Above the Rim Movie Review 1994

Vulgar, violent hoopster drama about a fiercely competitive inner-city playground game. Kyle-Lee Watson (Martin), a self-involved high school star raised by a saintly single mom (Pinkins), is torn between the lure of the streets and his college recruiting chances. His odds aren't made any easier by homeboy hustler Birdie (Shakur), who wants to improve his chances of making money on the local games by making sure Watson plays for his team. Energetic b-ball sequences, strong performances lose impact amid formulaic melodrama and the usual obscenities. Debut for director Pollack.

Distribution

New Line Home Video, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (310)854-5811, Fax: (310)854-1824, URL: http://www.newline.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 97 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Moms, Basketball, African America, Urban Drama, Rent-a-Cop, Teen Angst, Sports Dramas

Screenplay

Jeff Pollack, Barry Michael Cooper

Cast

Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur, Leon, Marlon Wayans, Tonya Pinkins, Bernie Mac

Director

Jeff Pollack

Music

Marcus Miller

Producer

Jeff Pollack, Benny Medina, James D. Brubaker, New Line Cinema