"Above The Rim" Movie Review | The BlackBusters Podcast Ep. 5

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This week's special guest ‪@KennEdwinTV‬
Above the Rim is a 1994 American sports drama film co-written and directed by Jeff Pollack in his directorial debut. The screenplay was written by Barry Michael Cooper, adapted from a story by Benny Medina.
The film stars Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur, Leon and Marlon Wayans. The film tells the story about a promising New York City high school basketball star and his relationships with a drug dealer and a former basketball star, now employed as a security guard at the high school he was a promising young star at years ago.
BlackBusters is a podcast focused on reviewing, celebrating, re-living and critiquing Black film. From the movies we all know and love to those hidden gems, there is no movie too big or small to be praised or roasted.
Join our hosts Director/Comedia/Actor ‪@biggjah‬ and movie/podcast connoisseur Tony Price as they explore the legacy, impact and influence of Black cinema.
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[@biggjah]

Appreciate y'all check out the podcast. Make sure y'all subscribe! 2DAMAX!!!

[@IndistreeHolla]

Bro? Security guards be cleaning up? That's fucking hilarious!

[@DeANGELIS4735]

Y'all should do a review of I Got The Hook Up 1998 starring Master P and A.J. Johnson (R.I.P.)

[@DBLK504]

Do y’all ever have guest speakers? I would love to join one.

[@Lowdee1000]

Man what’s the Patreon link Brodie I know you got some early releases I be die in for the next episode…

[@bosswray54]

Continuity error when dude grabbed the rebound during the shootout and threw the outlet pass. The scene cuts to the same guy catching the outlet pass then dunking. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@drdread9896]

😂😂😂😂

[@coryhall8122]

That's basically traveling lol

[@derran82]

Me and my cousin noticed that....he was the coldest ever 😂😂😂

[@ProvidenceP]

Yea. I caught that one too 😂😂😂

[@tonyrockton]

Shep dared Nutso to do a jump and hit the backboard of the basketball hoop, although Nutso was reluctant Shep convinced to do it anyway. However after Nutso hit the backboard, it broke and Nutso fell off the building to his death. As a result, Shep was arrested and quit playing basketball, feeling guilty for causing the death of his best friend..the newspaper said he was arrested

[@claudepitts6309]

I remember. Pure talent, fatal flaw

[@curtis75black]

Nutso does exist !! Birdie (2Pac) and the coach does mention him.

[@91Definite]

Why they made Shepherd look like a druggie 😂?!

[@mattminniefield4894]

Bernie Mac mentioned him too

[@roblangcalyo]

Nutso was getting high

[@davidmckinney6066]

Nutso was on drugs him and Thomas Sheppard remember on the roof they netted and Nutso pulls some dope out to bet with

[@davidmckinney6066]

Above the rim was loosely based on Allen Iverson Kyle Watson character

[@mrIlovethe90s1]

Tupac mentions Nutso at their moms grave he existed y'all.

[@tcwhiting]

You hear that NUT!!!! The boy say he owe me!!!!! Are we even?!?!!

[@te-co_debarge]

Nutso is a real person on the movie. Remember Pac mentioned him at the gravesite. “This ain’t Nutso… I’m not that lil brutha follow u outside” or something like that

[@claudepitts6309]

His coach also made reference to nutso.

[@IndistreeHolla]

Shump as Shep is perfect casting.

[@RizzaThaDon]

Facts

[@chopdanovelist794]

Tommy Shepard, in corduroy, on sherm....!! 🤣🤣 Y'all hilarious 🤣 😂

[@denimbandit2284]

"He took a bullet for him." I damn near choked on my food hearing that. If that don't show love, I don't know what will!

[@karatekoala4270]

Birdie was the epitome of Tupac's philosophy. The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everyone.

[@King1Darius]

“I couldn’t help but notice your pain “ “My pain ?” “It runs deep. Share it with me!”

[@DaSpeakaBoxx]

Marlon name was Boogaloo 😂 not Bug

[@fkl382]

Fun Fact: The guy that played Nutso is an actual stuntman.

