Stream it now Pride 2007

 

Its funny to me how people rate this movie. I see the same reviews over and over about how its cliche just like all the other sports movies. Lets face it so are alot of movies but i dont really seem to find this cliche. If you actually watch the movie like the majority of you didnt and just skimmed the movie you will find out the ending was not cliche of sports movies. They let the weakest swimmer anchor the team. I guess you can say the plot is cliche to with the coach not being allowed to coach seeing as that has happened maybe once. The fact of the matter is that just because a movie is about a sport other then basketball or football doesnt mean it cant be a good movie. I have been a swimmer all my life seen lots and lots of sports movies more then once and this is right up their with them, regardless of my swimming backround. I give this movie a high rating not just because I am a swimmer but by how this movie plays out it has a good cast of actors, and people need to give it a break. My final statement as previously stated WATCH THE WHOLE MOVIE and dont be bias of what others say.

Pride is your typical sports movie, with a few great additions. First, Terrence Howard delivers an outstanding role as Coach Ellis as well as Bernie Mac playing the supporting character,Elston, very well. Second, there are many cliches that are turned around such as Coach Ellis suspending himself for the championship game. The movie has a lot of the same sports movie kind of stuff like the outside problems, bonding as a team, and defeating the championship in the end. Overall, Pride is a movie that keeps your heart beating, rooting for PDR all the way through.

First, Jimmy Ellis the person is worth knowing about and having our young people know about. The movie itself was excellent. The performances by Terrance Howard and Bernie Mac were first rate. Kimberly Elise always adds class to any movie she's in. The swim team member are real people and it was good to see to see the young lady competing on the swim team as well. And giving credit where credit is due, Tom Arnold makes a good villain. It's a must see movie.

There are inconsistent issues (daughter without scars when told of her fathers death). Bullock was disappointing, something I never thought I'd say. Save your money.

Like many sports movies the underdoog wins out and we feel good. This one happens to be about how a swim team was formed and won in swim meets after a lot of hard work. This is not a movie for young children, but teens and adults should really enjoy it. Good acting and story.

Its a feel good movie and it did its job. But is it too much to ask that I don't see it coming. I don't mind to feel emotional from the flim but i don't want to feel chessey because I know what the director is tring to do. With that said I love Terence Howard and the stroy is solid. So its a good movie but not great.

This movie gets a Bad rap due to being a cliche sports movie. But there is something fresh about it. Terrence Howard brings a strong performance and the sport itself is a breath of fresh air. There is nothing cliche about a swimming movie because there are no swimming movies. As for the racism plot people need to realize that this is a part of reality and any film depicting some type of overcoming of racism or descrimination is enlightening.

Aw...the inspirational sports story! You know the underdog athlete or team usually mentored by a wise and determined coach. It's one of the most overused formulas in film, and none of these three films manages to emerge as important entries in this saturated genre.

Pride (2007) - 4.5/10
Director - Sunu Gonera
Starring - Terence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise, Tom Arnold, Brandon Fobbs, Evan Ross, Nate Parker, Regine Nehy, Gary Sturgis.

Jim Ellis (Terence Howard) is an African-American swim coach who takes a job at an inner city rec center in Philadelphia because, well there isn't much of a demand for black swim coaches in this pasty white sport. Set in the mid-1970's, Ellis "inherits" a ragtag group of kids who have nothing better to do after their basketball court is torn down. Eventually Ellis instills "pride" and the swimmers compete against the priviliged white suburban kids coached by the evil Tom Arnold.

The story is poorly wriiten, especially considering a good story does exist here. The all important black vs. white angle seems forced, as does the neighborhood thug character determined to "take back" his kids. Terence Howard, an actor I genuinely like, does his best to keep the film afloat, but even he can't overcome it's shortcomings.


Peaceful Warrior (2006) - 4.5/10
Director - Victor Salva
Starring - Scott Mechlowicz, Nick Nolte, Amy Smart, Ashton Holmes, Tim DeKay, Agnes Bruckner.

Scott Mechlowicz stars as a college gymnast with Olympic aspirations. He's also a womanizer and a self-important jerk. One night he runs into a fascinating, yet strange man named Socrates (Nick Nolte) who happens to run a gas station. Socrates tries to instill morals and values, but the gymnast isn't fully receptive.....until a near-fatal motorcycle accident threatens to end his promising gymnastics career. Based on a popular book, the movie isn't quite as "simple" as most in the genre, but it finally digresses into the same cliched tried and true formula that sinks most films in this genre. Nolte is probably the main reason to watch this film, but I liked him more in the recent indie "Off the Black".

Believe In Me (2006) - 4.5/10
Director - Robert Collector
Starring - Jeffrey Donovan, Samantha Mathis, Bruce Dern, Bob Gunton, Alicia Lagano.

Based on a true story, this film chronicles the unlikely rise of a rural girl's basketball team in the mid 1960's. Jeffrey Donovan stars as Clay Driscoll, a young coach who heads to Oklahoma with his wife (played by Samantha Mathis) thinking he's going to coach the boy's basketball team. Wrong. Stuck with a pathetic team of girls and an apathetic town, Driscoll tries to make the best of the situation, soon becoming embroiled in small-town politics with a local tyrant played by Bruce Dern. Of course the girls rally around the coach and eventually become a team, afterall they wouldn't make a movie if they just kept losing!

Nothing new here at all, well except it's a girl's team instead of a boys team. Otherwise it never strays from the tried and true inspirational sports story formula.

"Pride" is one of those simple, conventional but uplifting movies about at-risk youth defying the odds and learning to believe in themselves.

However, Bernie Mac was EXTREMELY underused in this movie. And that's just the beginning of how this movie didn't meet it's potential.