Exclusive: There’s a big series coming up for the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron won’t crack the starting lineup. The Los Angeles Media Fund and the Lakers are teaming up with Haven Entertainment to produce a five-episode docu-series focusing on the ’80s Showtime era of the storied basketball team. That was the period when Pat Riley coached the run and gun style distinguished by Magic Johnson’s passing and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring and shot blocking, with Jamaal Wilkes, James Worthy, Byron Scott, and Michael Cooper backing them up. Courtside, celebs like Jack Nicholson turned The Forum into the town’s hottest ticket and the team won five NBA titles and waged an unbelievable rivalry with Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics. The series will be directed by Kristopher Belman (More Than A Game) and financed by Jeffrey Soros and Simon Horsman’s Los Angeles Media Fund.
“The Lakers...
“The Lakers...
- 12/17/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
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
Los Angeles (March 5, 2010) – Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, handed out top honors to Precious and Crazy Heart at this evening’s 25th Spirit Awards. (500) Days of Summer, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, An Education, Humpday, The Messenger, and A Serious Man also received awards at the milestone ceremony, held at La Live’s event deck in downtown Los Angeles and broadcast live and uncut on IFC. Acclaimed comedian Eddie Izzard was Master of Ceremonies, and Ben Stiller served as Honorary Chair.
The Spirit Awards was the first event to exclusively honor independent film, and over the past 25 years, has become the premier awards show for the independent film community, celebrating films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Artists receiving industry recognition first at the Spirit Awards include Joel & Ethan Coen, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone, Ashley Judd,...
The Spirit Awards was the first event to exclusively honor independent film, and over the past 25 years, has become the premier awards show for the independent film community, celebrating films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Artists receiving industry recognition first at the Spirit Awards include Joel & Ethan Coen, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone, Ashley Judd,...
- 3/6/2010
- Film Independent
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
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
When More Than a Game director Kristopher Belman spoke to MovieMaker, the young director was on the tail end of a grueling world tour promoting the flick, but was kind enough to speak about traveling places where people don't know LeBron James (yet), turning his student short into a widely distributed feature and how a vicious LeBron dunk got him through a 48-hour editing session.
- 2/1/2010
- MovieMaker.com
It’s that time of year. The lists come out, people check to see if their favorite films are on the list, then complain when they’re left off. Moaning also comes when one film is placed too low or too high, and the writer is told he knows nothing of cinema. As should be the preface when reading any review, this is just an opinion and should be treated as such. Unless you didn’t like Avatar. Then you need to have your cinema-going privileges revoked. Kidding…or not?
But back to 2009, which here ranked as one of the better years in film for the decade. From my own personal standpoint, I consider this list to be a nice mix of mainstream and independent film, but that’s up to you, the reader to decide. You can tell me how wrong and stupid I am after I present the...
But back to 2009, which here ranked as one of the better years in film for the decade. From my own personal standpoint, I consider this list to be a nice mix of mainstream and independent film, but that’s up to you, the reader to decide. You can tell me how wrong and stupid I am after I present the...
- 1/2/2010
- by Philip Barrett
- ReelLoop.com
The Independent Spirit Awards announced their nominees earlier today. Listed below is the complete list of this year's nominated films, cast and crew members. MakingOf would like to congratulate the nominees and applaud the diverse roster of talented filmmakers. Please scroll down for links to exclusive interviews we've conducted with some of the nominated directors and writers.
The Independent Spirit Awards eligibility requirements for consideration are that the feature film must be 70 minutes in length and the total cost must be below $20 million. A film also must have screened at a major film festival or had a one-week engagement at a commercial theater.
The awards' ceremony has taken place the past 24 years the Saturday afternoon before the Academy Awards in Santa Monica. The ceremony is moving this year to downtown L.A. and will be held in the evening on Friday, March 5th.
This year's Independent Spirit Awards Nominees:
Best...
The Independent Spirit Awards eligibility requirements for consideration are that the feature film must be 70 minutes in length and the total cost must be below $20 million. A film also must have screened at a major film festival or had a one-week engagement at a commercial theater.
