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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Gunnin for that #1 Spot

EMAILPRINTOscilloscope Pictures

Gunnin for that #1 Spot reviews
59
6.6 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Documentary

Written by:

Directed by: Adam Yauch

Release Date:
Theatrical: June 27, 2008

Running Time: minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for language

Starring Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Kyle Singler, Donte Greene, and Jerryd Bayless

On the corner of 155th and Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem lies Rucker Park. By appearances, the concrete pavement, anchored on one side 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 indelibly branded, and legends are born. On September 1, 2006, the top 24 high school basketball players in the nation stepped out on this court, that once saw the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dr. J to compete in the first annual “Elite 24” all-star game. Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot follows eight of these players as they prepare to showcase their skills at the most legendary playground in the world. (Oscilloscope Pictures)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

75

Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell

A basketball documentary where the climactic game looks like a Hong Kong wire-fu epic.

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75

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

The Summer Olympics may offer more intricate, arduous and high-stakes spectacles, but nothing will top the last half-hour of Gunnin' for That #1 Spot for adrenalized high spirits.

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75

Entertainment Weekly Chris Nashawaty

Glosses over the kids' lives off the court.

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70

Variety Ronnie Scheib

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch proves he can make a comprehensive, state-of-the-art docu of interest to basketball aficionados.

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70

Los Angeles Times Gary Goldstein

It's sure to satisfy the film's target youth audience's appetite for zippy visuals and swift pacing.

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67

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

Comes from a pure place. Or rather, it comes from a DESIRE for a pure place in a game poisoned by mercenary compromise.

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63

New York Post Kyle Smith

The film is well shot and edited, backed with a bouncy hip-hop soundtrack and full of pep.

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63

Chicago Tribune Barry Temkin

Yauch clearly understands this world, but his film would have profited from looking more deeply at fewer players.

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60

The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

As guileless and eager as the most avid fan, Gunnin’ is neither cautionary nor analytical, allowing its insights to occur organically and without fancy camera moves.

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60

New York Daily News Joe Neumaier

Culminating in a high-scoring, exciting game, "Gunnin'" scores.

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50

Village Voice Nick Pinkerton

As each player's run through the same routine--hometown meet-and-greet, biographical sketch, hasty interview--the burden of the formulaic structure starts to wear.

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50

Washington Post Mike Mayo

For all the flash and dazzle, Gunnin' for That #1 Spot never comes close to the power and intimacy of 1994's "Hoop Dreams." The comparison may be unfair, but, given the subject matter, it's inevitable.

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30

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

With no personalities established and nothing at stake, it's no more interesting than a pickup game on your local court.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 6.6 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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