Full-Court Miracle (2003)

I turned this on about a half an hour into the movie, and was entranced. I wondered if any of the characters were really Jewish and was pleased to see that some really are. It was nice to see Jews portrayed in a positive, non-stereotypical way. I enjoyed the fact that the story wove the secular with the religious aspects of the story, without ridiculing Judaism. A few years ago a movie was made, which admittedly was a satire, about a Jewish superhero, but I found that movie vulgar, and felt depressed that at this time of year, that was the only "Jewish" show to "compete" with all the Christmas programs. I know nothing about basketball, but I could appreciate the "obsession" the boy had with the game, while trying to keep up with his school work. It portrayed a Jewish boy in a Jewish school as a normal kid. It was nice to see Jewish kids going to a Jewish day school instead of some other private school. The only negative, which is why I gave it a 9 instead of a 10, is that it didn't appear to have been filmed in Philly, or the Philly area. I am very sensitive about that, and really find it offensive when other towns (Pittsburgh with it's mountainous background filled in for Philly in a movie years ago with Keanu Reeves as I recall) stand in for Philadelphia. I also found the issue of the "time-out" that the other team tried to pull realistic, in that I think that is the kind of thing a winning team would try to win a game by default. The use of the generator was a great device as a symbol for the cruse of oil that stayed lit for 8 days to consecrate the Temple.

My computer connection went down for awhile so I flipped on the boob tube & there on HBO was "Full Court Miracles" - a WONDERFUL FEEL GOOD - POSITIVE movie about believing, hope, inspiration & not giving up!! Alex Linz just wouldn't give up in HIS PASSION - despite being short & not that good & despite his mother attempting to break him down/squelch his dreams (for her OWN dreams for him! Why do SOOOOO MANY parents do that to their kids???).Richard T. Jones had such compassion!We NEED LOTS more movies out there like this!!! THANX to ALL involved in the making of this movie!!!!

Auggh! Totally unconvincing depiction of a basketball game. So many childish errors that credibility is continually punctured. Even the antics of the onlookers are poorly acted - nothing looks goofier than poorly staged pictures of people cheering and reacting in an unconvincing manner.And I am the only one who thought the Jewish miracle message was a bit heavy-handed given the trivial nature of the b-ball contest? I do applaud the attention and dignity that the script gives to the Jewish faith, though - the movie has noble intentions.Movies get much, much better than this. I gave it 4/10.

The Philadelphia Hebrew Academy Lions haven't won a game in two years. This year, however, team captain Alex Schlotzky (Alex D. Linz, 'Max Keeble's Big Move') is determined to lead his team to victory in the annual Liberty Basketball Tournament, being held this year in the Lions' own gym. But it looks like it'll take a miracle to break the team's losing streak as they continue to lose games while the tournament inches ever closer. Alex manages to find that miracle in ex-professional basketball player Lamont Carr (Richard T. Jones, 'Judging Amy') who was shooting hoops at the local park while waiting for a tryout from the 76ers. Alex manages to convince Lamont to help coach the team and hopefully give them the skills to finally win.Told on the backdrop of the legend of Jewish military hero Juddah Maccabee and the Miracle of Light, Hanukhah, Full-Court Miracle is a heart-felt story that manages to get its message across while also teaching it's audience a bit about Jewish culture and history. The story itself is nothing innovative, but is interesting and makes good parallels with the Hanukhah story. There is just enough comedy in the film to break up the more the dramatic scenes and provide a bit of relief.Linz does a good job of carrying the film, and is supported by an equally great cast. Linz plays his character convincingly, shows emotion well, and, all in all, makes a good performance. Jones plays his character convincingly as well and is great in front of the camera. The older Schlotzkies, Jason Blicker as Marshall and Linda Kash as Cynthia, play their roles well too. Kash does a good job as the mother who only wants the best for her son, even at the expense of his own dreams. Blicker is great as the father who also wants the best for his son, but also understands that the best is what he wants for himself.All told, Full-Court Miracle is a heartwarming movie that the family will like, if not love. The writers manage to keep basketball around as a back-drop, but do not let it take over the film, as in other sports movies.Rating: 8/10 for a slightly less than innovative story that is rather predictable.