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21 May 2012

dissapointing

This review is from: Freedom Writers (Full Screen Edition) (DVD) i recently received the movie "freedom writers", only to discover it was the canadian version! it is in french and english all over the case and in the movie itself.

Ted Murphy 20 May 2012

Is this film formulaic? Yes. Does it accomplish what it set out to do? Yes. ... It's certainly not a perfect movie but it does offer many pleasures.

Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone 18 May 2012

See the movie, read the book, be inspired.

chunkyloverhomer 18 May 2012

Wow

I just watched this movie and I have to say that I have rarely been asmoved as I was watching this movie. I am not emotional pertaining to TVor movies but I was brought to tears on more than one occasions duringthis movie. I feel that this should be a must see for every teenager inAmerica. I will be sure to tell everyone I know to watch this. Istrongly suggest this movie to you if you are debating on what movie toget one your cable on demand channel.The issue of race is brewing in the under-culture of our country nowand I think that sometimes yes, it can be something as simple as a bookor a movie that can make a person sit back and think about how theyact. This is one of those movies. This movie will cause you to run thefull gantlet of emotions. Anger, fear, pride, humor, embarrassment,resentment, and finally hope. I cannot wait to read the book thatspawned this movie.

Manel 18 May 2012

The Magic of Cinema

Painting, Sculpture, Theater, Cinema any art in any form has anunimaginable power, a power that embraces us and we still can notunderstand. When a film becomes a weapon against intolerance andracism, against illiteracy and ignorance, we are face to face to themagic of cinema. When this happens we are dealing with a great movie.Words that reach us all, words of hope that still make us believe thatyou can believe in multiculturalism, believing that all people of allraces and shapes can join together and change the world. A very strongfilm that has not had the attention it deserved. One film that comes tous and gives us another day of hope. A superb interpretation of HillarySwank that transports us to a world of ideals, a world where theimpossible does not exist. A movie that makes us raise our voices andand believe that everyone of any color or race are part of a fabricthat is so universal richer the more you have different colors andyarns

ryancm 17 May 2012

What about the others?

Good movie, but a few questions I need answered. First of all, only oneof Erins' classes are shown. What about the students in her five or sixother period classes? What about them? Are they different? Does shehave trouble with them as well? And what about the students themselvesas they go to their other classes. History, science, math, phys ed etc.Do they cause the same disturbance as in their English class? Seeingthe movie it looks like there is only one class these kids attend andone class Erin teaches. Not realistic. Acting was above average and youcan certainly see why Hilary Swank has won two Oscars, but some of thematerial here defeats her. Also, these "kids" all looked like they wereapproaching 20 plus. Why not cast teenagers as teenagers?

pandabr96 16 May 2012

Amazing!!!

One of the most AWESOME and AMAZING movies I have ever seen! I've seenit at the theater three times so far. My husband, sister, myself, mytwo stepdaughters, and two of their friends (all teenagers) all lovedit. It is beyond amazing how far these kids came, and all they neededwas someone to believe in them. This is what REAL teaching is about,and how all teachers should act. Beautiful movie, wonderful acting, etcetc. I can't think of anything negative to say about the film. Theactors all really did do a superb job, which is part of why it's sogreat. Some parts were so heartrending. But the movie is trulyinspiring, and you walk out of the theater with a great feelingafterward. Please go see this movie if you haven't already. If you haveteenagers, I would HIGHLY recommend taking them to see it also, andmaking sure that they know it's a true story. It's so heartbreakingbecause so many kids are living life as these kids were. The only placesome of them had to feel safe was in that classroom with Erin Gruwell.I can't say enough about this movie. Can't wait for it to come out onDVD!

allie_ansted 16 May 2012

Worth the Money!

Ironically, I hadn't heard anything about this movie until after I'dread the book, which was given to me 2 weeks ago and which I was upuntil well past 1 in the morning reading. If you're in the educationfield and have a passion for teaching and reaching out to kids, this isthe perfect movie for you. A lot of people are calling it another"Dangerous Minds" and "nothing new." But, how many movies do we seedepicting violence, or the teenage girl who needs a date to the prom orthe football legend? The point is that these students were able to makesomething of themselves, and in today's time our kids need to see thatit is possible. The movie is a true story about how a teacher walkedinto class on the first day expecting to go down one path and walkingout at the end of four years on a completely different path... with ALLof her students. It's so easy to label people, especially teenagerstoday. And, often it is the labeling that does the most damagingbecause it creates an expectation that is so hard to break. This movieshows what happens when a teacher changes that expectation and replacesit with one of success.

tengraceapples 14 May 2012

I hate this movie!!!!!!!

