Sports and films are great outlets for those seeking to escape the daily routine for some time. Combined, the two create an excellent pastime. Sports and films command a huge following, a factor that has seen movies based on sports register impressive success.
Most of the leading sports films are independent of the game they are based on, making them appealing to everyone, whether they love a particular sport or not. Many sports-themed movies make a hit but here is a compilation of the best five that are guaranteed to capture your attention as every scene unfolds.
5. The Blind Side (2009)
This is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that is based on The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, a book written by Michael Lewis. It features Quinton Aaron played by Michael Oher, an aggressive lineman playing for Baltimore Ravens.
The movie follows him from his impoverished background since he was a child, through his life at Wingate Christian School, his adoption by Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy and Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy, to his role as one of the most coveted college football prospects. The Blind Side teaches about humanity and attempts to illustrate that all people are the same irrespective of any creed, caste, color, race, and gender differences.
Leigh’s kindness and tolerance towards Oher gives the movie an interesting twist that will keep you yearning for more action to unfold. It depicts the impact that other people can have on the lives of others. Her acting was phenomenal and she played a great role in bringing out the concept of this film. Overall, The Blind Side has a pristine portrayal all-round.
4. Goon (2012)
Hockey is one of the most popular sports, including on bookie sites like digibet. But on Goon, the hockey action takes a backseat. Instead, it explores Doug’s rags to riches story. Sean William takes the role of Doug, a kind-hearted and calm bouncer playing as an enforcer for a minor hockey team.
Often, Doug is seen feeling excluded from society, since he feels that he is not as successful as his father and brother who are established physicians. His determination, however, makes him one of the best players for his team, The Highlanders. There is a delightful subplot between Doug and Eva that will take your attention a little bit off the rink.
Eva’s performance in Goon has a comic quirkiness that perfectly responds to Doug’s niceness. The film is inspired by a book, Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey Into Minor League Hockey written by Adam Frattasio and Doug Smith.
3. The Fighter (2010)
At the facade, The Fighter is an intriguing story about a boxer called Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward. It is based on a 1990s real story about Micky Ward and his ex-fighter brother Dicky (Christian Bale). Micky is a talented, plucky boxer who is forced to carry his brother’s terrible burden, who was a force to reckon for over 10 years before he knocked down the celebrated boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.
Micky is loyal to his brother and even tolerates smothering from his sisters and ferocious mom (Alice Eklund-Ward played by Melissa Leo) who mismanages his career. His girlfriend Amy Adams (Charlene Fleming) tells him to get rid of his family but he is reluctant since he somehow believes Dicky is better for his career.
The intense and almost biblical relationship between brothers is an honored tradition in films related to boxing. This is the exact case in which the bond between the two brothers is enviable. The story is not new, considering there are many movies based on boxing but all the characters propel this sports movie with their superb performances.
2. Coach Carter (2005)
Coach Carter, played by Samuel L. Jackson is the star of this film that revolves around him and his work as a basketball coach at Richmond High School. He is quite strict, requiring his players to sign a contract agreeing to wear a jacket and a tie any time there is a game. The contract also required the players to attend and sit in the front during classes and maintain a high grade.
Many of the members in the team are battling other pressures such as dealing with a pregnant girlfriend and the excitement of organized street crime. As a result, some of them drop out, and the few that remain take the team to greater heights. Carter discovers that some of the players are not honoring the contract, making him padlock the gym until every player observed their promises.
Carter’s unconventional way of coaching was questioned by teachers, parents, players and the principal who felt his rules were unreasonable. This does not stop the coach. He suspended all his undefeated players until they improved in their academics. He was determined to see them succeed in basketball and academics to defy the norm where most of Richmond’s students never made it past high school.
1. Warrior (2011)
Paddy Conlon (Nick Nolte) understood the feeling of destruction, having drunk it from liquor bottles for years. He was full of chaos, tearing everything around him apart to the extent of consuming even himself. There was, however, a soft side of him. He is the one who trained his son Tommy Riordan Conlon (Tom Hardy) to wrestle.
Warrior revolves around Paddy and his two sons, Tommy and Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgerton). While there are other excellent scenes in the film involving other characters, the three stand out. The two brothers aren’t close and are often seen competing against each other. The climactic battle between Tommy and Brendan is uncomfortable and brutal.
Tommy holds a grudge against Brendan for imagined past mistakes and, hence, wants to tear him apart. When he’s hurt in the 3rd round, he still won’t quit. It’s like he is determined to either kill Brendan or die if only doing so will quiet the beast inside. Underneath the violence, there is redemption, reconciliation, and family renewal as the two brothers are seen reconciling with each other at the end of the film, an act that leaves their father smiling.