[@91Definite]

Oh shit 😮

[@bobhollywood4093]

I think Marlon's character in The Sixty man would've turned up like Shep if his brother hadn't returned as a ghost. He would've become dejected, loss interest in the sport and just faded into obscurity.

[@dallastexas5653]

My brother and I still say “how high can you get” to this day.

[@manrae]

The dream at the beginning was a nightmare metaphor about Shep getting high and peer pressuring Nutso to follow his lead. It's not a literal flashback to what had happened in the past. Birdie exposed this at the beginning "This ain't Nutso! This ain't that dopehead on the roof taking orders from you!". Nutso, Shep, Flip and probably many more players were getting high, much like the NBA at that time, and not understanding the consequences. Hell, just look at stories like Len Bias or Earl Manigault. Flip turned out to be a homeless drug addict, Nutso died, Shep lost his career and his mind. Hence, the dreams.

[@dfrnt_hues]

36:39 The coach and Tupac both acknowledged that Nutso was actually dead. But I thought it was possible at first

[@vegitausa]

Im gone cut the opening scene some slack lol Maybe the glass window was apart of another building directly across from where they were playing? 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@The_CigarBrotha]

The unsung hero is the sherm cause it made shep's game phenomenal 😂😂

[@MR-DESHON-R]

😂😂😂😂

[@dwb662]

I started singing along right wit yall... "Big Pimpin" Track 4...

[@DBLK504]

Shout out to Pee Wee Kirkland, the “Georgetown Hoyas scout”. 👍🏾

[@terrylopez3570]

I never paid much attention to the lack of glass or the lack of sound. Lol. But Nutzo did exist because Pac's character references him when talking to Shep later on in the movie.

[@chopdanovelist794]

Freddy Gibbs as Birdie

[@curtis75black]

That might be dope.

[@DBLK504]

WIT’ IT 👍🏾😎

[@jdavi555]

He jumped over the window 😂😂

[@michellebelle82]

I'm from NY, my preschool and kindergarten playground was on the roof. Seriously..on the roof. Enclosed by a green fence.

[@courtneysmith1558]

These reviews are seriously the best breakdowns of all my favorite movies!! Thank y'all for this dope content.

[@Lmega201]

Dope content. But just so you know the rooftop was a real gym on a roof in nyc back in the day

[@MR-DESHON-R]

Bro, this is my new favorite channel now! Easily! Keep up the amazing work!

[@brandencolbert4107]

Love the show. But y’all really went left with the sherm theory. Starting 5 Neon Boudeaux (blue chips) Spaceman (sunset park) Jesus Shuttlesworth (he got game) Thomas Shepard (above the rim) Butch McRae (blue chips)

[@darrylpaine906]

No. Nutzo was real. Remember the coach to Shep. “Wasn’t it Thomas Shepherd that Nutzo was trying to be like when he jumped.” That’s how the coach got him help Kyle

[@sjp1969]

As for the playing without a ball Kobe did it. Pianists do it. It’s a muscle memory focus thing.

[@MISCDesigns]

Without question the best movie soundtrack ever made. I almost separate the movie from the soundtrack despite the songs being littered throughout it.

[@senorrobbie1985]

I can't even argue with you.....that soundtrack was 🔥🔥🔥. And just like you stated, the film and the soundtrack are virtually stand alone entities in that when you listen to it, you probably don't even think about the movie......great assessment 👍🏽💯👍🏽💯

[@tcwhiting]

Jah your the man bro.. I’m happy I get to watch ya videos now because I feel like in the next 2to5 years your gonna blow up and be a writer or exec in Hollywood!!!

[@drced82]

I think nutso was real because the coach referred to him. I think the opening scene was a dream shep visualized nutso dying but he actually got shot while they were hooping and he ended in handcuffs cause he stayed beside him as he died

[@woodyboydagreat6517]

Yeah birdie said something about him as while

[@91Definite]

Yea I think it might’ve just been a dream 😂! These niggas made it seem like Tom Sheperd was on drugs believing Nutso wasn’t a real person 😂😂😂!

[@memphismound6788]

Just found these in the algorithms....subbed and binging

[@2Thessalonians1_7]

Nutso existed because his death was in the newspaper. Also, Shep wore the Candyman trench coat when he played Kyle one-on-one! By the way, that back board was clearly wooden!

