Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Movies

Directed by filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and produced by journalist Elvis Mitchell, this collaborative documentary offers an informative collection of portraits of twenty influential African Americans ranging from powerful CEOs to prolific artists, well-known politicians, and dedicated activists. Artist Bill T. Jones discusses the reaction of his contemporaries after he described himself as an artist first and a black man second, Chris Rock describes how equality in sports didn't come about until there were bad black athletes in the major leagues, and Vernon Jordan ponders the reason why there is a clear definition of black America while white America remains a vague, undefined standard. Other conversations find Academy Award-winning actor Lou Gossett Jr. discussing institutionalized racism and its effect on his onscreen career, museum curator Thelma Golden reflecting on the times when people mistakenly assumed she was her own assistant, and, by contrast, the manner in which author Toni Morrison was encouraged as a young girl to believe that women can be just as strong as men. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Witness the transformation of one typical basketball court from ordinary neighborhood playground to legendary training ground for the NBA's most talented superstars as director Bahmekka takes a look at the legend of Holcombe Rucker and the positive message that has been passed down for generations. A New York City Parks employee whose creation of a basketball tournament and league would inspire inner-city children to strive for greatness while completing their high school education, Holcombe Rucker wanted nothing more than to see the children of his city succeed. When Rucker passed away and two of his top pupils drew from the league's professional division to implement the popular "Each One Teach One" program, the effect that the program had on the children was nothing short of astounding. By taming disadvantaged inner-city youths with some of the biggest names in basketball for a one on one lesson, the children of Rucker Park were offered the tools needed to transcend poverty and achieve greatness. With this release, viewers can find out just how Rucker Park affected the entire future of basketball while simultaneously transforming hip-hop culture as the people who were there from the very beginning document how one man's dream gave hope to generations of children. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Blue Note Records was founded in the 1930s and has played a vital role in the development of jazz for more than 60 years. Important works by some of the greatest jazz musicians in history -- John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and many others -- were recorded on the Blue Note label. The company's founders, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, both loved jazz (especially jazz with a bluesy element) and had true respect for the musicians with whom they worked. Featuring appearances by many artists -- and memorable music recorded in the Blue Note studios throughout the years -- this documentary explores the evolution of the genre, while telling the story of a company that marked an important period in music history. ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide

To help out DJ (Candace Cameron), Jesse (John Stamos) enters the charity basketball game she has organized. But though everyone else in the Tanner household is a whiz on the basketball court, Jesse can barely hold the up ball, even with two hands. Fortunately, he is given a few helpful tips by a very tall, very familiar-looking former NBA star--but when all is said and done, it is another member of the Tanner clan who scores the winning basket. And in a moment straight out of Leave It to Beaver, Steph (Jodie Sweetin) makes a grotesque-looking blouse for Becky (Lori Loughlin)--who, to spare Steph's feelings, may be forced to wear the monstrosity in public. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Nia Long makes her first series appearance as Will's latest hearthrob, Lisa Wilkes. Upon seeing Lisa for the first time, Will (Will Smith) uses all of his patented make-out lines on her, and is amazed at how quickly she falls for him. Little does Will realizes that Lisa is undergoing a sorority initiation which requires her to kidnap and "torture" our wide-eyed hero! Elsewhere, Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) considers legal action against the Banks family when he is injured on the job; and with the help of a certain sports celebrity, Philip (James Avery) learns a valuable lesson when he disdains the "ugly" golf shirt purchased for him by Hilary (Karyn Parsons). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this mystery, based on a novel by L.A. Morse, retired L.A. detective Jake Spanner enlists the aide of a group of senior citizens to help him find an ex-mobster's daughter. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, an outstanding player, powerful athlete, and somewhat enigmatic figure in the world of sports, finished his career in professional basketball after two remarkable decades. On the occasion of his retirement, he presented this video autobiography to the public. Highlights from his record-breaking career are featured - including excerpts from exciting games and championships, and even some rare high school footage. In his own words, the 7'2" Jabbar (who has sometimes been referred to as "reclusive") offers thoughts and reflections to viewers who may be curious about what "makes him tick" and what goes on inside his mind. ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide

The fact that he is unable to read does not bother high-school basketball star Freddie Ellis (Eric D. Wallace). He is confident in the knowledge that his friends will cover for him in the classroom -- and besides, who needs to be literate in the pros? It takes the persistence of teacher Mr. Simpson (Clarence Williams III), and a near-tragedy in his home, to make Freddie realize that "reading is fun-damental." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes a cameo appearance in this ABC Afterschool Special. ~ All Movie Guide

Actor Billy Crystal co-wrote, directed, and starred in this romantic comedy. Forty-something couple Andy (Joe Mantegna) and Liz (Cynthia Stevenson) are about to be married, and as they gather with their friends for dinner not long before the wedding, they are told the story of their mutual friends Mickey (Billy Crystal) and Ellen (Debra Winger) as a cautionary tale of where a relationship can go wrong. Mickey is a top referee with the NBA who has traveled to Paris to bury his father, who wanted to be laid to rest with his Army buddies from World War II. The body is somehow lost in transit, and Mickey has an argument with Ellen, who works for an American airline in France. However, she likes his sense of humor, he is taken with her, and after a few days together in Paris, they decide to marry. However, once they return to Mickey's home in the United States, things get complicated; she's not so sure that she cares for his bachelor apartment ("a shrine to watching ESPN"), or juggling her career against his, while both have problems with their respective families. Several major basketball stars and sports figures appear in Forget Paris as themselves, including Charles Barkley, Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Marv Albert. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Poor Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney). All he wants is to be a real basketball player on the amateur team with all the other janitors from his workplace. Unfortunately, they have all told him over and over that white guys like him just can't jump. That turns out to be true until he receives divine assistance from a friendly angel (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) who gives Ernest a pair of magical shoes. In no time, he is jumping and shooting with the best of them. The trouble starts when his b-ball antics attract the attention of a wicked promoter who wants the lovable rube to sign a lifetime contract. More problems ensue when the son of the team's real star (the one who worked, long and hard to perfect his game) begins idolizing Ernest. Like other entries in the long-running series, Slam Dunk Ernest is filled with cornball humor, slapstick comedy and just a smidgen of pathos. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide