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Obsessed: "Waiting for 'Superman'"

Over the weekend I saw this movie, which is currently in limited release, and has a companion book you can get at any bookstore (yes, I already have mine). And now I am totally obsessed. Written and directed by Davis Guggenheim (Oscar winning director of "An Inconvenient Truth"), this movie focuses on the current state of our public school system. Now before you tune me out because you have heard this before and don't know what you can to to help, please stick around for a few more minutes.

The film covers the terrible statistics and test scores, the dreadful "rubber room" in NY and the "lemon dance" (where tenured but terrible teachers are shuffled around their district each year), the tensions between reformers and union leaders and most importantly, it follows 5 students who are entering lotteries to get into a charter school where they have a better chance of graduating and going on to college. Yes, there are awesome, amazing, successful public schools out there that have 90+% graduation rates. Unfortunately there are limited spaces at these schools and the only fair way to let in new students is a lottery. And the term lottery was never so appropriate. The final minutes of this movie, showing you the results of the different lotteries, is positively gut wrenching.

The companion book, which I've started but haven't finished, adds a lot to the movie. So far I've gotten to hear more from people who were featured in the 2 hour film. And I am in awe with the information and ideas overflowing from the pages.

In summary, please go see the movie, read the book, and donate to DonorsChoose.org.

Obsessed: Kevin Smith Movies part II

So obviously if I went to Asbury Park, I also visited the Quick Stop (from Clerks, in case you did not know) and other locations seen in the Kevin Smith movies. There is also a retail store called Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, where we spent some time shopping. It was fun to be able to visit these places!

Photos by me...

Obsessed: John Hughes Movies

Kevin Smith pays much homage to John Hughes, and it was because of this I revisited the Brat Pack films while in college. See, being born in 1980 means I am only technically a child of the 80s. Upon popping in the VHS I rented from the no-name rental store around the corner, I was immediately in love.Sixteen Candles. The Breakfast Club. Pretty In Pink. Ferris Bueller's Day Off. No one has captured teen angst like John Hughes did in the 1980s. And when you look past the fashion and the music (unless you are like me and love the fashion and the music), the movies are absolutely timeless.

Obsessed: Kevin Smith Movies

OK, let's be real clear. When I say "Kevin Smith movies" I mean the originals - Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma, and Chasing Amy. Sure, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Clerks II, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno might also qualify as "Kevin Smith movies" - but I have to draw a line in the sand. The originals have shaped me in ways I cannot describe. There was a time in college where we had no cable TV, so all Charity (my roommate for 3 years) and I did was watch these movies over and over again. I know pretty much every line from each movie. I have been to the Secret Stash retail store in Redbank New Jersey. I have been to the Quick Stop. I have been to the boardwalk at Asbury Park to play skeeball. I have seen Monmouth Community College from the road. If you haven't seen these movies, I suggest you stop what you are doing and go watch them. Unless you have no sense of humor. Then forget it.


All images from www.viewaskew.com