Friday May 18, 2007
Games people play
By MELODY L GOH
Movies about sports may be seasonal but there sure are a lot to choose from.
Movies on sports are often quite interesting, even to someone with not much interest in the subject. Whether they are about a fictional sports team or personality, or a romantic tale that involves a sportsman, or even an inspiring true story about a particular sports personality, these movies can be as entertaining as the next summer blockbuster. Heck, some sports movies have even won Oscars and many awards.
 |
The Replacements: This film is memorable only because Keanu Reeves looks good in a football uniform. |
So, here are some unforgettable (for their magnificence or dreadfulness is debatable) sports movies that are strictly about the sport itself, or about its key players. You won’t find Brian’s Song, Tin Cup or even Field of Dreams in this list, in case you’re wondering.
American football
Any Given Sunday (1999): Sort of a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of American footballers, coaches, managers and team owners who go through many obstacles each day to stay on top of the game. Directed by Oliver Stone, this film stars Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid and LL Cool J.
The Replacements (2000): Perhaps memorable only because Keanu Reeves is in it, this film is based on a professional football players’ strike in 1987. Reeves plays the “scab” who replaces the star quarterback, who is on strike.
Athletics – track
Chariots of Fire (1981): This inspiring film with one of the most memorable (if not, recognisable) theme soundtracks tells the true story of two British track athletes – Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams – who compete in the 1924 Olympics. The plot is that one is Jewish and the other a devout Christian.
Baseball
A League of Their Own (1992): While it is true that loads of movies about baseball have been made, this is one of the very few that features an all-female team. The film is anchored on the story of two sisters (Geena Davis and Lori Petty) who join the first female professional baseball league, but it has enough oddball characters (Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell, anyone?) to spice things up.
Bad News Bears (1976): The younger generation might not appreciate the innocence and childish sweetness of this film, but it does bring back memories for those who remember seeing it on RTM in the early 1980s. Walter Matthau stars as an ageing and drunken coach of a team of misfits competing in the baseball minor leagues. While this film won a Writer’s Guild Award for best comedy writer, a 2005 remake with Billy Bob Thornton fell flat, unfortunately.
 |
Chariots of Fire: An inspiring film about the true story of two British athletes. |
Coach Carter (2005): Based on a true story, this one has Samuel L. Jackson playing a controversial high school basketball coach who locked out his winning team from the courts in order to encourage them to improve their studies.
Hoop Dreams (1994): A docu-drama that follows the lives of two African-American boys – Arthur Agee and William Gates (no relation to Bill Gates, of course) – and their quest to become college basketball players.
Space Jam (1996): Michael Jordan plays himself in this half-animation, half-live action film about a basketball game. His co-stars include Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Marvin Martian and some aliens.
Bobsleighing/ bobsleding
Cool Runnings (1992): Although based on a true story, this film has some pretty hilarious scenes and dialogues that render it an unforgettable comedy. Cool Runnings follows the adventures and challenges faced by the first Jamaican bobsleighing team to make it to the winter Olympics.
Bowling
 |
Rocky: The film starring Sylvester Stallone thrust boxing into the limelight. |
Boxing
Rocky (1976): Out of the many films on boxing, three high-profile ones have won Oscars. Rocky, written by and starring a young(er) Sylvester Stallone, won Oscars for best picture and best editing. It follows the story of small-time boxer Rocky Balboa who gets the chance to fight a heavyweight champ. Burgess Meredith’s performance as Rocky’s tough-talking trainer is one to remember.
Raging Bull (1980): One of Martin Scorsese’s many gems, this one stars Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta, a real-life boxer whose never-ending rage and pent-up emotions make him unbeatable in the ring. However, La Motta’s violent nature causes trouble in his personal life, and eventually sends him down a self-destructive path. Won an Oscar for best editing.
Million Dollar Baby (2005): A stone-hearted trainer/manager works with a woman who is determined to become a boxer. Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman won Oscars for their roles, while Clint Eastwood was awarded for best director.
Cricket
Lagaan (2001): A small village in 19th century North India is facing a terrible drought. To make matters worse, the British captain of a nearby cantonment is increasing the land tax. When the villagers make an appeal to the captain, he proposes a challenge instead – the villagers have to beat the British team in a game of cricket. Aamir Khan stars in this Oscar-nominated film.
Football
Bend it Like Beckham (2002): Memorable perhaps for the witty title, Bend it Like Beckham follows the adventures of an Indian girl who goes against her conservative family’s wishes and tries her luck in women’s professional football. This film also introduced the world to Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra.
Shaolin Soccer (2001): It’s silly (it is a Stephen Chow movie, after all) but still loads of fun to watch. Shaolin Soccer tells of a group of Shaolin followers who use their martial arts skills to play soccer.
Golf
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005): If it wasn’t for a recent screening on satellite TV, many would not have known about this inspiring film. It stars one of the year’s biggest breakout stars, Shia LaBeouf, and is directed by actor Bill Paxton. It is based on the true story of how a young golfer defeated his idol in the 1913 US Open golf championship.
Caddyshack (1980), Happy Gilmore (1996): One is about the comical goings on at an exclusive golf club; the other tells of how a rejected ice hockey player uses his skills on the greens. Both are hilarious, and cult favourites among movie buffs.
Ice hockey
The Mighty Ducks (1992): A lawyer and former ice hockey star player is forced to coach the worst peewee team in the league. Emilio Estevez stars alongside a young Joshua Jackson.
Karate
The Karate Kid (1984): It’s a cheesy film, but we all love it! The movie’s line, “wax on, wax off” is as familiar to many of us as the white beard that late actor Pat Morita sported in all the Karate Kid films. Ralph Macchio stars as a skinny boy who takes up karate to fight school bullies. Morita teaches him that there is more to martial arts than fighting.
Racing
 |
Tennis
Wimbledon (2004): Though technically in the romance genre, this film does (well, more or less) focus on the on-court ambitions of a jaded professional tennis player in the Wimbledon circuit.
RSS
