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Gunnin' Sure to Score With Hoop Fans

Beastie Boy produces shallow but pleasing documentary

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2008 5:25 PM CDT

(Newser) Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot, the second documentary from Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, is no Hoop Dreams, but critics predict a slam-dunk with roundball and hip-hop aficionados. The film follows eight high school phenoms through a high-profile Harlem pick-up game and “offers a snapshot of the kind of top players who one day hope to have a shoe named after them,” writes Variety’s Ronnie Scheib.

“The big fun is in the name recognition,” says Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic, since players like Michael Beasley and Kevin Love have gone on to be stars. But don’t expect much emotion from the film. The big game ends up being a defense-free contest “edited as an over-caffeinated highlights reel,” writes the Washington Post’s Mike Mayo. “It’s cool and forgettable.”

Michael Beasley chills at the office in this screenshot from Adam Yauch%u2019s Gunning' for That #1 Spot.
Michael Beasley chills at the office in this screenshot from Adam Yauch%u2019s "Gunning' for That #1 Spot."   (Oscilloscope Laboratories )
Kevin Love powers to the bucket in this screenshot from Adam Yauch's Gunning' for That #1 Spot.
Kevin Love powers to the bucket in this screenshot from Adam Yauch's "Gunning' for That #1 Spot."   (Oscilloscope Laboratories )
Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys poses for a portrait Thursday, June 19, 2008, in New York.
Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys poses for a portrait Thursday, June 19, 2008, in New York.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Beastie Boys, from left to right, Adam Ad-Rock Horovitz, Michael Mike D Diamond, and Adam MCA Yauch, arrive to pickup a Webby Award, June 5, 2007 in New York.
The Beastie Boys, from left to right, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz, Michael "Mike D" Diamond, and Adam "MCA" Yauch, arrive to pickup a Webby Award, June 5, 2007 in New York.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
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Gunnin' for That #1 Spot: Official Movie Trailer   (AllBallsDontBounce)

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