As fall starts to roll in, as does the Football season. With the NFL’s 100th season kicking off this Thursday, let’s take a look at some of the best football movies to hit the big screen.
First, here are some Honorable mentions (in no particular order):
- Brian’s Song
- Rudy
- Varsity Blues
- Friday Night Lights
- The Waterboy
- The Longest Yard (2005)
5. The Express
The Express is the biopic of former Syracuse Running back, Cleveland Brown, and Successor to Jim Brown, Ernie Davis. This is, in my opinion, one of the most vastly overlooked sports films ever released. The Story of Ernie Davis’ rise to an inspirational icon of the civil rights movement, dealing with following in the footsteps of greatness, and battle with Leukemia culminates into a very unique and intriguing biopic. Although cliched at times (what sports movie isn’t), The Express pulls at every string a sports movie should, gives a great sense of inspiration, and is lead by great performances from a mostly less known cast.
4. The Longest Yard (1974)
While the remake may hold its own in its more modern context, the original Longest Yard featuring Burt Reynolds in the lead role of a former QB, who is tasked with putting together a team of convicts, is undoubtably a better film. Filled with great social commentary, many laughs, and an exceptional cast featuring several (now legendary) former NFL players, The Longest Yard is a must watch for football fans. Hard hitting comedically, and culturally.
3. Any Given Sunday
While ridiculous at times (a guy having his eye gouged out during a game for instance) Any Given Sunday has great balance between on and off field drama, as well as commentary well ahead of its time. AGS addresses The safety of football, well before CTE and other head injuries were in the forefront of public criticism, and tackles the issue of race playing a part in the structure of football front offices. Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid, and Al Pacino all do a phenomenal job in their roles, and Al Pacino delivers quite possibly the best inspirational speech ever on film.
2. Remember the Titans
What is sure to be many people’s #1 football film, Remember the Titans lands at #2 for me. Phenomenal performances from Denzel Washington, and Will Patton, as well as the young cast featuring Ryan Gosling and Donald Faison, drive forward the story of the first integrated high school football team in Virginia. Although many of the topics it tackles are now somewhat cliched, Remember the Titans delivers them in ways that build up the excitement of the film and build onto the theme of coming together with your fellow man to accomplish a common goal. A classic in nearly every way.
1. The Replacements
The Replacements lands at my #1. In the wake of a strike by pro football players, (thanks to licensing rights) A pro team in Washington DC resorts to bringing in replacement players from all walks of life. The Replacements brings together some of the most unique and oddball characters that have ever been featured in any sports movie. From Jon Favreau’s overly excitable SWAT team Linebacker, to Rhys Ifans’ chain-smoking, ex-striker Kicker, it’s is an incredibly fun group of misfits to see interact, and ultimately share the field. Throw in 2019’s golden boy, Keanu Reeves, Oscar winning Gene Hackman, and the great commentary from John Madden and Pat Summerall, and it creates a fantastic final product and football fan’s dream. Although dated, the balance of drama and humor, and having the root themes of love of the game over greed and making the most out of second chances are a welcome departure from the more cliched themes of the genre.
FlickFix 