Rudy — Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) was raised in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but had dreams of playing football at Notre Dame. Unfortunately, he was not a great student, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But Rudy had the drive and spirit of 10 men, and his sights were set on joining the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
UP Says — A true inspiration for all the little guys that want to make it big…unless of course that same guy later makes it even bigger by staying little (that’s a hobbit joke people!). Seriously, it’s a heartfelt true story about a boy who wants to make his father proud while he lives out his dream — no matter how many people tell him he can’t.
Classic Quote — Fortune: You’re 5 foot nothin’, 100 and nothin’, and you have nearly a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football team in the land for 2 years. And you’re getting a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody but yourself.
Brian’s Song — Running back Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) joins the NFL’s Chicago Bears and is befriended by Brian Piccolo (James Caan), an over-achieving competitor. Although they are after the same spot on the team, and despite the fact that Sayers is black and Piccolo white, they become very close friends. Later, they must both deal with the harsh reality of Piccolo’s cancer.
UP Says — This made-for-TV movie was so well received that was later given a nationwide theatrical release. It’s a touching and sad true story about overcoming obstacles and the value of friendship.
Classic Quote — Asst. Coach: What the hell do you do on Fake Draw Screen Right? Piccolo: Well, on uh, Fake Draw Screen Right I uh, pick up the linebacker if he’s comin, ‘less of course it’s Butkus, then I simply notify the quarterback to send for a preacher.
Any Given Sunday — Aging football coach Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino) finds himself struggling with his personal and professional life while trying to hold his team together. With an injured star quarterback (Dennis Quaid), D’Amato must turn to his untested backup Willie Beaman (Jamie Foxx). Outstanding performances over the next several games expose Beamen to the world of sports stardom including all of its distractions. Meanwhile, D’Amato finds himself at battle with the owner’s greedy daughter intent on moving the team and saving face in a male-dominated sports world.
UP Says — A 3-hour look into the world of a fictional professional football league. Even though this flick is about an hour too long, Foxx is entertaining enough to keep you interested. No other sports film has effectively mixed the drama of sport, on-field vomiting, and an infectious music video. Director Oliver Stone tried desperately, but failed, to get approval from the NFL to use real teams/logos in the film.
Classic Quote — D’Amto: You’re a goddamn quarterback! You know what that means? It’s the top spot, kid. It’s the guy who takes the fall. It’s the guy everybody’s looking at first — the leader of a team — who will support you when they understand you. Who will break their ribs and their noses and their necks for you, because they believe. ‘Cause you make them believe. That’s a quarterback.
Varsity Blues — In small-town Texas, high school football is like a religion. 35-year veteran head coach, Bud Kilmer (Jon Voight) is trying to lead his West Canaan Coyotes to their 23rd division title. When star quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker) suffers an injury, the team is forced to regroup under the questionable leadership of John Moxon (James Van Der Beek), a second-stringer with an unconventional approach to the game.
UP Says — By far, this is best film ever produced under the MTV Films label. We get a gritty look inside football obsession, from the most evil head coach to the washed-up, has-been parents still living in the past. If that’s not enough just skip ahead to the scene involving the most innovative combination of swimwear and dairy products ever devised!
Classic Quote — Mox: If we go out and half-ass it ’cause we’re scared, then we’ll always wonder if we were really good enough. But if we go out there and give it all we’ve got… that’s heroic. You guys wanna be heroes?
The Program — Players from different backgrounds try to cope with the pressures of playing top10 football at a major university. Each deals with the pressure differently, some turn to drinking, others to drugs, and some to studying. In addition to their personal problems, each has to face their demanding head coach (James Caan).
UP Says — An all-around great football flick. At times it focuses more on the players than the game, with an especially sympathetic look at a worn-out, broken down head coach who is trying to salvage his career.
Classic Quote — Lattimer: Its the battle, the going to war with the other guys, hanging together, having our own dorm, staying in hotels the night before the games, setting ourselves apart, being different than everybody else, having a chance to be somebody, to do something that people look up to you for, your strength, your courage, not everybody can play football…were the lucky ones.
