Movie Break

We (well, the kids) have had state testing this week. Standardized testing has become insanely high stakes, leading to stressed out kids and stressed out teachers. But we're done! So this afternoon, to celebrate, about 10 of us went to see the 5:00 showing of Akeelah and the Bee. AMC theaters are showing this movie to teachers, free, for one week. Count us in!

The movie is a story of a middle schooler, growing up in the often scary world of South Los Angeles. She is a girl who has no dreams for the future, who hates her present, and has had a less-than-perfect past. The storyline centers around a spelling bee, but the movie is really about so much more than that. It touches upon the struggles of our low-income children who don't see a way out. Though these children sometimes are presented with an opportunity to better themselves their ties to the old 'hood are strong and can't be broken. It's about family, both blood family and neighborhood family. It's about learning that things are almost never black and white.

Overall, a very moving film. It's a fast two hours, and while the film is really directed at a slightly younger audience than myself, there's a universal message here that everyone, both young and old, should hear.

I highly recommend.