(My) Top Five Sports Films!

The top five sports movies? Are you kidding me? When it comes to sports it really depends on what you're looking for: the classic scenario of one individual over-coming the odds or the more modern approach that shows sports with all it shortcomings. There are literally hundreds of sports films but these are my personal top 5. Rent on today and don't forget the popcorn!

Rocky (1976): Not only was Rocky's whole life a hundred-to-one shot but so was Stallone's chances of writing, directing and starring in this boxing-as-a-metaphor-for-love story that went on to win the Oscar for Best Film. Still holds up well even after 33 years. Rocky appeals to the blue-collar person in all of us.

Brian's Song (1970): Perhaps the only film that guys will admit makes them cry. The classic tale of brotherhood both on and off the playing field that recounted the tragic life of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo (who died of cancer at the tender age of 26) and his room mate, friend and team mate Gale Sayers. Not to be confused by the stale remake of 2001. The original Brian's Song impressed everyone from then President Richard Nixon to scores of athletes, athlete wanna-be's and everyone in between.

North Dallas Forty (1979) Nick Nolte and Max Davis recount the dark underbelly of playing in the NFL. A black comedy if ever there was one, North Dallas Forty was one of Nolte's best films as it bears more than a close resemblance to the Dallas Cowboys and to pro football in general during the late 1970's.

Hoosiers (1986). Gene Hackman leads an understated cast in the loosely based-on-a-true story of Indiana's Milan High School team that won the 1954 state basketball championship. Great performance by Hackman as the coach who is running out of second chances.

Slapshot (1977): Paul Newman as a washed-up hockey player? You better believe it! Newman plays Reggie Dunlop, a losing coach on a losing team of minor-league American hockey players only begins to win once they embrace a play-dirty mentality. Non-stop vulgarity and a great role for Newman (who did all his own skating) add up to being not your typical sports-film.

Honorable mention: Too many films to squeeze into the list, but Chariots of Fire (1981) hits all the right buttons in this tale of what motivates us to run the race of life.