johnnashthethird
Great to see serious docs like this that are made in L.A. I think I've got used to expecting anything that comes out of Los Angeles will be some gimmicky "save the dolphins" protest film.I like how the film showed the bare-boned beginnings of kids in the sport of boxing. It certainly looked nothing like Rocky or that Lights Out show. Most of the film followed the kids and their trainers as they went to fight after fight after fight in various tournaments across the country. I never realized that as an amateur that you have to box like three or four days in a row just to win a tournament. One of the kids had over 200 fights before he turned 16! The story takes on a path of its own as the kids grow older and the strong are separated from the not so strong. I won't give away the ending, but even if I did, there's a lot of interesting "fight philosophy" that makes you understand how boxing is a pure metaphor for life.
johnthomasharris
Really cool film. I thought the subject matter was going to be really interesting, and it was, but there were a lot of narrative layers to this documentary. Most sports docs just kind of play to the stereotypes but this one really went in its own direction. It's more about a lot of different individuals trying to use boxing to create a life for themselves, both inside and outside the sport. Especially enjoyed the clips of Teddy Atlas philosophizing about boxing as a metaphor for life. They were a nice balance to the sub-culture of Mexican-American kids as it was difficult to tell how they fit into the sport as a whole.Reminded me a bit of Hoop Dreams (except not so freaking long) and other documentaries that show the back-stories behind the big show.
victor ortiz
I checked this film after all the publicity came out on it and because I love boxing, but this film really dug deep into my soul. Most of the movies out there about Mexican-Americans are kind of corny and make you feel like you're just supposed to watch them. With this movie, I felt some serious hardcore pride. Not only to be an American but to be the son of really hard working parents who have sacrificed their lives and instilled in me the strength to give everything I have in every fiber of my being. I know that the lives of these kids really don't mean much to a lot of people in this country, but I understand what they are going through. It's great that films like this get made. I'd like to see more and I'll definitely support them. I like how it showed all the different sides of the culture- the fighters, the gangsters, the working guys out in the streets, the religious women and the regular guys just trying to make it with their families. It reminds me why the good decisions I made were good and the bad decisions I made were bad. Never give up on your real heartfelt dreams.
Frank Quinten
Really well-made documentary. I'm amazed that I had never heard about it until I saw a link on FB and checked it out. Seems like it should have won some awards or been on prime time cable.Anyways, it's a great story and put together in a very creative way. It not only gives a cool look inside boxers as they start out as little kids, it gives the full panorama of Latinos in this country: hustlers, gangsters, humble families, religious types and, of course, the fighters.I really enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone who likes smart documentaries or just inspiration films about not giving up no matter what people tell you!
AD