The awards' ceremony has taken place the past 24 years the Saturday afternoon before the Academy Awards in Santa Monica. The ceremony is moving this year to downtown L.A. and will be held in the evening on Friday, March 5th.
This year's Independent Spirit Awards Nominees:
Best...
- 12/2/2009
- Makingof.com
Although the nominees for the Academy Awards won't be announced until sometime next year, a few of the other award ceremonies are already in full swing including the Independent Spirit Awards, which recognize the best films shot for $20 million or less. This year's Spirit Award nominees were announced earlier today, and I think there are definitely some interesting choices. First off, the big one that everyone is picking up on is the fact that Paranormal Activity was nominated for Best First Feature. And why shouldn't it be? The Blair Witch Project won the exact same award back in 2000. Anvil! The Story of Anvil has been redeemed somewhat for the Oscar snub by getting a nod here for Best Documentary, and surprisingly, Jemaine Clement picked up a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Gentlemen Broncos. Other than that, some of the movies that scored multiple nominations include Precious, (500) Days of Summer,...
- 12/1/2009
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Actors Taraji P. Henson and Matt Dillon announced the nominees for the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards on Tuesday morning. Dramatic films "The Last Station" and "Precious" lead the pack with five nods each.
The winners will be announced on Friday, March 5, 2010 in L.A.
2010 Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed)
(500) Days of Summer - Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe
Amreeka - Producers: Paul Barkin,...
The winners will be announced on Friday, March 5, 2010 in L.A.
2010 Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed)
(500) Days of Summer - Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe
Amreeka - Producers: Paul Barkin,...
- 12/1/2009
- Extra
Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization behind the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced nominations this morning for the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Nominees for Best Feature include "(500) Days Of Summer," "Amreeka," "Precious," "Sin Nombre," and "The Last Station."
Taraji P. Henson and Matt Dillon also announced finalists for the Acura Someone to Watch Award, the Truer Than Fiction Award, and the Piaget Producers Award.
A Serious Man was selected for the Robert Altman Award, which is given to one film's director, casting director and ensemble cast.
The awards show will be held March 5, two days before the Oscars. The event will be held at the La Live campus downtown.
Visit the Spirit Awards official site right here.
And now, the nominees of the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
"(500) Days Of Summer" - Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe
"Amreeka" - Producers: Paul Barkin,...
Nominees for Best Feature include "(500) Days Of Summer," "Amreeka," "Precious," "Sin Nombre," and "The Last Station."
Taraji P. Henson and Matt Dillon also announced finalists for the Acura Someone to Watch Award, the Truer Than Fiction Award, and the Piaget Producers Award.
A Serious Man was selected for the Robert Altman Award, which is given to one film's director, casting director and ensemble cast.
The awards show will be held March 5, two days before the Oscars. The event will be held at the La Live campus downtown.
Visit the Spirit Awards official site right here.
And now, the nominees of the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
"(500) Days Of Summer" - Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe
"Amreeka" - Producers: Paul Barkin,...
- 12/1/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Precious and The Last Station have the most nods with 5 nominations a piece. So glad to see Jeff Bridges’ nomination for Crazy Heart. Even Paranormal Activity saw a nomination in Best First feature category.
The ceremony will air live and uncut on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Pst/11:00 p.m. Est on IFC from downtown Los Angeles.
The complete list of nominations:
Best Feature (Award given to the Producer)
“(500) Days Of Summer,” Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe
“Amreeka,” Producers: Paul Barkin, Christina Piovesan
“Precious,” Producers: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness, Sarah Siegel-Magness
“Sin Nombre,” Producer: Amy Kaufman
“The Last Station,” Producers: Bonnie Arnold, Chris Curling, Jens Meuer
Best Director
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, “A Serious Man”
Lee Daniels, “Precious”
Cary Joji Fukunaga, “Sin Nombre”
James Gray, “Two Lovers”
Michael Hoffman, “The Last Station”
Best First Feature (Award given to the director and producer)
A Single Man...
The ceremony will air live and uncut on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Pst/11:00 p.m. Est on IFC from downtown Los Angeles.
