Shooting Stars might be labeled a sports drama, but at its core, the biographical film released on Peacock June 2 about Lebron James’ high school basketball team from 1999-2003 is about hard work, perseverance and triumph over the obstacles life throws at you.
Chris Robinson (Atl, The New Edition Story) is the director who was tasked with showcasing the talent and tenacity that made James (played here by Marquis “Mookie” Cook) and his teammates — Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton and Romeo Travis at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio — successes on and off the court. And more importantly, lifelong friends.
“Can you imagine being 15 and the whole world is having a conversation about you?” asks Robinson as he reminisces about the hype around James and his core teammates known as the Fab Four in junior high, and eventually the Fab Five as Travis...
Chris Robinson (Atl, The New Edition Story) is the director who was tasked with showcasing the talent and tenacity that made James (played here by Marquis “Mookie” Cook) and his teammates — Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton and Romeo Travis at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio — successes on and off the court. And more importantly, lifelong friends.
“Can you imagine being 15 and the whole world is having a conversation about you?” asks Robinson as he reminisces about the hype around James and his core teammates known as the Fab Four in junior high, and eventually the Fab Five as Travis...
- 6/14/2023
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal is close to a deal on a movie pitch dramatizing the 2009 documentary More Than A Game – the story of the early days of NBA superstar, LeBron James – with the player and his manager, Maverick Carter, on board as producers.
The documentary was written and directed by Kristopher Belman, with Brad Hogan as co-writer, and was well-received at the time of its release. It centres on LeBron James and four of his teammates – Dru Joyce III, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee – progressing though Ohio High School basketball, under Coach Dru Joyce II. Tracking those early careers, the film then depicts the eventual rise of James to international stardom.
Hollywood loves a good ‘work-hard-and-succeed’ inspirational tale, and they don’t come more inspirational than LeBron James. Born to a hard-working, teenage, single mother, but supported by leading figures in the local sports scene, he bonded with his teammates and...
The documentary was written and directed by Kristopher Belman, with Brad Hogan as co-writer, and was well-received at the time of its release. It centres on LeBron James and four of his teammates – Dru Joyce III, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee – progressing though Ohio High School basketball, under Coach Dru Joyce II. Tracking those early careers, the film then depicts the eventual rise of James to international stardom.
Hollywood loves a good ‘work-hard-and-succeed’ inspirational tale, and they don’t come more inspirational than LeBron James. Born to a hard-working, teenage, single mother, but supported by leading figures in the local sports scene, he bonded with his teammates and...
- 5/3/2014
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
Yes, LeBron James stunk up the court during Miami Heat's NBA Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks. But he still doesn't deserve all the abuse, says Buzz Bissinger.
I was listening to the press conference of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra Sunday night after the team's humiliating loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association finals. I knew of the media's perverse obsession not only with the dismal play of LeBron James but also with James himself. I still thought the first question at least would have something to do with the Mavericks and how well they had played.
Related story on The Daily Beast: The Media's Selective Sex Scandal Savagery
The first question was about James. The second question was about James. The third question was about James, all of them in the same vein of what went wrong with him and why had he been so...
I was listening to the press conference of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra Sunday night after the team's humiliating loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association finals. I knew of the media's perverse obsession not only with the dismal play of LeBron James but also with James himself. I still thought the first question at least would have something to do with the Mavericks and how well they had played.
Related story on The Daily Beast: The Media's Selective Sex Scandal Savagery
The first question was about James. The second question was about James. The third question was about James, all of them in the same vein of what went wrong with him and why had he been so...
- 6/14/2011
- by Buzz Bissinger
- The Daily Beast
Everyone has heard of Hoop Dreams, the film that more or less set the standard for sports documentaries. Like that film and countless other documentaries have proven, the key to a good doc is a healthy dose of realism and theatricality, making the mundane take on greater stakes, even for a brief moment. Thus, the director with a cinematic eye has become a valuable tool in the documentary world, capable of making handsome products that only sometimes err on the side of fiction.
More Than A Game must have truly been a passion project for Kristopher Belman, who pulls quadruple duty as director, producer, co-writer, and cinematographer. He certainly does set out to tell a true story but charts it as a series of recurring motifs, flashbacks if you will, intercut with talking head interviews. Despite covering a tired subject, Belman attempts and sometimes succeeds in uncovering new insight and...
More Than A Game must have truly been a passion project for Kristopher Belman, who pulls quadruple duty as director, producer, co-writer, and cinematographer. He certainly does set out to tell a true story but charts it as a series of recurring motifs, flashbacks if you will, intercut with talking head interviews. Despite covering a tired subject, Belman attempts and sometimes succeeds in uncovering new insight and...
