Saturday, March 20, 2010

Movies With Game

by Beth

I came across a list of the Best Sports Movies of All Time (you can check it out here on Moviefone) which got me thinking of all my favorite Sports Movies. To narrow it down a bit, I thought I'd name only the movies about sports that my kids have played.


Baseball (softball for my daughters) - Three immediately come to my mind: League of Their Own, Bad News Bears (when I was young, there was even a Bad News Bears TV show *g*) and...Angels in the Outfield (my son must've watched that movie a hundred times when he was little!)


Soccer - Bend it Like Beckham! This was the first movie I ever saw Keira Knightly in *g*


Football - Rudy (of course *g*) and Little Giants (yet another movie my son watched over and over *g*)


Track and Field - Chariots of Fire. It has to be this movie as it's the only one I can think of about this sport :-)


Hockey - Miracle and yes, The Mighty Ducks *g* When our son goes to play hockey, my husband always tells him to hit the 'knuckle puck'...which, of course, makes our son roll his eyes and mutter under his breath about un-cool we are (so not true! we are very cool!)


Basketball - Hoosiers! I could watch this movie over and over again! We caught part of it on TV the other night and got to watch Ollie sink his free throws to win the game. I love that scene because he shot underhand just like my father-in-law did back when he played in high school :-)

My son has also ran cross country and my daughters play volleyball but I don't think I've seen any movies about either of those sports. I'll have to do some research *g*

As for favorite Sports Movies, in our house Rocky, Caddy Shack and Remember The Titans are all on our list *g*


What are your favorite Sports Movies? Favorite scenes in those movies? What sports have you played? And if you checked out the Moviefone link above, how many of their 25 picks have you seen?

49 comments:

Jane said...

I love the hockey movies especially "Youngblood." I also love "The Replacements" with Keanu Reeves. I've only seen five of the movies on the Moviefone list including "The Pride of the Yankees." Hard to believe I missed so many classics.

Helen said...

Well done Jane he is probably a bit tired today from all the excitement yesterday. Caitlyn is doing fine thanks for all the best wishes.

Beth

I too love watching sports movies one of my all time favourites is A League Of There Own I love that movie and The Mighty Ducks is always watched here in my house all of them we have them on DVD as well and I love The Titans and Hardball with Keanu Reeves in it always makes me cry. Angels In The Outfield another favourite here.

I love soccer and love Bend It Like Beckham another great soccer movie is called Goal don't remember who is in it but a great movie.

Chariots Of Fire wasn't one of my favourites but there are a lot there that we enjoy in ouf house.

Have Fun
Helen

Anna Sugden said...

Great post, Beth! I enjoy sporting movies - they can be really uplifting!

Like Jane, I love hockey movies. Miracle is such a great feel good movie and Kurt Russell is awesome as the late great Herb Brooks. Most hockey fans will cite Slap Shot as their fave, I'v'e yet to see that. I also like Mystery, Alaska which has Russell Crowe in it. Jane, you may like that one as it has some real Rangers in it too.

I loved Chariots of Fire too.

Football movies - loved We are Marshall and North Dallas Forty. I guess you could consider Jerry Maguire a football movie.

Baseball movies - love, love, love Bull Durham! And also Major League.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new movie with Matt Damon about South African rugby - Invictus.

Horses - loved Sea Biscuit.

Car Racing - I know most people hated it, but I liked Days of Thunder

Off to check out the Moviefone list.

Anna Sugden said...

Helen - congrats on the birth of your newest grandbaby!

Jane - commiserations on the chook! LOL

Marisa O'Neill said...

Hey Beth, it's ironic that I'm definitely NOT a sports fan in any way shape or form, BUT, I do love a good sports movie. I love the whole 'underdog' aspect of the eventual winning team. I also love the whole 'pulling together' of the individual players so that the team can finally win. I love the triumph over adversity; and of course the swelling music in the pivotal scene where everything comes together and the character that you've been rooting for all along finally realizes their dream. Some of my favorite sports movies are Jerry Maguire, Wildcats, Heaven Can Wait and the original Rocky.

Anna Sugden said...

Hi Marisa!! Hope you and Maria are well!!

Oh yes - forgot about Wildcats - great movie.

Laurie G said...

I'd add:
Breaking Away -bicycling
and The Cutting Edge- pairs ice skating
I'd also add: The Replacements football and Heaven Can Wait football both already mentioned.

I've seen a lot of these movies,20.
I really found Rudy, Remember the Titans, Cutting Edge and Breaking Away to be inspirational.

