I Love Sports And I Love Movies, So I Merged Them Into A Tasty Review
Apr 19 '01 (Updated Mar 03 '05)
The Bottom Line All of these sports films are enjoyable and you can't go wrong watching any of them. It just depends on your mood as to which one to pick.
Picking just ten of my favorite sports movies proved to be quite a difficult task. I didn’t realize how many quality sports themed movies are out there and I also have specific requirements when it comes to sports films. I like accuracy and if the sports activity looks stupid or awkward, I probably won’t like the movie. However, I will forgo accuracy if there’s something special about the film, i.e. funny or extremely funny. So, here are what I consider my ten favorite sports themed movies and after much debate, ranked from number ten to number one…
10) A League Of Their Own: This film has a great ensemble cast. Tom Hanks and Geena Davis are fabulous. The baseball scenes are extremely realistic. I almost believe that Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell ARE the real life ballplayers. The film has its serious moments, but surprises you with its sincerity and humor. I was not expecting to like this film when I initially saw it, but I was pleasantly surprised.
9) Bull Durham: I can’t begin to describe how much I dislike Kevin Costner as an actor. However, Ron Shelton’s film about a washed up major leaguer and an up and coming star is so entertaining that I forgot Kevin Costner was even in it. Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon are the true stars of the film. There is some great baseball related dialogue as well.
8) Slapshot: Paul Newman and the Hanson Brothers steal the show in this hockey farce. Paul Newman decides that the only way to keep the Chiefs in town is to resort to “goon-ism” and the Hanson Brothers fit the bill perfectly. The film is extremely funny and probably the best hockey film out there with apologies to Miracle.
7) Raging Bull: Perhaps the greatest actor takes on the role of Jake LaMotta. DeNiro’s exploits are legendary (he gained several pounds to play the role). Martin Scorsese is a master storyteller and he shows all of his skills in this film. I found the film rather difficult to watch and in my opinion it doesn’t allow itself to too many repeated viewings. However, it is still a masterpiece of filmmaking.
6) Major League: The first time I saw this film I went in with some very low expectations. Boy was I surprised. Major League is downright funny. Sure, it’s thought of as Police Academy on the diamond, but remember, the original Police Academy WAS funny. Charlie Sheen is great as “Wild Thing.” Tom Berenger actually brings some dignity to the cast. This was also the first film that Rene Russo really had a big role in. Every quirky character has their moment in the sun.
5) Caddyshack: Caddyshack is simply one of the funniest movies ever. It just happens to be structured around the game of golf. Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Ted Knight and Rodney Dangerfield are flat out hilarious in the film. The golf scenes are completely unrealistic. Just look at the greens on some of the shots. There are brown patches all over. However, the film is just too funny not to be included on my list.
4) Field Of Dreams: What? Another Kevin Costner film? Yep! Field Of Dreams is pure magic on the big screen. I firmly believe that every major league baseball player should be required to watch this film during spring training. Maybe then they would realize that baseball is a game and it is supposed to be fun. Sure, the whole movie is hokey, but it’s magically hokey.
3) Eight Men Out: This is my favorite baseball movie and a sad one at that. It chronicles the 1919 Black Sox scandal and is entertaining while at the same time deeply depressing. John Sayles is a master when making films and the baseball scenes are filmed so beautifully. The World Series gambling scandal is one of baseball’s black eyes and it pains me to watch the film. However, it’s a very entertaining picture.
2) Hoop Dreams: This movie is about more than basketball. It’s about life. It started out as a documentary about two up and coming basketball stars and it ends up as a parable about living in the real world. This movie was shut out of an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary and an argument could be made that it even deserved to be nominated for Best Picture. Be prepared, it’s a documentary, but after about 20 minutes you will be enthralled by the personalities and the stories.
1) Hoosiers: Hoosiers is my all time favorite movie and Gene Hackman is my all time favorite actor. Therefore, Hoosiers has to be on my list. It’s a great “David vs. Goliath” story. I get more chills from this film than any other I’ve ever watched. You can feel the passion that the players, fans, and parents have for the game of basketball in this film. While basketball is the focus, it’s a film with so much more.
Honorable Mention: Remember The Titans, Bad News Bears, Miracle, Rocky, Kingpin, Tin Cup, White Men Can’t Jump and Brian’s Song.
There are many times during the course of the year that there’s not too much going on as far as sports are concerned. Whenever one of those dry periods arises, don’t hesitate to pop one of these flicks in your DVD player. You’re surely to be entertained. And, if you happen to be flipping channels one day and come across one of these movies, go ahead and drop that remote, sit back, relax and enjoy yourself.
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chad8246
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