- 2/11/2010
- by Mark Zhuravsky
- JustPressPlay.net
"More Than a Game" is currently available on DVD.
The basketball documentary was released on February 2 through Lions Gate Entertainment. The story of one of the most phenomenal hoops sensations to recently hit the court comes complete with special features in its home format for additional audience enjoyment.
The film focuses on Cleveland Cavaliers prodigy LeBron James and his early journey toward fame with the rest of his high school b-ball team, nicknamed in their entirety as the Akron Fab Five. During his childhood, James grew up on the court, teamed with friends Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III and Willie McGee. The foursome were joined by Romeo Travis in high school, and with coaching duties performed by Dru Joyce II, the team grew to be one of the most noteworthy in the history of Ohio sports.
The film was a critical success, garnering praise from sources such as Vibe.com,...
The basketball documentary was released on February 2 through Lions Gate Entertainment. The story of one of the most phenomenal hoops sensations to recently hit the court comes complete with special features in its home format for additional audience enjoyment.
The film focuses on Cleveland Cavaliers prodigy LeBron James and his early journey toward fame with the rest of his high school b-ball team, nicknamed in their entirety as the Akron Fab Five. During his childhood, James grew up on the court, teamed with friends Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III and Willie McGee. The foursome were joined by Romeo Travis in high school, and with coaching duties performed by Dru Joyce II, the team grew to be one of the most noteworthy in the history of Ohio sports.
The film was a critical success, garnering praise from sources such as Vibe.com,...
- 2/11/2010
- icelebz.com
Chicago – Some documentaries tell stories that are so suspenseful and crowd-pleasing that one would swear they were written by Hollywood screenwriters. The extraordinary series of events chronicled in “More Than a Game” has a trajectory and formula straight out of a classic “rags to riches” sports picture. Let’s hope Sandra Bullock doesn’t star in the remake.
Director Kristopher Belman sensed cinematic potential in the story of his hometown basketball team, the Fighting Irish of St. Vincent-St. Mary high school in Akron, Ohio, and began filming them in 2002. Four of the players (aka “The Fab Four”) had been friends since childhood: small yet swift Dru Joyce III, imposingly large Sian Cotton, remarkably skilled Willie McGee, and future NBA superstar LeBron James. Belman’s instinct and luck were impeccable, and the footage he captured was arrestingly candid. His resulting film, however, is a touch too slick for its own good.
Director Kristopher Belman sensed cinematic potential in the story of his hometown basketball team, the Fighting Irish of St. Vincent-St. Mary high school in Akron, Ohio, and began filming them in 2002. Four of the players (aka “The Fab Four”) had been friends since childhood: small yet swift Dru Joyce III, imposingly large Sian Cotton, remarkably skilled Willie McGee, and future NBA superstar LeBron James. Belman’s instinct and luck were impeccable, and the footage he captured was arrestingly candid. His resulting film, however, is a touch too slick for its own good.
- 2/10/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – “More Than a Game” has to be one of the luckiest documentaries ever made. Director Kristopher Belman began taping a some freshman high school basketball players in 1998. One of those players was future NBA superstar LeBron James.
Belman picked this particular group of b-ballers for a three reasons: One, they were from his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Two, he needed a college documentary project. And finally, the core group of players (which included Lebron James) had been together as teammates since the sixth grade. Belman took notice of them as high schoolers, right after they had lost the national Aau championship as eighth graders.
So began a journey that documents these “fab five” hoopsters from children to men in a scant four years. During that time the team’s nucleus – Willie McGee, Romeo Travis, Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton, LeBron James and Coach Dru Joyce II – would accumulate a mind-blowing 103 wins,...
Belman picked this particular group of b-ballers for a three reasons: One, they were from his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Two, he needed a college documentary project. And finally, the core group of players (which included Lebron James) had been together as teammates since the sixth grade. Belman took notice of them as high schoolers, right after they had lost the national Aau championship as eighth graders.
So began a journey that documents these “fab five” hoopsters from children to men in a scant four years. During that time the team’s nucleus – Willie McGee, Romeo Travis, Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton, LeBron James and Coach Dru Joyce II – would accumulate a mind-blowing 103 wins,...
- 2/2/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Incredible high school game footage of LeBron James may lead one to believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers star and current NBA Most Valuable Player is the marquee hero of director Kristopher Belman's rousing documentary “More Than A Game.” The realization that someone in the film actually towers above LeBron is a welcome surprise. “More Than A Game,” as much a film about teenage friendship and the need for role models as a high school championship season tale, finds a hero worth celebrating in Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Varsity Basketball Coach Dru Joyce II. Coach Dru heads the bare-bones club team Northeast Ohio Shooting Star in order to help his speedy but short son Dru "Little Dru" Joyce III play basketball. He overcomes limited resources, its worn linoleum- floored Salvation Army gym, racial tensions and the fact that many of his key players have stressful home lives and makes them on-court champions.
