Crossover (2006)
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 95 minutes
Stars: Anthony Mackie, Wesley Jonathan, Wayne Brady
Director: Preston A. Whitmore II
Plot: Best friends struggle to succeed and survive in Detroit. Tech (Anthony Mackie) is trying to get his GED; Cruise (Wesley Jonathan) is determined to become a doctor by using his basketball scholarship to UCLA. Vaughn (Wayne Brady) is a former sports agent, current nightclub owner, and shady underground street ball follower.
This movie was difficult to watch. The basketball scenes are not very exciting. There are too many stories going on at once, so the plot suffers from instability. Poor acting and dialog result in laughable moments when we are supposed to feel something for the characters. The movie has an HBO or music video appearance to it. Poor choices were made for casting and music . . . they seem to be forced.
When Wayne Brady is the best thing about your movie, it’s probably not a good thing . . . although he is responsible for this gem:
Vaughn: “Money talks, bullshit runs a marathon, and I ain’t wearing track shoes.”
Rating—out of 5 basketballs: 0*
Tournament seed: 16—movie makes the tournament only because it is an automatic qualifier. Has no chance of advancing. Avoid picking for any reason.**
*Rating: “basketballs” are given out for: (1) would I recommend, (2) plot, (3) music/score, (4) unexpectedness, and (5) wow factor.
**Tournament seed: When the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament is played every March, teams that qualify are seeded 1-16 in four separate regions, and play a single elimination game (1 vs.16, 2 vs. 15 . . .). 1 is the highest ranking, 16 is the lowest.
