Thursday, September 1, 2016

Movie of the Month: 'He Got Game'

September means back to school and our selection for its Movie of the Month hails from a classic Spike Lee joint. 1998's He Got Game resonates today as it did when it was first released nearly 20 years ago. The film tells the story of Jesus Shuttlesworth, portrayed by NBA star Ray Allen, growing up and raising his sister in Coney Island. Jesus is a phenomenal high school basketball star and has been tipped with a big decision -- which college will he pick to go to in the fall. While this decision weighs down on him, his father, portrayed by Denzel Washington,  is locked up in a state penitentiary, has been given a brief amnesty in order to sway his son, who he hasn't spoken to in years, to convince him to go to the governor's alma matter, if he does he gets out of jail early. The story shows how a torn family tries to reconcile with each other and how one student must try not to make the wrong choices in life. The film also stars Milla Jovavich, Rosario Dawson and cameos from famous NBA stars of the 90s. It is still a powerful and poignant film that should be watched by all.