Sport in Film
For a number of decades, Hollywood has been making movies about, or involving, sports. Check to see if a film you can’t forget, or one you don’t want to remember, has made our list of sports flicks.
Before you get to the list, however, take a look at Volpe’s View, where SPM major Mike Volpe offers his take on selected features.
VOLPE’S VIEW
Rookie of the Year (1993)
This movie was very inspiring while I was growing up. I had watched the movie numerous times, so often that my mother had hid the VHS from me.
As a young boy dreaming of playing baseball, this was the perfect movie for me. The main character, Henry Rowengartner, is a normal 12 year old whose life takes a dramatic turn because of a break in his arm. His arm then heals with the tendons very tight, allowing him to have a slingshot arm. While attending a Cubs game, he throws back a homerun ball from the bleachers all the way to home plate. This catches the eye of the Chicago Cubs general manager, who signs him immediately.
Henry can now throw a fastball up to 103 mph, but with very little accuracy. However, this young flamethrower is exactly what the Cubs need to motivate a dwindling fan base. His rocket arm motivated a team of veterans, and even caused Wrigley Field to sellout. With his talent and enthusiasm, the Cubs look to make a playoff push. The problem for the youngster is balancing his new stardom with being there for family and friends. This movie is perfect for kids who dream big, and people who like last-second dramatics. There’s also has a lot of humor involved between the coaches and other players. Stars of the ‘90s are even shown during the Cubs’ season. You even get a quick glimpse of Barry Bonds, pre-steroid era.
Hope you enjoy.
-Mike Volpe
FILMS
1. Caddyshack
2. Slap Shot
3. Kingpin
4. Hoosiers
5. The Big Lebowski
6. The Longest Yard
7. Chariots of Fire
8. The Terry Fox Story
9. The Legend of Bagger Vance
10. Brian’s Song
11. Jerry Maguire
12. North Dallas Forty
13. Ali
14. Blades of Glory
15. Miracle
16. Personal Best
17. Rocky
18. Semi-Pro
19. Miracle on Ice
20. Heaven Can Wait
21. Semi-Tough
22. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
23. Forrest Gump
24. Rounders
25. Seabiscuit
26. Bang the Drum Slowly
27. Raging Bull
28. The Pride of the Yankees
29. Bend It Like Beckham
30. Nacho Libre
31. A League of Their Own (1992)
32. The Natural (1984)
33. Cobb (1994)
34. Field of Dreams (1989)
35. Bull Durham (1988)
36. Tin Cup (1996)
37. For Love of the Game (1999)
38. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
39. Days of Thunder (1990)
40. All the Right Moves (1983)
41. Leatherheads (2008)
42. Invictus (2009)
43. Two for the Money (2005)
44. We Are Marshall (2006)
45. Angels in the Outfield (1994)
46. Major League (1989)
47. Major League II (1994)
48. Rookie of the Year (1993)
49. The Bear (1984)
50. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
51. Cool Runnings (1993)
52. Rocky II (1979)
53. Caddyshack II (1988)
54. Victory (1981)
55. The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973)
56. Lucas (1986)
57. Youngblood (1986)
58. Breaking Away (1979)
59. The Rookie (2002)
60. Mr. Baseball (1992)
61. The Mighty Ducks (1992)
62. Rudy (1993)
63. Lords of Dogtown (2005)
64. Everybody’s All-American (1988)
65. The Color of Money (1986)
66. Hoop Dreams (1994)
67. The Cannonball Run (1981)
68. Stroker Ace (1983)
69. The Man from Left Field (1993)
70. Driven (2001)
71. The Bad News Bears (1976)
72. American Anthem (1986)
73. Legendary (2010)
74. The Fighter (2010)
75. The Basketball Diaries (1995)
76. Against All Odds (1984)
77. Air Bud (1997)
78. Any Given Sunday (1999)
79. Angels in the Endzone (1997)
80. The Blind Side (2009)
81. Facing the Giants (2006)
82. The Express (2008)
83. Code Breakers (2005)
84. The Best of Times (1986)
85. Friday Night Lights (2004)
86. The Babe (1992)
87. The Benchwarmers (2006)
88. Bleacher Bums (2001)
89. Beer League (2006)
90. American Pastime (2007)
91. Chasing Dreams (1982)
92. Chasing 3000 (2010)
93. Brewster’s Millions (1985)
94. The Comeback Kid (1980)
95. Mr. 3000 (2004)
96. Mystery Alaska (1999)
97. The Love Guru (2008)
98. Happy Gilmore (1996)
99. Sudden Death (1995)
100. Net Worth (1995)
101. The Hurricane (1999)
102. Prefontaine (1997)
103. Rollerball (2002)
104. The Two Escobars (2010)
105. Fever Pitch (2005)
106. The Waterboy (1998)
107. Oxford Blues (1984)
108. Eight Men Out (1988)
109. The Air Up There (1994)
110. Rebound (2005)
111. Moneyball (2011)
112. Le Mans (1971)
113. Warrior (2011)
114. Grand Prix (1966)
