BY A.J. KURZMAN
5. Invictus- This film tells the inspiring true story of Nelson Mandela’s attempt to unite an apartheid-ridden country by breaking down racism through the South African rugby team. Believing that the universal language of sports can bring his divided country together, Mandela inspires the team for their fairytale run to the rugby World Cup championship match. As inspirational as it is exciting, the themes of unity, determination, and forgiveness make Invictus one of the memorable.
4. Field of Dreams- One of the most classic and well-known sports movies ever created, Field of Dreams focuses on an Iowa corn farmer who builds a baseball diamond in his fields. His hard work is based off of hearing the famous quote, “If you build it they would come.” To his surprise, ghosts of former white sox players appear in his field and play ball. Overall, it’s a classic follow your dream narrative that is surprisingly moving.
3. The Blind Side- An inspirational story about Michael Other, a homeless and traumatized young boy who is taken in by a caring woman and her family. Because of his natural protection skills and the encouragement of his new family, he excels in school football until he eventually becomes a first round pick in the NFL. The movie brings you in from the start while simultaneously showing how a football team can change the life of one young troubled soul.
2. Moneyball- The true story of how the Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane “reinvented baseball”. Stuck with a small budget and struggling players, Beane implements an innovative computer-related analysis system to acquire new players. He proved that baseball is more than just what meets the eye and led the A’s to the longest win streak in American League history. It also manages to weave an inspiring message throughout the film.
1. Miracle- This is the best sports movie, not because of how well it’s made, but because of its incredible story. In the midst of the cold war, the new US hockey coach, Herb Brooks, leads a team of college players into the winter Olympics in Lake Placid. The team unites the nation with a new sense of hope as they eventually take on the seemingly invincible juggernaut team of the Soviet Union; who had won every gold medal since 1960. Team USA carried the burden of a nation yearning for a distraction from the global events en route to the greatest upset in sports history.
