MUScoop

MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: T-Bone on January 16, 2014, 11:43:19 AM

Title: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: T-Bone on January 16, 2014, 11:43:19 AM
http://thedissolve.com/features/oral-history/360-an-oral-history-of-hoop-dreams-20-years-after-its-/

It's a long read and have barely scratched the surface.  Gates declined to be interviewed for the piece.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU82 on January 16, 2014, 01:57:22 PM
Quote from: T-Bone on January 16, 2014, 11:43:19 AM
http://thedissolve.com/features/oral-history/360-an-oral-history-of-hoop-dreams-20-years-after-its-/

It's a long read and have barely scratched the surface.  Gates declined to be interviewed for the piece.

I'll check this out. Thanks for posting.

I rank Hoop Dreams as the best sports movie ever, just ahead of Raging Bull and Slap Shot.

Had it been a motion picture screenplay, with all those incredible twists and turns -- particularly Agee ending up on top and Gates being in the dumps -- it might have been dismissed as cliche and unrealistic. That all the stuff actually happened makes it an amazing film.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 16, 2014, 02:48:03 PM
Quote from: MU82 on January 16, 2014, 01:57:22 PM

I rank Hoop Dreams as the best sports movie ever, just ahead of Raging Bull and Slap Stick.


I think you mean Slapshot.  My Top 10 Sports Movies ever:

1.  Hoosiers
2.  Raging Bull
3.  Rocky (Also to a lesser entent Rocky III and Rocky IV)
4.  Caddyshack
5.  Major League
6.  Diggstown
7.  Field of Dreams
8.  The Longest Yard (Burt Reynolds, not the Adam Sandler remake)
9.  The Karate Kid
10. Cinderella Man

I like Slapshot (anything with the Hansons is funny but the rest of the movie not so much), but it doesn't crack my top 10.  Also loved Hoop Dreams when I saw it but is not re-watchable.  Also like but no room for Eight Men Out, A League of Their Own, Miracle, Breaking Away

Bad Sports Movies that I am helpless to resist when I come across them:
1.  The Replacements
2.  Mystery, Alaska
3.  The Sandlot
4.  Victory (Starring Sylvester Stallone and Pele)
5.  Varsity Blues
6.  Necessary Roughness
7.  Fast Break
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Spotcheck Billy on January 16, 2014, 03:12:11 PM
What? Happy Gilmore, Rollerball and Death Race 2000 don't crack your top 10?  ;D
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: LAMUfan on January 16, 2014, 03:44:03 PM
does point break count??
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU82 on January 16, 2014, 04:00:20 PM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 16, 2014, 02:48:03 PM
I think you mean Slapshot.  My Top 10 Sports Movies ever:

1.  Hoosiers
2.  Raging Bull
3.  Rocky (Also to a lesser entent Rocky III and Rocky IV)
4.  Caddyshack
5.  Major League
6.  Diggstown
7.  Field of Dreams
8.  The Longest Yard (Burt Reynolds, not the Adam Sandler remake)
9.  The Karate Kid
10. Cinderella Man

I like Slapshot (anything with the Hansons is funny but the rest of the movie not so much), but it doesn't crack my top 10.  Also loved Hoop Dreams when I saw it but is not re-watchable.  Also like but no room for Eight Men Out, A League of Their Own, Miracle, Breaking Away

Bad Sports Movies that I am helpless to resist when I come across them:
1.  The Replacements
2.  Mystery, Alaska
3.  The Sandlot
4.  Victory (Starring Sylvester Stallone and Pele)
5.  Varsity Blues
6.  Necessary Roughness
7.  Fast Break

Yes, Slap Shot.  :-[

I disagree about Hoop Dreams not being rewatchable. Every scene with one or both of Agee's parents is outstanding. You root for several characters and shake your head at Pingatore. Plus a nice cameo for K.O. Gene Siskel felt it should have won the Oscar -- not for documentary but overall -- in 1994 and was outraged that it wasn't even nominated in the Docu category.

