Your Mommy Kills Animals (2007)

Your Mommy Kills Animals—Curt Johnson's documentary on the animal rights movement and the response to it—lays out some interesting information about the ire between "animal welfarists" and "animal rights protestors," between the protestors and their enemies in private enterprise and government, and within the animal-rights movement itself. As such, Johnson gives enough perspectives to avoid implicit endorsement of any one standpoint—though the well-prepared David Martosko of the Center for Consumer Freedom is the sole (and snarky) voice of big business. Johnson touches upon the fur debate and animal testing, as well as the words and deeds of protestors. At their worst, members of the ALF (Animal Liberation Front), SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty), and other groups can be compared to the most extreme of anti-abortion activists, setting the stage for the federal trial that serves as the film's climax. Unfortunately, many raised questions—particularly about the FBI investigation into SHAC—go unanswered in favor of time-wasting celebrity soundbites. Just like a protest movement, a documentary isn't complete without celebrities to name-check in promotion.