Hoop Dreams (1994)
I watched Hoop Dreams (1994) for the first time on DVD (new release from the Criterion Collection). It runs almost three hours and you’ll feel like you’re watching the final seconds of an NBA championship at times—an amazing documentary.
Over a five year period, the filmmakers followed two kids who dreamed of making it to the NBA. This is only part of the story. You get an amazing glimpse into the family life of these two kids in some pretty rough Chicago neighbourhoods.
Siskel and Ebert declared Hoop Dreams as the best film of 1994 and lobbied for it to win best picture or at least best documentary. Incredibly, it wasn’t even nominated for best documentary (supposedly the Academy knew it would win because of its popularity).
It made most top ten lists that year and was loved by critics. At the time, it was also one of the best documentaries at the box office. It’s a ground-breaking film and deserves at least a viewing if you’ve never watched it.
The nice thing about the Criterion Collection release is the booklet that comes with the disc. There is an update on the two boys in the film and their families. Amazing stuff.
Stumble It!Posted in DVD Reviews at 10:12 PM
Comments
First time you saw it is now? Holy cow where have you been?
Seen that about 3-4 times (been on Bravo a few times). Now with Teds Most Excellent Overly Compressed 100% Digital Cable, I have caught this again on Documentary Channel.
When you watch it… Arthur was the better player and yet they cut his funding and kicked him out. The coach telling William “you are better than Isiah”.. what a crock.
Well made movie - esp including all the other members of the family.
Especially liked Arthur ‘Bo’ Agee (the father).. me wife was amazed that I said “this is the part where he buys the drugs” and moments later.. he is fanning the money.
Regardless a horrible school life for not only for those but many other kids that have that “dream”. This whole movie might have represented “Ricky’s life” in Boyz n the Hood. In that the meat was the “non school life” and him with the talent scout.
With crap like this happening all over the US, no wonder most athletes can’t even string a sentence together.
Cheers!
Belly
Posted by: bellyman on August 13, 2005 1:46 PM
