10. π¬ Top 50 sports movies: Nos. 40β31
This week, our resident film buff Jeff Tracy will be unveiling his Top 50 sports movies, continuing today with Nos. 40β31. (ICYMI: 50-41)
40. Draft Day (2014) Costner has to be the sports movie GOAT, right? He's in four of my top 40, and that's not even half of his career total. I know this is a pretty silly entry, but the excitement of a GM wheeling and dealing gets me every time.
39. Hoosiers (1986) I know you think this should be much higher. I promise not to tell you you're wrong if you promise not to say the same to me about it being this low.
38. Rudy (1993) See above.
37. Any Given Sunday (1999) This came out the same year as Varsity Blues β and highlights the same world of overly-macho, pre-concussion-protocol football β but it's a classic nonetheless. Willie Beamen was ahead of his time.
36. Chariots of Fire (1981) Aside from "Rocky," this has probably the most iconic theme song of any sports movie. That has to count for something. (It's also used phenomenally well in Old School.)
35. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) Will Ferrell's various sports movie experiments didn't always end so well (see: "Semi-Pro"), but when he and John C. Reilly are paired together, sparks fly.
34. The Replacements (2000): Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever.
33. Hardball (2001) Keanu Reeves went from "The Matrix" (1999) to "The Replacements" (2000) to "Hardball" (2001), which is right up there with MJ's three-peats if you ask me. Love you, G-Baby.
32. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) Our first introduction to The Ocho! As good as the whole movie is, Jason Bateman's unhinged broadcaster, Pepper Brooks, is undoubtedly the MVP.
31. Slap Shot (1977) The only Hanson brothers that matter.
Coming tomorrow: 30β21