The complete list of nominations:
Best Feature (Award given to the Producer)
“(500) Days Of Summer,” Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe
“Amreeka,” Producers: Paul Barkin, Christina Piovesan
“Precious,” Producers: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness, Sarah Siegel-Magness
“Sin Nombre,” Producer: Amy Kaufman
“The Last Station,” Producers: Bonnie Arnold, Chris Curling, Jens Meuer
Best Director
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, “A Serious Man”
Lee Daniels, “Precious”
Cary Joji Fukunaga, “Sin Nombre”
James Gray, “Two Lovers”
Michael Hoffman, “The Last Station”
Best First Feature (Award given to the director and producer)
A Single Man...
- 12/1/2009
- by Michelle
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Quickcard Review
More than a Game
Directed by: Kristopher Belman
Cast: Lebron James, Dru Joyce II, Dru Joyce III
Running Time: 1 hr 45 min
Rating: PG
Release Date: October 2, 2009
Plot: A documentary about five young men, including Lebron James, who play ball together from junior high through high school, in the process becoming National Champions.
Who’S It For? You don’t have to be a fan of basketball, you just have to have a heart.
Overall
Billed as a story about Lebron James high school basketball career, More than a Game is really the story of James and four other young men who grew up together in Akron, Ohio and become basketball stars as teenagers. Led by Dru Joyce II, the father of one of their teammates, the boys start playing basketball in about 5th grade and proceed to grow with one another, as both players and human beings. When they’re in 8th grade,...
More than a Game
Directed by: Kristopher Belman
Cast: Lebron James, Dru Joyce II, Dru Joyce III
Running Time: 1 hr 45 min
Rating: PG
Release Date: October 2, 2009
Plot: A documentary about five young men, including Lebron James, who play ball together from junior high through high school, in the process becoming National Champions.
Who’S It For? You don’t have to be a fan of basketball, you just have to have a heart.
Overall
Billed as a story about Lebron James high school basketball career, More than a Game is really the story of James and four other young men who grew up together in Akron, Ohio and become basketball stars as teenagers. Led by Dru Joyce II, the father of one of their teammates, the boys start playing basketball in about 5th grade and proceed to grow with one another, as both players and human beings. When they’re in 8th grade,...
- 11/20/2009
- by Megan Lehar
- The Scorecard Review
More Than A Game hit me a on a personal level. No, I didn’t spew hate all over it because it involves a Cleveland team nor did I walk out of the theater cursing Kristopher Belman for being a Clowns fan or supporting LeBron James. No, his film impacted me in the sense that I have been there and seen what basketball players go through thanks to the adventures of my father’s days as a basketball coach (he still coaches, so the adventure is far from over.)
It likely won’t have the same impact on other movie-goers, but the themes of brotherhood, family, and pursing your dreams should touch anyone. Belman’s crafted a film that uses basketball as a means to show all of these themes, and doesn’t require knowledge of the game to enjoy it. He also wisely chooses not to keep the focus...
It likely won’t have the same impact on other movie-goers, but the themes of brotherhood, family, and pursing your dreams should touch anyone. Belman’s crafted a film that uses basketball as a means to show all of these themes, and doesn’t require knowledge of the game to enjoy it. He also wisely chooses not to keep the focus...
- 10/21/2009
- by Philip Barrett
- Atomic Popcorn
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
Filmmaker Kristopher Belman wants people to understand that his documentary, More Than a Game, isn't about LeBron James. It was never about LeBron James - even when big money wanted it to be. "I went through two years of literally the same meeting: They wanted the LeBron version of the film," Belman says. "No one was interested in my version. I was offered significant money to direct the LeBron version - or to sell my footage outright. "I kept thinking, Is it ever going to happen the way I want? Especially when people in the industry that I want to be part of are telling me that I'm chasing a story that's not worth it?" Belman, 29, is wearing a windbreaker with a Nike swoosh on it and a pair of jeans, relaxing in a publicist's conference room in midtown Manhattan. It's a...
