Top 10 Sports Films

We here at Movies For Lunch are proud to present another installment of the top ten list. Ever since our review of Coach Carter, our minds have been plagued by the thought of what would be considered the best sports movie. Since there are so many to choose from that are great in different ways we came up with a list. We came up with these movies individually which may explain why some movies are on both of our lists. So here are the top ten sports movies.

Dan - I’m not quite sure where to begin this list. I will list them alphabetically since it seems unfair to compare movies that are so different. I admit that I have not seen what some would consider great and classic like Raging Bull, Bull Durham, or Eight Men Out. I like all of these movies and it is fair to say that I found all of them to be uplifting and inspirational. Some of them are Oscar winners (The Fighter, Million Dollar Baby), and others clearly are not (Happy Gilmore). One could argue that many of these movies may not even be about sports, but use sports as a theme to simply tell a great story (see Field of Dreams). So without further ado, The Lists:


 Cinderella Man (2005) - Russell Crowe and Ron Howard had previously collaborated with the Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind, and re-teamed here for the based on a true story of boxer Jim Braddock. This is a fantastic movie about a broken man (at times literally) who lived during the Great Depression and was struggling to make enough money just to feed his family, much like the rest of the country during that period. There are some really cool boxing scenes with several point of view shots on the receiving end of a few punches which made it seem like I was participating in the ring instead of just watching. The story itself is ultimately so triumphant that I’m going out on a limb here and calling it not only the best movie of 2005, but the best boxing movie I’ve seen.


 Field of Dreams (1989) - Have you ever noticed that some of the best sports movies aren’t so much about sports? There is hardly any baseball in this movie and the focus is not on an individual player or a team’s quest to win the championship. It is the story about a man’s (Kevin Costner) discovery he makes about himself before he understands why he is compelled to do such strange things as make a baseball diamond in the middle of his corn crop ("If you build it, he will come). The whole movie leads up to the realization of his own father’s regrets of the relationship (or lack thereof) with his son. And this one line: "Hey, dad? You wanna have a catch?" This line alone is responsible for making many a grown man cry (including me). Every time I hear this I think of the times when I was a kid and used to play catch with my old man. Hopefully you do too.


 The Fighter (2010) - I would have never guessed that this scrappy movie about a scrappy boxer would almost be the best boxing movie I’ve ever seen. It sucked me in right from the start (maybe it was the catchy soundtrack). This is another movie where the boxing is only a part of the greatness of it. The rest lies in the compelling portrayal of the family relationship between Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Melissa Leo, the latter two winning Oscars for their work here. Bale and Wahlberg play boxing brothers with Leo is their mother/manager. While the boxing is exciting in and of itself, it is the family dynamic that is the real meat of the movie. Leo is the ultimate manipulator and Bale is so convincing as a crack addict that I believed him to be this actual person and not an actor. Just watch it. You will be surprised how slyly you are drawn into their world. But be warned that there is a fair amount of language (especially the F-bomb).


 Happy Gilmore (1995) - The funniest sports movie on the list by far. The ridiculous plot follows a hockey player (who doesn’t know how to skate!) entering the equivalent of the PGA tour because his slapshot translates well on the golf course. You might recognize Happy’s love interest Virginia from the current TV comedy hit Modern Family as high-strung mom Claire Dunphy. A fact which I did not notice until my wife pointed it out me. Two scenes make me cry from laughing so hard: The scenes with Bob Barker, and the missed putt where Happy launches a profanity-laced tirade that the broadcast TV censors try to edit. This movie is quoted almost as much as Tommy Boy in my circle of friends. Keep a sharp eye for Ben Stiller as a slave-driving retirement home employee. Please, please remember to not take it seriously, and just laugh at how absurd it really is.


 Hoosiers (1986) - This movie is the first movie about basketball that I ever remember seeing and it has yet to topped as far as basketball movies go. I watched it with my dad and brothers when we were kids. Hoosiers to me is the quintessential basketball movie. A new coach with unusual methods shows up and teaches the players fundamentals, physicality, and how to play with confidence. It takes place in a small town in Indiana where most of the players are farm boys without a lot of amazing talent except for one guy, and the movie wisely does not focus on him but keeps it about the team. Gene Hackman as the coach gives a performance that makes you as the viewer want the team to win as much for him as for themselves. And it’s based on a true story. What’s not to love?


 The Karate Kid - I’m talking about the original here, and not the crappy sequels (except for Karate Kid 2) or the modest re-make. Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso all the way. I used to call myself Daniel-san and attempt the crane kick whenever my friends and I wrestled each other. This story of a kid who is bullied and learns to defend himself is even more relevant today, especially as one hears of teens ending their own lives as a result of bullying. The best way I can think to describe this movie is uplifting. Watch it and be uplifted. There are portions that may seem a little dated, but it certainly doesn’t detract from the message. And Mr. Miyagi was nominated for an Oscar!!


