Hooped Up

Yesterday, I reviewed Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot and today you’ll all get a shot at reviewing it yo delf! I have an extra copy of this ill DVD that can be all yours in the first ever Hooped Up giveaway. It’s simple, funniest Photoshop caption of the picture above wins the copy no foolin’!

E-mail your submissions to hoopedup@gmail.com and the contest ends November 25th.

Good luck!

UPDATE: All caption no longer need to be Photoshopped in, rejoice!

Just before my server went down (arrgh!), I received a copy of Gunnin’ for that Number #1 Spot directed by Adam Yauch b.k.a (better known as) MCA of the Beastie Boys thanks to the good folks over at Oscilloscope Laboratories and it’s good to finally say “awesome I f*ckin watched that!” 

The documentary centers around the first ever outdoor all-star showcase of the top 24 high school players in 2006 at hoops Mecca, Rucker Park in Harlem and it was an idea way past due!  The great thing about this showcase game is that if you play at Rucker and look bad, no future sponsor can save your rep and these kids enter knowing that!  So as much as these kids want to be one day named along side of Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Larry Bird.  Don’t think for a second that they don’t want to me mentioned alongside street legends like Pee Wee Kirkland, Joe “The Destroyer” Hammond and Earl “The Goat” Manigault just as much; and Yauch was able to capture this feeling with accuracy in Gunnin’ for that Number #1 Spot.

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Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller does not want you to see the latest Kevin Smith comedy titled “Zack And Miri Make A Porno” so bad, that he has pulled it from his chain of megaplex theaters.  Don’t worry thought, he’s okay with Saw V because a guy only gets cut in half and he knows guidance counselors and sex ed teachers have covered that chapter already.

“We feel [Zack and Miri] is very close to an NC-17 with its graphic nudity and graphic sex,” the chain’s General Manager Cal Gunderson [who I guaran-goddamn-tee you hasn't seen it] said. Asked why Megaplex has no problem showing the R-rated, ultra-violent “Saw V,” which shows a man forced to crush his own hands to escape a pendulum cutting him in half, Gunderson said: “No comment.” 

NY Post

Below is the trailer for “Zack And Miri Make A Porno” out today and it’s SFW, unless you work for Larry Miller. Read the rest of this entry »

Lebron James was on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos last night, and had a really laid back conversation regarding the Toronto International Film Festival documentary  More Than A Game, the Olympics, business, family, Chris Bosh and a few other things.  

Props to the CBC, for the video and sound quality!

After waking up at 7AM to score the $45 tickets for two, fighting traffic, and parallel parking into shoe box sized parking spot, we finally made it to the Ryerson Theatre to watch More Than A Game and yes…it was more than worth the trip! Filmed by first-time director Kristopher Belman. The documentary is based on LeBron James as the main subject and his relationship with childhood friends Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton, and Willie McGee becoming men, and ultimately finding success.

This film lived up to all the hype surrounding it, like LeBron James did while filming this movie before entering the NBA draft as a high school player from Akron, Ohio. It was authentic, funny, action packed and moving.  I had goose bumps when the music would drop over the intense basketball action throughout the film.  Although, the Ja Rule playing when they came back to Akron after being ranked #1 in the nation…I could have done without.  

By the end of the movie my lovely girlfriend cried, LeBron James cried, Dru Joyce cried and Romeo Travis cried. After LeBron James wiped away his tears, he commented to the audience.

“This is the first time I’ve cried, in basketball or anything, since we lost that national championship game in eighth grade.”

After watching this movie, you’d be crazy not to cheer for LeBron James as a person and player.  

(I took this photo at the “Invitational Slam Dunk Competition” at Yonge- Dundas Square just after watching the film)

The LeBron James world tour continues, with the Toronto Film Festival the next stop.

“The Cavaliers’ megastar, fresh off helping the U.S. basketball team win gold at the Beijing Olympics, will be at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend for the debut of “More Than A Game,” a documentary chronicling his rise to stardom and how he and four childhood friends overcame long odds to win a national championship in high school.”

Press Release

I’ve been hearing about this film for a while and today was the first time I seen the trailer. Ball Don’t Lie, is directed by Brin Hill and is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Matt de la Peña. Grayson Boucher, AKA “The Professor” of the AND 1 team, stars in the film along with Rosanna Arquette, Nick Cannon Al Jefferson, Dania Ramirez, Ludacris to list a few others.  

The film premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival and is set to arrive in theaters in early 2009.

I’m a sucker  for a basketball film but, I haven’t made up my mind if the movie is just going to be a cliché or a real basketball film.  Judging from the trailer it could be a toss up.  What do you think?

5. Above the Rim (1994)

Starring: Duane Martin, Leon, Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans, Bernie Mac
Director: Jeff Pollack

The basketball action was way to scripted although good and the story of inner-city youth using sports to escape the ghetto…kinda old. However, Tupac’s potrayal as the local kingpin is too real and the soundtrack is easliy the best on the list.Plus you, you know you were trying to bring Kyle Watson’s game to the park back in the day after watching this flick.

Memorable Quotes: Birdie - “I’m the one! Shit has changed! It’s a new day, bro. If you can’t clean up your act,I suggest you raise the f*ck up and get the hell out of Dodge… or get caught up.”

The rest of the best after the jump Read the rest of this entry »

As I mentioned last week, Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys is set to make his directorial debut with Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot opening tomorrow in selected theaters across the USA.   The documentary follows top high school players invited to a tournament held at Rucker Park in Harlem to showcase what they got.

Adam Yauch sits down to discuss the film with IFC.

Hooped Up

Here is a first look at Beastie Boy Adam Yauchs film Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot and damn does it ever look sick! The film officially opens in selected theaters on June 27, a day after the 2008 NBA draft and features prospects such as Kevin Love, Michael Beasley,  Jerryd Bayless, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Donte Greene, Lance Stephenson, Kyle Singler and more.

With this type of documentary you can’t go wrong Adam Yauch, hungry high school players and Rucker Park!  I can’t wait to see this film!

Hooped Up