Friday Night Fun: The Best Sports Movies
by smileyman on Feb 5, 2010 3:00 PM PST
in Friday Night Fun
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PrintHi everyone. One of the things I love to do is read sports books (biographies, history, theory, etc), as well as watch sports movies. I'm introducing now a weekly series of stories focused on reviews of books I've read recently or movies that I've seen. Jump in with your comments and if you have a request let me know and I'll try to oblige.
Tonight's post is going to be about the greatest sports movies ever. This is a pretty broad genre covering a fair amount of time, so the discussion should be good. As a starting point I'm referencing the book The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies: Featuring the 100 Greatest Sports Films of All Time, written by Ray Didinger and Glen MacNow. It's available at Amazon.com for $13.57 for the paperback or $9.99 for the Kindle version (which is what I have).
Up front the authors acknowledge that their list is subjective and open to debate. What I love about the book is that it's not just a listing of their favorite movies. They include plot summaries, interesting facts behind the scenes, interviews with cast members, and famous sports figures who list that movie as one of their favorites. The paperback version is 352 pages, so it's a hefty book. It's one that's best served in small doses. I've not read it all yet--what I do is take 5-10 movies at a time. I'm around 75 now and still entertained which is saying quite a bit.
I think it's worth the price and worth your time. Join me after the jump and we'll discuss their top 25 movies.
1. Rocky
Everyone knows the plot. Smallt-time boxer gets a chance to fight the heavy-weight contender. What you might not know is that Sylvester Stallone wrote the script himself and refused to turn it over to the studio unless he could star in it. He gave it to them for free in return for a piece of the action.
smileyman's grade--5 stars. I sat down with mrs smileyman last month and watched this and even she enjoyed it (and it was her first time watching). The movie won an Oscar for Best Picture.
2. Hoosiers
Based on a true story of an improbable championship team. If you haven't seen this yet you'd better go and watch it. When the movie was made no basketball movie had ever been successful. When Hoosiers was released it saw only mild success but has since become a classic.
smileyman's grade--5 stars. How can you not love the story of a team working together to overcome great odds?
3. Raging Bull
Another boxing movie. Directed by Martin Scorsese it follows the life of Jake LaMotta, a middleweight boxing champion. Where Rocky is inspirational, Raging Bull is dark and depressing.
I haven't seen it (not my type of movie), so can't give it a grade.
4. The Natural
Robert Redford stars as a baseball player heading out to seek his fame and fortune. He is shot by a silver bullet. He eventually recovers but drops out of baseball for 16 years, making a comeback as a 40 year old.
smileyman's grade--3 stars. Improbable set-up for a story that feels too fairy-tale like for me. Plus it's about baseball, not my favorite subject.
5. Bull Durham
Kevin Costner plays a veteran minor league catcher who is supposed to train a young hotshot pitcher (Tim Robbins). Susan Sarandon plays the groupie. The movie is as much about the relationship between the three of them as it is about the game itself. I think it does a great job of capturing the feel of a minor-league game.
smileyman's grade--4 stars. I really like this movie. Costner is in top form here, as is Tim Robbins. In my opinion this is Costner's best baseball movie
6. Slap Shot
Parody of a minor league hockey team's season. I haven't seen it so can't comment.
7. The Longest Yard
Ex NFL QB Paul Crewe is sentenced to 18 months in prison for joyriding in his girlfriend's car and evading police. While in prison the sadistic warden asks him to coach the inmates in a game against the guards and then threatens him if he doesn't throw it.
smileyman's grade--4 stars. This is much better than the Adam Sandler remake.
8. The Hustler
"Fast" Eddie Nelson is a pool-hall hustler content with running small time scams until he gets into a marathon session with "Minnesota Fats" and loses. He has to rebuild his confidence before fighting back for a chance to beat "Fats" again.
smileyman's grade--4 stars. With Paule Newman and Jackie Gleason how can you not like it? Much better than the follow-up with Newman and Cruise The Color of Money.
