There likely isn’t a sports blog that hasn’t talked about sports movies. So I have decided being different is for nerds and losers. I’m gonna do the same thing.
Today I’m going to list my TOP 10 sports movies.
Here’s the deal though. I am not basing them on anything other than the simple joy they gave me. I don’t care about cinematography or oscar-worthy performances, I just want to share what entertained my as a guy on a couch watching a movie.
‘
So, with that…
From the home office in Sugarbeet Falls, MT…
My Top 10 Sports Movies
Number 10:
ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
There is a definite cheese factor to most sports movies, and in trying to cut out the cheese, Any Given Sunday may have caused even more. I still love it though. When Cap Quaid goes down with an injury and Willie Beamon needs to get in and take the team to the promised land, it gets your blood pumping. Plus Al Pacino gives an amazing coach speech and Cameron Diaz may be at her all-time hottest. And LL Cool J. And in this clip I think they recycled the uniforms from the Keanu movie “The Replacements” (not on my top ten list).
Number 9:
THE BAD NEWS BEARS (76)
All I can remember about the first time I watched this movie is that I was legitimately sad for how much they made fun of Lupus. I watched it again as an adult however, and realized its a phenomenal movie. Walter Matthau’s expressions and overall pain is amazing, and the kids are perfect. And then Billy Bob Thorton tried it (not on my top ten list).
Number 8:
JERRY MAGUIRE
This is a great movie, but I can’t stand Renee Zelweger. I’m not above a good love story, but if they would have cut her out, this might be a top three for me. She’s so annoying.
Still top ten though. Cuba Gooding Jr. is amazing obviously. Even terrible sports radio host Jay Mohr is great (his book about Saturday Night Live makes him unlikable though).
Its always worth a stop when on TV.
Number 7:
BULL DURHAM
Its so hard to rank these movies. Bull Durham is almost a perfect movie. It sports. Its funny. A girl might actually watch and enjoy it. Susan Sarandon is one of the most sneaky hot actresses of all time. Lieutenant Dunbar and Andy Dufresne are entertaining from beginning to end. If you haven’t seen it, watch it immediately.
Number 6:
ROCKY
I’m pretty sure I watched the Rocky movies in this order; Rocky IV, Rocky II, Rocky III, and finally Rocky. I watched the one where he fights Tommy Morrison outside too but I don’t count it. I also did’t watch the last one I don’t think.
When I finally did get around to watching the original, after thoroughly enjoying the other three, I was blown away. Its a great sports movie.
Number 5:
THE SANDLOT
This is where I probably lose some credibility, but like I disclaimed in the beginning. I am ranking these movies on how much I enjoyed them, and I freaking loved The Sandlot. It makes me happy every time I watch it. From Ham’s “You’re killing me Smalls” over s’mores, to Squints boss move with Wendy Pephercorn, to the newspaper writer from Field of Dreams saving the day. Its just so so great. And Denis Leary.
Number 4:
THE NATURAL
This movie might be the opposite of Any Given Sunday. They allowed for all sorts of cheesiness, and pulled it off, making me just feel happy. They don’t care that Roy Hobbs looks 40 from the beginning to then end of the movie despite the decades of time passed. They don’t care that the Quaker oats guy is the manager. Its all just fantastic crazy baseball movie. And the dad from A Christmas Story.
Number 3:
CADDYSHACK
Is this the most quoted movie ever? Certainly on golf courses. The hardest part of this post so far is picking just one Caddyshack clip. If you haven’t seen this, don’t tell me, just watch it so we never have an unnecessarily awkward moment. Although maybe I’m alone on this, the Caddyshack Rotten Tomatoes score is lower than Cool Runnings, Goon, and tons of other terrible sports movies. And there’s a gopher puppet.
Number 2:
MAJOR LEAGUE
Again, this might cost credibility for true film connoisseurs, but this movie is so fun. Every character is well cast, you care about all of them, even Roger Dorn. I don’t know how they found Lou Brown but that might be the best cast in all of sport movies. This clip wins because to this day, every time the team he’s rooting against hits a home run, he says “too high” and somehow its never found its way to annoying status. And Bob Uecker.
Number 1:
HOOSIERS
Jimmy Chitwood ain’t no decoy!
There’s the list!! Feel free to debate.
Here are a few honorable mentions (In no particular order):
Happy Gilmore
Dodgeball
Remember the Titans
Rudy
Slap Shot
Field of Dreams
Karate Kid
Shaolin Soccer (seriously)
Moneyball
I, Tonya
Waterboy
Mystery, Alaska