Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

CN If you're a parent and you're looking for what NOT to do as a parent, this is the show for you! Truly a disgusting display of poor parenting skills. Whether it's the moms or the dads, they are all warped. One mom wants us to believe she's got Jesus on her side, but she's just a warped as the dads, maybe more because she doesn't believe what she's doing is wrong. When Justus's dad is screaming at him in the car while visiting the mom in Washington I was shocked that his mother didn't stop that cr4p when it first started to happen. Clearly they've got some 'family dynamic' issues when her 2 middle boys have a different daddy than Justus and the baby - I feel certain his bad behavior didn't just start when Justus was 15, but regardless his dad's attitude and approach was disturbing to say the least - sort of glad when he got hurt. :) Poor Amari, that sweet baby just needs a hug and a high five - her daddy is just looking for a big pay day off the back of his child. The basketball boys have it rough too, but at least their dad's say "I love you" occasionally, which is more than some of the others ever say.

yang_l This is a documentary that successfully captures the moments which really provide an insight into these children's lives. You really cannot help but feel awful for these children; whilst I appreciate there is some value for parents to push their children, the extent to which they are pushed is just disgusting. As others have mentioned, the dad of girl that was playing golf is just horrendous. How could anyone treat their child in such a way.It was particularly ironic when the parents of the two basketball players managed to get the coach fired - for 'bullying'. Absolutely awful. As the coach said, it's sad to see a generation where everyone is so heavily focused on themselves.As for the family of the football player, the car ride scene was heart-wrenching. It baffles me that a parent would think that they would gain respect by speaking to children in such a way. The mother knew what was wrong with the way her child was spoken to, although lacks backbone to stand up for her opinions. The father though, goodness. No words.It's definitely an interesting insight into the lives of kids who are being pushed to the limit and beyond by their parents - and I do not say this in a positive manner. A must watch for all parents, to observe what NOT to do.

kathleenmcbrair This was a really hard one to rate as it's difficult to cut through the content, which is so disturbing. Whether preaching God or manhood, these parents completely lost the plot of life, which is our obligation to our children rather than some distorted obligation for them to validate us. Even the twins' mother, with her psychology background, over-thought and over-talked everything, completely ignorant of the fact that her kids have become numbed out -- ultimately, no better than the featured parents who are openly abusive to their children. Less than halfway in, I wondered how many of these kids would succumb to substance abuse or suicide. Ian's father was the only parent in whom I saw a glimmer of hope for redemption, but there seemed to be a decline towards the end. I did not find Coach Meier likable or sincere, but his words were correct -- this is abuse. Blaming a coach for your child's athletic "failure" (and Ian is far from a failure) teaches lack of personal responsibility, acceptance of reality and lack of acceptance of the child, no matter how they excel -- there is no pleasing these parents in the end. Amari's father even said as much -- he's proud of her but "can't" tell her. But you have to consider the source given he lamented that you can no longer beat children without being arrested. This documentary would serve well in custody suits, but in a few of these cases, the mothers are conspicuously absent. I suspect they are as repressed as the kids, but I can't muster up much sympathy for mothers who stand by while their kids are being tortured by men who have clearly never matured into reality.There was no child for whom I didn't feel strongly in this documentary, but Justus in particular struck me. I was (conditionally) relieved to hear that he left his father, but this kid can't catch a break. He was again cast into the responsibility role with his mother's illness, a woman who apparently has never put much thought into the fathers she has provided to her children. I hope that Justus will channel his sensitivity and life experience into a career that involves helping others. He is clearly suited for such a path in life, and I hope he comes to recognize sports as recreational and not a definition of manhood -- something his father certainly has distorted. I wish these kids all the best and that they can overcome their unfortunate parentage.

MartinHafer Rarely have I been angrier than when I watched this documentary. The film is about some kids who have parents who are the ultimate helicopter sports parents--parents who insist their children MUST succeed and at any cost. What will you see in this film? Well, several parents use threats of physical abuse to motivate their little athletes. All of them use emotional blackmail and emotional abuse (though the mother of the tennis players wasn't as bad in this respect) and literally have robbed their children of childhoods. And again and again, it's shocking that these parents haven't had their kids taken away from them and the schools have often caved in to their bullying. It is not an exaggeration that these parents are among the most vile you could imagine. After all, a crack-addicted parent could blame crappy parenting on the drug but these parents have no such excuse.Okay, it's obvious the film created a huge emotional reaction within me. But what about the technical merits? Well, when the film began I noticed that the camera-work was simply awful--and the camera bounced around as if it was using a monkey cam. Fortunately, it DOES get better...so stick with it. My only question, though, is how could the filmmakers watch all this abuse and not get involved? Sure, I know they wanted to make a film but there also comes a point where you'd think they'd have a responsibility to take their material to Children's Services.By the way, if you want to watch a film that touches on SOME of this but offers a much wider range of parenting and the children's enjoyment of the game, try "The Short Game". And, incidentally, one of the vilest parents is in BOTH films.Overall, I'd say the film is good despite some technical glitches because it DOES get your attention and hold it. But it also is VERY frustrating because the viewer REALLY wants to know what's happened to these poor kids.