THE MAGIC OF MUSIC, AS SEEN IN THE MOVIES

Alive Inside - A Story of Music and Memory (2014)

Watch as music transforms people in real-time. Alive Inside is a powerful film about the miraculous, healing effects that music has on people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the non-profit organization Music & Memory, as he demonstrates how music not only battles memory loss, but gives memory-loss sufferers back their senses of self. 

While visiting facilities that house memory loss patients, Cohen began to realize that playing songs from formative years of a patients life helped spark memories previously thought lost and forgotten. Cohen learns as much about the patients life as he can asking the patient about his/her life, plucking clues out of their medical charts, and/or interviewing family members. One of the most touching stories is about Henry. Henry spent his days in a wheelchair, with his head down, never speaking. Armed with an iPod packed with a personalized playlist, Cohen went to work. As soon as Henry heard the first note of a Cab Calloway song, his eyes opened wide with surprise, he couldn't stop smiling and he sang along to every word.  

That's just one of countless tear-jerking success stories. Director Michael Rossato-Bennett says, I've never seen music be so profound in bringing people solace. You can read more uplifting stories on the dedicated site. After you do, watch the Sundance Film Festival award-winning film. Maybe there's someone in your life who could do with a personalized playlist of their own.