Search - Love and Basketball on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Suitable for Teens Movie Release: 2000 DVD Release: 10/10/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 7 mins Studio: New Line Home Video Total Copies: 5 Genres: Drama, Romance, Romantic Drama, Coming-of-Age, Sports Drama See Also: Love and Basketball [Special Edition] [DVD/CD]

A young African-American couple navigates the tricky paths of romance and athletics in this drama. Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) and Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) grew up in the same neighborhood and have known each other since childhood. As they grow into adulthood, they fall in love, but they also share another all-consuming passion: basketball. They've followed the game all their lives and have no small amount of talent on the court. As Quincy and Monica struggle to make their relationship work, they follow separate career paths though high school and college basketball and, they hope, into stardom in big-league professional ball. Love and Basketball was the first feature film for writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who previously helmed several comedy specials for Dave Chappelle. Spike Lee co-produced. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Sanaa Lathan - Monica Wright
Omar Epps - Quincy McCall
Alfre Woodard - Camille Wright
Dennis Haysbert - Zeke McCall
Debbi Morgan - Mona McCall

The little seen but wonderful Love & Basketball comes in a "Platinum Series" DVD from New Line and the results are spectacular. First of all, the anamorphic-enhanced 1.85:1 image is outstanding with rich, well-saturated colors and dark blacks. Detail is a real high point in this fine transfer. There are no real visible distractions, making for a picture that really stands out. The sound, an English 5.1 track, is adequate for a film like this, even though it really makes no use of the surround speakers. Dialogue is centered up front and clear. Also available is a stereo surround track and subtitles in English. Though those two elements are impressive enough, it's the supplemental materials that take this disc to a higher level. As is the tradition with this sort of special edition, those materials are plentiful. To begin with, there are two audio commentary tracks, one with director Gina Prince-Bythewood and star Sanaa Lathan, while the second track is a 5.1 isolated score with commentary from Prine-Bythewood, editor Terilyn A. Shropshire, and composer Terence Blanchard. Also included, with optional commentary, are seven deleted scenes, and a brief blooper reel that is quite amusing. In addition are four audition tapes, including the final scene in the film, with actors Omar Epps and Lathan. Animated storyboards, also with the final shots from the film, are included as well as a music video from Lucy Pearl, the theatrical trailer, and DVD-ROM content such as watching the film and viewing the screenplay at the same time. Finally, there's a very dry but valid 36-minute discussion of women and the competition they face, whether that is in business, politics, or sports. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide