AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Michael Day, Watkinsville, GA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:35:55 GMT

Whether or not you think that riding a bike is a "sport", do yourself a favor and watch "Breaking Away". It revolves around a real-life bike race in Bloomington, Indiana and is just a great movie. I think I'll go rent it tonight.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Justin, Seattle, WA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:47:02 GMT

Hoosiers. Without a date. Like you with Major League, no matter when it is on, I'm watching it.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Josh, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:05:34 GMT

Irrespective of whether I agree with the list or not, let's all consider ourselves fortunate that the man who would put "Major League" above "Raging Bull" is a sports commentator, not an art critic (and obviously not a cinephile). Stick with the sports, Mike.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Mark McKee, Albuquerque, NM — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:06:44 GMT

Way to call it Mike. Also, no Ali, no When we were Kings. Actually they had everything wrong. 2001? puhlease. We own it and the sequel 2010. We watch 2010 because the more times you see 2001, the more it begins to suck, while 2010 really holds up. The whole list is suspect, because they don't have a category for great campy cult films, like Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill. If they don't take Roger Corman seriously, how can we take them seriously?

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Matt — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:07:15 GMT

Slapshot is great! But heck, "Strange Brew" has more sports in it (hockey) than many of those on the AFI list. But keep in mind, the AFI voters have to pretend to like stodgy "important" movies like the dreary "National Velvet."

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Elizabeth Branch, San Antonio, Texas — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:29:56 GMT

So sorry you haven't seen Breaking Away. It is so much more than a "movie about riding a bike." The bicycle race is the focus but it's a coming-of-age story more than anything else. And - BONUS - it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Great acting, especially by Paul Dooley & Barbara Barrie as the parents. This is one of my ten desert island movies!

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Jack Snow — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:43:37 GMT

I COMPLETELY agree. First and foremost, a Top 10 movie is one I stumble across while channel surfing and then spend the rest of the night watching. It's a movie I just can't walk away from. National Velvet? I don't think so....

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Matt, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:46:01 GMT

Well, Mike, what about Bull Durham? Good choice, or not? (For me, it qualifies as one of those ones you have to watch when you stumble across it on TV, even if they're cutting out the best stuff.) Slapshot was fun, and I thought The Natural was okay, but I liked the movie much better than the book (which we read in high school english)... yeah, I'm a sap for happy endings.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Mark Stephenson, Springfield, MO — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:05:09 GMT

Am I way off base to think "The Longest Yard" should have been in the Top Ten? I would surely put it in before "Caddyshack" which is not to say that I didn't like "Caddyshack," just that "The Longest Yard" was a better sports movie. Oh, I'm guessing made-for-tv-movies didn't count, but along the lines of "The Pride of the Yankees," I can't help but think about "Brian's Song."

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Tim Coyne — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:02:05 GMT

Agree with you for the most part about the flawed AFI Top 10 Sports Movies list. If a horse movie has to be on the list, Seabiscuit should have gotten the nod. What a great movie!

I was surprised to see Bull Durham on the list. Great movie, but not what "experts" on movies usually like. Which is why Rudy isn't on the list, unfortunately.

Breaking Away deserves to be on the list, but it's not just about cycling - just like Rocky isn't just about boxing and Hoosiers isn't just about basketball. Watch it sometime and see for yourself.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Matthew Hamilton, Hudson, NY — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:13:36 GMT

What, did nobody at AFI see The Natural?

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Jason P., Toledo, OH — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:23:50 GMT

Once again hockey is snubbed. "Slap Shot" captures the true essence of minor league hockey and is pretty much accurate to this day, for better or worse, while being a blast to watch and generating a stable-full of classic quotes. "Youngblood" is another solid hockey film and is probably the most accurate in a more serious dissection of Junior level hockey (plus we get to see a pre-"Bill and Ted" Keanu Reeves).

Other glaring omissions IMO: no "Field of Dreams"? I defy any man who played baseball as a boy and cherishes the sport to not cry at some point in the movie. The film captures all this is great about baseball and it's place in the American psyche. James Earl Jones' monologue on baseball goes down as one of the best regardless of the genre. Who doesn't know what movie "If you build it, he will come?" is from?

