Rating: 
Summary: Overcoming Adversity...
Review: A moving story about Greg Yance(Epps) a young man who is a drug dealer that is busted and thrown into the prison system. He is given a chance at early release in a Military type program. There he is forced to deal with a rival gang member, help build a levy in a town for an upcoming storm, and learn about who he is and what he is made of.Ultimately this is a story about overcoming what obstacles lay before you. There are some very powerful and moving performances by the support cast including Delroy Lindo and Rachel Ticotin. The film has a true and honest feel. It's filled with the bad parts of life and the hope that can shine through even in the darkest of times.
Rating:
Summary: A VERY INSPIRING MOVIE
Review: BASED ON A TRUE STORY, A CHICAGO DRUG DEALER [OMAR EPPS] IS CAUGHT DEALING DRUGS ON THE STREET AND IS FACED WITH EITHER FIVE YEARS IN PRISON OR FOUR MONTHS IN BOOT CAMP. UPON HIS GRADUATION OF BOOT CAMP, HE FINDS EXTREME DIFFICULTY GETTING A JOB. VERY TOUCHING AND VERY WELL ACTED MOVIE. OMAR EPPS DOES REAL GOOD IN THIS MOVIE AND SO DOES DELROY LINDO, WHO PLAYS A TOUGH INSTRUCTOR AT THE BOOT CAMP. THIS IS DEFNITELY A MOVIE THAT'S TOO GOOD TO MISS. WAS ORIGINALLY MADE FOR HBO.
Rating: 
Summary: Omar Epps Delivers Impressive Role
Review: Blah Blah Bla
Rating:
Summary: Pay Attention Knuckleheads..........
Review: First Time Felon is the true story of Greg Yance, at one time a high-ranking and criminally successful member of the Vice Lords street gang living in inner city Chicago. As one of his gang responsibilities, he oversees a crew of "Westside Chicago" drug dealers. During a police sweep, Yance is arrested and found in possession of heroin. While awaiting trial, he is housed in the infamous Cook County Jail where his "Set" is outnumbered and besieged by rival gang members and he witnesses firsthand, acts of violence that he had never experienced before. After being saddled with an inept and overworked Public Defender, he is plead out "guilty as charged," and owing to the large quantity of narcotics, is sentenced to a mandatory 5 years incarceration in Statesville Prison without the possibility of parole. Due to the fact that this is Yance's first felony arrest (i.e. "First Time Felon") the judge allows him to choose the option of successfully completing a three month boot camp program and probation in lieu of serving the full prison sentence. While in boot camp Yance is subjected to the unaccustomed and rigorous daily ritual of the program, a brutal (and brutally honest) prison guard and a rival gang member who has vowed to, and attempts to kill him. With steely determination Yance overcomes these and other obstacles including a devastating flood, and rehabilitates himself in the process. Once graduated and released from the program, Yance vows never to return, but faces adversity and discrimination in his quest to find employment and stay away from the temptations of his former life. After several years of hardship and many justifications to return to the streets, Yance holds true to his vow, perseveres, and finds a career as a county counselor for at risk youth. ... The story demonstrates the dire consequences of life on the street and the severe reality of incarceration. The main focus of the narrative is that no matter what your environment, with dedication, self-discipline and persistence, every person is capable of change and self-improvement, and if you are determined and refuse to accept failure, all goals are achievable. Although this film demonstrates in graphic detail the stark realities, bleak conditions and hopelessness faced by inner city youth, and at times utilizes coarse language to emphasize a point; the story of Greg Yance has an uplifting and inspirational message for everyone and should be viewed by teachers and students alike. The last quarter of the film details Mr. Yance hitting "rock bottom" despite an exemplary effort to succeed, then in a moment of clarity, avoiding a fatal mistake by recognizing the true principles he discovered during his confinement. ...
Rating:
Summary: Pay Attention Knuckleheads..........
