Fifty Documentaries to See Before You Die | August 23, 2011 | 3 comments

'Hoop Dreams' takes a chance on two Chicago basketball players

50docs
In this exclusive sneak peek at the final episode of "50 Documentaries to See Before You Die," Morgan Spurlock presents Steve James's 1994 documentary "Hoop Dreams." The film captures the lives of two young, black students in Chicago as they each struggle to one day become professional basketball players. Although it was originally meant to be a 30-minute special, "Hoop Dreams" became a project that spanned several years and was eventually released to massive critical acclaim.

Renowned documentarian Morgan Spurlock hosts "50 Documentaries To See Before You Die," a celebration of the most remarkable and moving documentaries released in the past 25 years. It examines how the documentary feature has evolved into an increasingly popular genre, becoming a major box office draw and impacting contemporary American culture in ways never seen before.

"50 Documentaries To See Before You Die" airs Tuesdays at 9/8c throughout August on Current TV.

For more, go to http://current.com/docs.
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    Current Video,   Fifty Documentaries to See Before You Die,   Fifty Docs featured-clips,   Fifty Docs excerpts
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    Documentary,  Chicago,  Basketball,  50 Documentaries To See Before You Die,  1 more
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3 comments // 'Hoop Dreams' takes a chance on two Chicago basketball players // Video

  • Alaindexe
    • 0
      Alaindexe  

    • this documentary is truly amazing. First, it is VERY natural. The author lets the images and the situations talk. And he is eminently successful. In addition, the editing is so well done that you really get IN the history, which is rare for a documentary. Finally, it is a disconcerting demonstration that you can fight with all your will to get out of the ghetto and never succeed. It is a scathing response to those advocating that anything is possible in America. This film is a lesson in cinema.

    • 7 months ago
  • LovelyGwen
    • 0
      LovelyGwen  

    • I will never forget seeing this documentary for the first time in Wyoming, where I grew up. Now I live in Chicago, where this amazing documentary was filmed. Every time I see a little clip of this film, I think of Arthur's Mom. I wonder, how is she? Is she still working as a nurse's assistant? How's Arthur doing? How's William, and his daughter? This film made me feel close to them. I will never forget that. And, I will never forget Arthur's mom.

    • 9 months ago
  • MCWHAMMER
    • 0
      MCWHAMMER  
    • LovelyGwen:

      I'm unsure about Arthur's mom, but the wikipedia page + the follow-up documentary (which I haven't seen, but read about) seem to point to both Curtis' murder as well as Arthur's father's murder. Arthur apparently has children now as well.

      Documentary follow-ups should be a requirement. Hate not knowing what happened after the cameras went off.

    • 9 months ago

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