Also, "The Natural" is not on the list? With one of the most iconic scenes on all of sports movies? A compelling storyline and a character in Roy Hobbs that is well-written and acted.

This list reminds me of the Oscars; half of the films are unwatchable and the "experts" don't seem to understand sometimes a movie is great because it's fun, not in spite of that fact.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Darrell, PA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:42:05 GMT

Ugh. You lost me at Slapshot. Well, technically you lost me at the Rudy praise, but I stuck around til the end anyway.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Keys, Cinci, OH — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:42:49 GMT

Terminator 2's inclusion was a bigger travesty. Trust me.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Mark, Chicago — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:50:48 GMT

There's no spandex in "Breaking Away," although their shorts are uncomfortable short.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Jerry, Natrona Heights, Pa — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:29:00 GMT

Hey moron, Breaking Away isn't "an entire film about bike racing". Why don't you try to watch a film before you run your mouth about it. It's disgusting that you've dismissed a really great film because of your bias towards a sport. Get real.

I don't expect someone with your attitude to see what really makes Breaking Away a great film. Granted, it got me into biking but it was much more than that and I still say it's one of the best films ever made.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Sherlock Keaton — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:33:05 GMT

Days of Thunder has to be a top ten... Favorite sports scene. Frank Drebin behind the plate.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

James — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:47:19 GMT

"Miracle" about the US Olympic hockey team should definitely be in the top 10.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Brett, Suwanee — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:01:13 GMT

They were all wrong in a number of categories. Neither Casablanca, Sunset Beaulevard, nor Citizen Kane made one list. Maybe its a problem of categories; a lot of films (like the aforementioned) don't easily fit into their categories.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

David, Tucson, AZ — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:25:33 GMT

The list is a joke without Slapshot!!!!!

And where is the Bad News Bears?

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Brian Rowe, LA, CA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:32:00 GMT

I completely agree. I'm a 26-year old part time color analyst who actually lives 2 blocks from AFI headquarters in LA and has a friend that works for them. I just moved here from Seattle, and after hanging out with the acting crowd have determined they were the drama geeks in high school, hating everything to do with sports. Hoosiers is undisputed #1. I still get misty-eyed when Hopper is in treatment listening to his son win the big one. ML 1 & 2, Caddyshack of course,how about Any Given Sunday?? The acting crowd never played sports and it shows on their list. (Except for "Gansters" their list is all wrong anyway). Good stuff Mike.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Michael Field, Fairfield, CT — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:32:14 GMT

An important correction: "Breaking Away" is not about the sport of bicycle racing but is actually an engaging 'coming of age' story built around a unique small town event: the Bloomington, IN, Little 500 which is a team marathon event. Each team rides one bicycle 500 miles, swapping off as each rider tires. There happens to be an Italian bicycle racing team in town training but they are a foil to develop the hero's character and not the focus of the movie. They are used as a character in a running joke that gives the movie some of its charm and poignancy. Other than that I totally agree with your comments, except that "Miracle on Ice" deserves a mention in the bad acting/feel good category.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Thomas May, San Diego, CA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:05:54 GMT

You really should give "Breaking Away" a chance. Before I saw it, I also thought it would be pretty boring to watch a film about a bicycle race, but after seeing it I was really amazed how entertaining it was. It's a great coming-of-age story mixed with a lot of humor. Check it out, you won't regret it.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:04:55 GMT

Wow, such pride in ignorance! You ARE a sports fan!

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

John — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:17:04 GMT

Yeah, you're right about Raging Bull, but if you're gonna have a sports category, the # 1 sports movie of all time (hands down) has got to be 'The Natural' - even if it is make believe. I could watch that movie a 100 time and never get tired of it. And while we're on the subject, how about a western category without 'Lonesome Dove' and 'Dances with Wolves'; who were these guys casting the votes????

