Barbara Bush's new role: Movie critic?

In the latest issue of Newsweek, Barbara Bush gives a rave review to Precious, the acclaimed movie about the life of an abused illiterate African-American teenager in 1980s New York. The former first lady writes that she and her husband hosted a sneak preview of the  movie in Houston for an audience of 200 "folks of just about every ethnic and economic background." She planned to say a few words after it ended, but found herself speechless.

"My husband would tell you that is highly unusual," Bush wrote.

She was inspired by the movie because —  spoiler alert! — the teenager is redeemed by a teacher who inspires her to learn to read and write. "After 30 years promoting literacy, I've never felt more energized," Bush writes. "Watching this movie, I was reminded why it's important that we keep working so hard."

Bush oversees a foundation that has given out 773 literacy grants throughout the nation.

However, Jezebel notes that Bush liked the movie a whole lot more than the National Board of Review did. The organization of national movie critics left Precious off its list of the year's top 10 films. Upon seeing the list, The Hollywood Reporter's Roger Friedman accused  the NBR of not liking "black movies."  That, in turn, has caused caustic back-and-forth comments on the blogosphere.

But as Jezebel notes, "Who needs any of this stuff when you have Barbara Bush's endorsement?"

• Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Jezebel, National Board of Review, Precious
• Barbara Bush, Roger Friedman

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