When sporting events went dormant back in March, there were only a few ways for sports fans to get their fix. One of those ways was by watching sports movies.
From comedies to dramas, sports movies can make an appeal to the same emotions that a fan would feel while watching their team play.
Larry Larson, Sports Section Director – ‘Field of Dreams’
Although the plot to “Field of Dreams” is wildly unrealistic – an Iowa man builds a baseball field in his backyard, which attracts ghosts of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox – it never fails to enthrall me.
As a lifelong baseball fan, there’s a certain nostalgia surrounding the game and, in a lot of ways, “Field of Dreams” captures that. Kevin Costner’s performance as Ray and James Earl Jones’ portrayal of Terrance Mann are highly engaging – particularly during Mann’s “people will come” monologue.
This classic reminds me “of all that once was good, and that could be again” through the game of baseball.
Joey Wright, Sports Section Producer – ‘Uncut Gems’
Recency bias wins, and I’m going to have to designate “Uncut Gems” as my favorite sports movie.
I don’t want to give much away about this 2019 Adam Sandler masterpiece, because it is truly one of the best films I’ve ever seen at a theatre. The film isn’t a “sports movie” in a traditional sense, but rather uses sports as a backdrop for its commentary on gambling addiction and other serious topics.
Sandler shines like a diamond in “Uncut Gems.” A far departure from his hit-or-often-miss attempts at comedy, Sandler is the perfect star for this intense and gripping ride. You’ll need to be prepared before you sit down and watch this one – it is truly one of the most anxiety-inducing films I’ve ever watched.
Cameron Irwin, Contributor – ‘Moneyball’
Everyone loves a true underdog story, but what makes “Moneyball” better is the science behind the story.
It’s so interesting to see how the Oakland Athletics were able to make a winning team out of their minuscule payroll. Today, the team is still highly regarded as one of the best in the 21st century.
In addition to that, “Moneyball” has an all-star cast, which really isn’t seen much in blockbuster sports movies. Jonah Hill, Chris Pratt and Philip Seymour Hoffman all played their respective characters well, but none better than Brad Pitt as Billy Beane.
Matt Lucas, Contributor – ‘Rudy’
Say it with me: RU-DY, RU-DY, RU-DY, RU-DY.
The story of this “5-foot-nothin’, 100 and nothin’,” kid from Joliet, Illinois fills the hearts of those who watch him every time. Whether he is reciting the famous words of Rockne, or getting carried off the football field, Rudy never fails in warming even the coldest of hearts.
The story of Rudy Ruttiger is an inspirational one and shows that your dreams – no matter how big and no matter how many people tell you are impossible – are never out of reach. If you haven’t seen “Rudy,” I encourage you to watch it.
