Above the Rim (1994)

Sometimes when I start an episode I get a little anxious when the boyz give a consensus of them enjoying or not enjoying the movie. This time I’m embarrassed to say I enjoyed Above the Rim and they all trashed it. I guess that’s why I’m a janitor and not an Action Boy.

Best Boogaloo insult line to Bernie Mac: Man, you look like Daffy Duck with his beak shot off...

I’m with Gabrus - I think Tupac is beautiful

Above the Rim was a moment. Back when it dropped, I was a college sophomore and my friends and I had it on constant rotation. VHS for the movie, cassette and CD for the soundtrack as we had it in multiple formats and could recite every line. The soundtrack was everywhere, blasting at parties and in cars, and it carried just as much weight as the film itself. Even though it was a Death Row release, it pulled in East Coast rappers too, so it crossed lines that made it feel bigger than just West Coast hip hop. The movie was not “well made” in the traditional sense, but that is exactly what gave it staying power. The rawness, the missteps, the unintentional comedy, including things that made it unforgettable, the stuff my friends and I still quote decades later. And then there was Wood Harris as Motaw. That hit different. His portrayal of the local baller who was also a psycho touched a nerve. Everyone who grew up hooping in the 80s and 90s knew a version of that guy who was smart, gifted, maybe destined for more, but carrying so much trauma that it came out as volatility. The bravado was not just acting, it was survival armor. That is part of why Above the Rim resonated so deeply and why it still lingers for me today. That is the layer I think a lot of critics missed. They can break down the technical side, but they did not live it, so they cannot fully tap into why it mattered the way it did. For those of us who did, it remains imperfect, unforgettable, and one of the most important basketball films ever made. We played ton of basketball so it resonated on multiple levels.

Hell yeah

Rogers chuckle to the "dirty transfer" ATM reference at 24:40 is pretty hilarious.

I think the CC got it wrong, I believe "Sherm" (aka Sherman Hemsley aka PCP) is what Flip said ❤️

I was a punisher on NY courts during this era. Now my knees are non -existent and it’s great to revisit that time through this podcast. Much love.

Two brutal dating stories from Rodgers on exact opposite ends of the hurt feelings dynamic. Waitress story made me wince and actor story brought back heartbreak feelings I’d mostly forgotten about

I know you guys love hearing about my wife. She was one of the top HS basketball players in Indiana in the early '90s. She was on the Indiana All-Star Team the year before Steph White. She was drafted by Notre Dame and played for them from '95 to '96 before quitting because she started to hate it. She's the Rodgers of our relationship. I'm the Stanger. Our dog is the Gabrus. Our kids are the listeners.

A repeated story is a story worth repeating. That’s the thesis to the seminal work “The Stanger with a Thousand Faces”. Lucas loved it. Seriously though, I would love a repeat of the Lou Holtz story anytime, not just for Sportsmanshiptember.

I haven’t listened to the episode yet, but my first thought on seeing that news alert just now was, ‘wait- was Redford in Above the Rim??’

Love every episode of this podcast. Sincerely

Someone make an edit of Gabrus saying he hates jokes that are just lies then the twinkly flashback sound to all the times Stanger made a joke that was just him lying

remember that Amy Sedaris show, Stangers with Candy?

Are the Action Boyz going to watch the Jordan Peele-produced movie “Him” this Sportstember? I’m going to see it on opening night. Can’t wait.

Was blown away that Siskel and Ebert gave this two thumbs up. It's got some interesting moments but there's not a movie here.

At least where I grew up a basketball or a basketball shot was described as “wet” because it “splashed” the net. AKA “nothing but net” or “swish.” I think those terms were left behind by the black community as being for herbs.

S/O Tonya Pinkins!!!! I never watch the movies so I didn't know she was in this. One of the best musical theater Broadway actors to ever do it.

There’s a running theme in the latest Conjuring movie where Vera Farmiga teaches her clairvoyant daughter to block out her visions by saying “shut it out.” Kept thinking: “turn it off, Johnny.”

Can we dress as Tu Pac for New York shows?

“I couldn’t help but notice your pain… it runs deep! Share it with me!” Dope ass sample in the intro track. Sybok to Captain Kirk in Star Trek V

Dirty transfer

Sorry for complaining about retelling the same stories I've been listening since before stangerbot. I do enjoy it all and thank you boys for being funny for me. I appreciate it

This movie was crazy but I love Tupac. Gridlocked would be a fun one for ABZ. Did you guys watch/talk about the We Beat The Dream Team documentary?

Hearing that someone complained about you guys repeating stories is like hearing that someone complained about their team winning too many super bowls or something. Why are we all even here if not for the possibility that we’ll get to hear Stanger re-tell the story of people in Ireland asking “are ye mad??” when he didn’t want to eat cookies for breakfast? Are ye mad??

My favorite part of the And 1 Netflix documentary was when the NBA players addressed the "These streetballers are probably good enough to go pro," and shot that notion down HARD.

All timer soundtrack

I used to think this movie was a hit because my local video store had one of those Above The Rim quarter bouncer mini hoops. Not realizing that video store promotional material wasn’t a sign of success. I think this movie had about one TNT weekend of airings, then *poof*.

Love the show. 10 out of 10 No notes.

I'm trying to think of what roles Tupac coulda had if he lived that would lead to him getting awards. There's hardly any black leads available so it probably woulda been him cast in a role that's known for a white guy now. Coulda been interesting in some Denzel parts or maybe Forest Whitaker? Would love to see what Scorsese or one of the current huge directors that have vision coulda done with him though.

Almost spit my coffee when Gabrus said Tupac’s mom was in Strawberry Alarm Clock

Lame. I watched the wrong movie...there's a gay porno with the same name...it was all back shots...anyway, thanks action boys..do amimalympics!...

Can anyone drop an off the dome Action Boyz audio book list? I gotta turn a garage into a workout room next week for a client. Need inspiration.