Semi-Pro (2008)

Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the American Basketball Association's Flint Michigan Tropics, rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true.

Director:

Kent Alterman

Writer:

Scot Armstrong

Stars:

Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Ferrell	...	Jackie Moon
Woody Harrelson	...	Monix
André Benjamin	...	Clarence
Maura Tierney	...	Lynn
Andrew Daly	...	Dick Pepperfield
Will Arnett	...	Lou Redwood
Andy Richter	...	Bobby Dee
David Koechner	...	Commissioner
Rob Corddry	...	Kyle
Matt Walsh	...	Father Pat the Ref
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Dukes
DeRay Davis	...	Bee Bee Ellis
Josh Braaten	...	Twiggy Munson
Jay Phillips	...	Scootsie Double Day
Peter Cornell	...	Vakidis

Storyline

Three men, three dreams. It's 1976 in Flint, Michigan. Jackie Moon's American Basketball Association team languishes in last place, with few fans in the seats. Jackie dreams of a merger with the NBA. A tough-minded point guard named Monix is at the end of his career; he's played on the champion Celtics but accepts a trade to Flint to be close to Lynn, the love of his life. Clarence "Coffee" Brown dreams of stardom: he's the Tropics' best player, but he's a hotdog who doesn't value teamwork. When the trio learns that a merger is in the works that won't include the Tropics, they pull the team together to try to achieve the impossible. Can dreams come true in Flint?

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Plot Keywords:

flint michigan | team | michigan | merger | nba | 

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Taglines:

Putting the funk into the dunk.

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Genres:

Comedy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

New Line Cinema [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 February 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amatöör

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,075,114, 2 March 2008, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$33,472,850, 27 April 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema,Mosaic Media Group,Donners' Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 98 min (unrated DVD) 99 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jerry Minor has an uncredited role as a DJ in the film. Minor is from Flint, Michigan, where the movie is set.

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Goofs

In the opening game, Jason Sudeikis's character is seen eating "nachos" with typical canned liquid cheese. The movie takes place in the winter of 1975-1976, the last season of the ABA's existence. But, this type of liquid cheese was created for and first introduced at the Texas Rangers' stadium in the summer of 1976.

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Quotes

Jackie Moon: Fuck you Clarence! Spumoni!

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits, Will Ferrell's voice can be heard calling, "Precious? Here Dewey."

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Connections

References Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976)

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Soundtracks

Give Me Just a Little More Time
Written by Ron Dunbar (as Ronald Dunbar) and Eddie Holland (as Edythe Wayne)
Performed by The Chairmen of the Board (as Chairman of the Board)
Courtesy of Holland Dozier Holland Productions, Inc

User Reviews

Very good Will Ferrell Vehicle

Semi-pro will not go down in the anals of great comedies.

If you are looking for a plot synopsis, well this movie is not for you. It's pretty short on story and pretty high on funny bits.

The one thing I will say is that the film is not overpowered by Will Ferrell silliness. Oh don't mistake me there is some silliness but it is only part of a greater picture.

It has 4-5 hilarious scenes and many lines that will be quotable for a long time. I left the theatre laughing and repeating line with my friends. And really what more are you asking for in a Will Ferrell Comedy???