I agree about Rocky III - just the Clubber Lang scenes are so wonderful. Rocky IV is hard to watch but I do love his speech in the ring at the end because it scores a solid 15 on the 1-to-10 scale of ridiculousness.

Caddyshack? What can I say. I use some of the lines when I play golf but I simply don't think it was that funny. Which means I have to turn in my "guy card" because every guy thinks it's hysterical.

Field of Dreams is a schlocky mess and is so inferior to Bull Durham. If I want schlocky sentimentality, I'll stick with Pride of the Yankees!

I'm also a big fan of the original version of The Longest Yard. And I shouldn't like Karate Kid, but I do!

I never saw Diggsville. I guess I should.


My Top Ten

1. Hoop Dreams
2. Raging Bull
3. Slap Shot
4. Pride of the Yankees
5. Rocky
6. The Naked Gun (Technically not a sports movie but the ballpark scenes are freakin' hilarious. Plus, O.J. gets his comeuppance!)
7. Bull Durham
8. North Dallas Forty
9. When We Were Kings
10. Hoosiers
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: GGGG on January 16, 2014, 04:03:07 PM
Hoop Dreams is pretty distinctive because it is a documentary.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 16, 2014, 04:17:32 PM
Quote from: MU82 on January 16, 2014, 04:00:20 PM
Field of Dreams is a schlocky mess and is so inferior to Bull Durham. If I want schlocky sentimentality, I'll stick with Pride of the Yankees!

You're probably right about Field of Dreams but I buy it, especially the Burt Lancaster/Frank Whaley Moonlight Graham character, schmaltz and all.  It really bothers me that Ray Liotta bats from the wrong side as Shoeless Joe.  Gary Cooper couldn't fake it left handed in Pride of the Yankees so he batted right handed and they reversed the film.  The problem I have with Pride of the Yankees (besides the fact that I hate the Yankees) is that the acting of that age is so wooden that it is disconcerting.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Benny B on January 16, 2014, 04:27:36 PM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 16, 2014, 02:48:03 PM
I think you mean Slapshot.  My Top 10 Sports Movies ever:

1.  Hoosiers
2.  Raging Bull
3.  Rocky (Also to a lesser entent Rocky III and Rocky IV)
4.  Caddyshack
5.  Major League
6.  Diggstown
7.  Field of Dreams
8.  The Longest Yard (Burt Reynolds, not the Adam Sandler remake)
9.  The Karate Kid
10. Cinderella Man

I like Slapshot (anything with the Hansons is funny but the rest of the movie not so much), but it doesn't crack my top 10.  Also loved Hoop Dreams when I saw it but is not re-watchable.  Also like but no room for Eight Men Out, A League of Their Own, Miracle, Breaking Away

Bad Sports Movies that I am helpless to resist when I come across them:
1.  The Replacements
2.  Mystery, Alaska
3.  The Sandlot
4.  Victory (Starring Sylvester Stallone and Pele)
5.  Varsity Blues
6.  Necessary Roughness
7.  Fast Break

I still laugh watching Russell Martin skate in Mystery, Alaska.... if you watch closely, what little skating he actually does (which isn't his stunt double) is actually gliding.

For Love of the Game is another one I'd put on the "bad" list.  That movie is the poster child for showing how bad writing, worse cinematography and horrible execution can both hamstring great acting potential and tank an awesome plot concept.

While not a movie, any episode of Futurama involving the Harlem Globetrotters in a supporting role is funky enough to merit inclusion on both of these lists.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: BrewCity83 on January 16, 2014, 05:06:51 PM
Vision Quest is one of my favorite sports movies.  Really the only movie I've seen about HS wrestling.

...and you guys forgot The Fish Who Saved Pittsburgh.  Not a great movie but it's so goofy, and it stars Dr. J, that it's entertaining.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: keefe on January 16, 2014, 06:02:42 PM
Tobey Bryan's Backcourt Violation and Tyler's Wood offer refreshingly candid insights on the arduous life of today's professional athlete.



