Film review: 'Soul in the Hole' It's Good to See the Kings
Basketball docu 'Soul' is in 'Dreams' league
The fascinating and emotionally involving documentary "Soul in the Hole" captures the excitement of one hot summer in Brooklyn when the top local amateur basketball team, Kenny's Kings, demolishes almost all opponents and produces several potential pro players.
Northern Arts' "Soul" is in the same league as "Hoop Dreams", with the drama of life in the big city as much a focus of the filmmakers as the athletic prowess of such talented hoopsters as 18-year-old point guard Ed "Booger" Smith.
Filmed during the course of several years but concentrating mainly on the 1993 Kings season, when Smith led a smooth and efficient squad to one impressive victory after another, "Soul" is the work of veteran documentarians Danielle Gardner and Lilibet Foster, who initially intended to make a more expansive film about New York street basketball.
But when Gardner first hung around the courts in Bedford-Stuyvesant, she became caught up in the local "Dream Team". It's easy to see why.
Coached by the volatile but dedicated Kenny King, the team features standout players Charles "CJ" Jones -- who went on to lead the NCAA's Division I in scoring at Long Island University -- Seldon Jefferson, Jason Hoover, Javone Moore and Kevin Simmons. Gardner and Foster chose to follow Kenny's Kings, and the result is riveting and insightful.
It's easy to get caught up in the march to glory that sees the Kings win close games in the playoffs, including one that is almost canceled due to the ugly mood of the crowd. But once the season's over, the sad breakup of King and Jones leads to more thought-provoking material.
SOUL IN THE HOLE
Northern Arts Entertainment
Asphalt Films
Credits: Director: Danielle Gardner; Producer: Lilibet Foster; Director of photography: Paul Gibson; Editor: Melissa Neidich. With: Kenny Jones, Ronnet Jones, Ed "Booger" Smith, Charles "CJ" Jones. No MPAA rating. Running time -- 97 minutes. Color/stereo.
The fascinating and emotionally involving documentary "Soul in the Hole" captures the excitement of one hot summer in Brooklyn when the top local amateur basketball team, Kenny's Kings, demolishes almost all opponents and produces several potential pro players.
Northern Arts' "Soul" is in the same league as "Hoop Dreams", with the drama of life in the big city as much a focus of the filmmakers as the athletic prowess of such talented hoopsters as 18-year-old point guard Ed "Booger" Smith.
Filmed during the course of several years but concentrating mainly on the 1993 Kings season, when Smith led a smooth and efficient squad to one impressive victory after another, "Soul" is the work of veteran documentarians Danielle Gardner and Lilibet Foster, who initially intended to make a more expansive film about New York street basketball.
But when Gardner first hung around the courts in Bedford-Stuyvesant, she became caught up in the local "Dream Team". It's easy to see why.
Coached by the volatile but dedicated Kenny King, the team features standout players Charles "CJ" Jones -- who went on to lead the NCAA's Division I in scoring at Long Island University -- Seldon Jefferson, Jason Hoover, Javone Moore and Kevin Simmons. Gardner and Foster chose to follow Kenny's Kings, and the result is riveting and insightful.
It's easy to get caught up in the march to glory that sees the Kings win close games in the playoffs, including one that is almost canceled due to the ugly mood of the crowd. But once the season's over, the sad breakup of King and Jones leads to more thought-provoking material.
SOUL IN THE HOLE
Northern Arts Entertainment
Asphalt Films
Credits: Director: Danielle Gardner; Producer: Lilibet Foster; Director of photography: Paul Gibson; Editor: Melissa Neidich. With: Kenny Jones, Ronnet Jones, Ed "Booger" Smith, Charles "CJ" Jones. No MPAA rating. Running time -- 97 minutes. Color/stereo.
- 3/3/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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