Review of Waiting for "Superman" (2010) by Jc E — 23 Feb 2011

Again, with the documentary thing. This was another one that piqued my interest. Having run the gauntlet on education (public school, private school, home school, junior college, and state college), I can readily say that this film falls into my interest pool.

It isn't the repudiation of our public school system that some might think, but it does point out its shortcomings. However, it really paints teachers unions as the reason for many of the problems facing schools.

When solutions are presented to make schools accountable, they are met with vitriolic retorts by the teachers unions (which, the film makes a point to say supports Democratic candidates 90% of the time).

With folks like Geoffrey Canada and Michelle Rhee presenting solutions, why is it they are met with such distain at the hands of those who purport to care about the educational system in this country? Someone should turn Chris Christie loose on these people.

Still, as much as it pains me to say this, Davis Guggenheim - the man behind Al Gore's fear-mongering 'An Inconvenient Truth' - presents his case well. Manbearpig, this is not. This is real.

And, as is pretty customary, anything that doesn't fit the liberal narrative gets shut out from the Academy Awards - hence the reason you don't see this film nominated for Best Documentary.