(http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/backcourt-1.jpg)


(http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/tylers-wood-tiger-woods-porn-parody.jpg)
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Lennys Tap on January 16, 2014, 06:51:13 PM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 16, 2014, 02:48:03 PM
I think you mean Slapshot.  My Top 10 Sports Movies ever:

1.  Hoosiers
2.  Raging Bull
3.  Rocky (Also to a lesser entent Rocky III and Rocky IV)
4.  Caddyshack
5.  Major League
6.  Diggstown
7.  Field of Dreams
8.  The Longest Yard (Burt Reynolds, not the Adam Sandler remake)
9.  The Karate Kid
10. Cinderella Man

I like Slapshot (anything with the Hansons is funny but the rest of the movie not so much), but it doesn't crack my top 10.  Also loved Hoop Dreams when I saw it but is not re-watchable.  Also like but no room for Eight Men Out, A League of Their Own, Miracle, Breaking Away

Bad Sports Movies that I am helpless to resist when I come across them:
1.  The Replacements
2.  Mystery, Alaska
3.  The Sandlot
4.  Victory (Starring Sylvester Stallone and Pele)
5.  Varsity Blues
6.  Necessary Roughness
7.  Fast Break

Good list and some good additions from 82 but you both missed the greatest sports movie of all time - The Hustler. Also missing is my favorite baseball movie ever - Bang The Drum Slowly with Michael Moriarity and a young Robert DeNiro.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: keefe on January 16, 2014, 06:58:13 PM
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 16, 2014, 06:51:13 PM
Good list and some good additions from 82 but you both missed the greatest sports movie of all time - The Hustler. Also missing is my favorite baseball movie ever - Bang The Drum Slowly with Michael Moriarity and a young Robert DeNiro.

Bang the Drum Slowly is a great catch.

As a climber I would include the following films. Even for non-climbers these are superb works:


Touching the Void


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t65VrYZ2U9s



North Face


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lkEfgPsOa0


The Wildest Dream


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjYx8dWIdlU


I would have thought all you Chicagoans would have included Brian's Song
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: WI inferiority Complexes on January 16, 2014, 07:05:43 PM
Quote from: keefe on January 16, 2014, 06:58:13 PM
I would have thought all you Chicagoans would have included Brian's Song

The week before Thanksgiving my small Catholic grade school in the Chicago suburbs would need the gym/cafeteria/auxillary chapel to set up for the Chirstmas Bazaar.  For PE class that week we'd watch Brian Song; I saw it 8 times in 8 years broken up in 40 minute segments.

I'm surprised that we didn't have someone from Milwaukee mention Mr. 3000 with Bernie Mac.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 16, 2014, 07:12:22 PM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 16, 2014, 02:48:03 PM
I think you mean Slapshot.  My Top 10 Sports Movies ever:

1.  Hoosiers
2.  Raging Bull
3.  Rocky (Also to a lesser entent Rocky III and Rocky IV)
4.  Caddyshack
5.  Major League
6.  Diggstown
7.  Field of Dreams
8.  The Longest Yard (Burt Reynolds, not the Adam Sandler remake)
9.  The Karate Kid
10. Cinderella Man

I like Slapshot (anything with the Hansons is funny but the rest of the movie not so much), but it doesn't crack my top 10.  Also loved Hoop Dreams when I saw it but is not re-watchable.  Also like but no room for Eight Men Out, A League of Their Own, Miracle, Breaking Away

Bad Sports Movies that I am helpless to resist when I come across them:
1.  The Replacements
2.  Mystery, Alaska
3.  The Sandlot
4.  Victory (Starring Sylvester Stallone and Pele)
5.  Varsity Blues
6.  Necessary Roughness
7.  Fast Break

My top 2 arent even in your top 10. Miracle and Remember the Titans always my two favorites.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU82 on January 16, 2014, 10:45:31 PM
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 16, 2014, 06:51:13 PM
Good list and some good additions from 82 but you both missed the greatest sports movie of all time - The Hustler. Also missing is my favorite baseball movie ever - Bang The Drum Slowly with Michael Moriarity and a young Robert DeNiro.

