Who's in It: Sebastian Telfair, Jay-Z
The Basics: Did Hoop Dreams and all of its unpleasant, grim reality and not-exactly-happy ending bum you out? (Blame Kurt Cobain and his depressing, grunge-era '90s for that if you have to.) Then this ignore-the-serious-issues documentary about a rising basketball star should hit the spot.
What's the Deal? When you make a movie about an already well-documented sure thing like basketball prodigy Sebastian Telfair — a kid who was NBA-drafted straight out of high school — it's kind of silly to go back after the fact and try to insert suspense (Will he make it? Will he?!). But insert they do …
What's the Deal With the Stuff They Didn't Insert? Oh, you mean the allegations that Adidas manipulated the draft to protect its $6 million-$10 million shoe investment with Telfair? Charges that Adidas denies? That is nowhere to be found here. Happy stuff only.
The Other, More Interesting Story: Telfair's older brother, an earlier NBA hopeful who didn't make it, went to play pro ball in Greece to help support the family while Sebastian came up. The film focuses on that story of familial sacrifice just long enough to whet your appetite. And then you never hear the rest.
What's Jay-Z Doing Here? Just hangin' out.