9. Caddyshack
Bill Murray and Chevy Chase star in this classic golf movie that was mostly ad-libbed. Tiger Woods and and Phil Mickleson both regard it as their favorite sports movie. Caddyshack II was actually a pretty good sequel.
smileyman's grade--3
10. North Dallas Forty
Nick Nolte stars as star WR Phil Elliot. Unlike most sports movies this one doesn't follow the action on-field, instead it's an expose of life behind the scenes in NFL football, including the politics, the pain and struggles to move the day after a game as well as the lifestyles. The movie is based on a book by Cowboys receiver Pete Gent. The movie was blasted by the Cowboys organization when it was released.
smileyman's grade--4 stars. It's nice to see a sports movie that focuses on something different and gives a different perspective.
11. Field of Dreams
"If you build it, he will come". Two images are iconic in this movie for me. One is the baseball players disappearing into the corn fields, and the other is the line of cars stretching for miles at the end. The movie spent $25,000 to keep the corn field watered since Iowa was going through a drought at the time. Peter King's favorite sports movie
smileyman's grade--4 stars
12. Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood stars (and directs) this boxing movie. Hillary Swank is an up and coming boxer who wants to go to the big times. She eventually wears down Eastwood and convinces him to train her and he does. What keeps this movie from devolving into treacle is the incredible performances from Eastwood and Swank (and Morgan Freeman), and the ending. In my opinion Clint Eastwood has turned into one of the finest directors working in the movie business today.
smileyman's grade--5 stars. This movie had an incredible emotional impact on me.
13. The Pride of the Yankees
The story of Lou Gehrig as he falls ill and dies from ALS. The movie was released just one year after Gehrig's death.
I must confess to having never seen this
14. Hoop Dreams
A documentary about two high school basketball stars. The filmmakers followed two players from their Jr High days and watched them as they were recruited by top prep schools. We see the highs and the lows. It's an incredible documentary that treats it's subjects with respect.
smileyman's grade--5 stars. Absolutely a must see to get a glimpse into what goes on in basketball recruiting.
15. Brian's Song
The story of the friendship between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. Piccolo would die of cancer but their friendship would remain tight to the end and Sayers would use Piccolo as inspiration on and off the field. Larry Csonka sites ths as one of his favorite movies.
smileyman's grade--5 stars. If you're not tearing up by the end of this one you have no heart.
16. Miracle
"Do you believe in Miracles?" Al Michaels asked in 1980 when the men's US hockey team beat the invincible Russians. Miracle is the story of that team and their coach. There are no surprises in the plot and all of the devices are familiar to us, but the story is so powerful that we can't help but enjoy the ride.
smileyman's grade--4 stars
17. Chariots of Fire
Who knew that racing could be so exciting? Charles Abraham and Eric Liddell are two runners vying to reach and compete in the Olympics. Even though the movie is very cheesy at time (almost all the running scenes are filmed in slow motion), it's still a great story and the camera direction and script gives it an almost documentary feel
smileyman's grade-4 stars
18. Body and Soul
Another boxing movie, this one intent on exposing the underbelly of the sport and it's connections to organized crime and gambling.
19. Remember the Titans
One of my favorite football movies. In the newly integrated T.C. Williams highschool a black coach must keep his team from tearing each other apart while attempting to win state. Anquan Boldin's favorite sports movie.
smileyman's grade--5 stars, even if it is a bit ridiculous at times.
20. Breaking Away
A coming-of-age story disguised as a movie about bicycling. This was Dennis Quaid's breaking out movie.
I haven't sen this so can't give it a grade.
21. When We Were Kings
Documentary of Ali's fight against Foreman in Zaire, Africa. Powerful story and worth your time.
smileyman's grade--4 stars
22. A League of Their Own
Tom Hanks coaches a league of women baseball players.
smileyman's grade--3 stars. Tom Hanks is great in all his movies but the storyline on this one didn't appeal to me.
23. Friday Night Lights
In Texas football is king, especially so in small town Texas. Friday Night Lights follows the 1988 Permian High School Panthers as they make a bid towards a state championship. The movie is more than football, it's also about the hopes and dreams of a small town.
smileyman's grade--5 stars. Much better than the TV series that followed.
24. The Wrestler
Follows a washed up pro wrestler as he tries to get back into the circuit again.
Haven't seen it but love the Bruce Springsteen song he wrote for the movie.
25. The Set-Up
A washed up boxer goes for glory one more time. Unbeknownst to him his manager has taken money from a gambler to throw the fight.