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

WJHarder — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:22:10 GMT

Celzic, stick to commenting about sports. Stay out of film criticism. Your views are yours and no one else's. The AFI picked the greatest FILMS, not the films that make Mike Celzic, with your tiny pea-brain, feel good.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

david, bethlehem, pa — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:54:27 GMT

As a huge sportsfan I can tell you that this everyman thing ain't working for you. I always hate it when someone works hard to be a "common man". Look, there are only 3 movies on that list that I have not seen at least 3 times. Raging Bull I have seen many times. National Velvet, never. But if that is so it makes that list pretty darned good.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Gary B — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:08:02 GMT

I agree. What about the movie, 'For Love of the Game'? I've watched that movie several times (just ask my wife!). Others: Slapshot, Major League, 8 Men Out, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Happy Gilmore, Tin Cup.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Raul, Alpharetta GA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:16:55 GMT

I have to agree. The Natural which should top the list should bump National Velvet off and I'll take Eight Men Out over "Breaking Away". The original Bad News Bears" kicks "Jerry Maguire" off the list. And I'm only mentioning baseball movies.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Joe Gwiazdowski, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:45:18 GMT

1. Caddyshack
2. The Natural
3. Major League
4. Rocky
5. Hoosiers
6. Slapshot
7. American Flyers
8. Miracle
9. Remember The Titans
10. Bull Durham

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Don Engle, New York, NY — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:54:36 GMT

Mike;
What gives? Have you run out of things to write about? Was there an overshipment of ink to be used up? Wasted words on paper, Mike. Maybe it's time for that summer trip to Cleveland. On another subject, how have you been? Long time no talk to.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Doug, Manhattan — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:22:30 GMT

"the list is high on drama and abysmally short of movies people actually want to watch"

But that's exactly the point. The list is about "greatest", not about "most popular." AFI is an organization of film professionals. It rates the movies on cinematic qualities, and not on whether they would fill the seats at a multiplex. I can disagree with some of their picks (Hoosiers???), but I have to grant them the privelege of selecting their own criteria. If a different group were picking, they might use different criteria. Their list would be just as valid. It would be a bit like asking a group of pilots and non pilots to rate air liners -- the non-pilots would probably choose comfort, size etc., whereas the pilots would probably look at flight manners. Both lists are valid.

I agree about Slap Shot, though, not having it on the list is a travesty!

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Chris Hansen, Westchester IL — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:31:32 GMT

what about field of dreams?

or

tin cup?

or

the longest yard? (the original with burt reynolds)

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Joe Blowe Anytown NY — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:31:50 GMT

Where the hell is "SLAPSHOT" on these lists. Never ever get tired of this Paul Neuman classic. Much more entertaining that "The Hustler"

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Aaron, Nashville, Tenn — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:52:11 GMT

I agree wholeheartedly with most everything you said... Raging Bull is great, but rarely will I watch it for more than a couple of minutes before I look for something else. Heck, I'll more intently watch Major League 2. Rocky is a slightly different story... much more in the Rudy vein of movies.

Bill Simmons from ESPN's Page 2 summed up my feelings on Bull Durham perfectly: it's NOT a sport's movie. It's a romantic comedy that just happens to include some baseball. Ditto Jerry Maguire (with its grand total of... 1, 2 sports scenes). It's sort of like saying that "Fever Pitch" was a sports movie because it references the Red Sox.

But, if you watched the entirety of AFI's lists in all genres, you'll realize that they believe that very little worthwhile cinema was made post-1965.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Jeff Dupont — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:55:39 GMT

I would have thrown in Major League or at least Bad News Bears. Both are great sports movies. Maybe Comedies are excluded. The perfect game is great too.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Pat, Danbury, Ct. — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:01:45 GMT

I agree. Major League and Slapshot should definitely be in the top 10.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Brett — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:16:39 GMT

How about Cinderella Man??!!

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

David Yocum — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:20:00 GMT

CaddyShack?? Oh come on! That was such a retarded flick and had very little to do with sports.
Jerry McGuire??? The best thing people remember is an idiot yelling: "SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!"
Great sports movies should be about GREAT Sports.
How about: 'Remember the Titans', 'Radio'or 'Field of Dreams??? Even the 'The Sandlot' would have been a great pick over Caddy-Crap!

