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"Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve." - Roger Lewin

READERS FEEDBACK ON MOVIES AND MORE

Now and then we like to respond to readers' feedback.  The most feedback we have received in a long time came in response to our February 24 issue on movies we like.  But before we share your favorite movies, here are two questions that have been sent in . . .

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The most common cause for this is that our software automatically drops you from our mailing list if your server for any reason bounces back your message three times.  However, recently our server had a glitch that caused two consecutive issues not to be sent out.  We will send them out this week so you won't miss anything. If you stop receiving ExchangeEveryDay, try resigning up at http://www.ccie.com/eed/index.php

"I am disappointed that this has turned into a self-promotion vehicle.  What happened?"

This is a valid question.  If you go to the Home page of www.ChildCareExchange.com and click on "past issues of ExchangeEveryDay" you can read the past 500 issues.  Of these 500 items, about 1 in 15 focus on an Exchange product or service.  However, if you look at the issues over the past two months you will see that 1 in 8 promote Exchange.  This is because we have recently introduced a large number of new products and services--Out of the Box Training Kits; Articles on CD; Connecting: Friendship in the Lives of Young Children; Exchange Leadership Institute; and World Forum 2005).  We are proud of these new contributions to the field, and are happy to share them with you.  

Now, the moment you have all been waiting for--readers' favorite movies:

Cathy Carman:  "Avoir et Etre" or "To Have and to Be" was an excellent movie about a teacher in France. It is in French with English subtitles and is a must see for anyone connected with education!!!!!!!

Dale Wares:  "Whalerider," the coming of age story of a Maori girl in New Zealand breaking traditions and following her instincts.  I guess not exactly a sleeper since the girl, a Maori who had never acted before won an academy award nomination, but my favorite movie of the year.  Followed by "Bend it like Beckham", about the cultural conflicts experienced by first generation children in a new culture.

Joy Caluag:  You may try "Harrison's Flowers", a story about the historical war between Croatia and Serbia. It's a good movie. And it is so meaningful especially for me since I am living here now in Croatia with my Croat boyfriend who also happened to be a war vet.

Bob Benowitz:  "City of God" is the story of adolescent street life in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, unforgettable characters, subtitles, my teenage son thought is was great.

Edna Ranck:  You come up with the greatest lists!  Here's my faves - although some may not have been sleepers originally.  "True Lies" -- this is the only Arnold film I have . . . or want.  Don't let the spy theme and the explosions and shootings fool you.  This is one of the best movies on marriage ever. The real story is the  relationship between Arnold and Jamie Lee Curtis.  The interrogation scene and Jamie Lee's speech about wanting to take risks and be valued is moving.  "City Slickers I" -- in addition to being funny, it clearly is about caring about someone else more than yourself.   The giveaway scene is when Billy Crystal goes after Norman, the calf , in the river, and then his two friends risk their lives to save him and the calf.  Jack Palance deserved his Oscar.  "Some LIke it Hot" -- It is one of the great U.S. films ever for people over a certain age,  but new generations need to see it.  It's also about caring about someone else, but beautifully acted with all those stars worth watching for their consumate acting skills.  "Isn't She Great?"  I think this went straight to video.  It's the story of Jacqueline Susann (Valley of the Dolls).  Who knows how accurate it is.  But it's touching; she was going through chemo at the same time she was publicizing the book.  And Bette Midler and Nathan Lane are wonderful to watch.  Also, David Hyde White, Stockard Channing and John Cleese--the dialog isn't always the most profound, but it's moving. "Tea With Mussolini" -- great British and American actresses, including Cher -- watch for Maggie Smith's body language at the end when she says they haven't taken orders from the Germans or the  Italians and they aren't going to take them from the Scots!  That shrug is worth the whole film.

Jennifer Britten:  I have to agree with Bonnie. I love the non-hyped movies as well. I loved each one on the list. My concern however, is the nomination of a particular documentary titled, "Capturing the Friedman's". This documentary covers the life of the Friedmans, a father and son, who in 1987 were accused and admitted to the sexual abuse of children. The problem is that the information contained in the documentary supports myths that further injure victims of childhood sexual abuse. These myths are outlined in www.stopfamilyviolence.org  I urge you to look at the site and support their efforts to not have this documentary nominated for an Academy Award. Only one out of ten children will ever confide about their abuse. At the age of eight years old, I was sexually abused by my babysitter. Therefore, I use my voice to speak for those who have been so traumatized that they choose to not speak of their pain.  As people who work with children everyday we know the realities such crimes can leave on the entire life of an individual.  

Kathy Modigliani:  My favorite movies this year were "Angels in America" on HBO, then "The Hours".  "Whale Rider" and "The Station Agent" were refreshing change from action and violence.  I was disappointed with "Lost in Translation", because I had hoped to learn about Japanese culture; but afterwards I liked the idea that these two people could be friends and not lovers.  Looking forward to reading more.  

Sandra Mead:  Kia ora. Not sure how much hype there is at the moment for New Zealand movies, "The Lord of the Rings" voice is very loud here. However, make sure you see "Whale Rider", made right in my home town, based on a local legend, and a great story.

Elise Goldberg: I'm with you on "Kolya" and "Amelie" both foreign films. Also "Central Station" and "Babette's Feast" would fall into "films good enough that I had to see them more than once" and would see them again. I'm sorry to say but I still feel that films made outside the USA have more appeal. They are grittier, the characters are not all so pretty, the places look real, the dialogue is more believable.

Janis Elliot:  Three movies I would put on the sleeper list:  "Remember the Titans" -- true story of the struggles of a high school foot ball team and their coaches charged with being the first integrated football team in Tennessee.  "Drum Line" --  the story of a young, African American male who loves playing drum......strong family context, great story of learning.  "The Other Sister"  --  story of relationships in family of young developmentally delayed woman striving for independence.

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