 Million Dollar Baby (2004) - I had no expectations going into this movie. This was the first movie that Clint Eastwood directed that began my understanding and appreciation for how great of a filmmaker and actor he really is. After watching this I went back and re-watched some of his previous movies like Mystic River and Unforgiven. The guy’s an incredible talent on both sides of the camera. Anyway, I had read a few reviews of it and heard it was good, but I was blown away. I don’t know how Eastwood did it, but he took a movie about boxing and made it about so much more. There was a lot of flak about the second half of the movie (which I will not reveal/discuss here), but I realized that this isn’t so much about what decisions are made as it is about the feelings/motivations behind them, or the "why" of it all. And as the relationships between the characters is observed it becomes clear why these people do what they do, like why Hilary Swank wanted to become a boxer in the first place, and why Eastwood didn’t want to manage/coach any more boxers.


 The Natural (1984) - I love how fitting the title of this movie is. Robert Redford stars as Roy Hobbs, who was literally on his way to be "the best there ever was" playing baseball before suffering a horrific setback. The rest of the story is about how he still makes it big. The more I think about it, the more I love how this movie comes together. Everything seems to be going against Redford to keep him from being successful from the owner of the team he plays for betting against his own team to being distracted by Kim Basinger, all the way to his beloved bat breaking when he needed it the most. It’s the journey of this guy that becomes so compelling, almost more than his talent for baseball. And the last scene is a spectacular contrast to the rest of the movie’s pizzazz.


 Remember the Titans (2000) - This movie always strikes me as an important sports movie, if there is such a thing. Denzel Washington is appointed as the head coach of a football team in Virginia that becomes one of the first schools to integrate after the Civil Rights Movement. The resulting racism from both sides makes for a compelling movie on its own, but throw in the egos of young athletes who think they are better than everyone else and you’ve got a movie ripe with conflict to be resolved. I don’t know how much of this "based on a true story" movie is fictionalized, but it was done in such a way that I feel as uplifted as I do when I watch the original Karate Kid. This is an inspiring movie. Watch it and be both uplifted and inspired to never judge people by the color of their skin. And just for fun, look sharp for before-they-were-famous stars Ryan Gosling and Kate Bosworth.


 The Sandlot (1992) - This is the quintessential kid-sports movie about pickup games and having fun. There is nothing spectacular about the plot to get back an autographed baseball signed by Babe Ruth from a giant dog holding it hostage other than seeing all of the ways the kids come up with to retrieve it. I think movies like this are great because they remind me of similar experiences from my own childhood. Not that I ever had anything this exciting happen, but I seem to remember something like it. I loved just getting the chance to go play with my friends every day during the summer. I guess nostalgia is a big reason that I continue to enjoy this movie as an adult as opposed to just when I was a kid.

Mark -
My own criteria in determining this list had as much to do with what films I really enjoy, as compared to films that I think were really well made. In order to make the list for me these films all receive a yes to the question of "If this film is on, am I going to watch it?" I don’t care if it’s on TV or DVD or something else, if I see the film, the chances are that I’m going to watch at least part of it. Having said that, here are my favorite/top sports films in no particular order.

1) The Fighter - Even though Mark Wahlberg plays the main character in this film, Christian Bale easily steals the focus and attention anytime he is on screen. This film reminds me of a terrible accident that you had to look at, but at the same time you simply can’t help but look and be amazed at the horrifying results.

2) Cinderella Man - I have to admit that I am a big fan of Russell Crowe, and thus this movie easily makes my list. I know a lot of people who hate boxing, but have loved this movie simply because of the plot centered around the struggles endured during the great depression.

3) Field Of Dreams - Of all of the films on this list, this is the film that I have watched more times than any other. It got to the point a few years ago where no one could stand to be in the same room as me while I watched this film, simply because I could repeat the entire dialogue. This is one of the few films that is equal to or better than the book in my opinion.

4) Hoosiers - For me this is by far the best basketball film ever made. Dennis Hopper and Gene Hackman both give amazing performances. There have been a lot films that try to depict the same underdog defeating the giant scenario, but none of them do it as well as Hoosiers.

5) Rocky (as the series, minus Rocky V) - You simply can’t talk about sports movies without mentioning the Rocky films. One of the best parts about these films is still the music. I’m glad that Stallone decided to make Rocky Balboa so that the franchise didn’t have to end on the mess that was Rocky V.