I am so damn sick of these"save-the-black-kids-because-they-can't-save-themselves-crap." You meanto tell me that not one black teacher in that whole damn school knewhow to help the kids? Please. That's such B.S.Aside from the fact thatthe teachers at the school do the best they can, they also live in thearea and can understand what the kids are feeling far better then somewhite woman who just walked in from no where. Have we not seen thisbefore? Over and over again? I love the actors in the movie but I hatethe story. How many times can we be "saved" by white folks any damnway? None of the actors in this film needed to make it in order to makemoney. So why make it? Just in case we missed the last 100 films justlike it? Please just stop making this crap. Please.

13 May 2012

Encouraging and uplifting

This review is from: Freedom Writers (Full Screen Edition) (DVD) I loved this movie, It would be wonderful if we had schools full of such Teachers!! Someone who would just listen and understand. Excellent movie, highly recommended!

13 May 2012

Inspiring movie despite it's flaws

First off, this movie totally blows Dangerous Minds away. I went into this movie feeling it would be cheesily done like the former. I was pleasantly surprised at how well done it was. Sure, there were a few over the top moments but overall this movie was very inspiring. Hillary Swanks character is just totally cool in this movie. She does what she loves - not for money or power but because she loves her work. The movie follows pretty much the same formula as teacher movies like Stand And Deliver and Dangerous Minds but there are plenty feel good moments and I applaud any teacher who teaches like that. I can easily see how this movie can inspire a young mind to be a teacher. There were a few flaws. I didn't like how villains and bad guys were forcefully put into the movie. I mean the vice principal (or whoever she was) blatantly going out of her way to thwart Hillary was a bit too much. I mean if you don't help, then fine, but to go out of your way to try to stop her from helping the students? Calling them thugs? A bit too much.The villains don't stop here. The honors teacher who blows up on Hillary after she asks him for some support? The 40 year old wannabe architect who acts younger than Hillary's students? The father who asks Hillary her salary? All these villians just felt a little forced. A good 20 minutes could have been edited out without deteriorating the inspiring story. I can understand how she has to go through hardships, but preferably they should be the students predominantly.Swank's acting was pretty decent but nothing to write home about. The students did a fine job.This movie is a definite for people who enjoyed the other 'teacher movies' and quite enjoyable. I also daresay that this movie is nearly as good as Stand And Deliver which was just awesome. In a perfect world perhaps all teachers would strive to be like Ms. Grueller.

12 May 2012

Well done, very moving

I wasnt sure if I wanted to see Freedom Writers at first, but once the movie sgtarted I couldnt turn away. The acting was done well, there were a few rooms for improvment...but there always are with everything. the movie was casted well. ive never read the book, but im thinking about getting it. its a very inspiring movie.

