I, on the other hand, do not like sports... nor many sports films (you'd be surprised how many classic sports films I haven't seen... or maybe you wouldn't be). However, for the sake of today's post, I'm going to list my favorite sports films. And before you tell me "That doesn't count!," you should blame Wikipedia. I'm taking my choices right from here. Though I'm gonna try not to do the same sport more than once.
Top 10 Favorite Sports Films.
10. Air Bud
Sport: Basketball
Thoughts: I haven't seen this movie in years, but I remember liking it as a kid. But who wouldn't like a movie about a dog that can play basketball? I'd also tear up when he yelled at Buddy to go away, that he didn't want him anymore. But it's not my super favorite, which is why I put it at number 10.
9. Happy Gilmore
Sport: Golf
Thoughts: Of Sandler's earlier work, I prefer Billy Madison, but Gilmore does have its fun qualities. From fighting Bob Barker to the Putt-Putt-esque shot near the end, this movie has some really fun moments.
8. Remember the Titans
Sport: Football
Thoughts: When I was in high school, Fridays were inundated with one of two movies every single week. This was won of them. I had to watch this film so many times, it's not even funny. But hey, it is a good movie, regardless of my lack of caring when it comes to football. Perhaps it's Denzel Washington.
7. Run Fatboy Run
Sport: Track/Field
Thoughts: Hey, it was on the list! I actually really like this movie. Perhaps it's because of Simon Pegg or whatever, but I like it. Not really much else to say.
6. The Sandlot
Sport: Baseball
Thoughts: I mentioned before that Remember the Titans was played on a near-weekly basis when I was in high school, but there was another film. This was that film. Of course, there are many more classic moments in this movie. "What a Smore?" "Some more what?" or "You're killin' me, Smalls!" or "FOR-EV-ER." It's been a while since I've seen it, but it's just one good, quotable movie.
5. The Wrestler
Sport: Wrestling
Thoughts: I've only seen it once, but it was a lot different from what I thought it was going to be. I imagined that it would be much more serious and boring, but the tone was much lighter than that. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit, and it wasn't just because Marisa Tomei was topless through most of it.
4. Speed Racer
Sport: Racing
Thoughts: Sure, it's not real racing. But racing is a sport, and this movie is all about racing. And I just love it. It's campy, it's colorful, it's stylish, and it's just plain fun. This movie really splits people. Most either love it or hate it. Obviously, you can see what side I'm on.
3. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Sport: Dodgeball
Thoughts: "Donde esta la bibliotecha, Pedro?" This is another fun, quotable film. People seem to have negative feelings for Ben Stiller, but I think he's made some good, funny movies. And this is one of them.
2. Surf Ninjas
Sport: Surfing
Thoughts: This movie is camp-tastic and a childhood favorite. And now I own it on DVD! So, OK, it's not focused on professional surfing, but surfing is still a major part of the story and the characters. Yup.
1. The Big Lebowski
Sport: Bowling
Thoughts: Similarly, bowling isn't really the plot, but it's still a huge part of the film. But you should agree with this choice. The Dude abides... so should you!
10. Air Bud
Sport: Basketball
Thoughts: I haven't seen this movie in years, but I remember liking it as a kid. But who wouldn't like a movie about a dog that can play basketball? I'd also tear up when he yelled at Buddy to go away, that he didn't want him anymore. But it's not my super favorite, which is why I put it at number 10.
9. Happy Gilmore
Sport: Golf
Thoughts: Of Sandler's earlier work, I prefer Billy Madison, but Gilmore does have its fun qualities. From fighting Bob Barker to the Putt-Putt-esque shot near the end, this movie has some really fun moments.
8. Remember the Titans
Sport: Football
Thoughts: When I was in high school, Fridays were inundated with one of two movies every single week. This was won of them. I had to watch this film so many times, it's not even funny. But hey, it is a good movie, regardless of my lack of caring when it comes to football. Perhaps it's Denzel Washington.
7. Run Fatboy Run
Sport: Track/Field
Thoughts: Hey, it was on the list! I actually really like this movie. Perhaps it's because of Simon Pegg or whatever, but I like it. Not really much else to say.