The Hustler is in my second 10, for sure, although calling billiards a sport is a stretch (although I guess no more a stretch than me listing The Naked Gun as a sports movie, so never mind).

Bang the Drum Slowly ... I saw it in the theater a zillion years ago and remember liking it. It was on TNT or some other channel a few months ago and I was excited and I watched it again. And, frankly, I was quite bored. Probably just me, but I still say it ain't no Bull Durham!
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU Fan in Connecticut on January 17, 2014, 07:02:27 AM
Victory is great.  It also has Michael Caine & Max Von Sydow and a cast of international soccer all-stars.  Was it director John Huston's last movie?

I can't help but to add Happy Gilmore.  Not the best at all, bit I can't help it but I watch if I see it on.

I have a few friends in Alexandria, VA and they pointed out the Remember the Titans high school as it was near one of their houses.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: GooooMarquette on January 17, 2014, 08:15:05 AM
What?  No mention of White Men Can't Jump?
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 10:55:36 AM
Quote from: esard2011 on January 16, 2014, 07:12:22 PM
My top 2 arent even in your top 10. Miracle and Remember the Titans always my two favorites.
I have a strong dislike for the movie Remember the Titans.  First off, it is as generic and predictable as a sports movie can be.  Mostly, I have a problem with Denzel Washington.  He is the African American version of early Tom Cruise.  Whatever flaws he has, his character is always hyper-competent.  His is character is always "the best" at whatever he does.  He's the best lawyer or the best train engineer or the best coach, etc.  In this movie, in the big game, Denzel is coaching offense and the other guy is coaching defense.  They are losing 7-0 at the half, despite the fact that Denzel has taken all the best players for offense.  During halftime, for some reason it is the defensive guy, who has allowed only 7 points, who says "I am getting my butt kicked.  I need your help."  Not the offense who is being shut out.  And Denzel's brilliant plan to help the defense?  He lets them have a couple of the good players.  Brilliant coach?  Hardly.

PS - My wife hates watching sports movies with me.  Comments like "No way they pitch to Geena Davis with first base open and Marla Hooch off on her honeymoon!" or "Great coach my a$$!  After the season they had, Norman Dale has to be told by his players that Jimmy Chitwood can beat his man if they set him up?" seem to upset her for some reason.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 17, 2014, 10:58:11 AM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 10:55:36 AM
I have a strong dislike for the movie Remember the Titans.  First off, it is as generic and predictable as a sports movie can be.  Mostly, I have a problem with Denzel Washington.  He is the African American version of early Tom Cruise.  Whatever flaws he has, his character is always hyper-competent.  His is character is always "the best" at whatever he does.  He's the best lawyer or the best train engineer or the best coach, etc.  In this movie, in the big game, Denzel is coaching offense and the other guy is coaching defense.  They are losing 7-0 at the half, despite the fact that Denzel has taken all the best players for offense.  During halftime, for some reason it is the defensive guy, who has allowed only 7 points, who says "I am getting my butt kicked.  I need your help."  Not the offense who is being shut out.  And Denzel's brilliant plan to help the defense?  He lets them have a couple of the good players.  Brilliant coach?  Hardly.

PS - My wife hates watching sports movies with me.  Comments like "No way they pitch to Geena Davis with first base open and Marla Hooch off on her honeymoon!" or "Great coach my a$$!  After the season they had, Norman Dale has to be told by his players that Jimmy Chitwood can beat his man if they set him up?" seem to upset her for some reason.

Wow I had a complete lapse in thought. I do like remember the titans but I meant to put "Glory Road" as my number 2 movie. Whoops.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU82 on January 17, 2014, 11:23:03 AM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 10:55:36 AM
I have a strong dislike for the movie Remember the Titans.  First off, it is as generic and predictable as a sports movie can be.  Mostly, I have a problem with Denzel Washington.  He is the African American version of early Tom Cruise.  Whatever flaws he has, his character is always hyper-competent.  His is character is always "the best" at whatever he does.  He's the best lawyer or the best train engineer or the best coach, etc.  In this movie, in the big game, Denzel is coaching offense and the other guy is coaching defense.  They are losing 7-0 at the half, despite the fact that Denzel has taken all the best players for offense.  During halftime, for some reason it is the defensive guy, who has allowed only 7 points, who says "I am getting my butt kicked.  I need your help."  Not the offense who is being shut out.  And Denzel's brilliant plan to help the defense?  He lets them have a couple of the good players.  Brilliant coach?  Hardly.

