Sports are an integral part of society. They are among the oldest forms of entertainment, and people tie a lot of their identity to local sports clubs and national sports teams. So much so, that fights have broken out over a disagreement as to which club to support.
Of course, sports have also had a huge influence on our entertainment. Books about athletes, comic books about sports, and sports films are an incredibly popular market. Of these, films are probably the most popular and notable. But, what are some of the best ones?
Uncut Gems (2019)
In 2019, the Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems hit the cinema. Though many believe the film was snubbed at the Oscars, it was a commercial and critical success. Those who’ve seen the film will undoubtedly be confused about its placement on this list. After all, the movie does not deal much with sports.
But, one of the big plot lines in the movie does deal with betting, specifically betting on basketball. Sports betting sites have allowed many to become familiarized with the concept. But it is important to understand the law behind the hobby before you play. It is why the guide you will find at Lowerbuckstimes is so useful. But what about the film itself?
Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is constantly looking for his next big score, and once he gets his hands on an uncut gem from South Africa, he might have just gotten his big break. The film is a fantastic spin on classic gambling movies, and pokes fun at numerous tropes associated with the genre. However, it is also a poignant story that delves into the problems that could arise if a punter does not take any responsibility when wagering on sports.
Rocky (1976)
For those who want to see an actual sports film, there could be no better option than Rocky. The 1976 classic, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone has endured for decades, with new films in the franchise still being released under the name of Creed.
However, in the eyes of many, no film has surpassed the original Rocky. The film looks at the life of a down-on-his luck, amateur boxer, named Rocky Balboa. While good, Rocky does not have too many prospects in boxing, that is until he is given a random chance to go against the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed.
The film follows Rocky has he deals with excitement, doubt, and an intense training regiment, all in an attempt to overcome Creed. By the end, he realizes he doesn’t stand a chance. Rocky promises that he will at least take Creed all the way instead of throwing in the towel. Whether he accomplishes his goal, you’ll have to find out.
Rudy (1993)
Football (or gridiron) is the favorite sport of most Americans. The game is intricately tied to national identity in the United States, and the Super Bowl remains the country’s most popular event. It is, therefore, not surprising that a football movie is one of the most popular sports films in the country.
Rudy is a semi-biographical piece of cinema, telling the story of Rudy Ruettiger, a man who wishes to play quarterback for the University of Notre Dame. Despite his financial difficulties, Rudy does his best to get on the team, and play for one of College Football’s most famous and successful teams.
The film is an absolute classic, which prompts even the hardest of men to shed some tears. Especially when considering the real life story behind the film. The film is also an incredibly important piece of film history, as it is one of only two movies that have been filmed on the University of Notre Dame’s location.
Raging Bull (1980)
Martin Scorsese is best-known for his mafia films. Goodfellas, Casino, and most recently, The Irishman, definitely make up his legacy. However, the director has created a slew of films that have nothing to do with the criminal underbelly of the United States of America. One such film is Raging Bull, an adaptation of Jake LaMotta’s memoirs.
Jake LaMotta, for the unaware, was one of the best and most-respected boxers of the 20th century. However, as successful he was in the ring, LaMotta faced a lot of difficulties in his personal life. In Raging Bull, Scorsese looks at how LaMotta’s growing fame, and juxtaposes it to his declining social, personal, and married life.
But, a film is not just the product of a director. Raging Bull is an impeccable product with a stellar cast. Robert DeNiro takes center stage as the boxer in question. Cathy Moriarty plays his long-suffering wife, Vickie, and the film also features amazing actors like Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, etc. Anyone who wants to see a truly great film, owes it to themselves to check out Raging Bull.
The Karate Kid (1984)
The final film we are taking a look at is the martial arts masterclass that is The Karate Kid. When young Daniel Russo moves from New Jersey to California, his world gets thrown in disarray. He has trouble finding friends in school, and he catches the eye of some of the local bullies. After a Halloween goes array, Daniel begins learning karate from an old Japanese man, Mister Miyagi.
The Karate Kid is a classic, not just of sports films, but of cinema in general. The film was the highest-grossing movie of the year, and it inspired a ton of kids to pick up karate. In fact, many historians credit the film with boosting the popularity of Japan’s traditional martial art worldwide, as before the film, karate was not as popular as it is today.
The Karate Kid has several sequels, including, most recently, the Netflix original Cobra Kai, show, which sees Ralph Macchio and William Zabka return in the roles of Daniel Russo and Johnny Lawrence, respectively. Together, they are training the next generation of karate kids, and rekindling the old rivalry.
Final Say
The films we’ve discussed in this article are only a small taste of what the “sports” genre has to offer. However, they are certainly some of the most popular, best, and most watched films in said genre. If you are looking to watch a sports film, this is where you want to start.