6) Caddyshack - My bias again comes out with this selection because I think that Bill Murray is one of, if not the, funniest comedians in film. Murray’s role as Carl the groundskeeper is one of the funniest things I have ever watched. This film amazes me even more after learning how much of the dialogue was improvised by the actors. Harrold Ramis and Bill Murray really made some great movies together.

7) The Sandlot - The characters, and especially their nicknames, are some of my favorites ever. This film really does remind me of what it was like to simply be a kid and get together with friends to play baseball, or any other sport, after school or during the summer. I can still remember my group of friends determining who was which character from this movie. Just for the record I was Smalls, although my favorite character is Squints.

8) Major League - Its impossible for me to watch a baseball and not think of "just a bit outside" anytime a wild pitch is thrown. The revelations of Charlie Sheen actually taking steroids for this film, and Wesley Snipes being incredibly slow only seem to add to the lore of this film in my opinion. Seeing where those two actors are now in their lives what is perhaps even crazier is the notion that these revelations don’t seem shocking at all.

9) Million Dollar Baby - Clint Eastwood deserves all of the praise and recognition for this film. No other actor could have played the role that he did in this film. Hilary Swank was definitely good and deserved her praise as well, but this movie would not have been the same without Eastwood.

10) The Rookie - I figure that this film is one that not many others would pick for their own list, but it is one that I really enjoy. Dennis Quaid plays such an easy character to like that it’s hard not to enjoy this film in my opinion. One of my favorite lines also comes from this film which is, "Sometimes you have to stop doing what you want to do, and start doing what you were meant to do."

10 Jaw Dropping Movie Moments

Lists. Every critic has them. The people almost demand them. Some are created to showcase the best, others the worst. We hope to provide our readers interesting lists on this site from time to time, including the obligatory top ten movies of the year when the time comes. We broke it up to five movies each, but we reserve the right in any future lists to have as many or as few as we see fit.

Dan – I couldn’t quite rank these movies from first to last, so I listed them alphabetically. I realize that some of them are also on Mark’s list, but we have our different reasons. And these are not the only movies that have elicited a reaction like this, but merely the first few that popped into my head. I also realize that these all revolve around action sequences, and I hope those who read this blog can see that I don’t prefer only action movies. I’d like to think that there is a well-rounded selection of movies reviewed on this site that fit at least a part of most people’s tastes. So without further ado:

THE DARK KNIGHT – It begins with the armored car transport of Harvey Dent and ends with the capture of the Joker. There was a hint of this scene in the trailer for the movie and I remember thinking that seeing a semi flip end over end would be cool to watch. But it was more than just the semi-truck flip. It was everything leading up to it. Seeing the Bat-Pod eject from the Tumbler and zip through people and in between cars only pumped me up for how it could end. And then the flip. Sure, it defies a few logistical issues, but it’s just so damn cool! And you gotta love the Joker’s reaction when he finally gets caught.

INCEPTION – You probably know the scene if you’ve seen it: The turning hallway/zero-gravity fight. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and some random bad-guy beat the crap out of each other in a hotel hallway while it rotates a full 360 degrees or more. My jaw was almost in my lap and I was giddy through the whole scene. I loved it for a few reasons: One – I have never seen anything like it before, even if it has been done in other movies. Two – Upon watching the DVD special features I learned that there were very few, if any, special effects used on this scene. The whole set was built in an airplane hangar and actually rotated! So it was up to the actors themselves to sell me on making it look real. And finally – Consider my mind blown by putting this scene in context of the movie itself; it’s a dream within a dream, and whenever something happens to the dreamer’s body in the original dream, it manifests itself physically in the second layer dream. See, just trying to explain it blows my mind all over again!

INDEPENDENCE DAY – The jaw drop happened when the aliens make their initial attack and destroy New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. I know, I know, most people don’t like this movie a whole lot especially those movie “elitists” that don’t appreciate a great summer popcorn movie. And the director of this movie, Roland Emmerich, has made some really stupid movies loaded with effects in hopes that plot and interesting characters would be overlooked (I’m looking at you 2012 and 10,000 BC). But let’s give a tiny amount of background here. I was 16 when this movie was released and thus not mature enough nor concerned with much beyond cool action and neat special effects. And this movie is loaded with both. I remember thinking then that it was my favorite movie of all time. Now fast forward 15 years, and having recently re-watched it (come on people, it was the 4^th of July!) I was still impressed as the effects held up quite well over time. I’ve now watched enough movies in the interim to appreciate a good think-piece or even (shudder) a documentary. So I do have some taste, however little it may be.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS – It happens at the climax of the battle of Helm’s deep when Gandalf arrives with the Riders of Rohan. It was the sweeping motion of the camera over the riders coming to the rescue coupled with the ethereal score of Howard Shore, and the almost Christian theme of a hero dressed in white leading an army of good against an army of evil. I remember I got chills as I watched it the first time. It was such an emotional payoff for me because of what took place immediately prior, where the heroes on the verge of defeat were going to meet their almost certain death with valiant bravery (boy do I sound like a nerd!). I sat in the theater simply in awe at how majestic it looked (not really helping my case for nerdiness here). It was just… incredible. This scene is moviemaking at its best.