What are some movies that you think should be in the top 25? For me the glaring mistake is not including Rudy in the top 25. Heck I'd have to include it in the top 10 if I was doing the list. Are there any other glaring mistakes that should be rectified? What's your top 5 or top 10 list?
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Caddyshack
Probably also the greatest comedic movie of all time.
by microwave donut on Feb 5, 2010 3:15 PM PST via mobile reply actions
This man knows what he is talking about.
I chose water over wine... Jars of formaldehyde... think of all the things I missed... Why'd you make me a scientist?
Major League
I realize it’s subjective, but Major League is one of my all-time favorite movies, sports or otherwise. It’s near the top of my favorite sports movie list. The battle for my #1 would be tough. It’d be between Major League, Caddy Shack, and Field of Dreams. I know I’m missing some there. Rocky was certainly a classic, but some of the Rocky movies are much more re-watchable (namedly III and IV).
For a lot of those movies, I think they’re considered “classics,” but not movies I enjoy watching all that often. I actually love the tv show Friday Night Lights. I read the book, but haven’t seen the movie.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 3:17 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Rocky IV was not nearly the movie that Rocky I was
more watchable—maybe, but it was a parody of the franchise. Stallone has a knack for doing that. Anyone who saw Rambo I would be shocked at the difference between that and the rest of the franchise.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
by smileyman on Feb 5, 2010 3:49 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought that Rocky IV and Rocky III was better than Rocky I
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
really?
That’s the best response you’ve got? The later Rocky’s might have been more parodies but they’re still fun to watch. I enjoy re-watching Rocky III and IV all the time.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 6:11 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah but
I just feel Rocky II was the best one. The story was a little more Hollywoodized (I know it’s not a real word) than Rocky I, but still one that most average viewers could relate to. Plus it was the first one where he wins, albeit barely!
Rocky IV was the best one
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tough call
I really liked Rocky III. Mr. T was a great villain, and seeing Rocky train with Apollo Creed was crazy.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 7:02 PM PST up reply actions
Awesome
Its the eye of the tiger
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 7:04 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Those are my two faves out of them too… but I can watch all of them over and over, even the last one with Tarver. Overall though, I would have to say I enjoy watching him and Drago go at it. Mr. T was a monster though, you’re right and the cameo of Hulk Hogan tossing Rocky around like a dog toy was cool.
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No, I have a better response...
But it’s annoying to get in long debates about something that anyone can fall back on a subjective “but that’s just what I prefer” argument.
And I can’t really argue against entertainment value. I LOVE the feeling I get when the Russians start cheering for Rocky in IV, but I don’t think it’s a better film than Rocky 1.
I dunno. We have to establish actual standards if we want to talk about what’s the better film. Pure enjoyment is pure subjectivity.
was it stallone, or the studio
at fault for cheesing up his ideas in the sequels.
I agree
Major League is one of my top sports movies!
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 4:29 PM PST up reply actions
Ditto on Friday Night Lights
Love the show (outside of the you-know-what plotline in season 2), lukewarm on the movie
I watched Major League recently for the first time since I was a young teen (loved it then), and it just didn’t hold up for me at all. I hate it when that happens.
really?
I could watch Major League anytime. Of course I’ve watched it too many times to count.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 8:04 PM PST up reply actions
How is Major League not on this list?
A League of their Own shouldn’t be up there IMO
What about these:
Monday Night Mayhem (John Tutturro)
Happy Gilmore
Legend of Bagger Vance
We are Marshall
Varsity Blues
Rudy
Radio
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Cont'd
Gentlemen’s Game
Two for the Money
Lucas
The Program
The Waterboy
Necessary Roughness
The Replacements
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Replacements is a great movie
but not one of my top 100 sports movies of all time. The writers consider the Waterboy a “frat-boy” movie and not a sports movie and it’s hard to aruge with that. Necessary Roughness was a lot of fun too but top 100?
Haven’t seen the others so I couldn’t tell you how I feel
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Major League is ranked 26th on their all time
Rudy is all the way at 57 (written by the same guys who wrote Hoosiers)
We Are Marshall is #70
Happy Gilmore is 77
Varsity Blues is 89
Radio, MNM, and Bagger Vance don’t make the list
Personally I like The Program better than Varsity Blues if we’re talking college sports movies.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Varsity Blues is HIgh School
And that is probably not going to get me to read that book since they don’t have Monday Night Mayhem (about Howard Cosell), or Radio (True inspirational story) on their list. Frankly I only agree with about 50% of their top 25 being where they are at. But of course not everyone has the same taste….which is a good thing.
