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Hoop Dreams

(1994, Rated PG-13, Documentary, Starring William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Stunning documentary, great for older kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A characters describes how he was mugged.

  • Sex:

    Teen sexuality is discussed in terms of its consequences.

  • Language:

    Some strong language from basketball coaches and a scene where one of the characters is listening to music with particularly strong lyrics.

  • Consumerism:

    Basketball shoes and athletic gear are depicted and are discussed by brand name.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drug use by family members and friends is discussed, always in terms of its consequences.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Hoop Dreams

Parents need to know that this documentary film features a lot of intense discussion by two young men about their experiences with parental separation and divorce, familial drug use, extreme poverty, sport-related injury, urban blight and violence, as well as teen pregnancy, all while they are trying to earn college basketball scholarships.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the experiences of William Gates and Arthur Agee both on and off the high school basketball court. How are William and Arthur's high school experiences different? How are they the same? How do their family environments both help and hurt each of them? Why do other young people -– particularly young black men –- find themselves in similar situations? What do you think about the boys' long-term goals? What would you have done differently? How are their predicaments similar and different to other children in inner cities across the United States?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Grey
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    have to see

    it was sad but good. a great film!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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