Loved Caddyshack!!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Bull Durham is one of my favorites (loved it when the bull got hit!). As well as Major League, Necessary Roughness (loved Scott Bakula), and all the others you listed (we're big sports fans, so of course we love the sports movies).

Beth Andrews said...

Good morning, Jane! Congrats on nabbing the Golden Rooster *g* What do you two have planned for today?

I'm pretty sure I've seen Youngblood but I can't remember anything about it except that it starred Rob Lowe *g* I'll have to add it to my Netflix queue. And I've never seen The Replacements. Will remedy that as well.

I've seen 15 of Moviefone's top 25 and now I definitely want to check out the other 10 :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Helen, congrats on your new granddaughter!

Oh, I forgot about Hardball. I loved that movie! And I've been wanting to see Goal *g*

Part of the reason I love sports movies is because the entire family can watch them and enjoy them :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Anna! I've only seen bits and pieces of Slap Shot but keep thinking I'll watch the whole thing someday with my son.

I'm now realizing there are so many sports movies I haven't seen, such as We Are Marshall and Sea Biscuit. As soon as I'm finished with my revisions, I'm going to have a movie marathon :-)

Oh, and I liked Days of Thunder, too! And loved Major League ;-)

Beth Andrews said...

Marisa, you nailed it! Those are all the reasons I love sports movies, too *g*

I loved Wildcats and Rocky is a huge fave at our house. Even though Rocky didn't win, the ending is still one of my all-time favorite endings :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Laurie, my husband is a huge Caddyshack fan! And on one of our first dates, I made him take me to see The Cutting Edge *g* Loved it!

Beth Andrews said...

Hi, Stacy!

Ah...Scott Bakula! Love him *g* And Necessary Roughness is a fun movie.

And I'll just admit that I also love Dodgeball:A True Underdog Story *g* So much fun!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

I love sport movies, Beth!

One of my favorites is MAJOR LEAGUE...even though it spoofs my Indians, the story of a group of misfit ball players triumphing over the evil female owner is just perfect. And Tom Berenger in it isn't bad, either!

Another is PRIDE OF THE YANKEES. This is the story of Lou Gehrig. Gary Cooper plays him so well, and you know how it's going to end, because well, the deadly disease is named after him, but I still love the movie.

Another great one is INVINCIBLE, the true story of Vincent Papale, the school teacher who made the Eagles team during an open try out during a football strike. Oh and Mark Wahlberg is in it, so what's not to like?

Joan said...

What a cool post, Beth!

I like League of Their Own and the hockey movie...oh, the name escapes me right now but it was about a small Alaska team and the star was Russell Crowe??

It was the first time I'd noticed him.

And...don't laugh...Ice Castles and the original The Cutting Edge!

Happy Spring everyone!

Deb said...

I really like "Hoosiers" and "The Sandlot" is fun. I've seen a lot of the movies on the top 50 list, but I think these two are the ones that stand out for me.

Just for fun: "The Rookie" is based on the son of my MIL's best friend.

Deb said...

@Joan, hey, I was thinking "Ice Castles", too, but only because it takes place here in Iowa. The skiing movie from the early 70s about Jill Kilmont came to mind, too. I'm not certain, but I think it was called "The Other Side of the Mountain."

Donna MacMeans said...

Congratulations Helen!!! Heard Caitlyn made her debut (she probably couldn't wait to join "the club".)

Congratulations to Jane as well for snagging the GR.

Beth - You hit most of my favs, especially RUDY - one of the most inspirational films of all time - esp. as it's based on a true story. Love the Hoosiers - especially during March Madness (grin). Here's an oldie that I like for football - THE LONGEST YARD. Love the prison cheerleaders. Does ROCKY count for boxing?

Love the dancing in BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.

NORTH DALLAS FORTY has a soft spot in my heart as I thought my husband looked like the quarterback in that movie (can't remember his name now).

WE ARE MARSHALL isn't exactly a football movie but it makes me cry. How about THE BLIND SIDE?

Guess I hadn't realized how many sports-type movies there are.

pjpuppymom said...

I love sports and sports movies. I've seen 17 of the 25 films on the Moviefone list.

I pretty much sobbed my way through "Brian's Song." Growing up watching the Bears, I knew how this story was going to play out. It's a beautiful story of friendship but so very, very sad.

I also grew up going to Notre Dame football games so "Rudy" was a must-see in my family.

Pete Gent, who wrote both the book, "North Dallas Forty" and the screenplay for the movie grew up near me. My dad knew him so, of course, he bought the book (which I immediately snatched) when it was released. *g*

I never tire of watching "Pride of the Yankees." It's a classic.

