The Best Sports Movie of the 21st Century

As we begin 2010 it is time to consider which is the BEST sports movie from the first decade of the 21^st Century.

There are some very good choices. Documentaries, by the way, like “Dogtown and Z-Boys” deserve their own column.

Here is the Top Ten:

“Glory Road” (2006) Portrays a great story in sports history. In 1966 Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) coaches Texas Western College (UT at El Paso) and with the first all-black starting lineup in NCAA history he and his team overcome racism and win the NCAA Division 1 Championship over white-heavy Kentucky.

“Cinderella Man” (2005) – Is an inspirational story featuring Russell Crowe as James Braddock. After leaving boxing due to a broken hand, Braddock must work as a laborer to support his family. It’s the Great Depression and times are tough. Then Braddock at the age of 30 and a 10-1 underdog is given a shot at the championship against title holder Max Baer. The upset victory gave hope to the average working man that day.

“Bend It Like Beckham” (2002) – An engaging, fun cross-cultural, cross-generational romp, this is a coming-of-age teen comedy about bending the rules to reach your goal with a pair of soccer-mad girls.

“Friday Night Lights” (2004) – Here is the story of the 1988 season of the Permian Panthers in the West Texas town of Odessa. It’s a drama about how people are over-the-top about their football in West Texas, and the pressures the players and coaches have to go through.

“61*” (2001)- Directed by Yankees fanatic Billy Crystal, the movie chronicles the 1961 season where Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle were trying to break the Babe’s single-season home run record and the media crush that went with it.

“Million Dollar Baby” (2004) – Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Clint Eastwood directs and stars as a  hardened trainer/manager working with a determined woman (Hilary Swank) in her attempt to establish herself as a boxer.

“The Rookie“, (2002) features Dennis Quaid as Jimmy Morris, a former aspiring-hurler-turned-high school science teacher who’s major league visions faded after his arm went bad. Coaching the school’s baseball team, the players make a deal with him: if they win the district championship, they want Jim to try out for a major-league organization.

The 39 year-old father of three, finds himself at a camp for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and he somehow seems to have regained his pitching arm, easily throwing a 98 mph fastball. Signed to a contract, he toils in the minor leagues while his supportive wife stays home raising their children. He soon finds himself called up to the big club and pitching for Tampa which is in Texas playing the Rangers. It is indeed a rare thing when one captures a youthful dream later in life. Based on a true story.

“Gladiator” (2000) -When a Roman general (Russell Crowe) is betrayed and his family murdered by a corrupt prince (Joaquin Phoenix), he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge. Yes, technically a sports movie… a blood sport. And none depict it any better.

“Seabiscuit” – (2003) – Like “Cinderella Man” here is another inspiring story from the Depression-era. Interweaving the interactions between horse, jockey, trainer and owner, this is a compelling story of friendship and devotion in rehabilitating the fractured lives of three men and a small horse with a huge heart, and in the process inspire a nation.

and the winner is…

“Miracle” (2004)  - At a time when America needed a miracle, this picture tells the true story of Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell), the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Russian squad.

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