THE MATRIX RELOADED – One of the greatest action sequences I’ve ever seen in any movie has got to be the freeway chase. Wow. I remember almost holding my breath watching it the first time because I had no idea how it would end. It still gets my blood pumping whenever I watch it. Car chases have been done almost to death in the movies and there are a lot of really good ones for comparison (Ronin, The Italian Job, Bullitt), but this movie mixed it up by adding a science fiction element to it of the Agents being able to control anyone inside the Matrix (except the good guys of course). Consequently there are lots of people on the freeway for them to assume control over. Lots of crashes and lots of exciting close calls really set this apart from most other car chases. What is it about slow-motion that can make a pretty cool action sequence look freakin' awesome? And let’s not forget Morpheus and an Agent to engaging in MMA on top of a moving semi-truck. Only when it ends with the Operator throwing his arms up in triumph while shouting “YES!” can you begin to relax a little.

Mark -  I chose to go the route of choosing the films as much as individual moments in film that were jaw dropping for me.  These are 5 of my favorite films and I didn't go into a lot of detail about the surprises and jaw dropping moments in them, simply because I don't want to give anything away if someone hasn't seen the film.

1) INCEPTION - I have to admit that the closer this movie came to being released, the more and more I wanted to see it. When I saw the first teaser for this movie, 6 months before it was actually released, I thought it looked cool but didn’t feel like it was something I would have to see right away. By the time Inception was released I knew I had to see it opening weekend. I saw it the second day it was out and was lucky enough to not know any more about it than what was shown on the previews. Many people feel that The Matrix was revolutionary in what it did, and for me Inception surpasses the steps they took and takes movies somewhere they have never been before.

2) THE USUAL SUSPECTS - How often is the saying, "the person you least expect" really a true statement? Nothing is better than watching a movie like The Usual Suspects and not know what to expect. The plot and story is compelling and captivating, and then to finally realize who Keyser Soze is at the end. This movie deserves to own the rights to, "the person you least expect."

3) A BEAUTIFUL MIND - I’m so happy that the trailer for this movie gave away so little about the film. I was so convinced that everything Russell Crowe’s character was seeing was real, and it was everyone else that was being deceived. Obviously the writers of this film took a lot of liberties in the adaptation and based on real life story of Dr. Nash, but this was definitely one of those movies where I left wondering how many of these events really happened.

4) THE DARK KNIGHT - Obviously the death of Heath Ledger played a huge role in creating hype about this movie, but did this movie, and Ledger in particular, ever live up to the hype. I can’t think of any movie where I have ever been so intrigued by a villain, to the point of where you almost find yourself rooting for The Joker rather than Batman. It is amazing to see a character who doesn’t care about anything or anyone, including himself.

5) ROAD TO PERDITION - This movie is probably a little shocking to see on this list, but there are so many things I loved about this film, and that just made me say, wow! There are simple shots like Tom Hanks walking in towards the camera as it zooms out, that was just breathtaking for me to watch. There are also more complex shots as the one where you see Jude Law’s character fire at Tom Hanks character and his son while they speed away from the diner. If you watch that shot in slow motion it is incredible to see the detail of the bullet and shattering glass of the car windshield. Those single shots were jaw dropping alone, but the movie doesn’t stop as it delivers a powerful double surprise ending.

My Random Thought/Honorable Mention:  There are two films that I will also remember for very specific reasons which will relate to none of you specifically, but hopefully you will have the same experience.
1) JUNO - There is a scene where Juno is sitting in the kitchen talking with her parents and it shows the kitchen clock in the background.  You're probably thinking so what?  Well...the clock in the background is a mushroom clock and it is the same clock that was in my kitchen growing up and into my late twenties, and only recently have my parents actually taken it down from their kitchen.
2) A SERIOUS MAN - Similar to the above mentioned film, in this film there is a scene where the family is sitting down to eat, and their brown and white plates with the flower pattern are the same plates that I grew up with also. 
While I realize that it is not that uncommon to see something in a movie that you actually own yourself, its the weird items that you grow up with and have never seen anyone else with that you find shocking to see in a film of all places.

Feel free to chime in here with disagreements, or maybe your own jaw dropping moments/movies.