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Foxy's Top Ten Sports Movies
As the cooler weather approaches, our thoughts turn to sitting in front of the fireplace to watch a good movie. Maybe this fall and winter I'll revisit some of my favorite sports movies. There are many to choose from, but here's my top ten list in chronological order:
(1) Brian's Song (1971) - Jim Murray and I used to include this film as part of our eighth grade English class curriculum. It made for great class discussions on several topics not even related to sports. It's the story of Gale Sayers, the Chicago Bears' outstanding running back, and his teammate Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer at the age of 26. It's a tearjerker, but also has some funny scenes and great NFL footage of Sayers' long runs.
(2) Breaking Away (1976) - I never would have seen this movie had it not been for Jan Stanley, seventh grade English teacher, who added it to her curriculum. It's the story of a teen boy from Bloomington, Indiana, who loves racing bicycles. It's the story of the "townies" versus the "college kids" and the competition that results. It's an inspiring story, listed eighth on the "List of America's 100 Most Inspiring Movies" compiled by the American Film Institute in 2006.
(3) Rocky (1976) - Sylvester Stallone as the ultimate hero, Rocky. The sound track alone can get your blood pumping. If you watch this movie, you'll want to go downtown Friday night and punch somebody! Instead, wait till Saturday morning, put the sound track on your boom box, and run up and down the City Hall steps! It'll make you feel like Rocky. Plus, the movie includes Talia Shire, a cutie, and Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed. There have been five sequels, but I only care about the original.
(4) The Natural (1984) - This would be my son's all-time favorite sports movie. It's not my fave, but it's on my top ten. Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs, an overage baseball player who becomes a hero. It's like Don Mattingly suiting up for the 2007 World Series and hitting the game-winning home run in Game 7. Any of us who love baseball has dreamed of being a baseball hero at least once. Part of the lure of the film is the 1930's setting. One of the movie's characters resides in my home. It's a plywood cutout of a 1930's character, who sat in the bleachers during the baseball game scenes. To cut down on the use of extras, these plywood characters were interspersed among the live extras to fill out the crowd at the games.
(5) Hoosiers (1986) - Ah, Gene Hackman as basketball coach Norman Dale. Nobody can play an anger scene like Gene Hackman. This captivating movie was recently selected by the readers of USA Today as "the best sports movie of all-time." Dennis Hopper won an Academy Award as best actor in a supporting role for his portrayal of Shooter, the town drunk. And the closing scenes -- all of us want to play in a big championship basketball game and be the hero.
ON SUNDAY: the rest of the list -- Foxy's Favorites from 1989 to the present.
Comments
Excellent choices Foxman...I'm thinking "Remember the Titans" oughta make that list....and maybe "A League of Their Own" with Tom Hanks....if your looking for another great flick check out " The Sandlot"
Posted by: the carver | September 15, 2007 6:46 PM
fox man. I love the Rocky and Hoosiers. When Gene Hackman measures the height of the rim at the arena and says it's the same height as it is in Hickory. That's classic.
Posted by: Bryan Benway | September 15, 2007 6:38 PM
Hi Foxy!
I agree with you on Brian's Song and Rocky (triumph of the "little guy") and yes, with Kern ... Knute Rockne All American is a classic.
I have to place on the top of MY top 10 list Chariots of Fire with the late Ian Charleson, Ben Cross and Ian Holm, This is, in MY opinion, a masterpiece. I was thrilled when this dark horse film won the 1981 Academy Award for Best Picture.
Another sports favorite of mine was the Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner with Tom Courtenay (Pasha Antipov of Dr. Zhviago fame). I remember it from 100 years ago - early 1950s but what a poignant and compelling story.
I took my grandsons Jordan and Andrew to see Miracle at the Strand theater on Brinkerhoff St. They were bored but I was elated when they ran shots of our 1980's Olympic Hockey team taking the Gold. Guess if it's not a 10 gig video game or Action Hero, it's ancient hstory. They just didn't "get it".
Anxious to see the next of your top 10!
Lynda
Posted by: Lynda (Bouyea) Bevins | September 14, 2007 11:57 PM
How about a shout out for "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" as the absolute worst sports movie of all time. Not even the comedic talents of Jonathan Winters could save that one.
(Foxy's note: Never heard of this one! And who in the world would have time to watch such a movie? Must have been a travel day for the Red Sox!)
Posted by: Rick K | September 14, 2007 3:40 PM
Hey Foxy,
I definitely agree with most of your picks so far. For some consideration, think of "The Longest Yard" & "Something for Joey". And though I'm a Baseball guy I cant imagine your reference to the Natural?? I mean why would Don Mattingly suit up for the Redsox to help win the series? (haha)
My vote for # 1 goes to Hoosiers when Gene Hackman looks at his team, that he knows would run through fire for him and says "I love you guys" It makes a coach remember why he coaches.
Thanks Foxy
Frank T
Posted by: Frank T | September 14, 2007 11:35 AM
Foxy,
I will be very disappointed if "Remember the Titans" and "Rudy" aren't on that list.
What happened to "Raging Bull" and "Knute Rockne" (Ronald Reagan saying "Win one for the Gipper").
Don't let me down Big-guy!
(Foxy's note: You're putting a lot of pressure on me, Kern!)
Posted by: Kern | September 13, 2007 10:12 PM
Foxy,
I would think that Caddy Shack (1980) would be a serious consideration for anyone's top ten.
Wayne Lashway
Posted by: Wayne Lashway | September 13, 2007 4:27 PM