VILLAMARV Posted November 17 Posted November 17 Was watching a Netflix documentary about the Boston Red Sox and it was constantly reminding me of what is probably my favourite sports film Major League. As a Brit, my knowledge of baseball is almost non-existant. Pretty much everything I do know from the bull pen to the bottom of the 9th I learnt from watching and re-watching Major League as a nipper. Great casting, memorable one liners and a playful, rousing soundtrack it's a formulaic, predictable feel-good underdog film but somehow just absolutely nails it. There are some obvious ones - genre defining, oscar winning films, some fun and frivolous, some serious, some aimed at kids, others very adult in their themes. I'm sure we've chatted in the main film thread about this genre before but couldn't find a standalone thread dedicated to it, maybe it's my search skills and as ever mods, merge if necessary, but what are our favourite sports films and why? Like a few I expect to get mentioned, the success of Major League spawned some awful, lesser sequels but the original still manages to entertain me even though I've watched it so many times my original VHS must have been translucent. And introduced me to a sport that would never have really been on my radar. Wild Thing, you make my heart sing. 2
Pongo Waring Posted November 17 Posted November 17 For me it would be Rocky, Hoop Dreams, Raging Bull and The Colour of Money. Guilty pleasure would be Karate Kid. 1
Zatman Posted November 17 Posted November 17 Slap Shot is a classic sports film Escape to Victory is also awesome with possibly cinema most random cast 2
Popular Post bickster Posted November 17 Moderator Popular Post Posted November 17 Why is this even a topic. It’s obviously Escape to Victory Pele Bobby Moore Sylvester Stallone Michael Caine Max Von Sydow Ossie Ardiles Nazis POWs It’s got the lot 6
mjmooney Posted November 17 VT Supporter Posted November 17 Hmm, can't think of one I've particularly enjoyed. Maybe The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, if that counts. Oh, and a couple of motor racing ones - Grand Prix and Rush - weren't too bad, I suppose. Never seen Raging Bull or the Rocky films, as I detest boxing. I have seen The Harder They Fall, but only because I was 'collecting' Humphrey Bogart movies. TBH, I don't much like sport, except football. And not really even football if it doesn't involve the Villa.
theboyangel Posted November 17 Posted November 17 Off the top of my head (that haven’t been mentioned so far) are The Natural with Robert Redford, Invincible with Mark Wahlberg and The Fighter (again Wahlberg and Christian Bale) Goofy sports films of note - Happy Gilmore, Goon, Dodgeball and obviously Cool Runnings! 1
theboyangel Posted November 17 Posted November 17 Just now, Seat68 said: Die Hard. Niche choice! Christmas and Sports film 1
Zatman Posted November 17 Posted November 17 23 minutes ago, bickster said: Why is this even a topic. It’s obviously Escape to Victory Pele Bobby Moore Sylvester Stallone Michael Caine Max Von Sydow Ossie Ardiles Nazis POWs It’s got the lot And a bunch of random Ipswich lads 1
Nor-Cal Villan Posted November 17 Posted November 17 (edited) in no order Caddyshack Bad News Bears Slap Shot Raging Bull Rocky The Sandlot Hoop Dreams A League of Their Own Hoosiers Bull Durham The Wrestler The Natural North Dallas Forty Murderball When We Were Kings Downhill Racer (only for the skiing footage) Edited November 17 by Nor-Cal Villan
OutByEaster? Posted November 17 Moderator Posted November 17 I quite like Moneyball. Baseball tends to lend itself to a certain sentimentality. 3
OutByEaster? Posted November 17 Moderator Posted November 17 Also, not a film, but "Winning Time" about the Lakers was excellent.
tonyh29 Posted November 17 Posted November 17 (edited) Can’t remember the name but the one about the Mexican high school running team is pretty good also the flying Scotsman about Graeme Obree is quite decent even if it’s borderline calling cycling a sport Edited November 17 by tonyh29
TheAuthority Posted November 17 VT Supporter Posted November 17 1 hour ago, bickster said: Why is this even a topic. It’s obviously Escape to Victory Pele Bobby Moore Sylvester Stallone Michael Caine Max Von Sydow Ossie Ardiles Nazis POWs It’s got the lot You've forgotten John Wark. Classic tasche 1 1
Nor-Cal Villan Posted November 17 Posted November 17 13 minutes ago, tonyh29 said: Can’t remember the name but the one about the Mexican high school running team is pretty good also the flying Scotsman about Graeme Obree is quite decent even if it’s borderline calling cycling a sport McFarland.Great film, driven through that town several times. Not to be that guy, but it’s about the American high school running team
Nor-Cal Villan Posted November 17 Posted November 17 26 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: I quite like Moneyball. Baseball tends to lend itself to a certain sentimentality. Book is infinitely superior 1
tonyh29 Posted November 17 Posted November 17 Just now, Nor-Cal Villan said: McFarland.Great film, driven through that town several times. Not to be that guy, but it’s about the American high school running team Ah yeah good point , was just some of the runners were from the Mexican community 1
DCJonah Posted November 17 Posted November 17 Agree with lots already mentioned. Rudy is one of my all time favs but the more I've read the more I've seen it's not that close to real life that I thought it was.
Recommended Posts