Sports are an interesting topic for me. I used to be obsessed as a kid. Seriously, I used to create personal baseball training camps for myself in order to be the best. I collected all the baseball cards (I still have them somewhere) and was the Orioles biggest fan. I remember getting MVP on my soccer team one year and being heart broken and ticked off.... I had no idea that MVP meant Most Valuable Player and thought it was the award you got when there was nothing left to give. Boy, did I blush when I found out what it actually meant!
The fact is (and this is a very hard personal confession) I have never forgiven myself for giving up on my potential. In high school, our soccer coach saw me run the 400 meter and asked why in the world I wasn't on a sports team. I didn't have a good reason, but my negative response was already prepared when he asked me to join the team. It's a hard lesson to learn as I look back and see that I quit on my own potential. Even worse I didn't have a good reason for it. I'm not saying I could have been great or even good, I'm just saying I could have tried. Since than sadly I've lost some of my taste for watching live sports.
Sports are more than just games. They inspire, they teach truth, they direct culture, and they are inversely shaped by culture. They push people to reach their highest ability and make you believe that anything is possible. That is why I am a huge sucker for sports movies. They are stories of pure inspiration mingled with life lessons. Now then, sports are supposed to be fun as well, so let's get away from this all this serious talk and have some!
What follows is a list of the top sports movies of all time. But there is a twist. These movies have to match up against each other (in true sport's fashion) to see who comes out a winner. Some of you may notice a large void in the fact that The Blindside is no where to be found on my list. I'm sorry! I'm apparently the only person in the world cursed to not be a fan of it. But you'll get over it... I hope. Feel free to submit your own top ten lists in the comments. And no... race car driving is not a sport! ;)
Round 1:
Cinderella Man VS. Warrior VS. Rocky Series
This one is a three way death match between a Rookie, an All-Star, and a Legend. That's right, ladies and gentleman, we've got the Gold, Silver and Bronze right here! Some of you may disagree, but I have to give the Gold to Cinderella Man. The movie isn't just a great sports film, it's a spectacular movie! This is the movie that made me love Russell Crowe; I can only hope to be the kind of father and all-around good guy he was in this movie. If this movie doesn't move you to tears and get your heart rate jumping, you might want to make sure your not actually dead... Bruce Willis didn't know... look how that ended up for him!
I may get strung up for this one but I'm giving the Silver to Warrior. It may be the Rookie film here, but it's exceptional. Tom Hardy is beyond belief in this movie. If you think he was intimidating in The Dark Knight Rises, wait til you see him emotionlessly beat other guys to a pulp and than walk off without a backward glance. It's so emotionally charged I don't even recognize what I'm feeling at the end, but it's powerful!
Sadly, Rocky is left with the Bronze. It's an incredible series--make no mistake--but we can't just pretend that the fifth movie didn't happen. That and each movie has pretty much the same chemical make up over and over again. But those are excusable in comparison to the rest of the greatness. My goal is to make a long mix of all of Rock's training montages (minus the cheesy peep talks from Adrianna) and watch them every day before I work out to pump me up.
Round 2:
The fact is (and this is a very hard personal confession) I have never forgiven myself for giving up on my potential. In high school, our soccer coach saw me run the 400 meter and asked why in the world I wasn't on a sports team. I didn't have a good reason, but my negative response was already prepared when he asked me to join the team. It's a hard lesson to learn as I look back and see that I quit on my own potential. Even worse I didn't have a good reason for it. I'm not saying I could have been great or even good, I'm just saying I could have tried. Since than sadly I've lost some of my taste for watching live sports.
Sports are more than just games. They inspire, they teach truth, they direct culture, and they are inversely shaped by culture. They push people to reach their highest ability and make you believe that anything is possible. That is why I am a huge sucker for sports movies. They are stories of pure inspiration mingled with life lessons. Now then, sports are supposed to be fun as well, so let's get away from this all this serious talk and have some!
What follows is a list of the top sports movies of all time. But there is a twist. These movies have to match up against each other (in true sport's fashion) to see who comes out a winner. Some of you may notice a large void in the fact that The Blindside is no where to be found on my list. I'm sorry! I'm apparently the only person in the world cursed to not be a fan of it. But you'll get over it... I hope. Feel free to submit your own top ten lists in the comments. And no... race car driving is not a sport! ;)
Round 1:
Cinderella Man VS. Warrior VS. Rocky Series
I may get strung up for this one but I'm giving the Silver to Warrior. It may be the Rookie film here, but it's exceptional. Tom Hardy is beyond belief in this movie. If you think he was intimidating in The Dark Knight Rises, wait til you see him emotionlessly beat other guys to a pulp and than walk off without a backward glance. It's so emotionally charged I don't even recognize what I'm feeling at the end, but it's powerful!
Sadly, Rocky is left with the Bronze. It's an incredible series--make no mistake--but we can't just pretend that the fifth movie didn't happen. That and each movie has pretty much the same chemical make up over and over again. But those are excusable in comparison to the rest of the greatness. My goal is to make a long mix of all of Rock's training montages (minus the cheesy peep talks from Adrianna) and watch them every day before I work out to pump me up.
Round 2:
Moneyball VS. For Love of the Game
Battling for the next spot are two of my favorite baseball movies. So of you might be saying, "Hey! Field of Dreams is a way better Kevin Costner baseball movie." To which I would say, "Back off kid, this is my list!" But seriously I think I'll stick with the inspiring idea of a guy pitching a no-hitter over the crazy guy building a ball park because he sees dead people. Regardless, both movies would lose to Moneyball.
I know, I know there isn't a whole lot of baseball per se in it, but really I think it might even be better for that. Listen, I love baseball, I mean I played it for ten years dang it, but watching it can only entertain so much ;) This movie goes beyond the inning by inning break down and shows you what it actually takes to make a good ball team. Funny, intelligent, and inspiring--I will say no more!
I know, I know there isn't a whole lot of baseball per se in it, but really I think it might even be better for that. Listen, I love baseball, I mean I played it for ten years dang it, but watching it can only entertain so much ;) This movie goes beyond the inning by inning break down and shows you what it actually takes to make a good ball team. Funny, intelligent, and inspiring--I will say no more!
Round 3: Rudy VS. Remember the Titans
This match is so close, we're going to end up in overtime. On the one hand, you have the story of an incredibly dedicated man, who is willing to do anything to make his dream come true. It's a strong testament that, as Walt Disney put it, "Sometimes it's fun to do the impossible." If Samwise Gamgee can make it on the Notre Dame football team, I surely should be able to have a library like the one in Beauty and the Beast someday.... Don't judge my dreams ;)
It pains me to deny this to Rudy but I'm giving this spot to Remember the Titans. Not only is this movie made better by that fact that it's true, but to frame such a inspiring sports story with the principle of racial equality makes it destined for greatness. Not only that but you have an all-star cast! (Do people even realize that Ryan Gosling was the scrawny kid who couldn't ran fast enough?!) This is probably the best football movie of all time.
Round 4:The Greatest Game Every Played VS. The Legend of Bagger Vance
I know what your thinking, "A golf movie?! This high on the list?!" To which I would answer this time, "Isn't it crazy how I always know what your going to say?" Anyway, I stand by my choice. Both of these movies are incredible and surprisingly riveting for their subject matter. My wife hates golf but loves both of these, so that should tell you something.
Even though the chain of events is very similar in these two films and I love the spiritual undertones of Bagger Vance, I'm calling this one in favor of The Greatest Game Ever Played. It must be that I can relate to the young, poor, underestimated golfer better than I can the drunk, war vet golfer. It's an inspiring movie (with one of the most beautiful soundtracks ever made) that puts me in the mood to go play nine holes every time!
Round 5:
Space Jam VS. The Air Up There As I was thinking about this list I was actually surprised there weren't a lot of great basketball movies out there. My only explanation is that people would rather be watching the actual thing instead of a movie about it. These are both great because they appeal to the young athlete in all of us. If you haven't seen either of these in a while, do yourself a favor. Pull them out and bask in feeling of childhood again
Round 6:
Miracle VS. The Mighty Ducks
Sorry, everyone, but even though the last movie won because of childhood nostalgia, that isn't going to happen in this round. Plus, I really hated the third Mighty Ducks movie. I mean, come on! You have a team of national champions that have been doing nothing but play hockey since they hit puberty and they can't even beat a college hockey team?! Get out of town!
The undisputed champion here is Miracle. Plus it's nice to note this is the first time the Olympics have made the list. I am actually a huge hockey fan despite my non-Canadian birth, so this movie is very satisfying to me. Furthermore, it highlights one of the greatest lessons to learn in sports: you don't have to win every time to be a champion, you only have to win when it truly matters.
Round 7:
The undisputed champion here is Miracle. Plus it's nice to note this is the first time the Olympics have made the list. I am actually a huge hockey fan despite my non-Canadian birth, so this movie is very satisfying to me. Furthermore, it highlights one of the greatest lessons to learn in sports: you don't have to win every time to be a champion, you only have to win when it truly matters.
Round 7:
Invisible VS. The Longest Yard
I'm going to try and avoid bias here as a Philadelphia Eagle's fan! I like The Longest Yard (minus the creepy inappropriateness of prison humor), but it just is no match for the power of Invincible. The Sandler flick was leaps and bounds above his last sports attempt, but it's still got his typical joke scheme. The Wahlberg flick on the other hand has some of the most intense sports actions scenes I've ever seen. When I watch, I can't help but feel cheated that I don't get to watch live games from the players perspective! Plus it's a Disney ;) Can't go wrong there.
Round 8:
Round 8:
The Sandlot VS. Angels in the OutfieldUnfortunately, Disney can't win them all. Angels in the Outfield is an incredible movie. Additionally, I can't lie, if you go back and watch the movie of my life you will see me at every Orioles game I ever went to flapping my arms at least once... just in case. Plus it's a way fun movie... there's just no beating a cult classic.
Ladies, are there any of you out there that can understand why guys love The Sandlot so much! If so, you've come a long way in understanding the male psyche. This is the way all boys view their childhood. At least if you grew up in the time before baseball became unpopular for a lot of people... CURSE YOU STRIKE OF 1995!! But this movie is "the Sultan of Swat! the Colossus of Clout, (the Colossus of Clout), The Big Bambino" of baseball movies. And it's destined to stay that way... "Foorrevvver"! (close up on my lips)
Round 9:
Seabiscuit VS. Secretariat
Round 9:Seabiscuit VS. Secretariat
This battle is a shout out to a great friend of Alisa and mine, and she'll hate me forever for it ;) In all honesty, I have never seen Secretariat. I've heard nothing but good things about it, and recently I've been trying to find a copy to watch but to no avail. So this is more my explanation about why I love Seabiscuit so much.
My reaction with Seabiscuit was oddly the same as when Secretariat came out, "Really... a movie about horse racing... I'd rather watch NASCAR..." I'm just kidding. NOBODY enjoys NASCAR ;) However, after hearing David McCullough's sweet-song-of-joy narrating, I was hooked. This is more than just a horse racing movie, it's a historical piece that I feel is directed to perfection. Plus, the score is incredible.
Mostly this movie has a special place in my heart because of one simple line, "You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause he's banged up a little" I pray for the day when the world recognizes this as a whole. This movie is the perfect analogy for that idea. The horse, the trainer, the rider, the owner, all of them have hit rock bottom and all it takes is coming together and caring enough to help others reach their full potential. No matter what you think of yourself, this movie is proof that you can be a miracle if you believe it.
Round 10:
My reaction with Seabiscuit was oddly the same as when Secretariat came out, "Really... a movie about horse racing... I'd rather watch NASCAR..." I'm just kidding. NOBODY enjoys NASCAR ;) However, after hearing David McCullough's sweet-song-of-joy narrating, I was hooked. This is more than just a horse racing movie, it's a historical piece that I feel is directed to perfection. Plus, the score is incredible.
Mostly this movie has a special place in my heart because of one simple line, "You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause he's banged up a little" I pray for the day when the world recognizes this as a whole. This movie is the perfect analogy for that idea. The horse, the trainer, the rider, the owner, all of them have hit rock bottom and all it takes is coming together and caring enough to help others reach their full potential. No matter what you think of yourself, this movie is proof that you can be a miracle if you believe it.
Round 10:
Cool Runnings VS. ...Are there really no other bobsled movies?!?!
So the winner by default is Cool Runnings! Man, this movie is a classic. It's made better by the fact that they don't win in the end. Oops! Sorry! I didn't warn you about that spoiler alert! This movie is just the perfect capstone to stories that inspire you to do great things. Life doesn't really have winners and losers in the way competitive sense. All it takes finishing after having given all you had. Man, I am ready to go... fight a bear with my bare hands after all this!
Wild Card
Pixar's Short "Geri's Game" VS. Searching For Bobby Fisher
Words are not needed... this will be epic!
Wish I could take the credit here, but Alisa inspired this match up.
Wish I could take the credit here, but Alisa inspired this match up.
Great list Carl. I just have a few that I would have to add. Surfing: Soul Surfer vs. North Shore. Rugby: Forever Strong and Baseball: the Rookie. Oh and how do we forget wrestling: Nacho Libre.
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