- 10/14/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Chicago – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 15 prize packs up for grabs to the new documentary “More Than a Game” with LeBron James!
Each prize pack includes a T-shirt, poster for the film, CD soundtrack and sweatband. Along with LeBron James, “More Than a Game” also features Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee from writer and director Kristopher Belman.
To win your free “More Than a Game” prize pack courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is tell us about your most important mentor in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! “More Than a Game” opens in Chicago on Oct. 16, 2009. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for “More Than a Game” with LeBron James.
Image credit: Lionsgate
Here is the plot description for “More Than a Game...
Each prize pack includes a T-shirt, poster for the film, CD soundtrack and sweatband. Along with LeBron James, “More Than a Game” also features Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee from writer and director Kristopher Belman.
To win your free “More Than a Game” prize pack courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is tell us about your most important mentor in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! “More Than a Game” opens in Chicago on Oct. 16, 2009. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for “More Than a Game” with LeBron James.
Image credit: Lionsgate
Here is the plot description for “More Than a Game...
- 10/9/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
They call him King James these days, and he's one of the NBA's biggest and brightest stars, but once upon a time LeBron James was an uncommonly talented kid from Akron, Ohio, whose rise to royalty started with the support of a bunch of friends/teammates and a life-changing coach. More than a Game, a new documentary now open in limited release, follows their story over the course of nine years and reveals how James never left behind his friends, coach -- or the hard lessons he learned about friendship, family and teamwork -- on the way to the top. PopStar was on hand when James, Coach Dru Joyce, teammates Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, and Romeo Travis, as well as director Kristopher Belman, met the media during a press conference at a New York City hotel. Following are excerpts from James' part of the conversation. LeBron, Kris...
- 10/2/2009
- by ianspelling@corp.popstar.com (Ian Spelling)
- ScreenStar
Dru Joyce III. Romeo Travis. Sian Cotton. Willie McGee. LeBron James. Which one of these does not sound like the others? Well, only one of them is a household name, as the star forward of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made history by leaping from high school notoriety straight into NBA stardom. But all five young men were stars on what some call the greatest high school basketball team of all time. Three out of the four years this quintet was together, their Catholic school (St Vincent-St. Mary High School) won the Ohio state championship (capped off in their senior year with a national championship title). More Than a Game, the new documentary from first-time director Kristopher Belman, tells the story of this band of brothers, known in Akron as the Fab Five. Each of their stories is intimately told, woven together from the perspective of someone who has come to...
- 9/30/2009
- TribecaFilm.com
See new TV spots from Lionsgate's documentary "More Than a Game," directed by Krisopher Belman. The film includes LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis and Coach Dru Joyce II. In theatres on October 2nd. Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about uncommon friendship in the face all too common adversities. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James...
- 9/25/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Here is the trailer for Lionsgate and Harvey Mason Media film More Than A Game opening in theaters October 2. The documentary is directed by Kristopher Belman. The film features LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis and Coach Dru Joyce II. Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about uncommon friendship in the face all too common adversities. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from [...]...
- 9/16/2009
- by The Critic
- SmartCine.com
Another soundtrack from LeBron James' documentary "More Than a Game" has got a music video. Titled "Drop It Low", the song is sung by Ester Dean and has Chris Brown's vocal on the hook. As for its supporting video, it sees the likes of Nelly, Keri Hilson and Soulja Boy making cameos in addition to Chris.
"More Than a Game" does not have only one Chris Brown-featuring song but two. In addition to collaborating with Ester Dean, he also teams up with Mary J. Blige on a track titled "Stronger". Another theme song for this film comes from a heavy collaboration called "Forever" among Drake, Lil Wayne, Eminem and Kanye West.
"More Than a Game" is expected to come out in selected U.S. theaters on October 2. It follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio.
"More Than a Game" does not have only one Chris Brown-featuring song but two. In addition to collaborating with Ester Dean, he also teams up with Mary J. Blige on a track titled "Stronger". Another theme song for this film comes from a heavy collaboration called "Forever" among Drake, Lil Wayne, Eminem and Kanye West.
"More Than a Game" is expected to come out in selected U.S. theaters on October 2. It follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio.
