Adam Yauch

At the after party for Beastie Boy Adam Yauch’s documentary, Gunnin’ for that #1 Spot, it was pretty easy to recognize who was in the movie … just look for the giants! The film documents a 2006 game between 24 of the best high school basketball players in the country at Rucker Park in Harlem (referred to many manytimes by players as a “Mecca”). A few of the players—including Michael Beasley, whose name is constantly followed by the extended sobriquet "expected to be the No. 1 draft pick this year"—were in attendance, and the almost-seven-footers looked shy and big-footed among an adoring, rain-frizzled crowd. (During the Q and A after the film, many in the crowd kept asking Mr. Beasley if he’d come to New York. Wishful thinking).  read more »

In just a few hours, Gunnin’ For that #1 Spot, a documentary from Adam “Beastie Boy” Yauch (aka MCA), will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.

The film records the “Boost Mobile Elite 24 Hoops Classic" from September 2006, an event that brings 24 top high-school basketball players from all over the country to play at famed Rucker Park on 155th Street and Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem. The park has had plenty of previous basketball greats grace it—including Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dr. J.

“I think it’s really cool that they do this game up there,” said Mr. Yauch. “They could have done it in some gymnasium like other All-Stars type games. It’s cool that they do it at Rucker—a place with so much history.”  read more »

The Wackness, AMC Village VII, 7 p.m.

This funny and sweet coming-of-age film was a crowd-pleaser when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and should no doubt do quite well for itself when it opens up this July. Jonathan Levine directed and wrote the clever script that follows Luke Shaprio, a smart alecky New York City kid waiting out his last summer before college, dealing pot in Washington Square Park, and listening to Notorious B.I.G. A few things to know about this movie: Sir Ben Kingsley is hilarious (though we kept wondering how Dustin Hoffman didn’t get cast in this role), and—disturbingly—has an onscreen makeout with an Olsen twin. Method Man shows up briefly, and Olivia Thirlby (best known as Juno’s bestie) takes on lead female love interest. Oh, dear. First Squeezebox, and now this. (And keep reading for a Beastie Boy cameo!) The 1990's are not too recent for nostalgia. (Watch the trailer above.)  read more »