PS - My wife hates watching sports movies with me.  Comments like "No way they pitch to Geena Davis with first base open and Marla Hooch off on her honeymoon!" or "Great coach my a$$!  After the season they had, Norman Dale has to be told by his players that Jimmy Chitwood can beat his man if they set him up?" seem to upset her for some reason.

This is too funny, CT, because I am the same way. And I drive my wife crazy, too.

I also agree with you about Remember the Titans. I didn't hate the movie, in fact I remember liking it at the time I first saw it, but you are right about it being predictable and formulaic and unrealistic. I do disagree about Denzel, who I think is great most of the time.

As for Hoosiers, I can't remember who it was but somebody went back and watched the movie frame by frame and concluded that the team shot something like 80% from the floor! I liked Hoosiers because Hackman and Hopper and because it really is a great, true-ish story of triumph.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 11:28:01 AM
Two more highly acclaimed sports movies - The Natural and Chariots of Fire. IIRC "Chariots" won the Oscar for best picture.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: keefe on January 17, 2014, 11:39:45 AM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 10:55:36 AM
I have a strong dislike for the movie Remember the Titans.  First off, it is as generic and predictable as a sports movie can be.  Mostly, I have a problem with Denzel Washington.  He is the African American version of early Tom Cruise.  Whatever flaws he has, his character is always hyper-competent.  His is character is always "the best" at whatever he does.  He's the best lawyer or the best train engineer or the best coach, etc.  In this movie, in the big game, Denzel is coaching offense and the other guy is coaching defense.  They are losing 7-0 at the half, despite the fact that Denzel has taken all the best players for offense.  During halftime, for some reason it is the defensive guy, who has allowed only 7 points, who says "I am getting my butt kicked.  I need your help."  Not the offense who is being shut out.  And Denzel's brilliant plan to help the defense?  He lets them have a couple of the good players.  Brilliant coach?  Hardly.

PS - My wife hates watching sports movies with me.  Comments like "No way they pitch to Geena Davis with first base open and Marla Hooch off on her honeymoon!" or "Great coach my a$$!  After the season they had, Norman Dale has to be told by his players that Jimmy Chitwood can beat his man if they set him up?" seem to upset her for some reason.

It's a Disney movie. Of course it's formulaic. And there's nothing wrong with that. It was never positioned as anything more than feel good entertainment. Not everything needs to be Bergman or Kurosawa. You can't eat steak every meal and every culture has developed dessert cuisine for a reason.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 11:54:22 AM
Some recent ones I've really liked - The Fighter (great performance by Christian Bale), Moneyball and Win Win (an indie film with Paul Giamatti as a struggling lawyer/wrestling coach). Not as recent but also worth a look - The Wrestler (Mickey Rourke's comeback), Seabiscuit, Friday Night Lights and Tin Cup.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Goose on January 17, 2014, 11:58:57 AM
Lenny

All good calls.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 12:09:51 PM
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 11:54:22 AM
Some recent ones I've really liked - The Fighter (great performance by Christian Bale), Moneyball and Win Win (an indie film with Paul Giamatti as a struggling lawyer/wrestling coach). Not as recent but also worth a look - The Wrestler (Mickey Rourke's comeback), Seabiscuit, Friday Night Lights and Tin Cup.