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Marc Schultz, Stamford, CT — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:25:24 GMT

OK...here is the REAL Top 10 "for me"
Rocky 2
Rudy
Hoosiers
The Natural
Bull Durham
The Program
Field of Dreams
Tin Cup
Rocky
Miracle

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Craig, Oklahoma City — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:09:07 GMT

So you judge "National Velvet" without ever seeing it? That's somewhat like the kid saying he hates broccoli when he's never tasted it. This film has all the great trappings of a good sports film.. the underdog, the courage, the excitement, the exhiliration. Yes, it's a feel good film, but aren't most sports movies? And it is far from a "chick flick". The only romance is Velvet's love of horseracing. I could see you arguing against it if you had seen it. But, to place a critique on a film you've never watched? Unbelievable.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

John Doe, Nowhere, PA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:30:06 GMT

AFI doesn't run popularity contests. They rank the best movies for the value of the drama, yes sports are drama, portrayed along with the entertainment therein. If we ranked and rewarded all by popularity, the best movies in 2007 would be: Spider Man 3, Shrek 3, Transformers, Pirates 3, and Harry Potter 5? Do those seem like the best movies to you last year? Were any of them nominated for a "Best Movie" Oscar? Granted, anyone's top 10 will change. Value in movies is thoroughly subjective. But don't fault the AFI for evaluating the genre using a tool other than popularity. The movies chosen are not only some of the best sports movies but some of the best movies ever made.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

M. Zwinge, Cotati, CA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:47:01 GMT

My top ten
1. Necessary Roughness
2. Major League
3. Varsity Blues
4. Caddyshack
5. TIn Cup
6. A Day at the Races
7. Hoosiers
8. Leatherheads
9. Field of Dreams
10. Rocky

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Todd Hartman — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:07:21 GMT

Breaking Away is a great movie and no spandex. And you call yourself an expert. Watch it!! How about Glory Road?? And Blood Sport with Jean Claude Van Damme. Really bad acting, but I can watch it over and over.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Howard Presnall — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:31:56 GMT

What happened to Remember the Titans or We are Marshall or The Replacements or The Longest Yard (original version) or MASH. I guess football movies do not impress judges.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Bill R. Howell NJ — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:37:31 GMT

I'd add a little more Old sports movies to the list. For the same reason you have, that it's not so much the pure sport but rather the watchability of it.

Don't really know if anyone other than myself knows or recalls these movies but the original "Angels in the Outfield" circa '52 and "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" which was the original "Heaven can Wait" are both flicks I will watch, though today the only place you can hope to find them is on Turner Movie Classics.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Andy D, Dover, DE — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:43:21 GMT

I agree, great movies are the ones you want to watch over and over again. You really should see Breaking Away. It's a great movie. It's not a movie about bicycle racing, it's a movie about townies in a college town trying to cope with life while dealing with the college students.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Brian Skrzypchak, WI — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:21:59 GMT

One that everybody forgot about 'Kingpin' Randy Quaid and the Amish would be irate.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Carie, Chicago, IL — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:31:22 GMT

Hoosiers should definitely be #1. I have probably seen it 100 times and it still gets to me everytime. I can't comment on the ones I haven't seen, but The Natural and Field of Dreams are noticeably absent and I also agree that Remember the Titans should also be in there. No one has mentioned The Rookie, with Dennis Quaid. I love it! Based on a true story with a great message...that it's never too late for one's childhood dream to come true.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Rick Steffen, Elroy, Wis. — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:05:35 GMT

Top Ten:
1. Field of Dreams
2. Friday Night Lights
3. Hoosiers
4. Rudy
5. The Rookie
6. Remember the Titans
7. 61*
8. The Final Season
9. Bull Durham
10. Major League

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Carol Jones, Dallas, TX — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:46:54 GMT

If the criteria to be on the top 10 list is that anytime you see it while channel surfing on a Saturday and you stop to watch --- I would have to make room for Love and Basketball. I certainly would watch it before National Velvet.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

David Auslander, