It’s Now Time to Start Debating Sports Movies
As so many not only at St. Lawrence but around the world are running out of things to do to keep us occupied amidst a global pandemic, I have compiled a list and description of my top sports movies and shows to give sports-lovers and cinema-lovers alike, something to both enjoy and debate over. A reminder that these are my personal favorites so don’t hold me accountable for arguments over this.
- Friday Night Lights (TV, 5 Seasons, 45mins episodes, Hulu)
This extremely popular series follows a high school football team in the small town of Dillon, Texas. The main characters are the head coach, Eric Taylor, his family and the players on the team. Friday Night Lights uses this small-town backdrop to tackle many modern issues in American culture including family values, racism, drugs, and lack of economic opportunities.
- Moneyball (Movie, 2hrs 15mins, Amazon)
Following the Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane, this movie shares the story of a team with the lowest salary cap in baseball. Beane’s goals of winning the World Series seem limited but when he is introduced to statistical analysis and data that places values on draft picks.
- Bull Durham (Movie, 1hrs 15mins, Amazon Prime)
Filmed in 1988, this rom-com film partially follows the experiences of minor-leaguer and director of the movie, Ron Shelton. Depicting the players, fans and professional staff of the Durham Bulls, this movie features drama between a younger and older player involved with a team groupie.
- Caddyshack (Movie, 1hrs 40mins, Amazon)
Arguably one of the funniest movies of all time, this movie focuses on comical situations at an exclusive golf club. Crazy and wealthy members face poorer and just as crazy staff. Danny, the main character, is attempting to do anything to earn enough money to attend college.
- Coach Carter (Movie, 2hrs 15mins, Showtime)
Coach Ken Carter, played by Samuel L. Jackson takes over the head coaching job for the Oilers basketball team at his old high school. Carter quickly learns that the athletes are rude and disrespectful and hands the players individual contracts. After they fail to follow,
- 42 (Movie, 2hrs, Amazon)
Highlighting one of the most important events in sports, 42 takes a look at the life and career of Jackie Robinson. Robinson became the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and this film discusses the racism and challenges he overcame.
- Remember the Titans (Movie, 1hr, Amazon)
Played by Denzel Washington, Herman Boone, the football coach at T.C Williams in Virginia is hired over a white coach in the early 1970’s. During this time period, schools had just begun to be integrated, allowing black students to attend. As the season progresses throughout the film, the team’s success causes the community to change their ways.
- Field of Dreams (Movie, 1hr 45mins, Amazon)
Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, is inspired by a voice he can’t ignore to start working on a dream he can hardly believe, to tear down his cornfield and build a baseball field. Supported by his wife, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true.
- Rocky (Movie, 2hrs, HBO)
Rocky Balboa is a boxer who is struggling to succeed. Despite his true talent and his inability to admit defeat, his friends and his coach writes him off When Apollo Creed, the Heavyweight Champion of the World visits Philadelphia, asking for a lesser man to fight, Apollo chooses him based on his nickname, ‘The Italian Stallion’. With his shot at glory in front of him, Rocky trains harder than he thought was possible in order to go the distance.
- Bad News Bears (Movie, 1 hr 45mins, Amazon)
An ex-minor leaguer, aging, tough luck coach takes on a team of misfits, the ultra-competitive California little league program gets flipped on its head. To scrape up some cash, Coach Buttermaker has to show his players the game of baseball, to have a chance in the upcoming championship.