Last time I published a movie list I had a lot of time to enjoy them. While I still occasionally take afternoon naps, it’s really only out of habit rather than need. So I don’t have nearly the time to spare now, but have seen all these films over the last few months just to make sure. Lets be clear I’m a long way from being fully up to speed and while not every day is better than the one before it, the trend is certainly in the correct direction.
So with a tip of the hat to the dreadful film (Bad Teacher) that started my whole movie list thing I present my favorite 10 sporting films.
Slapshot – this would find a place on both my best sports movies and best comedies lists. Who can forget the Hanson brothers, Killer Carlson and of course the appearance of the legend himself, Ogie Ogilthorpe? The best part, they are all based on real people that played in minor league hockey.
Le Mans – If this film does not get your blood pumping there is an issue. It’s not about the dialogue, the story or even Steve McQueen. It’s about the glorious eye-candy (Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512s). The whole movie is summed up in one of McQueen lines “When you’re racing, it… it’s life. Anything that happens before or after… is just waiting.”
Raging Bull – Rewatched this one recently and liked it far more second time round. The boxing scenes are brutal, the self-destruction of Jake LaMotta even more so. De Niro is (of course) brilliant as the unsympathetic boxer and Scorsese filming of the boxing from the ring earned him all sorts of deserved accolades (and an Oscar).
The King of Kong – from boxing to video games. This is a strange one, a documentary about Steve Wiebe (the first person to break 1 million on Donkey Kong) and video game legend Billy Mitchel. It does not sound promising, but it’s a great movie pitching egos and dreams against each other.
Bull Durham – Some may say I’m breaking the “no chick flicks” rule, but it’s a great sports movie, with some comedy and I’ll admit to a hint of slight romance. But no more than that. Costner is a mentor with a nice line in manly-man philosophy.
That Damned United – Brian Clough was the greatest manager England never had moving, he was never going to get the top job and this wonderful movie showed why. There was Clough’s way and the wrong way, this is a wonderful story of failure and a funny tribute to the man who took a small side to the top of the football world.
Caddyshack – Full of great lines from top comedians. Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and a gopher (who can boogie). It’s a straightforward, funny movie where Carl the grounds man meets his match.
Chariots of Fire – Not widely known in the US, but it’s based on a true story of two sprinters who compete for Great Britain at the 1924 Olympics in Paris. One is a serious Christian Scotsman, believes that he has to succeed to show to his undying religious faith. The other is a Jewish Englishman who wants desperately prove that Jews are not inferior. It’s a wonderful film about commitment, devotion, drive and sacrifice.
Major League – Rick “Wildthing” Vaughn and the Brewers’ play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker are front and center of a very funny film. There is nothing surprising about the plot, underdogs triumph and the mean owner is shown the door. It’s not highbrow entertainment, and never pretends it will be, it’s just an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.
Searching for Bobby Fischer – I don’t follow chess closely, but I know Bobby Fischer was a flawed genius and may have been the best chess player of all time. At the height of his game he disappeared, get involved in a cult and generally lost the plat. This movie is about another young player, his introduction to competitive chess and his development in the game. He is hailed as the next “Bobby Fisher” and the movie is about chess taking over his life and the questions if the game should be allowed to come above the rest of life.
9 Comments
I’m going to suggest Field of dreams, so moving and touching. It may not have the “eye candy” of Le Mans, but a great film
Senna. How can you not have Senna on your list?
Really? What about the Senna movie? Yes Le Mans is full of glorious noises and sexy cars, but the drama of Senna is so engaging.
Really you left Senna off the list. And only a couple of months after we saw it in Montreal too. It’s all those drugs messing with your head.
So, Bad Teacher started it off? Will admit…dumb movie, but still.
Fun question, lists are always fun to talk about and put together. This one is interesting, Slapshot and Major league are comedies, hmmmm.
Good stuff, but no Rocky? Sly Stalone deserves a little notice for that one?
Thanks for the share! Very nice list and I’ve a few thoguths, looking to communicate!
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