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The Program
Oh yea, forgot about that. The Program is definitely high up on my list of favorite sports movies.
Did they say why they had Major League down at 26?
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 4:12 PM PST up reply actions
Theatre
I watched it in the theatre when they had the one scene where the guys layed down on the yellow line as oncoming traffic dodged them. They wanted to get the experience of having pressure.
After I watched the DVD, I was upset that they deleted this scene.
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 4:27 PM PST up reply actions
There were reports of kids going out and actually doing that
and of course getting hit and ending up in the hospital
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
I think someone died didn't they?
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I saw it in the Theatre also when it still had that scene in it.
Was disappointed the removed it. It illustrated how nuts the players were supposed to be.
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League of Their Own did deserve a spot, IMO, but not where it sits.
I do agree with all your movies that should have consideration.
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
Legend of Bagger Vance is..
bad.
Not a good movie. Not even a good golf movie. Tin Cup is a better golf movie. Happy Gilmore is a better golf movie.
That's your opinion, as troubling as a golf swing is, this movie was awesome.
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
fair enough, I guess
I really don’t understand what was awesome about the movie. I guess the game between Bobby Jones, Matt Damon and the fat guy was entertaining, but the rest of the movie was pure cheese and charlize theron’s TURRIBLE southern accent.
It was the whole process of finding your true swing. Everyone has there own swing.
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
A League Of Their Own
Why shouldn’t that be up there?
Because it wasn't good
or enjoyable for me. Tom Hanks worst movie in my opinion (well maybe Cast Away)… and Gena Davis was boring.
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I thought it was good to see the women's league.
If you like the game of baseball I thought it was good for the game.
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
To each their own I guess
I just didn’t find it good
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Well I don't like the sport of baseball
so it takes a pretty good baseball movie to get me to like it
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
The Wrestler
One of my fav movies of all time. I’m a pro wrestler on the west coast myself, so I’m a bit bias, but it’s an awesome movie. Pretty accurate detail of life for an independent pro wrestler, especially a “washed-up” wrestler who is trying to make it back to the big time. Never thought I’d get a chance to legitimately mention wrestling on this blog, lol.
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
The Wrestler
That was a very solid movie. I enjoyed it a lot.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 3:26 PM PST up reply actions
I have to admit that I haven’t been able to watch it all the way through. The seemingly 100% handheld camera technique melts my brain.
I don't know about that, to the groin.
by howtheyscored on Feb 5, 2010 4:26 PM PST up reply actions
SPORTS MOVIES
The only movie that should be number 1 as it’s a dream to a bunch of old handicap guys at a bar. INSIDE MOVES, and the other is VISION QUEST. THE BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR ANY SPORT MOVIE EVER TO REACH THE SCREEN.
Has anybody seen the docu Off and Running? I’m just waiting for it to hit DVD before I watch it, but it looks really, really good.
I don't know about that, to the groin.
sounds familiar
But I don’t recall why it sounds familiar.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 3:44 PM PST up reply actions
Haven't heard of it
Might have to add it to the Netflix queu once it’s released.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
The Netflix description reads thusly:
African American teen Avery Klein-Cloud has white Jewish lesbian parents, an older Puerto Rican brother and a younger Korean brother. As she tries to contact her biological mother, Avery risks alienating the adoptive family she’s always loved. Examining the complexities of race, identity and family, filmmaker Nicole Opper’s compelling documentary follows Avery as she wrestles with the consequences of researching her roots.
And it looks like the whole thing is framed around her dream to run track and field in college.
Looking at it now, it looks like the movie is much more “coming of age” and much less “track and field.” But the movie poster and the movie title really really emphasize the track stuff. Either way, it sounds like a damn compelling documentary. 90% on rottentomatoes, for whatever that’s worth.
I don't know about that, to the groin.
by howtheyscored on Feb 5, 2010 3:59 PM PST up reply actions
Rocky
Gotta give props to the Rocky franchise. Stallone was perfect for those movies, and turns out he’s a pretty bad-ass director too. Love the messages he gets across in his movies. I was quite surprised that Rocky Balboa was actually a good movie! Great way for the franchise to go out. Although I mite be one of the only people on the planet who think that Rocky V was actually an OK movie. Off the top of my head I can’t think of a more quality movie franchise, movies 1 thru 4, then Rocky.
