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10 Great Sports Movies for Your Viewing Pleasure (Reply to this comment)
by mets86
Let me begin by setting some simple parameters for my list. The first rule is, I had to see the movie to rank it. Second, sports movies include movies centered somewhat around a sports game or event, including boxing, figure skating martial arts, and other less popular sports. Third, my rankings include movies from a variety of genres and ranked according to overall viewing enjoyment depending upon your mood at the time of the movie (IE. Comedy, Drama, Adventure, etc.) Finally, the movies on the list are rated as such based on their overall viewing enjoyment, plot reality, sports action legitimacy, and impact on the game. In addition, movies that were made into a series, are rated as the series.
Now to the list:
10. Remember the Titans - This movie, starring Denzel Washington as a black coach in a racially divide town, would have been higher on my list, but I found the sports action to be somewhat hokie. This particular aspect of the film might not deter viewers who aren't necessarily looking for movies with a sports premise. The development of the story, which is loosely based on true events, is excellent. Washington plays a strong-willed, confident black football coach, and he is awarded a head coaching position based on the fact that the school board wanted a black coach. He fights this struggle and must develop team unity amidst the racial discrimination in the town.
9. Major League 1 and 2 - Again, the baseball action is somewhat unrealistic in this movie, but it's not horrible. The story and development of the movie are enjoyable for true sports fans. There is also some romance and other dramatic elements for those looking for a different type of viewing pleasure. These movies are considered modern day classics by some sports comedy fans.
8. Bad News Bears Series - These 1970s-1980s movies featured a Little League baseball team made up of a bunch of misfit ball players who start out as a rag tag group of losers. The comedy and baseball action are fairly good given the time these movies were made. The positive result of the movies is that the team is able to somehow pull together and win even in the face of certain defeat.
7. Brewster's Millions - This movie starring Richard Pryor and John Candy might not be all that familiar to some. The movie isn't necessarily regarded as a class in the sports movie category, but the storyline was very unique and the plot development was excellent. The sports premise in this movie is more loosely apparent than in any other movie on my list. Pryor and Candy play mediocre semi-pro ball players without much opportunity to move up in the world. Pryor's uncle dies and leaves him $30 million dollars, with one exception. He had to spend it all in one month to collect the greater inheritance of $100 million. This is harder than you might think and makes for an entertaining film.
6. Hoosiers - Many people would probably have this movie rated higher on their list, but the only thing keeping it down for me was that it was too centered around the sports action (and that's not something I usually have a problem with). Granted the movie is based on a true story of a small Indiana town and their rise to greatness to beat the heavyweights in Indiana basketball, but to me, a great sports movie needs something more. Gene Hackman plays a hard-nosed coach who must teach his team how to play, recruit the school's best player back to the team, and deal with a drunk assistant played by Dennis Hopper. Through it all, the basketball action is great and the sports fan will enjoy a great movie.
5. Rudy - Rudy is based on a true story of an undersized football player who lives out his dream to play football at Notre Dame. Rudy was a good high school football player and overcame his small size with hard work and a desire to win. But making it at Notre Dame is a different story. He has to prove himself in the classroom at a lesser school and then do everything he can, including lawn care, to work his way into the Notre Dame coach's office, where he finally earned an opportunity to walk on. This movie has great sports action, great drama, and is truly inspirational.
4. The Rocky Series - Obviously, its a bit more of a stretch with these movies because the sports action is very much exaggerated. But, there are no better movies when it comes to inspiration. Sylvester Stallone created the character, Rocky Balboa, as the staple of a dedicated athlete. He is hard-working, under-privileged and overcomes many mental and physical obstacles to become heavyweight champion of the world. He steals the hearts of the people of Philadelphia, and takes on all challengers in this 5 installment series. The only negative comment I have is that Rocky V didn't need to be made.
3. The Karate Kid Series - I chose to rate this series as number three, but must advise that I am basing this mostly on the first two movies. Again, the third and final installment wasn't necessary. This movie is another inspiring movie and has a bit of everything. Ralph Maccio plays Daniel LaRusso, a high school kid who is forced to move when he single Mom loses her job. He meets a beautiful girl named Alli (Elizabeth Shue) and things seemed to be going well, unfortunately, Alli's ex-boyfriend and his band of no mercy karate friends don't take to Daniel to well. He is befriended by Pat Morita's character, Mr. Muyagi, who arranges for him to challenge his rivals at the All-Valley Karate Tournament. Mr. Muyagi teaches Daniel the mental and physical requirements of karate and Daniel and Alli develop their relationship over the course of the movie. This movie is about overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles, as well as playing fair and never giving in.
2. Field of Dreams - I don't think I have to provide too much detail about this movie. If you are reading this list, chances are you enough about sports to be familiar with it. Kevin Costner plays a small town Iowa farmer (I'm from Iowa, it is Heaven:) who all of sudden begins to hear voices in his cornfield. He determines that the voice wants him to plow up his corn and build a baseball field. But that wasn't enough. He is sent on an adventure that includes an encounter with Terrance Mann a recluse author played by James Earl Jones, and many dead baseball players. The story is supernatural in its development, but the moral of the story has more to do with Ray's (Costner) relationship with his own father. You'll be touched with the story and if you like sports, the baseball action is great!
