Two Words, One Answer.
York Public
 New York City's Best Public Elementary Schools: A Parent's Guide $21.95 There is no question that Clara Hemphill loves NYC public schools. Indeed, after reading this, I would not be surprised if she on the payroll of the NYC DOE. The book reviews just about every public school in Manhattan, which makes me wonder which ones are really the best if all of them rate a review. The reviews of the schools are all mostly positive, and the criticisms are really backhanded complements, e.g. "PS183 is so wonderful, but I'm disappointed that due to its popularity they will have to discontinue to the PreK program next year"! There is no real criticism of the curriculum offered at these schools, no mention of the many problems that plague NYC public schools (like the on-time graduation rate: 38.2% in 2006), unbelievable statements such as "there is no cookie cutter approach to PS 87 - - the teachers each paint their classrooms different colors before the year begins". It's hard to believe that public school teachers would do that without demanding more pay or complaining that it's not in their contract. Further, the curriculum at NYC public is just that: cookie cutter. Identical math curriculums at every public school, for instance. The color of the classroom is superficial, and that's what Hemphil's book is: superficial. Reading the reviews in this book is is something like reading a positive review of a book printed its back cover - - of course, the author would not allow a negative review on their book to be shown. It's the same with "Best Public Schools" - - no real criticism that would make one think that maybe these schools aren't so great is allowed. What's shameful is that people like the reviewer above say they're moving back into NYC because of what they read in this book. They're in for a surprise. I give it one star, for its lack of any meaningful criticism, and but do acknowledge that it does contains enough information not to render it worthless.  The Public Eye $2.99 THE PUBLIC EYE (1992) is set in September of 1942. It stars Joe Pesci as nickel cigar-chewing Leon Bernstein-- a "shutterbug" or free-lance photo-journalist nicknamed 'The Great Bernzini.' Bernzy' is not above rearranging crime scenes for a better picture. He'll reposition a corpse, make sure it has a hat on, and so forth. He's also a master at obtaining "impossible" shots. Example: a male domestic violence victim being removed from his apartment is covered with a white sheet so that no one can photograph the axe buried in his forehead. Disguised as a priest, Bernzy finagles his way into the ambulance and fakes administering the Last Rites. He then takes a couple of quick snaps with a mini-35 mm camera and is immediately bounced out the vehicle's back door. Classic noir elements include shadowy night scenes, a pervasively dark mood and especially Bernzy's involvement with glamorous nightclub owner Kay Levitz (Barbara Hershey), who seemingly befriends this lonely man but ultimately uses him for her own ends. The story (and their brief affair) ends sadly, in classic noir fashion. This somber film is punctuated with a high-power gangland execution of an entire mob that occurs at a small family-style Italian restaurant. Bernzy bravely positions himself in a backroom to photograph these killings as they happen, and when one mobster sees and points a pistol at him, Bernzy responds by taking his picture! Re-creation of the '40s is outstanding throughout and Pesci's atypically understated, soulful acting marks what I believe is his very best screen performance. Due to its bloody moments, this one never could have been made in the '40s. Even so, all fans of film noir will find THE PUBLIC EYE highly satisfying. I heartily recommend it. As of 9/09, "The Public Eye" was not available on DVD. |
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