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
I really enjoyed Rocky Balboa
I still think IV and V were caricatures but I still find myself cheering for Rocky every time.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
I haven’t seen the Blind Side but I have heard good things about it. Any feedback?
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agree
For football fans (and I suppose sociology fans?) it’s a great book with a lot of great background information, particular about Bill Walsh and the west coast offense.
At the same time, I thought they did a good job with the movie. Maybe not perfect, but it could have been a lot worse.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 4:28 PM PST up reply actions
Speaking of Walsh
I am sure it has been done, but it would be very cool to see someone do a big nice article on Bill Walsh’s Coaching Tree. I was just on wikipedia and noticed that nearly every single coach in the NFL right now comes from that tree.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Walsh_(American_football_coach)
It’s about halfway down…the actual tree that is.
Sorry, went a little off topic… but I personally would enjoy that …as well as others I am sure
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Good call
Let me start looking into that. It’d be a great reference point. Maybe a little more informative than Wikipedia’s even.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 6:12 PM PST up reply actions
The part I found intriguing in the book
was the discussion on how the left tackle went from being just an interchangeable part of the line to the second highest paid position in football.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Basketball movie
What about that movie, I think its called Glory Road. Where a small Texas college starts 5 black kids for the 1st time in NCAA history, and they went on to defeat Kentucky. I really enjoyed this film.
Love that movie
It’s in their top 100
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
clarification
More than just beating Kentucky. Kentucky was an all-white team and I believe still coached by Adolph Rupp who I think was considered a racist.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 6:13 PM PST up reply actions
Won the NCAA tourney
all black vs all white. The coach was making a point about black athletes.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Wildcats!!!
“It’s the sport of kings….better than diamond rings…. that’s we came to play…. football….football…. buhuhuhuhuh….WILDCATS!!”
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Haha
Classic. This was the first movie that I saw Wesley Snipes in.
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 4:40 PM PST up reply actions
YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
I love that movie
Wi..Wi..Wiiildcats
Football
Classic and better than the superbowl shuffle, ask Singletary.
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
SHOW ME THE MONEYYYYY!!!!
What was the name of that movie, I think Wesley Snipes starred in that movie. I loved his quote Shoooowwww me the frickin’ moneyyyyy!
It’s a real life depiction in the life of a professional athlete who can command the top dollar. Those are the kinds of movies I like to see.
By the way, (coughing), show me the money, si?
Heh heh.
Wasnt it Cuba Gooding Jr.
Jerry Maguire is the movie
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 4:39 PM PST up reply actions
that one's pretty good
not sure if it’s classified as a sports movie. It has sports in it, but it’s not the focus.
I’d think it would make a top 25 list if it were.
by microwave donut on Feb 5, 2010 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
Love Jerry Maguire
it’s on the top 100 list from these guys
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Should be top ten
An agent that cares, who would have thought?
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
It was kinda like Jeff Garcia post Steve Young
it was good but it lacked greatness
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Caddyshack 2 isn't even Tim Rattay
it is certifiably horrible
by microwave donut on Feb 5, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Certianly wasnt the best ever… but I dont think it was all that bad. It just wasn’t the same characters which is what people wanted. I think that had alot to do with why people didnt like it as much as the first. Definitely not Top 100, but good none the less I thought.
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A League of Their Own
is better than Caddyshack 2. But Caddyshack 2 is better than Bagger Vance
Debatable… it’s all a matter of taste
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You either have it or you don't.
Caddyshack 2 was nominated for four Golden Raspberry awards, including worst picture, and won two. This is what Harold Ramis, who wrote Caddyshack and had some part in writing Caddyshack 2 said:
“Rodney Dangerfield wanted to keep it alive. The studio loved the idea, but he was the only one who wanted to do it. Ted Knight had passed away. Bill Murray had no interest. Chevy had moved on. So it was going to be a movie based around Rodney … Then Rodney pulled out. … I pulled out at that time, and they went ahead and did it anyway…”
“We literally crawled out of the theater when we saw it,” Ramis said. “We didn’t want anyone to recognize us.”
