Top Four: Sports Films

4. Youngblood (1986)

Obviously now accompanied by a huge caveat – it has not stood the test of time that well. Still, something for everybody: hockey, strangely attractive Cynthia Gibb, Rob Lowe and the late Patrick Swayze.
Having been made in the middle of the 80′s, it fits neatly into the sports film story-telling arc of the time: early success, loss of confidence/form, redemption and then success. But was this such a bad formula? It always meant that inevitable triumph was only just around the corner.

Highlight Reel? Rob Lowe’s penalty shot at 0.04 in the last game.

3. Major League (1989)

Very 80s, but actually still very good.
Charlie Sheen is wild and uncontrollable, and has recently been released from prison. What a stretch that must have been for him.
A destructive owner seeks to destroy her hapless franchise in order to relocate to Los Angeles from Cleveland – the ensuing hilarity writes itself from that point on really. Just never watch any of the sequels.

Highlight Reel? The conversation between pitcher and 3rd baseman at the top of the 9th against ‘the evil empire’.

2. Any Given Sunday (1999)

In many ways it represents a feature-length version of Playmakers – football gone bad. Egos, money-orientated owners, unethical doctors, hooker-dabbling Head Coaches, and dirty media.
Al Pacino slays his role as always, and even if everything fits together slightly too easily at the end it still ranks highly in Oliver Stone’s back-catalogue. Incidentally, it shows that Lawrence Taylor can act, even if for the most part he really just plays himself.

Highlight Reel? Pacino’s ‘Game of inches’ speech obviously.

1. Hoop Dreams (1994)

Let’s just say that anybody who hasn’t seen this needs a bit of a slap.
In many ways like a basketball version of The Wire – only ten years earlier. Sad and inspirational, and with a tragic post-script.

Just watch it.

Highlight Reel? Arthur’s reconciliation with his father.