Waiting For 'Superman'

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Waiting For 'Superman.' Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Written by Davis Guggenheim & Billy Kimball.

100th review countdown....#86

MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic material, mild language and incidental smoking.

Runtime: 102 min


This review is dedicated to the following people.

Christina Molina
James Rodriguez
Iris Federico
Brenda Davidson Frost
Kathleen Vela 
Deborah Montes
Lynne Morgan
Gordon Marcus Morgan 9/18/1935 - 4/8/2005 R.I.P Coach.

What do all of these people have in common besides being members of The "D" List? Which is a commendable achievement on it's own by the way.  =)

They are currently or at some time were members of one of the world's most HONORABLE, RESPECTED, VALUABLE and most importantly UNAPPRECIATED professions.

They are all teachers.

As a product of a family filled with professional educators, there was NO WAY my schooling was going to suffer. It was that constant effort and discipline that helped forge the man I am today. I was a very lucky kid. I went to go to school twice a day. Officially in the big building with the bells and hairnet wearing lunch ladies serving cardboard food on cardboard trays. Then I would go to school at home doing assignments given to me by my grandmother who taught for over 10 years.

This documentary tackles the continuing problem of this countries failing school system and it starts with the teachers.

Guggenheim takes you into the world of 5 different kids. Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily. They are all good kids with a high aptitude and yearning to learn. One of the best examples of that is when Guggenheim asks 8 year old Daisy what she would tell him if he was one of her classmates complaining about how much he hated school....that it was too boring. What would she say to him? She said without missing a beat...."Next time try paying attention in class so you won't be bored." When a kid that young gives you an answer like that you know from the get go that this is a mind that has a passion for school and sees the value of what an education can provide. All of these kids exhibit very similar behavior and feelings toward school. Sadly that's not the only thing they have in common. With Emily being the only exception, the rest of the kids come from lower income neighborhoods that can't or don't provide better public learning environments. It's these same areas that employ unqualified teachers who specialize more in apathy than educating.

You are given factual examples of how schools are failing these kids and how nothing is being done to root out the problem that is staring everyone in the face. You are also seen how many of today's educators are taking matters into their own hands and developing alternative methods to provide these kids with a learning environment that not only promotes proper education, it executes it masterfully with little cost to John Q Taxpayer.

These "new" schools are so effective that there isn't enough space to take in all the applying students so lotteries are held to select the next year's student body. The mere thought that the fate of a child's proper education can fall in the hands of chance is a frightening thought. Unfortunately it's the world we live in today and what makes this so frustrating is that it doesn't have to be. Guggenheim explores why the established order continues to be defiant when the subject of education reform comes to the table.

I really don't want to say anymore about this film except that it's really a MUST SEE!

For anyone with children, expecting children or planning to have children, this documentary is a homework assignment that you can't afford to have your dog eat. I know I have given my endorsement for films in the past but this one touches me at the heart. Mainly because of the people in my life that are part of an education system that arbitrarily chooses to undervalue their efforts. While they passionately continue to guide tomorrow's brightest young minds.

I humbly urge, recommend, no I BEG YOU to seek this film out and see it. The story being told is about real life and it doesn't get any more real than the growth of a child as they go to school.

On the 5 star scale. 'Waiting For Superman' gets the full house 5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny!" recommendation.

Instead of participating in a bullshit online campaign to demand Paranormal Activity 2 to come to a theater near you. Sorry for the foul language but it is bullshit. DEMAND that this movie comes to your area. It DESERVES and NEEDS your support. Please forward this review to everyone on your email lists so they can be aware of the film's existence and hopefully the word of mouth will spawn the masses to go out and buy a ticket.

Or you can go to the film's website. Waitingforsuperman.com.

Finally, I would like to take this chance to once again thank each and every one of the people I dedicated this review to. ALL of you either had a hand in my growth from a snot nosed kid with a bad attitude to an Emmy Award winning editor. Or you are shaping the next Emmy award winner. All of you have my respect and adoration FOR LIFE.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is RED.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"