It was a critical disaster and a box office failure. NO ONE thinks it was a good movie.
by LongLiveLangerhans on Feb 8, 2010 5:43 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah
It didn’t screw up the original premise too bad, and had some of the same zaniness as the original.
Like Drew says, it’s not Steve Young follow up to Joe Montana good, but it’s decent enough.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
DUDE, IT HAS A FREAKING GOPHER THAT TALKS.
TALKS!
by microwave donut on Feb 9, 2010 2:39 PM PST up reply actions
My three favorites
1. Rocky II. IMO was the most inspring of all of them. I used to get fired up for my HS football games by watching the “intense training” sequence and the run after Adrian wakes up from the coma.
2. Rudy
3. A league of their own. A bunch of fine ladies who can play baseball well is pretty damn sexy.
My number 1 is Remember The Titans
No NFL stars just good ol fashion highschool football, at a time where our country was at it’s lowest. What was accomplished on the field by those players was unbelievable, especially dealing with what they went through. Whites and Blacks alike under the microscope of ignorance, and was a true story.
Tribute to #44...............The Elmira Express!!
I watch Remember the Titans all the time
one of my all-time favorites
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Also, horribly factually inaccurate.
"Liberal is to the media what the 2008 San Francisco Giants are to good baseball."
-My Father.
by thecrippesking on Feb 5, 2010 6:39 PM PST up reply actions
Major League
best line…..
Ricky Vaughn walks into camp for the first time….
Assistant Coach says in a dead pan voice….“Look at this F*ckin Guy.”
Willie: “What league were you playin in before anyway?”
Rick: “California Penal”
Willie: “Never heard if it…well how’d you end up there?”
Rick: “Stole a car”
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I think we can recite this movie fairly easy
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 6:50 PM PST up reply actions
“When this guy sneazes, it looks like a party favor!”
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He definitely made that movie what it was
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Don't forget the three or four hapless fans
“Too High!”
Clu: Taylor, what you doing back up here?
Jake: Couldn’t cut it in the Mexican League.
by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2010 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
"If you dont help me now, I say f*ck you jobu, i do it myself"
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
Nice Catch Hayes
Don’t ever f*ckin do it again
"God tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure you're fucked."-Braveheart
It is a crying shame
to not include Rudy in the top 10 heck top 5. Rudy at 57 is unacceptable.
Bull Durham was a middle aged love story that happened to involve baseball
I can’t understand why everyone loves this movie. I’m not saying that it wasn’t a good movie (i thought Costner was great), but to say it was a sports movie is like calling Broke Back Mountain a cowboy movie. The whole focus of the story wasn’t really about the sport itself; baseball just served as the vehicle to move the eventual love story between Costner and Sarandon along.
By the way, where was Rookie of the Year on the list? You have to love a movie where a kid breaks his arm and can then throw 100 mph. I still contend that he’s the reason Bonds went on steroids.
Another good one that’s not listed…Blue Chips. Any movie with Shaq and Penny Hardaway in it had to be good right?
We could break down every movie this way
The Wrestler was just a story about redemption that happened to involve wrestling.
Rudy was a story about perseverance that happened to involve football.
Most stories fall into a very select few categories. I don’t believe it excludes them from being considered a part of another category.
"Liberal is to the media what the 2008 San Francisco Giants are to good baseball."
-My Father.
by thecrippesking on Feb 5, 2010 6:52 PM PST up reply actions
Sarandon banged a player a season and made them great
It’s about coaching, lol. There was enough baseball in it to call it a sports movie.
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Shaq cant act
Rookie of the Year? Might as well include Like Mike, The Sandlot, or Little Big League(this ones one of my faves.)
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 6:52 PM PST up reply actions
Wait a minute
Sandlot was awesome… the rest of those werent any good though.
“You play baseball like a girrrrl!!!”
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Agreed
Sandlot is awesome but I like Little Big League just as much
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 6:55 PM PST up reply actions
Tha one was okay… it was the one were the kid inherits the Twins or sometihng like that right?
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yeah
with a non-hollywood ending because they lose to the mariners
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
yup Griffey bailed out The Big Unit!