I love all the hockey movies, especially Miracle. Each time I watch the movie, it's like reliving the 1980 game (I was *glued* to the TV) all over again.

pjpuppymom said...

VAnna, I love "Mystery, Alaska." Very enjoyable movie.

Beth, "Hoosiers" is another classic that everyone should see. Great, great movie!

michellewillingham said...

I loved "Remember the Titans" and also "The Karate Kid" movies. :)

Incidentally, I was there when they were filming Rudy (I went to Notre Dame). During one of the football games, the camera crew filmed us all chanting "Rudy, Rudy." So, in a roundabout way, I'm in that film! My friend Colleen was "Bicycle Girl," one of the extras. Fun stuff.

Beth Andrews said...

Suz, I've never seen Pride of the Yankees but I bet my husband and I would really enjoy it. And I love Gary Cooper *g*

Oh and Mark Wahlberg is in it, so what's not to like?

LOL - true! Although I wasn't crazy about his hairstyle but let it pass since it was set in the
70's ;-)

Beth Andrews said...

Happy Spring, Joan! It's been very spring-like here the past week but all of us know chances are we'll get snow again before mid April *g*

I remember watching Ice Castles when I was little and I loved it! They've remade it recently. I'll see if I can get my daughters to watch it with me :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Hi, Deb! Yes! I adore The Sandlot!! What an awesome movie *g*

Just for fun: "The Rookie" is based on the son of my MIL's best friend.

That is so cool! I somehow missed that movie - I think I was out the night when my husband and son watched it. I'll add it to my movie marathon list :-)

Beth Andrews said...

THE LONGEST YARD. Love the prison cheerleaders. Does ROCKY count for boxing?

Donna, The Longest Yard cracks me up! Love the original *g*

And yep, Rocky counts. It's number one on Moviefone's list :-)

So, I guess we can count other sports, too. Like cheerleading. I love Bring It On and I have to say, Fired Up is really cute and a lot of fun *ggg*

Beth Andrews said...

PJ, I love all the connections you have to those movies!

And I totally agree about Hoosiers! I could watch it a hundred times *g*

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Michelle! I had such a crush on Ralph Macchio *sigh* And I couldn't get enough of The Karate Kid! The action! The fighting! The Romance!

It had it all :-)

I'll have to look for your friend the next time we watch Rudy! That's so cool you're in the film *g*

Unknown said...

I am not much into sports but i do enjoy watching a sports movie sometimes!
I enjoyed We are Marshall and Bull Durham, they where good! Bad New Bears and The Mighty Ducks was good too!

limecello said...

Hi Beth - great post!
Sports movies... um... love Remember the Titans. The Blind Side - pretty much the previews highlight good parts, but it's such a fantastic movie. I've been a huge fan of Michael Oher since I first heard about him in 2006.
Can't think of more sports movies off the top of my head, and no time to check - packing for Boston :)

Congrats on the GR, Jane!

Pam P said...

Even though I'm not much of a sports fan, I seem to be drawn to the movies, have seen 14 on that list. My favorites, Pride of the Yankees, Field of Dreams, Rudy, The Natural and Bull Durham. Also Raging Bull, Bang the Drum Slowly and the Hustler. Gee, I have quite a few favorites, lol.

Some more I liked: The Babe starring John Goodman, The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid; Tin Cup with Costner, about golf.

Nancy said...

Jane, congrats on the rooster!

Beth, Bull Durham is big around here, having been shot in Durham. I do like the scene where they're all at the mound discussing wedding gifts during the game. However, I prefer Field of Dreams or A League of Their Own or The Natural if I want to watch a baseball movie.

Bend it like Beckham holds up well, I think.

I can't think of a football movie I'd watch, offhand, though I'm with PJ in having wept my way through Brian's Song--but that movie wasn't really about football. It was about the two guys.

I love Chariots of Fire, partly because it evokes that period between the wars so beautifully.

I share Laurie's enjoyment of Breaking Away, which I haven't seen in a long time but remember fondly.

Pat Cochran said...

Hello, to all!

Favorite Sports films:

Brian's Song: story of the friend-
ship between Brian Piccolo and Gale
Sayers.

Field of Dreams

Bull Durham

Tin Cup

The Blind Side (my new favorite!)

Karate Kid with Pat Morita

Congratulations, Jane, on the GR.

Congratulations, Helen! I love the
name Caitlin!

Pat Cochran

Miranda Neville said...

Bull Durham. Best sports movie evah. One of my all time faves. the bathtub scene is HOT.

jo robertson said...

So sorry I'm late to the blog today! This is one of my favorite topics, Beth! Well done.