jon.h.ochiai 10 May 2012

Life is Context

Life is context. Hilary Swank's Erin Gruwell tells young gangsterMarcus (Jason Fin), "… You know what happens when you're dead? Peopleare going to go on living and forget all about you!" 15 year-old Marcuswishes to "die a warrior" protecting his own. No, as Swank's Gruwellpleads his young death would accomplish nothing. For students in thisLong Beach high school this is the gang and race war, where everyoneloses, void of possibility, all about survival. For many, surviving totheir 18th birthday is a milestone. In Director and Writer RichardLaGravenese's "Freedom Writers" based on the "The Freedom WritersDiary" by real-life teacher Erin Gruwell splintered racial gangs becomea family, because Ms. G (Gruwell) really "sees" her students anddismisses their uninspired excuses. She is undyingly committed to theirgreatness. As Erin, Swank really walks the walk. She is absolutelypowerful. In giving a toast to her class Erin requests, "The person youwere. That person is over." "Freedom Writers" is the most inspiring andtouching movie of this young year. "Freedom Writers" is about seeingand inspiring greatness in the presence of no possibility, and walkingthe walk.In 1994 Erin (Swank) is a new teacher at a Long Beach high schoolteaching freshman English. Reviewing young Erin's reading list,Principal Margaret Campbell (Imelda Stanton) notes to Erin that Homeris entirely inappropriate for her student's elementary reading levels.Campbell instructs idealist Erin to baby-sit her class, because shewill not be able to teach them anything of value. If there is oneweakness of the movie it is that Campbell is a cold villain. Notknowing much about the history of this story, I would surmise thatCampbell was a victim of her own idealism being beaten from her. One ofthe offsetting strengths is Scott Glenn as Erin's father Steve, whoadvises Erin to do her time and "do your job".Erin's students know that have been written off in this racial chargedand divisive classroom. Maintaining order, much less teaching Englishis a threatening nightmare. With her father's pearl necklace and properdresses, Erin seems an easy victim. However, Swank gives Erin abeguiling spirit and tenacity. The Blacks, Latinos, and Cambodiansstake their territory in her classroom and are unyielding in retreat.Eva (amazing April Lee Hernandez) silences the room and breaks Erin'sheart when she proclaims, "I hate white people!", and proceeds tojustify. Where Erin draws her line in sand is when she sees a racistcartoon of her student Jamal (Deance Wyatt). She schools her wannabegangsters that their game is not even in the same league—as the Nazis.The tipping point occurs when Erin along with her Dad escort her classto the Museum of Tolerance as they learn about the Holocaust. Her classeven reads "The Diary of Anne Frank". Her Dad (Glenn) begins to seeErin's great gift and acknowledges her, "I admire you…" Erin isdedicated to her students carrying two other jobs so she can buy booksand provide aids for her students. However, this comes at a cost. Herhusband Scott (Patrick Dempsey of "Grey's Anatomy") supports herpassion, but with Erin giving her all to her students there is littleelse left. Here Dempsey is poignant as a good man stuck in selflesspath.Hilary Swank is amazing and powerful as Erin or "Ms. G". Although thisis early in the year, this is an Oscar worthy performance. Swank shouldonly play characters with great passion and humanity. There is anelectrifying scene where Marcus tells her Erin, "That don't fly, Ma!"Erin reminds her class that she is not their mother. Then Eva and Andre(Mario) tell her that "Ma" is a sign of respect. Swank's power ispunctuated by her listening and eloquence on screen. She silences theaudience when she tells Andre, "I can see you…" The young cast isequally strong and amazing. Eva Lee Hernandez's performance as Eva is astudy in authenticity and courage. Jason Fin as tough guy familyoutcast Marcus is deceivingly vulnerable and touching. Mario has acommanding presence and charisma as the street smart Andre. Though Evahas the showier role, Mario's Andre gives the movie much of its heartand humanity. Scott Glenn makes a very touching turn as Erin'sfather—he is great. LaGravenese never shies away from the starkhopelessness and violence of this Long Beach school. And much like forMiep Gies ("The Diary of Anne Frank") these students that endure andmove forward are his heroes, along with the woman who inspired andrecaptured their innate greatness, Erin Gruwell. "Freedom Writers" is avery special movie.

integrityandvalues 10 May 2012

Hilary Swank was not the actor for the film

Great story, poor casting. Hilary Swank has been one of my all timefavorite actors. But as a teacher in San Francisco Unified, I saw heracting as lacking authenticity and insight into how her character wouldhave had to adjust her attitude as well as the way she spoke to herstudents. Her acting was just not appropriate for the sensitivity andinsight needed to get through to kids that are struggling as much asthose kids were. She was a bit too assuming and sing-song, (which mightwork in other demographics) but in that context her character appearedpatronizing. Kids can smell that from a mile away and there is no waythat character would have had such successes. Her acting just lackedauthenticity.

vram22 10 May 2012

The last 30 minutes are good ...

... but it's not quite worth the entire 120 minute investment. It's aever-familiar story: societally disadvantaged kids get an inspirationalteacher who helps them do better in school/life. The fact that it'sbased on a true story is great, but a half-hour documentary might havebeen more worthwhile.The main problem with the movie is the generally predictable plot andshallow characters. Regarding the latter, the characters were notinteresting because they were all one-dimensional: racist (schooladministrators), unilaterally moral (Swank's character) or untrustingbut then blossoming (the students).Sometimes a movie can get away with this, but only if there's someother redeeming aspect about the movie. In this case, the story doesn'tget semi-interesting until the last 30 or 40 minutes when it begins todifferentiate itself from other similar movies.Overall, I'd have to say it's not worth spending the time watching it.Instead, read about the real-life story online:freedomwritersfoundation.org

10 May 2012

Freedom Writers

Of this movie "Who Magazine" says, "The scripting and performances are taut and intense". Again, about this movie, "Moviehole" states, "A masterful achievement that engages the mind and touches the heart". Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank stars in this gripping story of inner-city kids raised on drive-by shootings and hard-core attitude-and the teacher who gives them the one thing they need most: a voice of their own. Dropped into the free-fire zone of a school torn by violence and racial tension, teacher Erin Gruwell battles an uncaring system in a fight to make the classroom matter in her students' lives. Now, telling their own stories, and hearing the stories of others, a group of supposedly "unteachable" teens will discover the power of tolerance, reclaim their shattered lives and change their world. With electrifying from its all-star cast, including Golden Globe Award Winner Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy)and recording star Mario, FREEDOM WRITERS is based on the acclaimed best-seller, THE FREEDOM WRITER DIARY.