- 10/2/2009
- by Marshall Fine
- Huffington Post
There have been so many documentaries about basketball in recent years—The Year Of The Yao (about Yao Ming), The Heart Of The Game (about a high-school girls basketball coach), Through The Fire (about Sebastian Telfair), and Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot (about a street basketball tournament), to name a few—that it takes something special for one to rise above the standards of, say, an Espn doc. Kristopher Belman’s More Than A Game seems to be in a position to manage that: An Akron native, Belman caught onto the LeBron James phenomenon early enough to have his camera ...
- 10/1/2009
- avclub.com
"More Than a Game" finds two more clips. The Lionsgate documentary is helmed by Kristopher Belman who also writes alongside Brad Hogan. 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, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested—both on and off the court—as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together...
- 9/30/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Sports documentaries tend to follow a formula, mostly having to do with either the athlete in question's rise to or fall from glory. Archival footage is interspersed with talking heads, declaiming the subject as the fastest/toughest/greatest/baddest of all time. There are exceptions, to be sure. This year, to name one, James Toback's Tyson transformed the formula by focusing on a single voice: Tyson's. Kristopher Belman's More Than a Game goes in the opposite direction but works its own changes on the form. Though it tells the story of the rise of basketball's already legendary LeBron James, it frames it as part of a larger story about friendship and teamwork. The film winds up being about a group of young men who grew up together and, even as James blossomed into a ready-for-the-nba star, retained the bond that made them the greatest team...
- 9/30/2009
- by Marshall Fine
- Huffington Post
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
Sometimes it’s amazing what a man with just a camera and his bare convictions and a sense for the timing of history can do. The La Times has an article about Kristopher Belman, whose documentary “More Than a Game” is the culmination of seven years that started with a Loyola Marymount’s student desire to film a sports team that not even “60 Minutes” had access to – the documentary was originally meant to be a 10-minute short chronicling a basketball practice with LeBron James and his St. Vincent-St. Mary teammates – but blossomed into a full length feature film that is premiering in New York and Los Angeles this week. La Times quotes Belman as saying: “I felt like [the Cameron Crowe character] in ‘Almost Famous,’ except I was traveling with a high school basketball team instead of Stillwater. It was exactly like a rock ‘n’ roll tour, with bodyguards clearing the way for the...
- 9/29/2009
- by Jacob
- Beyond Hollywood
This week's offerings give us the choice of walking with death or battling the undead. For those taking it easy this week, there's also roller skating with Ellen Page and having fun playing God (or inventing him, at any rate) with Ricky Gervais.
Download this in audio form (MP3: 14:51 minutes, 13.6 Mb) Subscribe to the In Theaters podcast: [Xml] [iTunes]
"Afterschool"
After making a name for himself at Cannes with his award-winning shorts, Nyu film grad Antonio Campos took his feature debut there last year. "Afterschool" earned its share of controversy during its festival run, along with as a Spirit Award nomination for best first feature. Reminiscent of Gus Van Sant and Michael Haneke, this hazy story of digital detachment blends viral video and prep school tragedy in its story of a paranoid internet junkie (Ezra Miller) who witnesses the death of a pair of classmates who overdose on drugs, and...
Download this in audio form (MP3: 14:51 minutes, 13.6 Mb) Subscribe to the In Theaters podcast: [Xml] [iTunes]
"Afterschool"
After making a name for himself at Cannes with his award-winning shorts, Nyu film grad Antonio Campos took his feature debut there last year. "Afterschool" earned its share of controversy during its festival run, along with as a Spirit Award nomination for best first feature. Reminiscent of Gus Van Sant and Michael Haneke, this hazy story of digital detachment blends viral video and prep school tragedy in its story of a paranoid internet junkie (Ezra Miller) who witnesses the death of a pair of classmates who overdose on drugs, and...
