Rocky IV (1985) Review
When Russia claim to have the best boxer a machine Drago it all goes wrong in an exhibition match against Apollo Creed when he is killed in the fight. This leads Rocky to challenge Drago but must travel to Russia for the fight.
Angels in the Outfield (1994) Review
A young boy Roger who’s mother had died and he was not living with his father, prayed for a family if the Angels Baseball team won the pendant. Real angels then appear to help the boy and team!
For Love of the Game (1999) Review
An aging pitcher Billy Chapel who is on his way out of baseball when his team has been sold and he will be the first player to be traded. But before that happens he goes in search of the perfect game, against none other than the Yankees.
Warrior (2011) Review
Tommy (Hardy) suddenly returns home to his father Paddy (Nolte) and asks him to be his trainer again to take part in a mixed martial arts competition. But his brother Brendan (Edgerton) who he has not seen for years is also taking part, despite being a physics teacher.
Goal III (2009) Review
The third installment of the Goal Trilogy see’s us travel to Germany for the 2006 World Cup, with focus on three players. Santiago Munez (Becker) the focus of the first two films is in the Mexico squad, while his two Real Madrid teammates Liam Adams (Feild) and Charlie Braithwaite (Gregory) are in the England squad.
Double Feature Theatre
The double feature theatre is what I would show in a week, the theme for the whole week is going to be Sports films. Each day we will have two films on from the same sport. I work in sport and have a degree in sport, so the chance to relate my love of watching films in my spare time and how I make my living seemed like such a good way to go with my theatre. A lot of sports films have been very good and very well receieved. I have decided to pick different sport’s for the double feature with three that don’t fit into the others for the triple play on the Sunday.
When possible I have tried to have women and men’s sport in the selections, but also not just films focused on the players/athletes of a sport. I have also tried to remember about the fans and agents who are also a massive part of sport as well.
Day 1: Favorite film
Everyone who has read my blog before will already know the answer to this one . . . yes that’s right Million Dollar Baby. I have loved it since the first viewing when it really broke my heart. Such fantastic performances from the whole cast and such an inspirational story of a woman who is determined to get to where she wants to in a sport.
The Fighter (2010) Review
Boxer “Irish” Micky Ward’s (Wahlberg) unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky (Bale), a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO’d by drugs and crime.
Raging Bull (1980) Review
We are taken on the journey of Jake La Motta’s (De Niro) life and seeing how his no-nonsense boxing style transferred to outside of the ring, causing him to push his family away.
Looking for Eric (2009) Review
Eric a football fanatic postman whose life is descending in to crisis receives some life coaching from the famously philosophical Eric Cantona. Inspirational that you can turn your life around whenever you want to.
The Blind Side (2009) Review
The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.
Invictus (2009) Review
Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000) Review
This film is a British film about a school football team in Manchester and how if they get to the final of the school’s cup they get to play at Maine Road (Man City’s old ground now). The story follows Jimmy Grimble who loves City and football but lacks a lot of confidence and is constantly bullied by the other boys on the team. He becomes friends with an old woman who gives him “magic” boots.
The Damned United (2009) Review
Brian Clough was one of the best English managers on record, the best manager England never had. This film is based on a book which tracked his turbulent44 days when he was Leeds United manager after joining from bitter rivals Derby County. The film focuses on his Leeds days but flashes back to Derby in order to show and explain why it was such a strange thing when he joined Leeds as manager. Brian Clough hated Leeds and everyone knew it, he used to call them cheats and dirty. He hated Don Revie the man who got the England job and who he took over for a Leeds. The film helps to show the determination Brian Clough had to be the best, but also the greed in which to suceed Don Revie and win the personal battle that they had, despite his loyal assistant Peter Taylor warning him against getting too sucked into it all. Instead of just staying with Derby and doing more for them in Europe and being the best.
Resurrecting the Champ (2007) Review
A young sports journalist Erik (Hartnett) who is very sick of living in his father’s shadow/reputation. Sets out on a huge story when he thinks a former boxer who was almost the champ is still alive. He spends a lot of time with champ getting his life story and how he went from almost champion of the world, to ending up living on the streets with no-one.
The Basketball Diaries (1995) Review
The story of how a young boy ends up addicted to drugs. It was so heartbreaking in a few different ways, Jim could have been a very good basketball player and its implied that he could have made it to college and then possibly pro. But what happened instead, he got addicted to hard drugs. It started off just being something the whole team done once a week, but then they ended up on higher class of drugs and then the addiction took over everything.
Fever Pitch (1997) Review
I think this is the ultimate football fan film, it shows what exactly it means to be a fan. How you feel when your team wins, and how you feel when your team loses as well. All of the emotions which are felt, you just know they are true and exactly how you feel all the time when your in love with your team. The mix of love and hate towards the team and the players which you feel all at once all of the time.
Million Dollar Baby (2004) Review
I do not really know where exactly to start with this review, as this is my all time favorite film. It has been from the very first time that I saw it and was just amazed by the acting, the story and just the whole film in general. I also must admit that before this I had not seen very much of Clint Eastwood’s work (yes I know that was very bad, but that was 5 years ago now).
Goal II (2007) Review
The second installement picks up as Santiago is transfered from Newcastle United to Real Madrid, along with Gavin Harris . . . who was not good for Newcastle. Again part of why it was not realistic. But this way David Beckham and Raul could be in this movie more . . .
Goal! (2005) Review
Football or soccer is pretty much my life, always has been and always will be. Playing, watching and coaching just everything about it has consumed me from a very early age. I cannot remember not kicking a ball around or wanting to play in the street or on the grass. But for some reason football does not seem to transfer very well onto the big screen.
Remember the Titans (2000) Review
This really does have to be one of the best American Football movies out there. Denzel is just fantastic as Coach Boone. He really did show all of the emotions that the coach would have went through so well throughout the movie. How hard he was on the players, being sick before the first game after finding out he would loose his job if he lost a game, how he used humour and how he battled against the racism. He really was the perfect choice for this role, having the authority in him and being able to just own the screen.
Gracie (2007) Review
Football (Soccer) is my most favorite thing, my hobby, my passion, and pretty much my life. As I work as a coach. So to watch a movie about football is always good . . . but they have never really hit the spot and this is the same. For some reason the sport just does not transport onto the big screen very well at all. I really cannot explain how, I mean even Goal! which was about my team Newcastle, still wasnt too good. I think the only reason why I even gave it a chance was because Newcastle was involved.
Field of Dreams (1989) Review
Build it and he will come
Yes, I am a massive Kevin Costner fan and I eventually got to watch this movie last night and found it so lovely and inspiring. Inspiring in the way of trying to encourage everyone to take chances on having their dreams come true, rather than regret not trying in years to come. So its kinda you should live for the moment and do everything you can to be happy.
