Gunnin' for That No. 1 Spot

Critics Consensus

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch proves his worth as a director with Gunnin' for That #1 Spot, a fun-filled chronicle of the top high school hoopsters of 2006.

74%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 42

66%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 418

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Movie Info

Rucker Park in New York City's Harlem has been host to many legends, such as Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Now, the top high-school basketball players in America will assemble on the same court to compete in the first annual "Elite 24" all-star game, which is seen as a good measure of a player's NBA potential. This documentary trails eight of the teens as -- preparing to become champions -- they demonstrate the required dedication that accompanies a swift rise to greatness.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Language)
  • Genre:
    documentary
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Adam Yauch
  • Producer:
    Jon Doran, Jim Kaufman, Adam Yauch
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     screening
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:

Cast & Crew

Michael Beasley
Tyreke Evans
Bobbito Garcia
Narrator
Brandon Jennings
Jason Kidd
Kevin Love
Adam Yauch
Director
Jon Doran
Producer
Jim Kaufman
Producer
Adam Yauch
Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Gunnin' for That #1 Spot

Critics Consensus: WALL-E Is the Best-Reviewed Film of 2008
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Critic Reviews for Gunnin' for That #1 Spot

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (11)

  • Quote not available.

    November 17, 2011 | Rating: 5/5

    Joshua Rothkopf

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • To concentrate on the film you have to be a basketball fan, or just a basket case.

    October 10, 2008 | Rating: 1/5

    Derek Malcolm

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • Unlike the 1994 basketball doc Hoop Dreams, which investigated collateral issues of education, race and money, this merely sets a twitchy hip-hop soundtrack to an unenlightening parade of eager sporting wannabes.

    October 10, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    Anthony Quinn

    Independent (UK)
    Top Critic

  • A ho-hum basketball documentary.

    October 10, 2008 | Full Review…

    Tim Robey

    Daily Telegraph (UK)
    Top Critic

  • This is just a dull promotional video.

    October 10, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • The slow-motion footage of these athletes showing off their macho skills is generously underpinned by rumbling hip-hop. Great nightclub wallpaper.

    October 10, 2008 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    James Christopher

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (42)

Audience Reviews for Gunnin' for That #1 Spot

  • Aug 12, 2009
    "Gunnin' for That #1 Spot" is a haphazardly constructed documentary centering on the Elite 24 game in 2006, a glorified all-star game featuring the best high school basketball players in the country, held in Rucker Park in Harlem, site of many legendary amateur games in the past. Occasionally, there is a bit of insight from talking heads about the state of high school basketball and what these athletes can expect to experience in upcoming years as they hope to eventually play in the NBA.(For example, Tyreke Evans was drafted by the Sacramento Kings as the fourth pick in the most recent NBA draft.) The dream has not changed in decades, even if agents and shoe companies have become involved with the basketball players when they are much younger. Sadly, there is nothing here about basketball players no longer being able to make the jump directly from high school to the pros. Almost half the documentary is spent on the personal histories of eight of the basketball players, nothing of which is memorable(In other words, there is nothing along the lines of a double amputee supporting her twelve children by working three jobs.), despite their diverse backgrounds. And remember when filming sporting events, keep it simple. Let the athletes do the talking with their play.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 19, 2008
    Having just seen Hoop Dreams, this film doesn't compare. I mean it's Hoop Dreams - ultra light, with 10 kids, instead of 2. And the thing is, this film could've been captivating, focusing on how those guys are trying to FIFTH graders to choose a school and a brand of sneakers. But it's in the hands of Adam Yauch, the Beastie Boy, who makes a commendable effort, but doesn't realize the fast-forward and slow-motion camera tricks are really fucking outdated. It's frustrating. Watch the movie expecting it to be about the rucker park game, you'll be all right. Watch the movie expecting anything else, you might ask yourself why you didn't just settle cozying up for another hour and enjoying a good film like Hoop Dreams.
    matt s Super Reviewer
  • Dec 11, 2008
    Pretty cool documentary about some young basketball players trying to show their worth before going into college. Directed by Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys.
    James B Super Reviewer
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