[@CasinoDes]

Nah they were on a roof, just next to taller buildings and there was a billboard. This made me rewatch lol

[@terrylopez3570]

Above the Rim also has the worse/best edit in a Basketball Movie. During the game dud through a full court outlet pass to himself. LOL #52 on Birdie team.

[@QCee95]

😂” he got shep off sherm “ lmaoo

[@aadddtedhxh]

Kenn is hilarious...they looked over and breezed past so many of his little gags in this 😂😂

[@stumpylily]

One of my faves! Yes there were more than one continuity issues, but the scene with Birdie realizing Shep was joining the tournament...... priceless!!!!

[@JLEWIS18]

He had more than one college offer…he just had tunnel vision for Georgetown

[@marstonfobbsentertainment]

This was a great conversation 👏

[@DBLK504]

“HE AIN’T BEEN PLAYIN’!!!!!!” LOL Love it!🙌🏾👍🏾😎

[@christopherlester3240]

A lil Whitaker 🤣😭🤣😭🤣

[@chopdanovelist794]

Unsung hero was Tommy Shepard because he got redemption in the end

[@jphuture]

In finding Forrester a nyc rooftop court was used like in above the rim but the court had fencing on the roof

[@courtneypowell6435]

This movie is where I got my line name "Nutso" Blu lol

[@boondocks211]

Fun fact they played inside the same gym as Stephen maurbaury high school in coney island

[@sleepygfolks]

Y'all gotta do one or all the fridays

[@justincredible4705]

Imma say this one time and one time only. DEAD PRESIDENTS HAS THE BEST SOUNDTRACK OF ALL TIME. I know y’all gunna cover it at some point down the line. Stay blessed luv y’all

[@91Definite]

I’m hoping they review Dead Presidents! Cause I wanna hear them flame Jose’ and Skip even Kirby 😂🤣!

[@allterrainbeast6012]

Purple rain #1 Dead Presidents #2

[@mysavingfaith]

The SUPERFLY soundtrack may have a strong vote for being ranked among the best along with SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

[@meneedmoney]

@@mysavingfaithyea super fly soundtrack probablt it, Curtis mayfield bro

[@corinthianfletcher7503]

I think Shepherds ability to play well after years was that a part his spirit may have been shut down that connected him to basketball but when he touched the ball it made him come outward and revived his spirit because found purpuse for the first time and pushed self to give apart his abilities to help someone else in need even though he may felt that he didn't owe anything to a place that let him down.He didn't know he could make difference even though may have felt robbed of his past.

[@chopdanovelist794]

Marlon Wayans character was the mvp.. He killed Birdie

[@corinthianfletcher7503]

This podcast is fire 🔥

[@williamperson3577]

LOL, y'all had me cryin' in here. Ain't never heard nobody talk about that ridiculous Nutso scene. I think I just erased it from my memory and listened to the soundtrack. But that crazy Shep angle make sense.

[@WarDa4HRSMN]

The coach brought up Nutso when he was asking Shep to talk to Kyle

[@gregorychampion4843]

Duane Martin was drafted by the Knicks before he took up acting. That’s why he’s so good in basketball movies.

[@theadultsaretalking5217]

9:43 never realized that’s how he died how did I miss that now I gotta watch this movie today and also yes there are courts on rooftops

[@Fettimayne1804]

This shit was amazing. Yall made me appreciate the movie even more

[@philjwatson34]

They are wayyyyy off saying Nutso wasn’t real

[@curtis75black]

27:45 !! Yes !!! It’s the same in the medical field !! TRUST.😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@brettthomas6327]

Duane Martin was looking like Kyrie in this movie LOL Bro can hoop for real

[@MrMrHassan]

I’m at work now, bout to leave early to go home and watch Above The Rim again for the 500 time.