6. The Sandlot
Sport: Baseball
Thoughts: I mentioned before that Remember the Titans was played on a near-weekly basis when I was in high school, but there was another film. This was that film. Of course, there are many more classic moments in this movie. "What a Smore?" "Some more what?" or "You're killin' me, Smalls!" or "FOR-EV-ER." It's been a while since I've seen it, but it's just one good, quotable movie.
5. The Wrestler
Sport: Wrestling
Thoughts: I've only seen it once, but it was a lot different from what I thought it was going to be. I imagined that it would be much more serious and boring, but the tone was much lighter than that. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit, and it wasn't just because Marisa Tomei was topless through most of it.
4. Speed Racer
Sport: Racing
Thoughts: Sure, it's not real racing. But racing is a sport, and this movie is all about racing. And I just love it. It's campy, it's colorful, it's stylish, and it's just plain fun. This movie really splits people. Most either love it or hate it. Obviously, you can see what side I'm on.
3. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Sport: Dodgeball
Thoughts: "Donde esta la bibliotecha, Pedro?" This is another fun, quotable film. People seem to have negative feelings for Ben Stiller, but I think he's made some good, funny movies. And this is one of them.
2. Surf Ninjas
Sport: Surfing
Thoughts: This movie is camp-tastic and a childhood favorite. And now I own it on DVD! So, OK, it's not focused on professional surfing, but surfing is still a major part of the story and the characters. Yup.
1. The Big Lebowski
Sport: Bowling
Thoughts: Similarly, bowling isn't really the plot, but it's still a huge part of the film. But you should agree with this choice. The Dude abides... so should you!
I would submit "Miracle" (hockey), and "Rudy" (football). Good list. To honor me, do your favorite chick flicks.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jess is demanding to be honored;)
ReplyDeleteI like that you chose different sports to honor. For hockey, I'd go with the first Mighty Ducks and for basketball, I'd say The Basketball Diaries (not about basketball, but features it some in the beginning). And I love The Sandlot. I found it at walmart for $5 a few months back, but didn't get it and haven't seen it since.
And I must thank you greatly for not including any of Will Ferrell's sports related films.
Jess: Believe it or not, that was the plan (chick flicks, that is).
ReplyDeleteThe reason I didn't pick Rudy is because, honestly, I haven't seen it. My parents own the movie, and I know all about it. But I've never actually seen the whole thing. Otherwise, it probably would have been on the list. And I've not seen Miracle.
Rachel: I thought about Mighty Ducks, but I've not seen Basketball Diaries. I thought about Talledega Nights, but I didn't care too much for it, and Speed Racer is so much cooler.
I do feel honored. Thank you, Nick.
ReplyDeleteWith that out of the way, I must say that this is a pretty terrible list. :P To be fair, I've not seen either Air Bud or Surf Ninjas, but something's telling me I just ain't missing out on much.
I hate Remember the Titans. Disneyfied sports movies should be banned from this earth.
Run Fatboy Run was a supreme disappointment. I really wanted to like it, and was distracted by just how ripped Hank Azaria was/is.
Excellent choices with Lebowski, Sandlot, Wrestler and (to an extent) Gilmore, though.
My top sports movies - oooh, tough - would include a lot of celebrated classics and a few that aren't great that I love anyway: Bull Durham, Major League, Caddyshack, The Color of Money, Major League, White Men Can't Jump, Varsity Blues, Teen Wolf (ha), The Sandlot, Tin Cup, etc.
I love movies with bowling in them, but I can't qualify Lebowski as a sports movie at all.
Dylan: It was on the list! :P
ReplyDeleteOf all the ones you listed, you know how many I've seen (outside The Sandlot)? 1. Varsity Blues.
But I told you, I hate sports movies :) .
Ooh, I forgot to mention When We Were Kings. It's a doc that I don't think you need to be a sports lover to enjoy. See it for the historical context and the amazing character that is Muhammed Ali.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if it was on the list, it ain't a sports movie any more than Uncle Buck is, which also featured a bowling scene.