Review of Gunnin' for That #1 Spot (2008) by Lee B — 07 Aug 2011

This was an interesting and fun doc, so long as you are into basketball. I am, so I liked it. As a movie, it needs a lot more. I want to start off with the fact that this movie captures a mood that works and has a great style that makes what could have been a more dry ESPN approach that thinks the "MTV" style of the 90s fused with graphics and popular music score works for all. This movie knew it had to take it deeper and did so in a way that keeps the visual flow consistent and engaging throughout. And they picked the right subjects to follow (so it appears, though J.J. Reddick had the best day).

The biggest problem with this movie is it didn't organize it's story telling in a very good way. Lance Born Ready is introduced along with Beasley in a manner that creates questions that aren't answered. There could have been a more natural flow of telling the story when it made sense in their connection to the game at Ruckers instead of 8 profiles after something has already been said. Then, the game happens and nothing else is said. Closure, on at least the day and what they thought about it, would have been nice.