GetPapa Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

cydneyalexis In my field of writing studies, a concept called "sponsorship" (Brandt) is infamous. This concept speaks to the phenomenon by which structural, institutional, and often invisible forces give access to literate resources to some, while denying it to others (and the "sponsors," who are not individuals, but rather institutions, corporations, etc.) benefit from their sponsorship in some way. This film, better than any other I've ever seen, demonstrates how sponsorship works.CCAP, a culinary organization of sorts, awards college scholarships to inner-city high-schoolers who exhibit culinary skill by winning in local cooking competitions. This film traces one set of resource-poor inner city youth who, over the course of their high school careers, take a culinary course with a demanding, over-bearing teacher who trains them for this competition (typically with much success, and in the film, you find out exactly how much money this program earns for the kids). CCAP provides the means by which kids can escape their situations, and in the process, earns it own monetary, tax, and charitable rewards.The film itself does not discuss sponsorship. However, it shatters myths about inner-city youth being too lazy, uneducated, or dumb to succeed in life, and instead shows just how much resource-poor kids have to do to reap the same rewards as those who are resource-rich. These kids get up at 5 a.m. to work in the school's kitchen, are asked to train in the kitchen from 5 a.m.-til the end of the day during their Spring Breaks, work on the weekends and after school, play on sports teams, and still have to earn high enough grades to stay in the culinary arts course, which is only offered to the top students in the school in which the course is offered.I don't agree with the previous viewer that this film lags in the middle. It is a tense, moving, compelling, and often tear-jerking film that will grip you and teach you a lot about the world we live in.I highly recommend that any teacher who reads this review runs out and purchases the film immediately. I use it in most of the courses I teach, especially when I want to get at issues of racism and privilege.

runamokprods It gets a little lost and repetitive in the middle, but this uplifting documentary of inner-city kids competing for scholarships to culinary colleges packs an emotional wallop, and manages to be truly inspiring without being sappy. It's also full of wonderful characters, starting with their teacher, a sort of drill sergeant with a heart. This is the kind of teacher every kid needs – one who isn't afraid to be tough as nails, but underneath is flowing over with love for 'her kids'. She's quirky, odd, unpredictable, and you can see that her students adore her. The students too are a fascinating bunch, from the huge football player who really puts his all into his cooking, to the recent immigrant from a poverty stricken village in Africa who sees America as a land of opportunity in a way very few of us born here can. A lovely film with a sense of humor and a great message.

Torrence Mays I just loved this film! To watch them all grow together within one year and just become outstanding chefs is just a pleasant sight! I'm a culinary enthusiast and to watch Ms. Stephenson in action with those students just says that she's all about her job.Ms. Fatoumata just made me smile the entire way through. Her passion about education and strive to continue on with her life despite her father's opinion just shows that she's a strong woman of integrity.Ms. Erica's love for her family, more so her little sister, just puts into perspective that she will continue to fight for her beloved ones and her future.Last, but certainly not least, Mr. Tyree. This All-Star High School football player and cheerleader has gone to great heights. For him to put forth his maximum effort into everything he has done without the fear of his peers, has touched me tremendously. Certainly not one to fool with on the field nor in the kitchen, he has marked a spot for his success.I know Chef/Sergeant Wilma Stephenson and her crew has made this film in 2007 and its now 2011, I wonder how each of you are doing. Once again, the film was amazing. And hope to see you all back on the big screen in the upcoming years.God Bless you all and be safe.

rutietooty Pressure Cooker was charming, heartwarming, funny, sad, deeply moving and joyous.I was clapping and crying (tears of joy)for the students and their wonderful teacher at the and of the movie. I just loved this film. I feel like these kids are in my heart now and I want all the best for them always. I would love to know what happens to the group as they head off to college and beyond.The strength and determination of these kids was inspiring to me. The strength and determination of their teacher was just as inspiring. I would watch it again and I will definitely recommend this film. Thumbs WAY up!