The Way Back (2020)

The Way Back (2020)

Warner Bros. etc.

March 6, 2020

Sports Drama

DVD
D

Sports and alcoholism.  Gavin O'Connor directed, and this is the fifth of his movies I've rejected in this project, the most recent being The Warrior.

Warrior

Warrior

Mimran Schur Pictures etc.

September 9, 2011

Sports Drama

DVD
D+

While I didn't enjoy this, it was nice to have random stuff like a high school Science lesson thrown in there.  Gavin O'Connor directed and co-wrote, before The Accountant and Jane Got a Gun, but after Miracle.

Vertical Limit

Vertical Limit

Columbia etc.

December 8, 2000

Sports Drama

DVD
D+

Kind of forgettable, except for the sibling angle.  Martin Campbell directed, between The Mask of Zorro and Green Lantern.

Varsity Blues

Varsity Blues

MTV Productions

January 15, 1999

Sports Drama, Sports Comedy
DVD
D+

I couldn't tell if the toxic masculinity was being critiqued or celebrated.  Brian Robbins directed.

12 Mighty Orphans

12 Mighty Orphans

Greenbelt Films etc.

June 11, 2021

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD

D-

Depressing Depression era tale, with football!  Director Ty Roberts co-adapted Jim Dent's Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football, which would've been an unwieldy movie title.

Touching Home

Touching Home

CFI Releasing

April 29, 2008

Sports Drama

DVD
D

Twins Logan and Noah Miller wrote, directed, and co-star as baseball-playing brothers, based on themselves.

Tommy's Honour

Tommy's Honour

Tommy's Honour Productions

15 June 2016

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD

D+

I felt like I'd watched this before, although I hadn't.  Jason Connery directed, seven years after The Devil's Tomb.

Spanish Judges

Spanish Judges

Collectors Film

April 6, 2000

Crime Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
F+

Repellent with a few tolerable moments.  Oz Scott directed.

Secretariat

Secretariat

Disney

October 8, 2010

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
C-

As usual, the horses are more interesting than the people.  This is based on William Nack's book and directed by Randall Wallace, four years before Heaven Is For Real.

The Sandlot

The Sandlot

20th Century Fox

April 7, 1993

Sports Drama, Sports Comedy, Historical Drama, Historical Comedy, Children's

DVD

D+

Not my kind of movie, although I couldn't help seeing it going in a dark-comedy direction with Leary cast as the stepfather.  David Mickey Evans directed, a decade before National Lampoon's Barely Legal.

Rudy

Rudy

Tristar

October 22, 1993

Sports Drama, Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Yeah, no, but could be worse.  David Anspaugh directed, seven years after the more famous Hoosiers, which I also gave a D+.

The Young Racers

The Young Racers

American International Pictures

January 1963

Sports Drama

DVD
D

Pretty dull and I kept wishing I were watching Beach Party instead.  Roger Corman directed.

Rocky III

Rocky III

MGM/United Artists

May 28, 1982

Sports Drama

DVD
C-

It was better than I expected, but I've never seen the first two movies, although I read two or three of the MAD Magazine parodies.  (I think this was the one that foreshadowed Rhinestone.)  Stallone wrote, directed, and obviously stars.

Raging Bull

Raging Bull

United Artists

December 19, 1980

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
D-

I might've gone with a D, except for the scene where he makes his brother punch him for no discernible reason.  This is based on Jack LaMotta's memoir, and directed by Scorcese.

Radio

Radio

Columbia etc.

October 24, 2003

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
D

A bunch of elements I don't look for in movies.  Michael Tollin directed.

The Pride of the Yankees

The Pride of the Yankees

RKO

July 15, 1942

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
C-

My main enjoyment was the corniness, like the elderly parents of a small boy (giving me Johnny Dangerously vibes), and Gary Cooper similarly looking pretty old for a college kid.  Sam Wood directed.

The Natural

The Natural

Tri-Star

May 11, 1984

Sports Drama, Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Chockful of clichés but the costumes are good.  This is based on the Bernard Malamud novel and directed by Barry Levinson.

National Velvet

National Velvet

MGM

January 26, 1945

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
B+

I saw this movie decades ago, maybe when I was a teenager and it was already long a classic.  I enjoyed it, even though I was never a "horse girl."  But this isn't just a "horse movie."  It holds up remarkably well over seventy-five years after it was made because its characters are vivid and lovable, flaws and all.  Liz Taylor is luminous and Rooney has possibly his best role ever.  Anne Revere deservedly won an Oscar for her role as the mother, a character that could be described as feminist, as well as wise, warm, and witty. And the supporting roles are solid, including a young Angela Lansbury as the oldest daughter.  Just a delight overall.

This is based on the Enid Bagnold novel and directed by Clarence Brown.

My Way AKA Mai Wei

My Way AKA Mai Wei

CJ Entertainment

22 December 2011

Sports Drama, Historical Drama [apparently a War Drama later]

DVD
C-

Two young men have a rivalry from childhood onwards, personally and athletically, and I guess eventually this shapes world events.  Je-kyu Kang wrote and directed.

Moneyball

Moneyball

Sony etc.

September 23, 2011

Sports Drama

DVD
D+

Baseball.  Aaron Sorkin co-adapted Michael Lewis's nonfiction book.  Bennett Miller directed.