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I love basketball. There was a time in my life when if you told me I could meet one-on-one with the Steven Spielberg or some other celebrity or play some hoops for a couple of hours, the decision would have been tough. And Im not convinced that the celebrity would win the decision.
-- Local show times, theaters.
Thats a bit tongue-in-cheek, but you get the point. I love the game. Some of the best times I had playing basketball were in Tri-Cities. A bunch of us from the Tri-City Herald newsroom and a few community leaders used to play a couple of times a week. At one time in my life, I played at Pasco High School at 5:30 in the morning three days a week with a bunch of guys equally addicted to a good game on the hard wood.
I quit playing for eight years and started playing again just before my 60th birthday. What few skills I used to have are diminished, but the love of the game never dies. Forget football. Nada to soccer. Basketball is the most exciting game in the world at any level.
So why all this gushing over basketball? I just saw a great basketball documentary, and I want to share it with other fans of the game. How about that, just in time for the beginning of basketball season. More that a Game is the name. If youre a fan dont miss this one.
Basketball superstar LeBron James played on what is considered the best high school basketball team of all time. Thats debatable, but Kristopher Belmans documentary that follows James and his teammates from grade school to high school graduation isnt.
The films emotional highs and lows peak with a leap-out-of-your-seat and start cheering ending. Its the fascinating story of a group of kids who love the game, love each other and moved as one on and off the court.
They also became quite famous. That fame led to challenges beyond the court.
More than a Game is about more than the game. Belman includes interviews coaches, family, friends, spectators, school officials, shots of news coverage at the local and national level and leaves it all on the floor.
Even better, the movie is about James and teammates, and not just about King James and his posse. Everyone gets equal time, and they all give their perspective about what may end up being the best time of all of their lives. And that includes James incredible success in the NBA and as a celebrity.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 1/2 stars
Rated PG for some mature themes. It opens Friday, Oct. 30 at Regals Columbia Mall 8.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
