List by ReverendQ
It's In The Game
I kinda like sports films, so here's a list of my favourites.
Please feel free to contribute, all genres welcome. There's only one rule: one film selection per sport ie there can be only one football-based film etc. I will happily be swayed by good arguments for replacements...
For cricket I would recommend Fire In Babylon. Or I Know How Many Runs You Scored Last Summer ;)
Good shout - Fire In Babylon added.
Have my own sports list, much like this one. ;-)
Seabiscuit for horse racing? Not that I'm a massive fan but can't think of any others. Haven't seen Breaking Away in a while but struggle to think of any other cycling films apart from BMX Bandits!
Certainly can't think of any better arm wrestling films than Over the Top. Likewise in its sport Dodgeball should be there!
Would have Endless Summer or Big Wednesday over Billabong. Haven't seen Invincible but is it better than Any Given Sunday, North Dallas Forty or even Jerry Maguire? Also have a soft spot for the cheese of Brian's Song.
Big Lebowski over Kingpin?
Baseketball!
No King of Kong?
BASEketBall's not a real sport though, otherwise I'd have to include things like Rollerball and Salute Of The Jugger etc. Not gonna include it, despite it fulfilling lots of typical sports films tropes.
King Of Kong is an interesting choice. I would suggest playing Donkey Kong isn't a sport, more of a leisure pursuit, but I could be swayed. I do like that film...
Wondering whether to include Pumping Iron - is bodybuilding any more of a sport than playing videogames?
What do people think?
@kiffmeister Sorry, I did respond to you some time ago, but it seems Letterboxd chose not to record my reply. Anyway...
Seabiscuit and Breaking Away added - although genuinely amused by the idea of including BMX Bandits.
Billabong gets my vote because it's more intrinsically about surfing, being a documentary etc, but I agree both Endless Summer and Big Wednesday are better films.
I personally don't think that much of Any Given Sunday, but that's because I have a thing about Oliver Stone - his direction annoys me. I've not seen North Dallas Forty - any good? And Jerry Maguire is more about sports representation than American Football, so sod that! ;O) Invincible is a good film, well worth checking out.
Finally, I think Big Lebowski is a better film too, but I also think Kingpin is more about bowling than the Coens' film. I could be swayed...
Warrior for Mixed Martial Arts? Not an amazing film, but enjoyable. I'm sure there may be more convincing arguments. Depends whether you group all Martial Arts under the one category.
I did think of adding something like Bloodsport or Kickboxer to the mix for martial arts combat. I've not seen Warrior, but heard good things. Which of these three would you add?
I was also thinking about Blood Sport. Not because I think its good (I haven't seen it) but because I've met a lot of people who are big fans. Haven't seen Kickboxer either. I liked Warrior, but would only rate it ***. Certainly heard a lot more about Blood Sport in my time.
Agree that kingpin is more of a bowling film. How about lawn bowls....crackerjack is a fun Aussie movie or you could go for Blackball instead.
Can't believe the karate kid has not been mentioned so far.
As for other sports...this sporting life for rugby league, sticking with gritty English films the loneliness of the long distance runner (although not sure if you need cross country running as well as athletics) and balls of fury for extreme table tennis.
I'm sure in pumping iron Arnie says that body building is the best sport in the world so you must include it. You don't want to make Arnie or Lou ferrigno angry.
Agree that kingpin is more of a bowling film. How about lawn bowls....crackerjack is a fun Aussie movie or you could go for Blackball instead.
Can't believe the karate kid has not been mentioned so far.
As for other sports...this sporting life for rugby league, sticking with gritty English films the loneliness of the long distance runner (although not sure if you need cross country running as well as athletics) and balls of fury for extreme table tennis.
I'm sure in pumping iron Arnie says that body building is the best sport in the world so you must include it. You don't want to make Arnie or Lou ferrigno angry.
Blackball is a great shout - that's going on. So is This Sporting Life.
I think Bloodsport is gonna get the nod then, over Karate Kid and Warrior.
And I guess Pumping Iron too - I wouldn't like Lou when he's angry!
Warrior is replacing Blood Sport under the MMA banner.
BMX is an Olympic sport...BMX Bandits is an EPIC movie. Get it sorted Q!