Hoop Dreams. Phenomenal.

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

I saw this for the first time a couple of days ago. I can't stop thinking about.

This is by far the best documentary I've ever seen. One of my favorite movies even.

The twists and turns in these kids life are better than fiction. Film writers should be required to watch this, as even mid-way through we care about these people more than most films. The parents were also fully realized, and sympathetic, Arthur's mom especially. William's brother and the St. Joseph coach were also interesting figures.

In addition, gives you a really eye-opening look at how life really is in these dangerous uber-urban slum type environments. Man these places, along with the depiction seen in stuff like The Wire, I am sure I would probably end up a drug addict, the hopelessness of the situation really radiates. It's amazing the way the two kids manage to use basketball to get them into college, even if things don't go to plan.

The scene where Arthur plays his dad in bball and all his resentments come flowing out, WOW!

Great movie. if you haven't seen it, you should.

In fact, watch it free (with the damn commercials :\) on Hulu:
http://www.hulu.com/videos/search?query=Hoop+Dreams

(i'd recommend DVD though it's pretty long)

 

[Star Wolf]

You would be suprised most of us made it out of the jungle, as my slum was once nicknamed. -t was funny seeing it in Denzel's Training Day when the rookie said we were told never to enter in less then platoon strength. I consider myself lucky that my hoop dream ended in the 10th grade.

The lesson I learned from Arthur Agee's story, the kid sent back to publc school and who won the city championship was that he didn't see himself entering college but just moving up one more step in organized basketball.