Top 5 Sports Movies (comedies, dramas)

With the release of Leatherheads this week we are going to do the top 5 sports comedies and the top 5 sports dramas. Here are the dramas:

THE JAKE LAMOTTA MEMORIAL LIST

1. The Karate Kid - This film defines my generation and it defines me. If I were to do a list of my all-time favorite films this would be in the top 5. I love this film. I can quote verbatim and I still get goose bumps watching the ending. Put him in a body bag yeah.......

2. Hoosiers - If it weren't for the fast forwardable creepy love story with Gene Hackman and Barbara Hershey this would be number one. Another 80's gem with outstanding performances by all. I have always felt Dennis Hopper was robbed by Michael Caine for the Oscar. Does anyone really remember Hannah and her Sisters. They always remember running the picket fence.

3. Jerry Maguire - I have been having a tough time including this on a sports movie list but everywhere I look this is on everyone's best sports movie list. This was a great great film when it was released and then it got often quoted and turned into a cheesy dialogue heavy Springsteen song. It is kind of cool to rag on this. It still holds up after all this time and I still get a little misty eyed at the end. Tom Cruise when he wasn't couch jumping is cool too.

4. The Rookie - Yes it is slow and boring to a lot. To me this was just an absolute perfect movie let alone sports movie. Dennis Quaid once again proves why he is one of Hollywood's under rated actors. Another tearjerker film for me.

5. Rocky III - I know the first Rocky is a great film but dollar for dollar Rocky III is my favorite. You got Thunderlips, Clubber Lang, Mickey dies, Apollo trains Rocky. Just amazing. And that Survivor song is money. Yo Adrian!

Honorable mentions

• Field of Dreams
• Any Given Sunday
• Eight Men Out
• Rudy
• Raging Bull
• Rocky
• Rocky Balboa
• Million Dollar Baby
• The Cinderella Man

THE HANSON BROTHERS MEMORIAL LIST

1. Caddyshack - I know I know cliche' and over rated. To me this is not only the best sports comedy of all time but also one of the best comedies of all time. This was my first R rated film I saw. I was 4.( it was a different time back then - 1980) All I remember is having my eyes covered during the nudity and that I pissed my pants. Whether or not that occurrence was based on age or the movie I will never know. All I know is I can quote it verbatim and whenever my buddies and me are on the golf course we bring up the Cindrella story. Who doesn't? Just a classic.

2. Major League - See Hoosiers! Another boring romance sub plot keeps this from being number one. This is an instant classic and like many comedies quotable to the hilt. A young Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes shine in the baseball masterpiece. The sequels weren't too bad either.

3. Tin Cup - I don't know what it is about this film but I could watch this everyday if I could. Kevin Costner is not the best actor but it is just something about him that makes him so endearing. This actually has a watchable love story and man is Rene Russo gorgeous. Don Johnson is pretty cute too... wait what?

4. Kingpin - There's Something About Mary is hilarious. This is The Farrelly Brother's best movie. Partially because it was a huge bomb and didn't find life until video. My friend's and I saw this movie 3 days in a row and we played. My theater didn't get it. Woody, Randy and Bill were at the top of their game. We haven't got a cow... we got a bull!

5. Dodgeball - This movie is just perfect. Is Dodgeball a sports film? You betcha ass it is. Not one of the most popular sports but it's a sport in my book. Amazing quotes and just an amazing cast. Rip Torn is genius as Patches O'Hoolihan.

Honorable mentions

• Major League 2
• The Sandlot
• A League of Their Own
• Blades of Glory
• Semi-Pro
• The Bad News Bears (both versions)
• White Men Can't Jump
• Airborne
• Bull Durham (saw it later in life and it is good and funny but it didn't stick with me like other films. Maybe it is time for a re watch)
• Slap Shot (see Bull Durham)

NEXT WEEK WE WILL DO THE TOP 5 MOST ANTICIPATED 2008 SUMMER FILMS