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In the Shadow of the Moon is a documentary of the Apollo space walks on the moon. This documentary uniquely offers us insights and memories of all of the astronauts of the Apollo missions except Neil Armstrong as we experience footage never seen before and it’s better than any movie on the subject. Probably no coincidence that Ron Howard (Apollo 13) produced it. It’s the real thing and that’s more powerful than fiction no matter how spectacular the special effects can be. Go-cart riding on the moon, wow. The visuals are gorgeous. Hard to believe the footage comes to us from the 60’s.

There was a time that the world could appreciate us as the returning astronauts traveled the world after they returned to earth after the first walk. Now where are we? I was struck by how they could feel free to travel openly and be embraced by all.

I need to see it again, to share in the glory of what is was to feel proud to be an American, a human being. When James Lovell remembers the trip home, feeling a part of the universe, I’m there with him, we all are. Can we say the same about Iraq? It’s all about these heroes who are humble and open and down-to-earth and passionate about our planet and embracing every day of their lives.  They are inspiring.

And then there’s the truly dark side of humanity, Jodi Foster’s latest, The Brave One, which by the way, was number one at the box office this weekend and we supported her, willingly. On Thursday we watched Jodi on Charley Rose speak passionately with her director, Neil Jordan,(The Crying Game) and her producer about the process of creating this piece. We couldn’t wait. A young woman who loves her New York, who walks the city and creates moving essays for her radio show. She is riding her crest, preparing to marry the man she loves until, as they walk their dog in Central Park both are brutally beaten by lowlifes. Her boyfriend killed, she returns to her life transformed and scared. She buys a gun and begins on a strange path of vigilantism. It was hard to watch. It ’s violent and uncomfortable and without enough interior understanding of the character’s motivation. Why? Share with us!

Terrance Howard as the honest police detective offers her a lifeline but there are missing pieces here as well and as we move to the climax we are left unsatisfied. It’s like patiently experiencing a book or play and waiting for the payoff. For us and lots of reviewers there was just not enough pay off. Sorry Jodi and Neil, we wanted to love it and couldn’t, but did you really need us? It’s come and gone. It’s the moon walks and the humanity of the Apollo astronauts that remain with me and make me feel great to begin yet another day on this earth.