All good ones.  I made my original list off the top of my head while in a boring conference call.  I'm sure I missed some others, too.  Moneyball was very different from the book (which I loved), but liked it very much anyway.  I've seen bits and pieces of Win Win, but I need to make a point of watching it start to finish.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 12:20:25 PM
Quote from: keefe on January 17, 2014, 11:39:45 AM
It's a Disney movie. Of course it's formulaic. And there's nothing wrong with that. It was never positioned as anything more than feel good entertainment. Not everything needs to be Bergman or Kurosawa. You can't eat steak every meal and every culture has developed dessert cuisine for a reason.

I agree with everything you say, but it didn't work for me even on that simple level.  Anyway, while I may say a centerfielder or a point guard stinks, I don't normally comment about entertainment in thsoe terms because just because I don't like something, it doesn't mean it isn't good.  It just means I don't like it.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: brandx on January 17, 2014, 12:22:14 PM
Any Kevin Costner baseball movie is good. Bull Durham and For the Love of the Game were best. Easy to see that he played some ball in his day. Tim Robbins, on the other hand, had to be one of the last guys picked when choosing teams as a kid.

All I ask for (besides a good story) is that the actors actually played ball before. Nothing puts an end to a movie quicker for me than to watch a baseball scene and have an actor throwing like a little girl or obviously playing baseball for the 1st time. It only takes seeing one throw or one catch to see it. No camera angle can hide a non-athlete. Not even when they basically just show his face as he is pitching.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: real chili 83 on January 17, 2014, 12:54:22 PM
My all time favorite sports movie is Rudy

Rudy turned out to be your typical ND alum in real life.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 01:28:19 PM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 12:09:51 PM
All good ones.  I made my original list off the top of my head while in a boring conference call.  I'm sure I missed some others, too.  Moneyball was very different from the book (which I loved), but liked it very much anyway.  I've seen bits and pieces of Win Win, but I need to make a point of watching it start to finish.

Like you, I loved Moneyball (the book). Didn't see a movie there, though. I was pleasantly surprised.


Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 01:33:09 PM
Just remembered another good one I saw recently - 42 (the Jackie Robinson story) - very well done, I thought.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU Fan in Connecticut on January 17, 2014, 01:36:30 PM
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 01:33:09 PM
Just remembered another good one I saw recently - 42 (the Jackie Robinson story) - very well done, I thought.

That was good.  My wife even liked that one.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Canned Goods n Ammo on January 17, 2014, 02:34:40 PM
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 10:55:36 AM
Comments like "No way they pitch to Geena Davis with first base open and Marla Hooch off on her honeymoon!"  

This is the funniest thing I've read in a while.

We need more Marla Hooch takes!!!


Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: keefe on January 17, 2014, 02:38:11 PM
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 11:28:01 AM
The Natural

One of my favorites, regardless of genre. Written by an excellent writer, too. I enjoy reading Malamud.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 02:58:38 PM
Quote from: keefe on January 17, 2014, 02:38:11 PM
One of my favorites, regardless of genre. Written by an excellent writer, too. I enjoy reading Malamud.

As Digger might say, Bernard could flat out write. The Fixer was haunting but more than a little depressing.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 17, 2014, 03:32:54 PM
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 02:58:38 PM
As Digger might say, Bernard could flat out write. The Fixer was haunting but more than a little depressing.

Same was true of the Natural, though not to the same extent, snd the movie turned that on its ear anyway.  Loved The Fixer, too. 

As far as the movie, Robert Redford was surprisingly convincing as a left hander power hitter.  Beautiful swing.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU82 on January 17, 2014, 03:51:08 PM
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 17, 2014, 11:54:22 AM
Some recent ones I've really liked - The Fighter (great performance by Christian Bale), Moneyball and Win Win (an indie film with Paul Giamatti as a struggling lawyer/wrestling coach). Not as recent but also worth a look - The Wrestler (Mickey Rourke's comeback), Seabiscuit, Friday Night Lights and Tin Cup.

The Wrestler! Yes!

You know, the top 10 I listed is from a few years ago and as I was typing it in here I was trying to think if there were any in the last 5 years that belonged in it. I thought about Seabiscuit and The Fighter and Moneyball and didn't think any quite broke in there. But I loved The Wrestler and thought it should have won the Oscar in 2008 but it wasn't even nominated. And everybody, even Sean Penn, knows Rourke should have won it for Best Actor.

