The "sports movie" genre is special to me. I'm a movie lover and a sports fan, so I get the best of both worlds. But really, they're special in general. Think about it: it's an action movie. A drama. A comedy. A tragedy. A suspense flick. A romance. It's EVERYTHING. I'm willing to bet that if you poll a bunch of people from different races and backgrounds, everyone, no matter what they're into, would have a favorite sports movie. So...yeah, that's pretty much what I did.
It was really fun because a lot of you guys were bringing up movies I forgot I'd even seen. So let's talk about what we like and don't like in our athlete flicks:
Remember The Titans
Everyone seems to universally agree that this movie is awesome. A true story, a lot of action, drama and Denzel Washington. Now, being an African-American male, I was raised in a strict "Denzel is in it, we're watching it" household. And I think a lot of people may have been swayed by the fact that the real story of that school happened in this area. Racism is never a fun topic, but I think they pulled it off as well as they could.
Clever Score (out of 5): 4.5 stars
We Are Marshall
Once again, a true story. This movie discusses arguably the most tragic event in college sports history. The acting was great and I felt like they we're as classy as they could be considering the subject matter. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that they had to take some liberties to give it a happy ending. I understand it's Hollywood, but anyone that knows the story of the Marshall Thundering Herd knows that it was sad for DECADES after the plane crash. I'll have to check the stats, but I know they didn't have a winning season until 14 years after the tragedy in 1970. Jack Lengyel, the coach portrayed by Matthew McConahey was fired after two seasons. So yeah, the ending was unrealistic. But the point was to make people feel good, so I guess it's OK.
Clever Score: 3 Stars
A League of Their Own
People have forgotten about this movie, and it's a shame. I watched this a few weeks ago because it happened to come on TV, and it's a good one. This is another one that's based on actual events, but it does advertise itself as "loosely based on a true story." Geena Davis had a great performance, and it reminded me of a time when Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna were relevant (both are great in the movie, by the way). It's also worth mentioning that Tom Hanks' famous line "There's no crying in baseball!" is listed as one of AFI's Top 50 movie lines of all time.
Clever Score: 3 Stars
The Waterboy
"Fooseball is the DEBIL!" How can you not love this movie? A horrible college in the deep south, a meek Linebacker with a killer instinct, the Fonz and Farmer Fran. Hilarious from beginning to end! It's obvious to me that Adam Sandler wanted to be a athlete when he was a kid. He literally CAN'T stop doing sports movies. But most people I spoke to say this one stands out above all the rest.
I cannot emphasize enough the spectacle that is Farmer Fran in this movie. Seriously! Watch it again, and just look at him!
YOU CAN DO IT!
Clever Score: 3.5 Stars
Any Given Sunday
Most people have mixed feelings on this one. The good thing about this movie is that it's incredibly accurate as far as it's portrayal of pro football players. The bad thing about this movie is that it's incredibly accurate as far as it's portrayal of pro football players.There are some messed up things in this movie, but none of them seem far-fetched when you think about what really happens in the league. Drugs. Back-stabbing. Health issues. Infidelity. Money issues. It happens. Not to mention people like Lawrence Taylor, Terrell Owens and Ricky Watters showing up in the movie. If that's not enough to get you in, this is the movie that launched the career of Jamie Foxx. He's pretty much playing Michael Vick.
Clever Score: 5 Stars
Friday Night Lights
The only football movie that might make you cry. A true story about a small Texas town driving by it's high school football team. Do not underestimate the importance of high school sports to a small southern town. I've been to Texas...football is a RELIGION. That being said, this movie was helped along by killer performances from Lucas Black, Derek Luke and Billy Bob Thornton. I'll also say this movie probably has the most realistic sports sequences (the scenes where they're actually PLAYING) of any film on this list. If you don't believe this movie is that good, look at Derek Luke's scene when his character realizes that he'll never play football again. You can't help but feel it.
Clever Score: 4 Stars
Honorable Mentions:
Major League
Did you know Wesley Snipes could be funny? No, you didn't because you never saw Major League! The first two movies in this series are comedy gold, and I'm still shocked at the amount of people who haven't seen these movies.
The Program
This movie has a soft spot in my heart, because a lot of it was filmed at my humble alma mater, the University of South Carolina (which recently toppled #1 Alabama in football. Yeah, we got it like that...but I digress...). A mostly accurate description of college football in America. James Caan as the Bear Bryant/Bobby Bowden head coach. Omar Epps as the freshman running back. Halle Berry being fine as a mutha. This movie has everything!
Fun Fact: Epps is also in Major League 2.
Unhonorable Mentions:
The Longest Yard
Dear Adam Sandler. You have proven over the years that you know how to make a sports movie. No one is arguiing that. Happy Gilmore and The Waterboy are classics. However, and I mean NO disrespect...5 foot 10 jews don't play Quarterback in the NFL. Other than that, this movie was great! Sincerely, Watts.
Rollerball
Even if this sport existed, this movie would suck.
The Legend of Bagger Vance
Hey colored man! Teach us how to play golf! No, thank you. I'll do no such thing...honkee.
Tin Cup
It's funny that this followed Bagger Vance. It it weren't for Happy Gilmore and Caddyshack, Hollywood would have you thinking that it was impossible to make a good golf movie. Kevin Costner in a romantic comedy about golf. Hail to the naw!
Summer Catch
Freddie Prinze is a minor league pitcher that mows lawns...it's wrong, it's wrong, IT'S WRONG!!!!!!
For The Kids:
All of these movies can be summed up into a sound byte:
The Mighty Ducks
quack...quack...Quack...QUACK!!!
The Sandlot
You play ball like a GIRL!!!
Cool Runnings
Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!
See what I mean?
For those of you who might actually wonder what my perosnal pick is, it's easy for me. Friday Night Lights. I love football, and this encompasses everything that makes the game great. I stongly suggest seeing it if you haven't. And I know I left a LOT of movies out that people brough to my attention.
The Blind Side
Blue Chips
Hoosiers
Miracle
Rudy
Caddyshack
Rookie of the Year
Gridiron Gang
Coach Carter
Invincible
If you want to make a case for any of these films, I welcome your comments. As always, I hope you've enjoyed these thoughts and opinions. See you tomorrow!
twitter.com/GuiltyWatts
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