I admit it . . .
My roommates and I got off work early last Friday. We didn’t head to a bar or flip on ESPN. We immediately – without hesitation – cued up Netflix and watched “Happy Gilmore 2.”
Look. Was it better than the first one? Not even close.
Was it pure cinema? For all of you Scorsese and Tarantino fans – no, no it wasn’t.
Rather, it was exactly what you’d expect for an Adam Sandler sequel about a hockey player with golf abilities.
It passed the time.
After the movie, my roommate raised a good question: Is “Happy Gilmore” a sports movie or comedy?
My answer was probably something like, “I don’t know, man. Could be either.”
But our conversation eventually shifted to the best sports movies of all time.
Even though they don’t make them like they used to – everyone knows that – making a list is a lot tougher than you’d think.
Let’s start with some honorable mentions: “Rudy,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Ford v Ferrari,” “Raging Bull,” “Teen Wolf,” “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” “The Blind Side,” and “Creed.”
I’ve also never seen “Hoosiers,” “Bull Durham,” or “Caddyshack,” so don’t freak out . . .
10 – “The Iron Claw” – 2023
Say what you want about Zac Efron, who starred in the “High School Musical” trilogy, but he perfectly portrayed former wrestler Kevin Von Erich, whose family suffered from curses of death and tragedy.
The action was perfect and practical, too. Who doesn’t love when the Von Erich brothers walk out to 1981’s “Tom Sawyer” by Rush?
9 – “Draft Day” – 2014
The great Kevin Costner – the king of sports movies, as you’ll see from this list – did it again in 2014. He played a fictional general manager of the Cleveland Browns who had to stick to his guns and defy odds in order to construct the best roster possible.
It’s not the most realistic movie about an NFL offseason, but, man, it’s got heart.
8 – “Field of Dreams” – 1989
Costner – who’s easily on the Mount Rushmore of sports movies with Sylvester Stallone, etc. – may have delivered his most iconic one with this classic. From “If you build it, he will come,” to the ghost of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and to the beautiful visuals, this one’s got to be in the conversation.
7 – “Happy Gilmore” – 1996
Guys, Sandler gets socked by Bob Barker. Isn’t that enough?
6 – “For Love of the Game” – 1999
In Costner’s final appearance on my list, this one follows the perfect-game performance of an older player who deals with primetime pressure and a long-term relationship. This is a film for those who wonder if they’ve still got it.
On a side note, talk about versatility. Did you know the director of this movie, Sam Raimi, also cooked up “The Evil Dead” and the original “Spider-Man” movies starring Tobey Maguire?
What talent . . .
5 – “Cinderella Man” – 2005
Starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti, directed by Ron Howard – what’s not to like? This one deals with family, heroism, boxing, and struggles during the Depression.
You know it’s good when a biographical drama from the early 2000s grosses more than $100,000 million worldwide.
4 – “Miracle” – 2004
I was no hockey player, but my puck buddies from North Attleborough talked about this movie before every season. Who could blame them?
From Kurt Russell’s speech, to the ice sprints, and, of course, the victory against the favored Soviet team, it defines inspiration.
3 – “Remember the Titans” – 2000
“Petey Jones. Running back. THE running back, y’all!”
In perhaps the most quotable movie on my list, Denzel Washington and company take on football, racism, friendship, and teamwork.
It seems everyone has their own favorite character, too. Mine was quarterback Jerry “Rev” Harris. How about you?
2 – “The Karate Kid” – 1984
Wax on. Wax off. Catching bugs with chopsticks. The crane kick.
This one is still referenced in today’s pop culture – that’s no coincidence. It also got two sequels, a remake, and, eventually, a widely-popular Netflix show titled “Cobra Kai.”
Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita (Arnold from “Happy Days,” by the way) knock it out of the park with this feel-good feature.
1 – “Rocky” – 1976
Whichever one is your favorite – I’m a Drago/Mr. T guy – this franchise is the obvious pick that combines the underdog theme, a superb script, and performances oozing of heart. Not to mention the inspirational musical score by Bill Conti.
You don’t get six movies, three spin-offs, and a statue for nothing.
All because of one man’s (Sly) vision . . .