The debate here might be if pro wrestling qualifies as a subject for a sports movie, but what the hell!
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Eldon on January 18, 2014, 01:47:39 AM
Quote from: MU82 on January 17, 2014, 03:51:08 PM
The Wrestler! Yes!

You know, the top 10 I listed is from a few years ago and as I was typing it in here I was trying to think if there were any in the last 5 years that belonged in it. I thought about Seabiscuit and The Fighter and Moneyball and didn't think any quite broke in there. But I loved The Wrestler and thought it should have won the Oscar in 2008 but it wasn't even nominated. And everybody, even Sean Penn, knows Rourke should have won it for Best Actor.

The debate here might be if pro wrestling qualifies as a subject for a sports movie, but what the hell!

Penn was third at best that year. Should have been Rourke or Bradd Pitt. I honestly think the Academy went with Penn because of the theme of his film and the whole Prop 8 thing going down at the time.
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: keefe on January 18, 2014, 02:06:45 AM
Quote from: MU82 on January 17, 2014, 03:51:08 PM
The Wrestler!

Rourke


(http://static.blogo.it/gossipblog/MickeyRourkeunamascheradicera.png)
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: Skitch on January 18, 2014, 03:39:23 AM
I love Remember the Titans if only for the fact that Julius and Gary grew up to become Avon Barksdale and Opie Winston

(http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130618003761/villains/images/d/df/Avon-wood-harris.jpg)

(http://static.tvtome.com/images/processed/super/96/a1/356578.jpg)

Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: MU82 on January 18, 2014, 08:50:38 AM
Quote from: Skitch on January 18, 2014, 03:39:23 AM
I love Remember the Titans if only for the fact that Julius and Gary grew up to become Avon Barksdale and Opie Winston

(http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130618003761/villains/images/d/df/Avon-wood-harris.jpg)

(http://static.tvtome.com/images/processed/super/96/a1/356578.jpg)



Nice factoid.

I love me some Avon and Opie!
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: WI inferiority Complexes on January 18, 2014, 09:46:16 AM
Quote from: MU82 on January 17, 2014, 03:51:08 PM
The debate here might be if pro wrestling qualifies as a subject for a sports movie, but what the hell!

If the answer is "yes," then the best sports movie of all time may be No Holds Barred.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DeutwC_pLZ0/Sm8fqzbeUWI/AAAAAAAAChY/hvhjhJvENGw/s400/no_holds_barred_front.jpg)
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: 🏀 on January 18, 2014, 10:10:39 AM
Lincoln Hawk would like a word with all these sports movies.

(http://thefivecount.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/soundtrack-over-the-top-99430.jpg)
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: 🏀 on January 18, 2014, 10:15:58 AM
My short list of best sports movies:

Raging Bull
Slap Shot
Beer League
The Huster
Hoop Dreams
Point Break
The Wrestler
Jerry Maguire
Bill Durham
This Sporting Life
Tin Cup
Poolhall Junkies
A League of Their Own
Hoosiers
Rocky
Rocky IV
Million Dollar Baby
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 18, 2014, 12:50:20 PM
Baseketball anyone?
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 18, 2014, 04:23:03 PM
For those of you that don't think the announcers read the message boards, the play by play guy gave his 5 favorite sports movies in the first half:

Hoosiers
Rocky
The Natural
Rudy
The Longest Yard
Title: Re: Hoop Dreams 20 years later
Post by: CTWarrior on January 18, 2014, 04:28:37 PM
Quote from: PTM on January 18, 2014, 10:15:58 AM
My short list of best sports movies:

Million Dollar Baby

I completely forgot about this one!  Tremendous movie.  Hilary Swank's performance in that movie is as good as I have ever seen in any movie.  Can you imagine anyone else playing that part nearly as well?

SPOILER ALERT -  In real life she would have been the winner of her last fight by DQ.  Actually saw the exact scenario in a real fight.
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