Doin' It in the Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC (2012) User Reviews

Greatest Documentary about pick-up basketball

[antoine-bosque · 8/10 · 29 November 2014]

This joint is without a doubt the best documentary about pick-up basketball culture.

Perfectly documented and insanely beautiful, this film captures with precision the essence of a culture in lack of recognition (especially in France). By their work on the field (they basically played games on every single court in NYC for the purpose of the movie), Bobbito Garcia and Kevin Couliau not only pictured the perfect portrait of pick up basketball in the Mecca but also revealed the importance of a place in many urban cultures (basketball, Hip-Hop, Skate- boarding): "THE PARK"

A tale that I know any street basketball players all over the world will relate and I hope will inspire new players to come down to do it in the park...

A documentary of New York City basketball in the open courts of the buroughs

[lauraswhitcomb · 10/10 · 24 May 2013]

Bobbito Garcia's narrated and directed opus 'Doin In The Park' does not rest as merely a triumph for NYC street ball's induction into film making history. Its merits serve to exemplify one of the most inspiring aspects of the human condition; passion. This film is completely built on that feverish state of dedication and lust for playing court side. Even if the viewer has little interest in basketball 'Doin In The Park' explores the workings of passion through the lens of the sport and the tradition to compete and commune, which for so may allowed a pivotal saving grace within the urban jungle. The cinematography and editing had the rhythm and structure to support this high octane theme. I toyed with the idea of giving it a 9 out of 10 as I am as a woman and would have liked to have seen more of the ladies. However, the greatest sign of a great work in culture is too implant itself in the mind of the viewer. 'Doin it The Park' has kept my mind well occupied for the last two weeks so I had to forgo the 9 and score the 10.

Unique Movies

[teamwork34 · 10/10 · 28 November 2014]

Great Movie! Captures a lot of quality basketball, and park legends. Need more movies like this, makes you want to go to park and get BUCKETS on anyone out there. Summer Basketball in NYC is nothing like it, and for those tourists coming to NYC to visit need to go to any popular park and witness for themselves. This movie gives you an idea of how passionate players are in NYC. Wish more basketball courts around the US would be packed like NYC courts. But nowadays kids want to be indoors or on video games. Interviews in this movie are great as well, people need to know who some legends are and how they were born. As well as current players, everyone can say they are nice in there own neighborhood park but until you travel to another park in another hood, you won't know how nice you are. This movie can help an upcoming player with where to go.

Waste of good content

[jmottes · 1/10 · 14 April 2020]

The documentarians were able to obtain a ton of great content. Their final product is unfortunately filled with extremely subpar writing, poor edits, an absolutely awful voiceover, and lacks any type of real structure. This documentary really leaves something to be desired which is a shame because a great film could have been made if the content were put in the hands of experienced filmmakers.