“If Johnson gets ahead, watch for the slider low and away”
by sundaysfinest on Feb 5, 2010 7:03 PM PST up reply actions
But remember the guy can marry the managers mom even if he doesn't hit a homerun
Does that count as a non-hollywood ending?
The Sandlot and Little Big League belong in there.
The Sandlot because it’s so much about a love of baseball that begins in little boys.
LBL because it’s a kids’ baseball movie that actually ends in disappointment. We need kids to see more movies like this.
However, ROY doesn’t belong.
"Liberal is to the media what the 2008 San Francisco Giants are to good baseball."
-My Father.
by thecrippesking on Feb 5, 2010 6:54 PM PST up reply actions
Ok, I don’t want to get too heated, so I’m mostly gonna stay outta this discussion. However, I studied film in college, and my passion for it knows no bounds, so I gotta say something.
Having said that, this list is a disappointment. The folks who’ve mentioned Rudy are absolutely correct. And I could go on for much longer. But, for fear of pissing everyone off, I will not.
I would like to recommend that anyone who enjoys a baseball movie sees Sugar. Just a great film that deserves way more credit than it’s gotten.
One last thing, in no way should We Are Marshall be listed as a good film. McG might be the worst film director on the planet, and there is nothing good about that flick.
"Liberal is to the media what the 2008 San Francisco Giants are to good baseball."
-My Father.
by thecrippesking on Feb 5, 2010 6:48 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Sugar
I will trust you judgment and add it to the Netflix Queue
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Sugar
Is ridiculously good. IMO one of the best pure movies about what the dream of being a professional athlete really amounts to…
dutra, you're all over this thread with quality taste.
Sugar is indeed a great movie. One of my favorites from 2009.
by LongLiveLangerhans on Feb 8, 2010 5:46 PM PST up reply actions
We Are Marshall
people bring it up because it has a great story. I agree that the movie was only so-so, but the story is where it’s at and the “We Are Marshall” sends chills up my spine.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Good call!
It wasn’t a true sports film, but he did play for (although maybe it wouldn’t have been at the time) the national champions. If only there were more return men like him!
by Mangoman1 on Feb 5, 2010 7:12 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
He was on the Olympic team too
table tennis
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
The Tillman Story
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Cinderella Man
now THAT was a really good movie
Thought so too
it was an adult sports movie about a man trying to take care of his wife and kids.
Russel Crowe is underrated as an actor in my opinion.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
I was going to mention it
I love that movie.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Feb 5, 2010 10:57 PM PST up reply actions
Movies that make me cry....
Rudy: I cry every time at the end when he gets out onto the field, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy!
Rocky II: Thats right I cry on Rocky 2. Adrian isnt giving Rocky any help cause she doesnt want him to fight. She gets sick, Rocky is in the hospital with his trainer all of the time. She gets better, wants him to win, trainer gets excited then the classic running through Philadelphia scene with the great music to add to my tears.
How many times has Joe Montana thrown an interception in a super bowl?
We Are Marshall
I actually live in Huntington and go to Marshall, and it’s different when I watch it with people who actually knew people who were killed in that crash. Definitely tears me up.
When she tells Rocky to win
I don’t know who wouldn’t get fired up from that!
When he goes into the sprint and the kid is chasing him, that gets me going too.
The training segment is classic. Makes you wanna go out and hit someone. KIDDING!!
The training segment would be something like a 15 mile run
if he were to actually do it all at once.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Any Given Sunday
Anybody have thoughts on Any Given Sunday? It’s rather over the top, but I found myself quite entertained by it, and find to be a solidly re-watchable movie.
Al Pacino as a great football coach never was believable to me
but I’ll watch any football movie.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
It's definitely up toward the top of my list as far as sport movies are concerned
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Love this speach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO4tIrjBDkk
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
Pride
was a good movie from 2007 I think. About a guy who starts the first all black swim team in Philadelphia and tries to compete for the State Championship and save save a rec center from going under. It had Terrance Howard and Bernie Mac, it was kind of overlooked when it came out, but I thought it was a rather good movie.
"The Football The 49ers Team has The excitement of the bear, the velocity of the deer and strenght of the buffalo.
I liked it too
It’s a kind of off the wall subject. When you think inner city Philly you don’t think swim team. You think basketball or football.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Cmon no one even mentioned...
…THE LAST BOY SCOUT?!
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