“Money Ball,” “Invincible,” “61,” “Invictus,” “Any Given Sunday” (based off the book, You’re Okay, it’s just a Bruise), and “Rudy” are all movies that have drawn their plots from a real sport event or occurrence.
Any time I start watching a movie, sports related or not, I always find it more interesting if at the beginning of the film it says, “based on a true story.” I do not think I am the only one who feels this way — everyone loves to see a real life story told on the big screen. I listed a few good ones earlier, but let’s run through some movies I believe should be right at the top.
Miracle: This 2004 film about the 1980 U.S.A. Olympic Hockey team is a classic must-watch movie. It is the typical underdog story everyone loves. A team full of college athletes go up against the big, bad and experienced Soviet team for a chance at the gold medal (which they won). This movie does more than tell a great story, it also makes you fall in love with our country all over again. This film showed how one country, during a time of depression, could pull together and empower our nation in its finest moment with a simple game of hockey.
Remember the Titans: My choice for best football movie ever produced. This 2000 Disney film is based on the true story of the 1971 T.C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Va. This movie has so much power because of the racial challenges the Titans had to endure, making the team aspect of the sport that much more valuable. I love this movie because it shows how one team with all its differences can bond together and create a brotherhood that is never broken. To me, this just proves how a sport is more than just something you play, but it changes you and it makes you care for one another regardless of color. “Remember the Titans” is one example of what determined men can accomplish both on and off the field. And Denzel Washington’s in it. How can you not love Denzel?
Hoosiers: A 1986 film about a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that overcame tremendous odds to win a state championship. Head coach Norman Dale is determined to get everything he can out of his players. It is another underdog story that I love to watch and talk about. With March Madness in its Final Four, we don’t really see any “Hoosier” type teams with the lowest seed being No. 7 Michigan State. This movie makes you think of how teams that are told they have no shot can surprise everyone and be like David who slayed Goliath.
Of course I can’t forget my favorite true story sports movie, “Space Jam.” Jordan and Bugs took those Monstars to school and sent them packing.
