Brian of Pizzaspotz
5. All the Right Moves
Okay, now we’re getting to the really good football movies. This is an awesome portrayal of high school football in the coal and steel mill country of western Pennsylvania. Starring Tom Cruise as Stefan Djordjevic, a high school football player who dreams of being awarded a college scholarship. Unfortunately, a bad temper causes Stefan to get on the bad side of his high school coach (Craig T. Nelson) who holds a grudge against Stefan after his house is vandalized and he believes Stepfan is to blame. Filmed in the 80s, this movie still has timeless themes that need to be seen on the big or small screen at regular intervals. Great acting by Cruise, Nelson and Lea Thompson who plays Cruise’s love interest. Because I grew up in the 80s, I had to add this to our top ten football movies list and now we just may create a top ten Tom Cruise movies to watch while eating pizza list. Yep, that’s coming soon.
4. The Blind Side
This is the story of Michael Oher, now a lineman with the Baltimore Ravens who I admire, even though I’m a Steelers fan. Growing up, Michael was a homeless and traumatized boy who eventually becomes an All-American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family. Her husband in the film is played by Tim McGraw. This film has an amazing story arc and Michael’s character grows substantially from the first time he hits a football field to the day of the NFL draft. Sandra Bullock turns in a splendid performance in this film and is the ultimate model of a tough mom, taking on the system, caring for those in need, and succeeding in all she does.
3. We Are Marshall
Some people say the NFL is over commercialized. That it’s all about money and rich snobbish players who don’t deserve what they get. That’s arguable but with so many people who feel that way, it’s no wonder so many people love college football and rank it as a higher form of the sport and more worth their viewership and their time as fans.
One need not look any further than the story of Marshall’s Thundering Herd to see what college football is all about and why so many people are drawn to it and receive inspiration from its stories. Tragedy struck Huntington, WV and their university football team when the plane carrying their team crashed. Instantly, their football program was over. But from the ashes arose a spirit of community and a spirit of starting over. No football coach wanted to begin a program from scratch, all but one, Coach Lengyel. He was an energetic coach, a compassionate coach and a man who turned around not only a football program, but an entire community. This movie will both inspire and thrill you.
2. Invincible
I didn’t know what I was going to see on the big screen when I visited a movie theater in Orofino, Idaho with a total of six people inside it. The result was a very inspiring story featuring Mark Wahlberg playing Vince Papale, who after a personal tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, becomes the oldest rookie in NFL history (besides kickers) to not have played college football. Invincible is full of great action and the football playing bartender is a very likable character you root for and might stand up and cheer for which is totally acceptable if you’re watching on DVD. In movie theaters, they sort of frown on that activity. Just remember not to drop your pizza. You will finish this movie with the satisfaction of knowing you can accomplish anything! Movies that drip inspiration like this have to be on a top ten football movies list and I’m just sorry there aren’t more than ten slots on this list. There are so many great gridiron films.
And finally, the number one on our top 10 list of football movies to watch while eating pizza is…..
1. Rudy
Rudy never listens to naysayers. You know those people, the ones who say you’re not good enough, not smart enough or not big enough to do what you want to accomplish in life. Rudy was surrounded by people like that, some were friends and some were family. That can be depressing, but Rudy rarely stayed down for long when life hit him with disappointments. He wanted to play football for Notre Dame. But could he realistically have a shot? I remember leaving the Plaza Theater in Carrollton, Texas after watching this one evening with my bride. I felt I could take on the world. Even if that does give away a little bit of how this movie turns out, it is well worth the time spent watching it. You have to see it to feel the inspiration I felt that night. Is this on the top of everyone’s top ten football movies list? No, but it should be.
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