09 May 2012

The story of Erin Gruwell and her students, the Freedom Writers

"Freedom Writers" neatly breaks down into three parts, of which the middle third is far away the best part of this 2006 film. Two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank plays Erin Gruwell, a first time teacher who takes on a freshman English class at an integrated Long Beach high school in the wake of the L.A. riots. Her class is divided into Latinos, Blacks and Cambodians, along with one white student who appears to be the only one not in the school's Honors class. Her students are only there because otherwise they be in juvenile hall, her department head (Imelda Staunton) refuses to allow Erin's students to have any of the new books, her father (Scott Glen) is worried for her safety, and her husband (Patrick Dempsey) is not thrilled by the idea of Erin taking on extra jobs so she can do her job as a teacher.The first act of this movie really started to rub me the wrong way. I understand that in these stories, which are almost always based on the true stories of real teachers, the neophyte teacher has to fail if not fail miserably before they succeed. I found myself wondering if Erin had ever seen "To Sir, With Love" or any film about great teachers teaching those who do not want to be taught, because she cannot get anything over the plate. I could think of lots of ways of making Homer relevant to those students (e.g., once upon a time there was this guy named Achilles, the best fighter in the world, and after he was disrespected by his boss he got so angry that he ended up getting his best friend killed and had to deal with the guilt: can you top that story based on your own life experiences? Bet you can), and you do not explain internal rhyme using rap lyrics but get your students to explain it to you. So this whole part of the film where Erin gets an ongoing hard lesson on what life is like in the trenches made me want to bang my head against the wall (plus I spent the entire film worried about her pearls, which I see the real Erin is still wearing in the photograph of the real Freedom Writers at the end). The first act of "The Ron Clark Story" hit the mark much better in covering essentially the same ground. But then we get to the pivotal moment in the story, when Erin finds a racist cartoon drawing of one of her students and her anger gives her that crucial first step into their lives. If anything we are enthralled first and her students have to catch up with us as Erin comes up with the idea of the student journals that become the basis for the class becoming known as the Freedom Writers. This part where Erin discovers the secret of her success is as strong as any I have ever seen in one of these films. If Act One is a "C", Act Two a solid "A." Then we get to the final act of the drama, which earns a "B" at best. The problem with the last act is that it takes place after the climax of the film, which is when the visitor the class brings to their school ends up inspiring Eva (April Lee Hernandez) to make an important choice. We still have a half-hour to go in the movie and the final battle for Erin and her students just seems so damn petty given what the middle act was all about (Besides, while she is clearly more of a bureaucrat than a teacher, Erin's department head does raise some interesting points worth debating in the realm of education). When "Schindler's List" came out I was not as moved as others, and I realized that when it comes to depictions of the Holocaust that after the first time it really hits home with you everything that comes afterwards necessarily pales in comparison. For me it was the television mini-series "Holocaust," especially when I watched it a second time while editing out all of the commercials sitting in small room. It did not matter that later on "War and Remembrance," "Schindler's List" and other depictions would be more graphic. That one hit home. I am now wondering if the same sort of thing applies to movies in the inspirational teacher genre, where "To Sir With Love" and "Up the Down Staircase" still have power for me while newer versions such as "Dangerous Minds" and "Freedom Writers" do not. It could simply be the whole idea of diminishing returns, at least for me, with this particular formula. But if this movie from director Richard LaGravenese is one of your first exposures to this particular genre I doubt you will have any problems deciding to round up instead of round down on this one.

Pam Grady 09 May 2012

Annoying subplots and paper-thin villains ensure that the movie remains mired in mediocrity.

bubsy-3 08 May 2012

A realistic portrayal of today's inner city students

As a social worker in NYC who works primarily with teenage gangmembers, I was able to relate strongly to this film. I found the highschool students very realistic. In fact, each and every one of themcould be compared to a student that I currently am counseling or havecounseled in the past. Many directors of this "type" of film tend tofeel that they need to have melodramatic music in the film. I applaudMr. LaGravanisse for his use of hip hop/rap to break the tension.However, the scenes depicting the strained relationship between theteacher and her husband could have been deleted since they were reallyunnecessary. Despite that, this is a wonderful movie, in fact, one ofmy favorite movies of all time. A solid 10.

08 May 2012

Freedom Writers-inspiring

This review is from: Freedom Writers (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) I have always enjoyed this film and wanted an extra copy to share with a family member. I especially enjoy movies based on true stories. Always good to see movies that encourage reflection and inspire us to do good. Amazon delivered the product in a timely manner during the holiday rush.