- 9/29/2009
- by Neil Pedley
- ifc.com
Sean Combs attending the "More Than a Game" Los Angeles premiere at The Pacific Theaters at the Grove in Los Angeles. Photo copyright by Rick Stephens / PR Photos. Kristopher Belman attending the "More Than a Game" Los Angeles premiere at The Pacific Theaters at the Grove in Los Angeles. Photo copyright by Rick Stephens / PR Photos. Jeannie Mason and Harvey Mason, Jr. attending the "More Than a Game" Los Angeles premiere at The Pacific Theaters at the Grove in Los Angeles. Photo copyright by Rick Stephens / PR Photos. Wendy Davis attending the "More Than a Game" Los Angeles premiere at The Pacific Theaters at the Grove in Los Angeles. Photo copyright by Rick Stephens...
- 9/28/2009
- by James Wray
- Monsters and Critics
Event doubled as an album-release party for documentary's soundtrack, which features Drake, Lil Wayne, Eminem and Kanye West collabo.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Kyle Anderson
LeBron James attends the "Music Inspired By The Film More Than A Game" album-release party
Photo: Jim Spellman/ WireImage
New York — Whether it's basketball arenas or movie theaters, LeBron James knows how to pack a house.
The reigning NBA Mvp and Nike pitchman hosted a Manhattan screening on Tuesday night at the School of Visual Arts for his upcoming documentary "More Than a Game," directed by newcomer Kristopher Belman. James, former Roc-a-Fella rapper Neef Buck and Espn writer Chris Broussard were among the many in attendance that were buzzing to watch the film, which is set to be released October 2 in theaters. The doc features the story of James and his childhood friends — through first-person accounts and vintage video — as they transform...
By Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Kyle Anderson
LeBron James attends the "Music Inspired By The Film More Than A Game" album-release party
Photo: Jim Spellman/ WireImage
New York — Whether it's basketball arenas or movie theaters, LeBron James knows how to pack a house.
The reigning NBA Mvp and Nike pitchman hosted a Manhattan screening on Tuesday night at the School of Visual Arts for his upcoming documentary "More Than a Game," directed by newcomer Kristopher Belman. James, former Roc-a-Fella rapper Neef Buck and Espn writer Chris Broussard were among the many in attendance that were buzzing to watch the film, which is set to be released October 2 in theaters. The doc features the story of James and his childhood friends — through first-person accounts and vintage video — as they transform...
- 9/23/2009
- MTV Movie News
'He not only helped us in basketball but helped is in life in general,' James says of his high school coach, Dru Joyce.
By Kyle Anderson
LeBron James
Photo: Julien Hekimian/ Getty Images
LeBron James is used to having cameras in his face. It sort of comes with the territory when you're the face of the National Basketball Association, a spokesman for Nike and now the star of "More Than a Game," the documentary about James' high school hoops team — but he wasn't always comfortable with the bright lights and the film rolling. So when director Kristopher Belman first showed up in James' high school gymnasium, he did not embrace him right away.
"When he first came in, we were kind of skeptical because we had already seen so much media coverage and so much had gone on that we were like, 'Not another camera,' " James told MTV...
By Kyle Anderson
LeBron James
Photo: Julien Hekimian/ Getty Images
LeBron James is used to having cameras in his face. It sort of comes with the territory when you're the face of the National Basketball Association, a spokesman for Nike and now the star of "More Than a Game," the documentary about James' high school hoops team — but he wasn't always comfortable with the bright lights and the film rolling. So when director Kristopher Belman first showed up in James' high school gymnasium, he did not embrace him right away.
"When he first came in, we were kind of skeptical because we had already seen so much media coverage and so much had gone on that we were like, 'Not another camera,' " James told MTV...
- 9/22/2009
- MTV Movie News
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
The 31st Annual Aspen Filmfest has announced the film selections that will be screening at the 5-day movie fest. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the film fest will feature special guests and programs this year.
Among the films showing at the event are the documentaries "Capitalism: A Love Story," wherein Michael Moore explores capitalism and the American dream; "More Than a Game," in which director Kristopher Belman features the meteoric rise of NBA star LeBron James and teammates during the run-up to their National High School Championships; and "High Turns, Skiing Aspen to Everest."
The fest will also welcome the 2009 special guest award honorees. Actor Stanley Tucci will be presented with the Independent by Nature Award for his significant body of work that resonates with viewers and his peers. He will receive the award in person on October 3 at the Wheeler Opera House.
Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman will be gathering...
Among the films showing at the event are the documentaries "Capitalism: A Love Story," wherein Michael Moore explores capitalism and the American dream; "More Than a Game," in which director Kristopher Belman features the meteoric rise of NBA star LeBron James and teammates during the run-up to their National High School Championships; and "High Turns, Skiing Aspen to Everest."
The fest will also welcome the 2009 special guest award honorees. Actor Stanley Tucci will be presented with the Independent by Nature Award for his significant body of work that resonates with viewers and his peers. He will receive the award in person on October 3 at the Wheeler Opera House.
Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman will be gathering...
- 9/11/2009
- icelebz.com
We have Mary J. Blige's new music video for her single "Stronger" which features the poignant story as well as the talented players from Lionsgate's "More Than a Game." The documentary sees theatres on October 2nd and is directed by Kristopher Belman. Rated PG for brief mild language and incidental smoking. 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. 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 a decrepit...
- 7/29/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
- Mandate might not be a supplier of films for Cannes' competition, but they supply tons of stuff: not only for Lionsgate, but in Grant Heslov's debut The Men Who Stare at Goats, Drew Barrymore's roller derby film Whip It! and Tarsem's third feature film in the soon to be shooting War of Gods. Facing Ali by Pete McCormack - Completed Five Killers by Robert Luketic - Production The Baster by Josh Gordon - Production The Widows' Adventures by Danny Leiner - Pre-Production Warrior by Gavin O'Connor - Production Alpha And Omega: 3-D by Anthony Bell - Production Dear John by Lasse Hallstrom - Post-Production More Than A Game by Kristopher Belman - Completed Saw VI by Kevin Greutert - Production Season Of The Witch by Dominic Sena - Post-Production Shrink by Jonas Pate - Completed The 4th Kind by Olatunde Osunsanmi - Completed The Haunting In Connecticut
- 5/14/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
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
I saw this trailer for the first time last weekend, but it played after the Facing Ali trailer, so it really didn't look that great in comparison. However, I've received numerous e-mails from readers urging me to write about it anyway, so here it is. More Than a Game is a documentary made by Kristopher Belman about basketball superstar LeBron James aka "The Chosen One" and his four high school friends dubbed the "Fab Five." It follows their childhood friendship together and victory at the high school national championship. It's much less about LeBron and his stardom today, and more about how he got to that point and his story. Watch the trailer for More Than a Game: [flv:http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/more-than-a-game-trailer.flv http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/more-than-a-game-trailer.jpg 596 322] You can also watch the trailer for More Than a Game in High Definition on Yahoo Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age...
- 4/22/2009
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Documentaries about established sports stars can often come off as promotional puff pieces rather than anything truly deep or profound, but Kristopher Belman's More Than a Game seems a little bit different. It attracted a lot of attention at the Toronto Film Festival last year because one of the subjects of the film, LeBron James, is now a bona fide NBA superstar. The interesting thing is that this movie was shot during his days playing high school basketball for St. Vincent-St. Mary. The movie focuses not only on LeBron but also his teammates, a core group of friends who have known each other since elementary school. As his own fame starts to grow and all the NBA buzz builds, it creates conflict within the team as they vie for the national championship. Although there have been a ton of great basketball documentaries over the years, this looks like another fine entry into the ranks.
- 4/21/2009
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
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
You could tell early on that LeBron James was going to be a freak. I mean, I don't ever remember seeing another nationally televised regular season high school basketball game before he was a senior. But filmmaker Kristopher Belman was lucky enough to be a witness even earlier than that. He began chronicling a team of Ohio grade school students who all played under coach Dru Joyce all the way through high school, and one of those kids is a few weeks away from winning Mvp in the NBA.
The documentary, More Than a Game, is interesting on several levels; there's the LeBron connection, there's the fact that Belman had the dedication to make the same movie for nearly ten years, and there's the story of Joyce, a coach who left corporate America to answer a more substantial calling in his life. Check out the first poster for More Than...
