Gunnin' for That #1 Spot

Its been a while since we've seen a decent basketball movie released in Australia, the last one I recall was He Got Game ... but I actually saw that when I was in Canada in '99. I actually borrowed it off a friend of mine a few weeks ago ... quality.

So, I was quite surprised to just hear Triple J doing a review of a new basketball movie. After hearing their review and the name of the film I remembered Dime had been pushing it a few weeks ago but figured it might not even be released over here. I now see that it was released at the movies in the US back in June (groan) so it might go straight to DVD. Triple J's review didn't mention when it was being released here but they did give it a very good rating so let's hope it soon as I'm definitely keen to check it out.

Gunnin' for That #1 Spot (2008) - Synopsis

On the corner of 155th Street and Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem, New York, lies Rucker Park. By appearances, the green concrete pavement, anchored on either end by its run down slab bleachers, is no different than any other basketball court in the city. But this is the place where nicknames are earned and basketball legends are made.

On September 1, 2006, the top 24 high school basketball players in the nation stepped out on this same court that once saw the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dr. J, to compete in the first annual 'Boost Mobile Elite 24 Hoops Classic.' GUNNIN FOR THAT #1 SPOT documents these athletes' skills on the most legendary court in the world, showing never- before-seen footage of that 'Elite 24' game.

Directed by Adam Yauch (founding member of the Hip Hop trio the Beastie Boys and director of 'Awesome: I Shot That'), the film follows eight of the country's premiere high school basketball players on the fast track to the NBA, as they are adored by fans, wooed by colleges and sneaker companies, and groomed to be in the spotlight of the multi-million dollar game. Blending this next generation of b-ball players with a mix of raw hip-hop, jazz and break beats, and Yauchs unique kinetic filmmaking, GUNNIN is an explosively entertaining look at soon-to-be NBA All Stars.