- 9/15/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Another version of music video promoting "Stronger", Mary J. Blige's single which serves as a theme song for documentary movie "More Than a Game", has been debuted. While the previous one only features footage from the film and excludes Mary's performance, this new video has her appearance intercepted in between the flick's clips.
Beside being featured in "More Than a Game", "Stronger" will also be included in Mary J. Blige's forthcoming studio effort of the same name "Stronger" which will arrive in U.S. stores on November 24. This track has Mary joining forces with Chris Brown on the hook.
As for "More Than a Game", the movie is expected to come out in selected U.S. theaters on October 2. It follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio. It is also supported by Dru Joyce,...
Beside being featured in "More Than a Game", "Stronger" will also be included in Mary J. Blige's forthcoming studio effort of the same name "Stronger" which will arrive in U.S. stores on November 24. This track has Mary joining forces with Chris Brown on the hook.
As for "More Than a Game", the movie is expected to come out in selected U.S. theaters on October 2. It follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio. It is also supported by Dru Joyce,...
- 8/21/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
AFI-Discovery Channel Silvercos Festival will open with Kristopher Belman's "More Than a Game" on June 15 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in the Washington, D.C., area. It closes June 20 with Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer's "The Nine Lives of Marion Barry."
"Game" follows the incredible rise of five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio, led by future NBA superstar LeBron James and coached one of the player's father, Dru Joyce III. Belman and players Willie McGee and Romeo Travis will be in attendance, and schedule permitting, James may attend.
"Barry," an HBO Documentary film, looks at the former mayor of Washington who is scheduled to attend along with the filmmakers.
"Game" follows the incredible rise of five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio, led by future NBA superstar LeBron James and coached one of the player's father, Dru Joyce III. Belman and players Willie McGee and Romeo Travis will be in attendance, and schedule permitting, James may attend.
"Barry," an HBO Documentary film, looks at the former mayor of Washington who is scheduled to attend along with the filmmakers.
- 5/1/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The trailer for the upcoming LeBron James documentary "More Than a Game" has appeared online. The film, which premiered at last year's Toronto Film Festival is set to appear in theaters on October 2nd, in limited release. Plot: "More Than A Game" follows NBA phenom LeBron James and his four starting teammates (Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee) back when they were part of the up-and-coming St. Vincent-St. Mary High School varsity basketball team -- and how each overcame his own adversaries in order to win ball games and remain on top. A feel-good story about friendship, loyalty and what it takes to become a true champion, More Than A Game also gives us a closer-than-ever look inside the historic rise of future NBA legend LeBron James. Click here to read more about "More Than a Game."...
- 4/18/2009
- WorstPreviews.com
Let’s face it, if you don’t know that the NBA playoffs are about to begin tomorrow, then you just aren’t a sports fan. In which case, you probably won’t be lining up to see Kristopher Belman’s “More Than a Game”, his documentary on Cleveland Cavaliers manking LeBron James. The doc chronicles the king of the court from his days as a high school basketball star to his current reign as the NBA’s biggest superstar. But it’s not all about James, it’s also about the four guys (Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis , Sian Cotton, and Willie McGee) who came up the high school ranks with him, but have since faded into the shadows as James’ spotlight grew. Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about friendship and loyalty in the face of great adversity.
- 4/17/2009
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Thanks to Cinematical, we now have the official poster for "More Than a Game," which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year. It is directed by Krisopher Belman and is now scheduled to hit theaters on October 2nd, in limited release. Check out the poster below. Plot: "More Than A Game" follows NBA phenom LeBron James and his four starting teammates (Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee) back when they were part of the up-and-coming St. Vincent-St. Mary High School varsity basketball team -- and how each overcame his own adversaries in order to win ball games and remain on top. A feel-good story about friendship, loyalty and what it takes to become a true champion, More Than A Game also gives us a closer-than-ever look inside the historic rise of future NBA legend LeBron James. Poster: (click to enlarge)...
- 4/15/2009
- WorstPreviews.com
Cinematical has just received this exclusive poster for More Than A Game (click image below to enlarge), which instantly became a fan favorite when it premiered back at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall. Directed by Kristopher Belman, More Than A Game follows NBA phenom LeBron James and his four starting teammates (Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee) back when they were part of the up-and-coming St. Vincent-St. Mary High School varsity basketball team -- and how each overcame his own adversaries in order to win ball games and remain on top. A feel-good story about friendship, loyalty and what it takes to become a true champion, More Than A Game also gives us a closer-than-ever look inside the historic rise of future NBA legend LeBron James. Basketball fans, this one is definitely for you.
More Than A Game will hit theaters on October 2. Check out...
More Than A Game will hit theaters on October 2. Check out...
- 4/15/2009
- by Erik Davis
- Cinematical
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