Are You Proud?

Well of course a movie about a swim team from Philadelphia is not what got me to go to Phipps Plaza at 11am on a Sunday morning… but instead it was the thought of seeing Kevin L. Phillips, Nate Parker, Terrance Howard, Brandon Phobbs and of course Evan Ross (exhales) wet and in speedos.



Now, in Pride, set in Philadelphia in 1974, Terrance Howard takes on the role of the inspirational tough-love athletic coaches, that commands and inspires in a soft-spoken, demure way. Howard plays Jim Ellis, a former competitive swimmer who is now unemployed, he accepts the job of packing up a dilapidated community center operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. This immediately causes some friction between him and a bitter, protective janitor named Elston, Bernie Mac, who has worked there since it was opened. As the city takes down the basketball hoops, Ellis invites a group of teens who have nowhere else to go inside to swim until the center is officially closed. Seeing talent in the teens, he takes the street ballers to swim competitors in an hour and a half. The movie is very predictable with no climax, as most “Based on a True Stories” are, but the images of Phillips in a speedo and the acting, for the most, is what saved this movie from being a bore. And in the end it does leave you questioning your own pride in your community and yourself.

Great movie no, good movie yes. You already know the outcome of the swim team just enjoy the dialogue and the sites along the way.

7 comments:

Dayne Avery said...

Mr. Red, I think I'm gonna have to call the cops. How old is Evan? lol

Unknown said...

The movie sucked... the storyline is definitely worth an hour on the Biography channel and the 70s get-ups and swimsuits were aiiiight....
I hate it when tear-jerk moments don't come together and I'm left feeling ho-hum. If Terrence Howard cries one mo' f*ckin' time in a flick I'm going to throw up my Goobers.... I mean damn boy. Wassup wit Kimberly Elise's new FAT face? Okay... that's all for me.

Anonymous said...

i saw the movie and think Kim Elise looked beautiful... i am a size 4 and i am sooooo tired of people associating beauty with slim. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Unknown said...

Celeste baby... I didn't say Kim was ugly I said, "What's up with her new FAT face?" Hmmm... ma, you may want to find out why you associated FAT face with ugly... there maybe some unconcious trigger in you that associates FAT with ugly? Keep it real ma...you are a size 4 (by your account) not a 24. LOL

Anonymous said...

i like celeste took your comment in the same way unfortunately in writter words it is hard to tell the intentions... but your immature reaction to her statement proved her assumptions were right.

even if her face is fat what is wrong with that? why do people feel celebrities must live up to their expectations.

Unknown said...

I don't see how pointing out that I never said Kim was ugly, I simply said she was fat, makes my comment immature. I realize the weight issue appears to be a sensitive one, but before jumping down folks throat you should first READ what is written... "What was with her fat face," doesn't translate to "What was with her ugly face," just because there is some sort of fat/ugly correlation on the part of the reader. Fat is not inherently ugly and thin isn't in-and-of-itself beautiful. In short though...her face was disproportionately FAT...that's what I said and that's what I meant.

Darius T. Williams said...

Okay Cocoa Rican - you starting stuff, huh?

Either way Redd - I've been hearing so many mixed reviews...I'll just wait until DVD time comes.