Tribeca Dispatch: Monday, April 28

The answer to my Sunday quandary (talk vs. movie): the flick. It actually was an easy decision: 1) I love college basketball; 2) I love hip-hip; 3) Time Out New York described Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot as “the hip-hop Hoop Dreams.” Hoop Dreams frequently appears on my favorites list; 4) It was a red-carpet premiere; 5) Brooklyn Jen, who also loves college basketball and hip-hop, was able to go; 6) The prior two years, a competition-themed documentary (The Heart of the Game and Chops) was my favorite thing at the festival.

My decision was the correct one. I’ll get to the review below, but for now let me just say that being surrounded by happy high-school students and a happy Brooklyn Jen definitely boosted my liking of the film. So did the reason for Jen’s excitement: the presence of four of the eight players in the documentary, including the likely #1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Kansas State's Michael Beasley. I guess he scored that #1 spot?

Movie seen: Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot
What it is (description from TFF Web site): Rucker Park. The mecca for all street basketball players. In Beastie Boy Yauch's super-energized documentary, eight of the country's top 24 high school players participate in the first "Elite 24" tournament on the same court that helped turn Dr. J, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain into legends.
Viewing partners: the aforementioned Brooklyn Jen
General festival notes: Most people become star-struck when they meet actors. I become giddy when I meet critics. While one I encountered proved to be a jerk, I’d rather focus on Scott Weinberg from Cinematical.com. I discovered his site when I was searching for Tribeca coverage Sunday, and I was pleased with the number of reviews and panel write-ups. I complemented him when we met Monday, and he seemed flattered. Therefore, I bookmarked his site, and I encourage everyone to check it out: http://www.cinematical.com. In other news, for the first time in three years, I had a cold, rainy volunteer day. Waah! I worked Press & Industry screenings at the Village East and was super-busy the entire time.

Review: As March Madness memories fade, Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot revives the excitement of amateur basketball. The passion of director and Beastie Boy Adam Yauch cannot be denied, making it easier to accept the documentary’s organizational issues.

Yauch focuses on the first Elite 24 tournament, which took place in September 2006 at Harlem’s famed Rucker Park. (Rucker even receives top billing in the “cast.”) He examines eight of the 24 players, including three likely picks in next month’s NBA Draft: Michael Beasley, Kevin Love and Donte Green.

While Yauch spreads his attention among the players fairly evenly, this also brings Gunnin’ to a long timeout: After a jumbled intro about Rucker and the tournament, we spend the next 35 minutes on very similar star profiles: intro, video of skills, family presence, why Rucker matters to them. Prankster Beasley and the laid-back Kyle Stringer manage to stand out. (The latter on giving up his starting-quarterback gig: “There’s something I’ll miss about football. [Beat] I don’t know what it is.”)

A cool fish-eye lens angle moves the action from Brooklyn to Manhattan, improving Gunnin’s rhythm. As one might expect from a rap legend, the marriage of music to sport stands out, a greatest-hits package of New York City hip-hop from the past 10 years. Indeed, Yauch may be too successful: The Notorious B.IG.’s “Hypnotize” was so electric I barely focused on the third quarter! The game contains slick passing and thrilling scoring drives captured in slo-mo, highlighted with colorful on-court commentary. (Per Rucker tradition, the greatest players earn nicknames; “Shampoo” is the best.) Unfortunately, Yauch breaks up the game for lessons on sneaker endorsements and player rankings - useful information, but he needed to weave it in better.

Gunnin’ isn’t a slam dunk, but it nevertheless swishes into my sports-loving heart.