First Time Felon
First Time Felon
R | 06 September 1997 (USA)
First Time Felon Trailers

Inspired by the true story of Greg Yance. In the film, Yance (Epps) is a hood who goes to jail for possession of drugs. He is given a choice: 5 years in jail or a couple of months in boot camp. He chooses boot camp and finds out it is tougher than he thought it would be. He braves it through and comes home a better man. He then has to deal with the real world, and never gives up no matter what the odds.

Reviews
serdarkuru75

Omar Epps portrayed Greg Yance good. A good story line but it can be better filmed. We can make selections in our life and courage needed to overcome prejudices on the way to accomplish our choices is the main idea I think. It is interesting to see the racial prejudices still have place in US but it is some kind of subliminal discrimination. You cant see openly but feel it. The movie gives this good. Also the correction methods of the government which uses military style reeducation on the movie is interesting. it reminds me the methods soviets use to politically educate the misfits to the society. The movie also portrays the dilemma of the convicts. If you made one mistake in your life a second chance is very low option for you.

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dezertxeagle2

this is a great movie. Its very hard not to like it. Its about the life of a first time felon. its also about the American prison/justice system and how hard it is to get out once your in. Although Craig made it out of the system the sad truth is not a lot of people do.America imprisons the most people out of all the countries in the free world largely due to the war on drugs. I could write a whole book about that ,but you know where I am going. My favorite part of the movie was when Omar Epps (yance)and Treach (Sams) get over there differences by that little pond. The part I hated was when the DS pushed Sams buttons and got him kicked out of boot camp.That whole thing the DS said about "Black People and Niggaz" is kind of self hating. It should be more like Good People and Bad People, because I use the later as an endearing word to my peers

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sabremookie

I am not one to cry, so it takes a powerful movie and powerful performance to pull some tears out of my eyes. This was the second time I saw the movie, and it was even more powerful than the first. Everything was perfectly balanced, so much was left unsaid in words, but got through in other ways. I have always been a big fan of Charles Dutton, and I am so impressed by his first role as a director. Omar Epps did a fantastic job, even when he is just alone in the screen, his face speaks volumes. I cannot think of a single thing I would change about this movie.Though it was a bleak picture of America, and especially black America, this movie gives us so much to hope for, and provides goals we can work towards. It sends a very very positive message to children, and I would recommend it for teenagers. I would recommend that a parent watch it with his children and then have a discussion afterward. I hope that everyone watches this movie.Though the movie has some sappy moments, I found that it was very fast paced. The timing was precise and fantastic and never interrupted the flow. Sit down and watch this movie with American Historey X and you will be in for a fantastic evening. In fact I recommend you sit down with you teenage son, watch both and then discuss.I hope this was helpful.

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Edward J. Hahn

I almost stopped watching when the inmates graduated but I hung in there and realized this movie was going beyond the cliches and attempting to show what few choices a gang banger with a record has. Very realistic.

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