 |
|
|
|
Gunnin for that #1 Spot (2008)
 email this review to a friend
Movie Review by Jarrod 
July 4th, 2008
|  |
'Gunnin for That #1 Spot' is an energetic sports documentary from Adam Yauch, founding member of the pioneering group The Beastie Boys, who preceded Eminem as the first white rappers to gain respect from the mostly black-oriented industry. Yauch, now in his early 40s and a devout Buddhist, continues to be active in music, but has devoted at least some of his time to filmmaking, and while his latest project is no Hoop Dreams, it is still a worthwhile effort, especially for basketball enthusiasts. The movie focuses on the participants in the Elite 24 tournament, held in Harlem's Rucker Park, where many professional careers were made. The history of the Park is explored briefly, and the top eight players are chronicled, without much insight or depth, but we do learn a bit about their backgrounds, where they come from, what they may hope to accomplish in the future. These are typically bright and ambitious young men, from diverse neighborhoods, many are visiting New York for the first time, and how overwhelming it must be to them.
Some are used to big cities, like Jerryd Bayless, from Phoenix, Donte Green from Baltimore, and Brandon Jennings from Los Angeles. The others come from lesser-known locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Oregon; all of them are roughly the same age, 19 or 20, and some of them now play for prominent university teams; Kyle Singler, for instance, joined the Duke Blue Devils. Some chose to skip college and head straight for the NBA, like Jennings; Green was signed to the Houston Rockets. When they were in the Elite 24, they were high school students, and their talents are prominently displayed; their dazzling performances on the court at Rucker are primarily what make the movie so entertaining, and it is a joy to listen to, as well, with the pulsating hip hop and funk soundtrack. While not groundbreaking or particularly inspiring, it is interesting, and made with style.
email this review to a friend
Comment on this Review:
Sorry, you must be a member to add comments to reviews.
Join or Login. |
 Subscribe to MatchFlick Movie Reviews through RSS
|
