message. Even the character you feel may prefer life as a human companion eventually realizes his fate lies in the wild and breaks free of his civilian restraints, all the while leaving us to believe he does truly love the humans who raised him. Seriously! SO FUN. Watch it before you hate on it. James Franco is sexy.


Did I miss anything? Please let me know! I'd love to hear which movies tickled your vegan bone in 2011.