I haven't seen this yet, but the trailer looks good and it's certainly a subject that needs closer examination.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTfaro96dg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOnAIdIMoeI&NR=1

FYI: The documentary is not about the comic book hero.

[Edited on September 30, 2010 at 7:06 PM. Reason : But it does, once again, show the far-reaching effects of the fictional Superman character.]

9/30/2010 6:57:09 PM

Good trailer. Hope the Galaxy picks it up. (I like the member discount)

9/30/2010 8:05:37 PM

I really hope this is available to watch around here. someone needs to talk to spookyjon

10/1/2010 10:15:44 AM

We're definitely getting it at Galaxy. I think our booker was supposed to get the release date today, so I'll let you guys know. I've heard it's awesome and heartbreaking.

10/1/2010 11:13:04 AM

10/1/2010 12:10:31 PM

^ I'm well aware of the filmmaker's political leanings. Way to Google.

10/1/2010 6:03:31 PM

that isn't why that picture was posted

but I wouldn't have expected you to get it anyway

10/1/2010 6:05:14 PM

kids seriously get chosen for a school based on a lottery? that's so fucked up on so many levels

10/1/2010 6:09:58 PM

I've read the book upon which some of this is based, 'Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America.' Highly recommended.

^ The lottery system is heartbreaking because some students/ families who really want it/ deserve it don't get selected whereas others who aren't as invested do. But, with such limited spots and so many families wanting to have their children enrolled in the special schools, what other option is there?

[Edited on October 1, 2010 at 8:10 PM. Reason : g]

10/1/2010 8:10:01 PM

for clueless hooksaw (the actual video of this is better, but WMG won't allow it on youtube)

10/2/2010 3:26:15 AM

well.....

when is Galaxy picking this up?

10/8/2010 9:16:05 AM

Quote :

"I've read the book upon which some of this is based, 'Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America.' Highly recommended. ^ The lottery system is heartbreaking because some students/ families who really want it/ deserve it don't get selected whereas others who aren't as invested do. But, with such limited spots and so many families wanting to have their children enrolled in the special schools, what other option is there?"

lawl, I'll have to get in a lottery just to try to get my kid in a year-round public school (assuming there'll still be year-round schools in 2013).

10/8/2010 10:00:21 AM

^^^

My good man, are you insinuating that the hooksaw is a dummyhead?


[Edited on October 8, 2010 at 10:05 AM. Reason : ]

10/8/2010 10:01:13 AM

Quote :

"when is Galaxy picking this up?"

Most likely 10/22. I'll post when I have a confirmation.

10/8/2010 10:27:42 AM

Confirmed for 10/29 at Galaxy.

10/14/2010 11:09:40 AM

i'll be there for the 1pm show tomorrow

10/28/2010 9:05:29 PM

Quote :

"The lottery system is heartbreaking because some students/ families who really want it/ deserve it don't get selected whereas others who aren't as invested do. But, with such limited spots and so many families wanting to have their children enrolled in the special schools, what other option is there?"

I have to agree. I had to go through lottery system with my son for him to attend a private school. Luckily he was selected and has done very well. Now the school is turning charter, and they are stating that they all students will have to go through the lottery system again. (To add insult to injury, they want to do the lottery in July 30 days before start of classes)


III

10/29/2010 12:38:06 PM

i am drained. that was the most emotionally-exhausting movie I've ever seen.

rarely does a movie compel me to act out, but I really feel like I need to get out and do something now

10/29/2010 3:24:05 PM

act out ? or take action ? im confused by your wording.

10/30/2010 2:48:02 AM

Just saw this movie tonight. I thought it was excellent!

11/13/2010 12:33:14 AM

I hope that "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down was used in the soundtrack

it fits well with the theme of the documentary

11/13/2010 12:49:09 AM

Hmph, maybe I was just already familiar with the subject matter

Maybe it's because I attended a low-performing, underfunded public school, myself

But there was nothing really earth-shattering about this film to me. (I mean, it was well made and informative.)

What's been most surprising to me is how few people seemed to be aware of the general state of our public schools to begin with.

*shrug* :/

11/13/2010 3:24:29 AM

Quote :

"^ I'm well aware of the filmmaker's political leanings. Way to Google. "

haha, what a dumbass

11/13/2010 5:36:17 AM

^^ I remember at a lunch once I was sitting with a young man from the Maryland suburbs and a special ed school teacher from eastern DC. The guy from Maryland, who had to be at least in his late twenties, simply could not believe half the stuff she was saying: principal embezzled money, a single teacher getting placed with a dozen students whose records indicate that they need one-on-one supervision because of mental issues and even physical violence, a typical tenure of about 1.25 years at the school because of burnout, and the sad fact that for many of these families, this was the best option available.

11/13/2010 8:12:28 PM

Quote :

" what other option is there?""

here's a radical thought, how about you just make ALL the schools special/good? force competition between them, valuing not just end of year exam results (which i think are retarded across the board) but more of a comprehensive understanding of all subjects across the student body via school wide competitions then between schools in districts and then between districts themselves. rewards are funding (allocated to winners and the worst performing) and additional training (where the top schools come in and train the worst performing schools on methods and content). This makes a strong incentive for the top schools to actually extend their expertise to lower performing schools as well. You will have to start this in 1st grade. (i really really really do not like the government being involved in Pre-K and K education, K education should be provided but that's it, those K levels should be attached to elementary schools they send their students too. there should be enough schools so that you don't have to be bused any more than 30-40 minutes, or you can walk to school. with more internally and externally cooperating schools fostering pride in their own units/students you will end up with diversity that is apparently so PC these days, as well as providing a much stronger basis of lower education as a whole.

add this to my long post in the soap box, (which shortly says that everyone should go to some sort of post secondary education, be it vocational (electrician, plumber, contractor, mechanic(s), industrial, secretarial other technicians). or college (your base level professional degrees, accounting, mid-level supervisory positions (with the training of those below you plus added course work to facilitate between the workers and management) or university, (pre professional (pre-dental/pre-med/engineering/architecture/upper level business, chemistry, bio-chem, physics etc). and finally graduate school for dentistry, medicine, phd's, MBA's, Law, etc)

provided you show the aptitude in HS (via grades and testing and other factors) you would go to one of these three to gain either further or more specialized training. after which again based on performance and experience and reccomendations and other factors you could move up, from one upper level to another at any time after you have completed the previous level (you can skip over levels as well)

/rant

11/14/2010 3:25:29 PM

Quote :

"force competition between them"

Competitions have losers as well as winners.


Also, more to the point, not all teachers can be good... there just aren't that many smart people in the world who want to do that for a living. Sturgeon's Law (90% of everything is shit) applies to professions as well.

[Edited on November 14, 2010 at 3:30 PM. Reason : .]

11/14/2010 3:30:00 PM

^ i'm glad you can selectively read.

and that's true about 90% shit, i think we need to pay teachers quite a bit more and eliminate the crap ones.
[quote]rewards are funding (allocated to winners and the worst performing) and additional training (where the top schools come in and train the worst performing schools on methods and content)

11/14/2010 4:02:56 PM