1. My number one sports movie of all time is an easy pick - The Natural starring Robert Redford and Glenn Close. This movie is a classic in the sports movie world. Redford plays Roy Hobbs, an incredibly gifted baseball pitcher who is injured and forced away from the game for 16 years. He returns in his late 30s as an unknown semi-pro pickup by the New York Knights. Hobbs is not even given a second look by the team's manager, played by Wilford Bremly, because Bremly believes this is just part of an attempt by his co-owner in the team to sabotage him. When he finally takes a look and sees Roy hit ball after ball out of the park, he takes notice. When Roy is inserted in the lineup he does the same thing and sends the baseball world into an uproar. The romantic elements in the story, including Roy's rekindling flame with Glenn Close who plays his high school sweetheart, makes this a good film for non-baseball enthusiasts as well. Roy leads his team up the standings and must also deal with the evil owner of the Knights and his friends. This is a must-see!
The rest......
(Here is a look at some of the other good sports movies that didn't make my list. These are movies that were strongly considered!)
Bull Durham
The Slugger's Wife
A League of Their Own
Brian's Song (Most likely would have been on it, but even though I'm familiar with the story, I've never seen the original movie)
**Thanks very much for taking the time to review my list. If you this article, please consider adding me to your Web of Trust. I would be happy to take a look at some of your articles as well. Thanks for your time!
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Jan 16 '02
12:45 pm PST
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All very, very good selections.... (Reply to this comment)
by NFP
...though for what it's worth, personally I would have tried to fit in the intriguing "Personal Best" with Mariel Hemingway, "Bang the Drum Slowly" with Robert de Niro and Michael Moriarty, "Bull Durham" with Kevin Costner, and the oh-so-effective recent "Any Given Sunday?"
Then, just to be totally offbeat, how about "A Day at the Races" with the Marx Brothers?
How about making it a top 20 list?
cheers,
nick
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Apr 11 '01
10:28 am PDT
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Re: My+2+cents+worth... (Reply to this comment)
by strategery
After reading thru the comments, I've come to realize that there are so many great films about sports. Yes," Chariots of Fire" is a wonderful movie, thanks.
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Apr 06 '01
5:00 pm PDT
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My 2 cents worth... (Reply to this comment)
by fastrunner
Great list. I've seen most of them, and I'll definitely check out the ones I've missed. My favorite sports movie is "Chariots of Fire". I'm very partial to running/track & field, though. Just thought I'd share. Thanks for another great review.
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Apr 06 '01
1:02 pm PDT
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Re: okay.. (Reply to this comment)
by strategery
"Remember The Titans"- I haven't seen it but will look for it.
On a side note : Thanks for teaching our young people. You have an important job, especially in these times.
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Apr 05 '01
4:26 am PDT
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okay.. (Reply to this comment)
by Teach2755
this may be cliche, and you may not agree at all.. but I just have to add Remember the Titans to your list. It's been under fire, of course, for lack of realism and a contrived, predictable plot.. but I teach sixth grade, and any time you can combine a story about tolerance and acceptance and working together to succeed with some football action, you've got the makings of a sure-fire crowd (however young) pleaser. I loved it too, by the way.. I didn't listen to the critics. :)
-Lisa
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Apr 04 '01
5:03 pm PDT
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Re: If+I+may+add+one+more.+.+.+ (Reply to this comment)
by strategery
Thanks for the recommendation. I haven't seen "Varsity Blues" but will be on the lookout now
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Apr 04 '01
2:05 pm PDT
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If I may add one more. . . (Reply to this comment)
by jcvsmom
I would also like to recommend Varsity Blues. Kinda like Hoosiers, but with football instead of basketball.
Great list!!
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Apr 04 '01
1:52 pm PDT
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Re: A+good+list (Reply to this comment)
by strategery
Agreed, sports movies are rare, especially good ones. Thanks for the comments!
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Apr 04 '01
1:06 pm PDT
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A good list (Reply to this comment)
by grandgram
Sports movies are my favorite, there are so few of them these days. To bad Hollywood keeps during out all those shoot'm up kind that have no real plot.
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Apr 04 '01
1:02 pm PDT
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Re: first+off... (Reply to this comment)
by strategery
No need to apologize at all, I appreciate you taking the time to read my choices. Thanks!
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Apr 04 '01
12:59 pm PDT
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first off... (Reply to this comment)
by jkkelley
...my apologies for the rating switch. What happened was that Epinions had one of its timeouts as I was originally doing it, so that I had to close the browser.
Reasoning for the H: these sound like good movies but there is nothing about how they affected you, really, just that you liked them. It's a helpful list, no doubt--but I don't really know any more about whether or not I'd enjoy the movies, just that they made the list.
Just my suggestion/explanation, for whatever it's worth.
jk
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Apr 04 '01
12:36 pm PDT
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