Review: First Time Felon is the true story of Greg Yance, at one time a high-ranking and criminally successful member of the Vice Lords street gang living in inner city Chicago. As one of his gang responsibilities, he oversees a crew of "Westside Chicago" drug dealers. During a police sweep, Yance is arrested and found in possession of heroin. While awaiting trial, he is housed in the infamous Cook County Jail where his "Set" is outnumbered and besieged by rival gang members and he witnesses firsthand, acts of violence that he had never experienced before. After being saddled with an inept and overworked Public Defender, he is plead out "guilty as charged," and owing to the large quantity of narcotics, is sentenced to a mandatory 5 years incarceration in Statesville Prison without the possibility of parole. Due to the fact that this is Yance's first felony arrest (i.e. "First Time Felon") the judge allows him to choose the option of successfully completing a three month boot camp program and probation in lieu of serving the full prison sentence. While in boot camp Yance is subjected to the unaccustomed and rigorous daily ritual of the program, a brutal (and brutally honest) prison guard and a rival gang member who has vowed to, and attempts to kill him. With steely determination Yance overcomes these and other obstacles including a devastating flood, and rehabilitates himself in the process. Once graduated and released from the program, Yance vows never to return, but faces adversity and discrimination in his quest to find employment and stay away from the temptations of his former life. After several years of hardship and many justifications to return to the streets, Yance holds true to his vow, perseveres, and finds a career as a county counselor for at risk youth. ... The story demonstrates the dire consequences of life on the street and the severe reality of incarceration. The main focus of the narrative is that no matter what your environment, with dedication, self-discipline and persistence, every person is capable of change and self-improvement, and if you are determined and refuse to accept failure, all goals are achievable. Although this film demonstrates in graphic detail the stark realities, bleak conditions and hopelessness faced by inner city youth, and at times utilizes coarse language to emphasize a point; the story of Greg Yance has an uplifting and inspirational message for everyone and should be viewed by teachers and students alike. The last quarter of the film details Mr. Yance hitting "rock bottom" despite an exemplary effort to succeed, then in a moment of clarity, avoiding a fatal mistake by recognizing the true principles he discovered during his confinement. ...
Rating:
Summary: a dont miss true story
Review: i seen this movie for the first time about 3 in the morning on cable by the time i was 15 mins into it i was hooked.plus its a true story.basicly a young black male(greg yance) is headed down the wrong track,then he finds himself givin a choice 5 years in the state pen or 4 months in boot camp.i wont tell you the rest.but its a great movie and a must see.
Rating:
Summary: A movie that involves introspection,reflection, & redemption
Review: I thought this movie was going to be a typical one. First, I was upset with the profound language, but as I watched the movie more, it had more meaning and depth to it. The movie could have ended with the main character changing his evil ways, but it shows the temptation that he meets once he returns to society, and how is inner strenght must keep him alive as he deals with daily disappointments. The last 10 minutes of the movie has no dialogue, but so much is felt by the viewer. Hats off to the director, and the composer of the background music which strongly underscores the main character's road to redemption. As a teacher of high school students, I recommend the showing of this music to your students. Just be forewarned, the language is strong and you might want to get clearance from higher-ups.
Rating:
Summary: Exceeds expectations
Review: Omar Epps delivers an impressive performance, and the supporting cast is exemplary. There are several movies like it: a young man turns life around after confinement - but the story has enough twists and nuances to keep you interested in the plot. As I understand, it is the true story of a man who now counsels inner city troubled youth, an inspiring story at that. A good script, inspiring story, and good cast create a movie that I had never heard of but certainly enjoyed watching. The movie is honest - at times brutal - but never tasteless. Not appropriate for young children, but should be very poignant for teenagers, especially those who feel a touch of fatalism and despair because of their environment or socioeconomic status. Aside from the excellent acting, what I liked most about the movie was the attention it drew to the weaknesses of our public defense system and the failure of our nation's drug laws, causing problems with the penal system and hence the entire system of criminal justice in America. This movie exceeded my expectations in several ways.
Rating:
Summary: Exceeds expectations
Review: Omar Epps delivers an impressive performance, and the supporting cast is exemplary. There are several movies like it: a young man turns life around after confinement - but the story has enough twists and nuances to keep you interested in the plot. As I understand, it is the true story of a man who now counsels inner city troubled youth, an inspiring story at that. A good script, inspiring story, and good cast create a movie that I had never heard of but certainly enjoyed watching. The movie is honest - at times brutal - but never tasteless. Not appropriate for young children, but should be very poignant for teenagers, especially those who feel a touch of fatalism and despair because of their environment or socioeconomic status. Aside from the excellent acting, what I liked most about the movie was the attention it drew to the weaknesses of our public defense system and the failure of our nation's drug laws, causing problems with the penal system and hence the entire system of criminal justice in America. This movie exceeded my expectations in several ways.
Rating: 
Summary: try & try again
Review: Omar Epps is great in this movie. Its a sometimes sad yet uplifting story of one inner city youth's travels through the rites of passage that exist for many inner city Black Americans. As the movie shows the price of failure is high, frequent and unforgiving, and even if you do cross the passage, the rewards of success are met with many formidable obstacles that will test your perservance & your heart. Its not a fairy tale though, very realistic with alot of drama. I liked Omar Epp's acting and the music, especially at the end. An excellent movie
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