| Above the Rim | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
|
| Directed by | Jeff Pollack |
| Produced by | James D. Brubaker Benny Medina Jeff Pollack |
| Screenplay by | Barry Michael Cooper Jeff Pollack |
| Story by | Jeff Pollack Benny Medina |
| Starring | Duane Martin Leon Robinson Tupac Shakur Bernie Mac Tonya Pinkins David Bailey Marlon Wayans |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
| Release date(s) |
|
| Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $6.5 million |
| Box office | $16,192,320[1] |
Above the Rim is a 1994 American drama directed by Jeff Pollack. The screenplay was written by Pollack and journalist-turned-screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper (writer of New Jack City), from a story by Pollack and Benny Medina.
Starring Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur, Leon Robinson and Marlon Wayans, the film tells the story of a promising New York City high school basketball star and his relationships with two people; one a drug dealer and the other a basketball star now employed as a security guard at his former high school. The movie was shot in Harlem with various scenes in the movie filmed at Manhattan Center high school in East Harlem.
Contents |
Plot [edit]
A young athlete aspiring to become a professional basketball player must make some tough decisions in this sports melodrama.
Kyle Lee Watson (Duane Martin) is a talented basketball player who is about to graduate from high school. While he waits to find out if he will receive a scholarship to Georgetown University he finds himself in a difficult dilemma over a playground basketball tournament. He must decide whether to play for and follow his good-hearted basketball coach or Birdie (Tupac Shakur), a local thug in the neighborhood. Kyle is also feeling resentment towards a security guard named Shepherd, or Shep (Leon Robinson), because his mother is falling in love with him.
Coincidentally, Kyle's coach also wants Shep to coach his team when he feels its time for him to retire, since Shep was previously a star basketball player himself. It is later revealed to Kyle that Shep is Birdie's older brother. Due to the death of a friend, Nutso, Shep cannot bear the thought of playing again.
Cast [edit]
- Duane Martin as Kyle
- Leon Robinson as Shep
- Tupac Shakur as Birdie
- Marlon Wayans as Bugaloo
- Bernie Mac as Flip Johnson
- David Bailey as Rollins
- Tonya Pinkins as Mailika
- Wood Harris as Motaw
- Shawn Michael Howard as Bobby
- Henry Simmons as Starnes
- Matthew Guletz as Nutso
- Michael Rispoli as Richie
- Byron Minns as Monrow
- Bill Raftery as Himself
- James Williams as Speedy
- John Thompson as Himself
Soundtrack [edit]
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 1994 | Above The Rim
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- | - |
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Reception [edit]
Box office [edit]
The film was released on March 23, 1994, grossing $3,738,800 on opening weeked. At the end of its theatrical run, it had grossed a total of $16,192,320.
Awards [edit]
Critical [edit]
It holds a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 19 reviews. Peter Travers stated "It's Shakur who steals the show. The rapper's offscreen legal problems are well known, but there's no denying his power as an actor." Variety said "A fine cast and the movie's general energy can't overcome that mix of cliches and technical flaws, which should conspire to prevent any high flying at the box office."[2]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
External links [edit]
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