Movie of the Day: #316 "Above the Rim"

[abomb]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109035/

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Amazon.com
This rousing basketball drama centers around Tommy "Shep" Sheppard (Leon), a former high school basketball star now haunted by the accidental death of his best friend, and Kyle Watson (Duane Martin), an arrogant high school player in danger of slipping into crime. Though Shep avoids commitment in his life as a security guard, his attraction to Kyle's mother (Tonya Pinkins) draws him out of his protective shell--but Kyle is more interested in mentorship from Shep's gangster brother Birdie (Tupac Shakur). Above the Rim is melodramatic but played with grit and energy by a solid cast, particularly Shakur. Writer-director Jeff Pollack keeps the story moving and gives the characters enough spin to rescue them from being clichés; the result is engaging despite its formulas. Also featuring Bernie Mac and Marlon Wayans. --Bret Fetzer

My Take

OK, so this isnt the best movie ever made, but there is just something I love about Birdie (Shakur). The story is slightly above average but you have to give a few extra points for a film that had Warren G's 'Regulate' on the soundtrack. All in all a pretty good grimy/NY/gang/basketball tale.

Trivia: Cost $6.5M to make and made $16.0M in the US.

A-Bomb

 

[phillycard]

Pretty good flick abomb. Marlon Wayans character was awesome as the young buck with no game trying to hang on. Bernie Mac was good too. Very nice individual performances in this joint. The soundtrack was pretty nice too!

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

At the time, the soundtrack was off tha' hook...

 

[Ryanwb]

I thought this was that movie with Kevin Bacon, where he goes to Africa...?

 

[MigratingOsprey]

yeah Leon

I enjoyed this movie and still like the soundtrack!

 

[abomb]

yeah Leon

I enjoyed this movie and still like the soundtrack!

I remember there is a very good Tupac song on there, "Pour Out a Lil' Liquor".

A-Bomb

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I thought this was that movie with Kevin Bacon, where he goes to Africa...?

The Air Up There

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

I remember there is a very good Tupac song on there, "Pour Out a Lil' Liquor".

A-Bomb

That single came from his groups the Self titled Album "THUG LIFE." With his brother Mopreme and others. If you never heard that album, it was really slept on in the early 90's and, I pretty much loved the whole thing.

 

[abomb]

That single came from his groups the Self titled Album "THUG LIFE." With his brother Mopreme and others. If you never heard that album, it was really slept on in the early 90's and, I pretty much loved the whole thing.

Yeah, I havent heard anything off Thug Life, unless maybe I have a few misc mp3s. I recall listening to '2pacolypse Now' in late 1993 and thought it was awesome. Who knew how many more classics he would provide.

A-Bomb

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Thug Life Vol 1 is a great CD that many people haven't heard of

"S*&t Don't Stop" "Pour out a Little Liquor" "How Long Will They Mourn Me" "Street Fame" - the whole thing is good

Above the Rim had so much on it:

Big Pimpin - Dogg Pound
Pour Out a Little Liquor - 2Pac
Regulate - Warren G
Crack Em - ???

That along with "The Show Soundtrack" and "Funkmaster Flex Mixtape Vol 1" created an awesome period of compilations

 

[nathan]

The Air Up There

That used to be standard Saturday morning/afternoon fair on Channel 3. I think I have probably seen it 4 or 5 times but not in quite a while.

 

[phillycard]

Yeah, I havent heard anything off Thug Life, unless maybe I have a few misc mp3s. I recall listening to '2pacolypse Now' in late 1993 and thought it was awesome. Who knew how many more classics he would provide.

A-Bomb

I think his best album hands down is Strictly for My N*****. Not a big fan of his albums, but some of his singles were fire.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

I think his best album hands down is Strictly for My N*****. Not a big fan of his albums, but some of his singles were fire.

Gotta Agree with that album as his best.

I loved the Above the rim sound track too!!