I'm not much of a sports enthusiast, but I DO LOVE sports movies. They seem to embody all of the feel-good ideas and events that I admire -- teamwork, overcoming adversity, rooting for the underdog.

One of my fave movies is WILDCATS with Goldie Hawn. It also stars a very young Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes. I've probably watched this movie two dozen times.

jo robertson said...

Oops, forgot to say that WILDCATS is a football movie!

And I also enjoyed BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and HOOSIERS. Basketball is my sport!

Beth Andrews said...

Virginia, those are all great picks! Another sports movie with Kevin Costner that I really enjoyed is Tin Cup. Had a cute romance between him and Renee Russo, too :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Lime, have fun in Boston! I was there for a quick trip last fall and had a great time *g*

I'm looking forward to seeing The Blind Side. I tear up just watching the previews so I'm sure I'll be bawling throughout most of it :-)

Beth Andrews said...

LOL, Pam! I see we're on the same page about Tin Cup. Oh, and another great movie about golf is The Legend Of Bagger Vance. *sigh* I do so adore Matt Damon :-)

jo robertson said...

Ah, Laurie, wasn't CUTTING EDGE a sleeper of a movie?

Pat, haven't seen The Blind Side yet, but with all the raves about it, I'll surely add it to my list.

And HELEN!! A big congrats on your new grandchild.

Beth Andrews said...

I do like the scene where they're all at the mound discussing wedding gifts during the game.

LOL, Nancy! That is such an awesome scene, isn't it?

Have you ever seen Leatherheads? I thought it was a cute movie and really enjoyed the romance between George Clooney and Renee Zellweger's characters :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Pat! Great picks and ones it seems as if most of us agree with *g*

Another great baseball movie is
61* - the story of the homerun race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. I just love Barry Pepper, the actor who played Maris!

Beth Andrews said...

LOL, Miranda! Bull Durham certainly is a favorite - and has so many memorable scenes *g*

Beth Andrews said...

They seem to embody all of the feel-good ideas and events that I admire -- teamwork, overcoming adversity, rooting for the underdog.

So well said, Jo! And I agree about Wildcats. It's a fabulous movie :-)

Pissenlit said...

My favourite sport movie of all time has to be Men With Brooms. Hee hee, cracks me up every time! Oh oh and though I don't like rewatching it 'cause it makes me cry, there's Field of Dreams.

Louisa Cornell said...

Great post! Sports movies are always good for a snuggle in day.

Hey, Jane, maybe you can get the GR to watch a few movies with you.

I've seen most of the films on the Movietone list. (I grew up with brothers so I often didn't have a choice!)

I LOVE Chariots of Fire, always have.

Baseball films would have to be a tie between Major League (Wild THING!) A League of Their Own and The Natural. The scene in The Natural where he knocks the lights out with the homerun is just amazing. A great film moment.

Basketball I love Hoosiers.

Football is a tie between Brian's Song and Remember the Titans.

Never been a big fan of golf, but I DO love The Legend of Bagger Vance.

Seabiscuit is probably my favorite sports film ever. And an early film called Champions about a British champion horse and jockey that both come back from horrible injuries is one of my all-time favorite movies period.

Becke Davis said...

Great movies - you've listed a lot of my favorites here!

limecello said...

Beth, thanks! :) I really like Boston, but never seem to do any of the "touristy" things when I'm here. Hopefully I get a chance to do that this time. Or, I get a chance to sleep 24/7. I'll take either, gladly.
As for the Blind Side - agreed. The previews made me cry every time I saw them. Every. Time. Even the exact same one.
I did cry while watching the movie, but less than I expected to (which is good?) As really I cried at the parts in the preview. Heh. So - but I still went prepared with a lot of tissues!

Kim in Baltimore said...

Late to the blog - great movies already listed. My favorite is Chariots of Fire. I couldn't think of any other track/field movies except the TV movie about Wilma Rudolph (broadcast in 1977). I was 12 and very inspired by Wilma for overcoming handicaps and racism to win three gold medals in the 1960 Rome Olympics.

I should mention surfing movies (as surfing is certainly a sport in Hawaii). Per sportsinmovies.com, the best surf movies are:

Back to the Beach (87)
Beach Party 63)
Big Wednesday (78)
Blue Crush (02)
In God’s Hands (98)
North Shore (87)
Point Break (91)
Ride the Wild Surf (64)
Surfer, Dude (08)
Surf’s Up (07)

Some of you may have cringed when reading Point Break with Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, and Lori Petty. But Point Break was directed by Kathryn Bigelow who, 19 years later, won Best Director for The Hurt Locker. Apparently women directors, like fine wine, perfects with age.