The documentary, More Than a Game, is interesting on several levels; there's the LeBron connection, there's the fact that Belman had the dedication to make the same movie for nearly ten years, and there's the story of Joyce, a coach who left corporate America to answer a more substantial calling in his life. Check out the first poster for More Than...
- 4/16/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
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
You'd think everything that can be known about NBA superstar LeBron James is already known. Of course, you'd be wrong, as you often are about such things. There is much more you can learn about James and his days as a high school phenom poised to jump straight from the school gym to the NBA. Fortunately, Kristopher Belman is way ahead of you. Belman was smart (or lucky) enough to start filming a documentary about the St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School's boys basketball team in Akron, Ohio back in 1999, while a student at Loyola Marymount University. The team turned out to feature the aforementioned James who has since gone onto make millions and millions... and millions as a basketball player/celebrity endorsement machine. Variety reports that More Than a Game will be released in late 2009. The documentary premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and will be distributed by Lionsgate. Since...
- 11/25/2008
- cinemablend.com
Lionsgate has acquired distribution rights to Kristopher Belman's documentary "More Than a Game," according to Variety.
The film, which premiered in Toronto this year, focuses on the high school days of NBA star LeBron James, who grew up in Akron, Ohio.
According to the trade, "Game" features plenty of archival footage, family memorabilia and new interviews. The film is described as a "feel-good story of overcoming adversity."
Apparently, Lionsgate is shooting for a fall 2009 release.
The film, which premiered in Toronto this year, focuses on the high school days of NBA star LeBron James, who grew up in Akron, Ohio.
According to the trade, "Game" features plenty of archival footage, family memorabilia and new interviews. The film is described as a "feel-good story of overcoming adversity."
Apparently, Lionsgate is shooting for a fall 2009 release.
- 11/25/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Wrapping up the 33rd Annual Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, September 13, a list of movies have been awarded with special prizes. Among the event's winners was "Slumdog Millionaire", a drama about an Indian teenager who is about to be a millionaire.
Considered to be an underdog, the Danny Boyle-directed movie brought home the Cadillac People's Choice Award as well as the $15,000 prize, beating out Kristopher Belman's "More Than a Game" and Cyrus Nowrasteh's "The Stoning of Soraya M.". Upon winning the award, one of the film's stars, Freida Pinto, expressed her excitement, "It was an exhilarating feeling. When they clapped and gasped and literally went ga-ga over the last dance sequence, it was a wonderful feeling...I was shaking."
Beside "Millionaire", other winner include Marie-Helene Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu's drama "Before Tomorrow" and Rodrigue Jean's "Lost Song". While "Tomorrow" took the kudo for Best Canadian First Feature Film,...
Considered to be an underdog, the Danny Boyle-directed movie brought home the Cadillac People's Choice Award as well as the $15,000 prize, beating out Kristopher Belman's "More Than a Game" and Cyrus Nowrasteh's "The Stoning of Soraya M.". Upon winning the award, one of the film's stars, Freida Pinto, expressed her excitement, "It was an exhilarating feeling. When they clapped and gasped and literally went ga-ga over the last dance sequence, it was a wonderful feeling...I was shaking."
Beside "Millionaire", other winner include Marie-Helene Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu's drama "Before Tomorrow" and Rodrigue Jean's "Lost Song". While "Tomorrow" took the kudo for Best Canadian First Feature Film,...
- 9/15/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Today is the very last day of the Toronto International Film Festival and the winners of the fest's various awards have just been announced. Although these awards don't always translate well into actual viewing interest, we mention them because they shed some additional light on films that are at least worth mentioning. This year the big winner is Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, the film we've been talking about since Telluride. The other winners are also solid choices, so take a look. Only one of these awards is voted on by the audience, the others are chosen by various juries. The People's Choice winner here in Toronto does actually carry a lot of weight, and since it's Slumdog this time, I couldn't agree more! Cadillac People's Choice Award: Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire First Runner-Up: Kristopher Belman's More Than A Game Second Runner-Up: Cyrus Nowrasteh's The Stoning of...
- 9/13/2008
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.