MovieChat Forums > Hoop Dreams (1994) Discussion > If you're informed about society, this f...

If you're informed about society, this film is average

posted 14 years ago by Tapion101
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm sure at the time this film came out, people were very unaware of inner-city kids and the life of basketball prospects, hence shedding light on these subjects were like a revelation to some.

But I feel in the past 15 years, more people are more informed about these issues. So all what Hoop Dreams shows really isn't "enlightening" anymore. In fact, the whole film is pretty predictable to a viewer like me. These boys lives turned out exactly how I figured they would. I've read stories, both real and fiction, like theirs plenty times before. I wasn't moved by any of the film because I already have seen this story countless times before.

[–] Kazul85 14 years ago

i think you missed the point. this film was made not so much to inform society about the difficult plight of inner-city basketball prospects, rather it's a brilliant study which really examines the idea of the american dream better than most films i've ever seen.

[–] TheQuietStorm 14 years ago

"So all what Hoop Dreams shows really isn't 'enlightening' anymore." -- Tapion101

Maybe. The enlightenment aspect may not be there for new audiences of this film. But for me, being a black youth from the basketball culture in NYC (being one grade behind these guys in a violent city that averaged 3,000 murders a year at the time), it was never enlightening to me. I knew their struggles all too well. It was the characters that caught my attention. It was these real life young men, these good kids, who may or may not have ever gotten their shot depending on who you ask. This movie is extraordinary and will always be so because of the people, which includes their families and friends.

"In fact, the whole film is pretty predictable to a viewer like me." -- Tapion101

So, you're basically saying that life is predictable. This isn't some story written by one of the many mere mortal film writers in Hollywood. This is God's story... This is destiny, which to me is never predictable. Life isn't worth living if it can be perceived as predictable.

If you don't mind, can you tell me what was predictable about this story?

"These boys lives turned out exactly how I figured they would." -- Tapion101

Also, if you haven't already done your research, can you tell me what happened to all of the main characters in this film? If you don't know, don't cheat.

One of the best films ever made.

Million Dollar Baby Academy Award® Winner for Best Picture of 2004

[–] BulimicWerewolf 13 years ago

you also need to think how long this movie was being filmed for 8 years of these kids lives its amazing especially because its before most reality tv

[–] AfroGeek 13 years ago

Your post is like saying Star Wars sucked because the special effects are old. Or, like saying Blue Planet series sucked because you're a marine biologist and you know that stuff already. Take your pretentious ball and go home.

[–] chas437 8 years ago

Your post isn't enlightening in the least.