[@roblangcalyo]

It was a dream sequence. He felt he killed nutso by not being around him to stop him from getting high. Nutso jumped off the roof but he sees himself being the cause of his friends death

[@MR-DESHON-R]

That's deep

[@norvalboyd8022]

Love this podcast. Yall got me gonna watch all these movies again. I was a teenager when I saw this and the ones you talk about. So yes I will watch as a adult. Absolutely this was the hottest soundtrack. I bought the soundtrack before I saw the movie on the strength of death row records. Keep it up

[@jarodclarke6541]

Lmfaooo 40 plus year old sophomore hooper go crazy

[@bryanthomas4040]

Let’s not forget Kobe was known for practicing basketball without a basketball!

[@couchlenuel3551]

man you fools made me go watch again lmao

[@michaelellis1819]

Poor Birdie 😢, stop it😂

[@Mr_Gemini61]

Shep was practicing without a ball for the tournament

[@therealmarlonbellamy]

This is one of my favorite movies. Y’all keep this reviews coming. Fun Facts: Denzel Washington was the first choice to play Thomas Shepard & Allen Payne was the first choice to play Kyle Lee Watson.

[@palloaw318]

Next y’all gotta do “O” - mekhi Pfeiffer

[@jamaaljamaal55]

Shep & Nutso was on a rooftop

[@MrBjoyner82]

It could be Shep story because he was the first and last one we saw in the movie

[@philjwatson34]

The dream at the beginning is REAL. Go back and pay attention to the newspaper article that is shown in the movie.

[@glou52]

Watch when they playing in the tournament one guy throws the ball from one end of the court to other to himself and dunks the ball 😂😂

[@marcelsmith4904]

I hope y’all do one with the movie Fresh

[@00ghostcobra]

This was really good..

[@AnotherDayKay]

I have to comment on every video I watch just becsuse wow I’m about to rewatch this movie with a different understanding 😭

[@freddyfree9195]

Much respect to you guys I really enjoy the channel but I think you guys should rewatch the movie your about to do a review on

[@RighteouzReactionz]

I was just watching this earlier this week

[@range.therapist]

in the beginning, i think the window is across the alley and not at the edge of the roof. that wall is the wall for the building next door. breaking through the backboard is bullshit though lol

[@daneelderozan263]

Love this shit. This the logic me and my brother be havin

[@pev2241]

Y'all telling me,This movie about mental health 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@EscoRich36]

Not even recruited him like a college scout but he first treated him like a big brother would and wen he went against the grain he treated him like if u switch on me like Leon ima treat u like we did his homeboy

[@aveganeatin8908]

Nutszo was real cuz pac said “who you think you talking to? I’m not nutszo im not that sherm head”

[@erbgotti22]

I thoguht the glass was on the building next to where they were. It just looked like they were inside because it was dark

[@justjazzy7490]

Y’all done wrote a whole other movie. Ore and shep mention nutso. The coach and birdie. And birdie wasn’t talking about basketball when he said work together and shep didn’t do it not because he was disrespectful but because he said clearly he wasn’t “SELLIN THAT SHIT”

[@Ggurl707]

Kyle only wanted to go to Georgetown

[@vision176]

I was at a AAU tournament for my daughter and all the players fouled out they only had 4 one of the girls sister came out the stands in chucks and jeans she was hoopin we was calling her Tom Shepherd lol

[@JUniglobal]

The air up there is a classic

[@karatekoala4270]

To be clear, the soundtrack for New Jersey Drive was West Coast too

[@gerrelloxendine2355]

Pain - 2pac was by far the greatest basketball movie soundtrack.

[@johnnywalker-blue7006]

Dope

[@simmyautomatik4436]

Tone want the movie to ABC, when the director clearly captured those emotions and answered those questions.

[@ryannunley2732]

Yo, if Shep is Jordan, then Nutso might be Jordan's dad. There's a rumor that his dad died over Jordan's gambling. Maybe he was broken up over that...

[@gabbifolsom5888]

Aye is your roommate still paying your rent? Because you shouldn’t be doing no podcasts if you ain’t paying yo rent.

[@tazzjamal7747]

I think the Georgetown thing that Tone brought up. How it was for me I let a team know I'm only interested in a school so the others didn't even waste their time. So I think that's why he only was on Gtown

[@bigpreme1879]

How long did it take yall to realize boog was wearing "strength shoes" at Kyle's game in the beginning? smh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