When School Is Not to Be

So we're hunkering down and readying for our third consecutive school cancellation on Friday. Here's hoping everyone has remained safe and, well...somewhat warm.

Anyway, with four full days remaining between now and the day of the inauguration- and with time aplenty for those students out there who may not recognize the look of a classroom after the thaw- I have created a list of my top five, "presidential-themed" (my definition of presidential-themed, that is) movies to watch between now and then. Odd choices, perhaps, but they're what leaped to mind.

Field of Dreams

President Bush is a huge baseball fan, so this should come as little surprise. Also, in addition to being one of my favorite movies, it is oft-reported that it is also one of President Bush's favorites. So, in honor of our outgoing president, the movie makes my list. It doesn't hurt that the film is so relevant to Iowa, and who couldn't use a dose of green grass, hot dogs, and the crack of the bat in this, our deep freeze?

Hoosiers

It would be hard not to be aware of incoming President Obama's affection for basketball. In fact, the NBA has reportedly offered to build a full basketball court in the White House for the incoming president. I know of no better basketball movie than this. We're in uncertain times with two wars, and an economy in strife. This feel-gooder can help remind all of the importance of remembering we're all part of the same game, and anything is possible with time left on the clock.

To Kill a Mockingbird

For our kids to understand the historical significance of an African-American being elected president, they need to also understand how unlikely such an election would have been within the time period from which this film is set (especially since, during the movie's time period, African-Americans still could not vote). Kids have to know where we've been, and that our history is theirs, too. It's no documentary, and other films certainly do a better job of crystallizing what this era in our history was all about. Sometimes kids feel safer in the confines of a good piece of fiction, though, and you can't go wrong with this one.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

In a time when we're more comfortable (often rightly so) criticizing rather than romanticizing our elected leaders, this film could just reignite the spark (depends on how much news you've been watching). Mr. Smith's quest for honest policy reminds that where there's a cause and a will, there still may be a way.

Little Women

While- as with To Kill a Mockingbird- I would recommend reading the book first/instead, four days may be too short a time to do that. How is this presidential? Well, in a presidential campaign season unlike any other, Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor Sarah Palin rose to prominence on the national political scene unlike any other woman presidential candidate before them. Plus, it takes place during the Civil War, another period in our history that should not be lost on the events of next week. Also, the source book's author was outspoken on issues of women's rights, suffrage among them. As a man, my credibility on selecting movies with strong women protagonists may be a bit thin. I've always liked this, though- and, hey, a classic's still a classic, right?

So, there it is. You now know how I'll be spending my few days- when not driving- between now and inauguration day.

NOTE: MPAA ratings for all the above movies come in at PG or milder. They are all from different time periods, however, and different time periods mean different standards for what is and is not appropriate. Like in the classroom, screening for content and subject matter is always recommended.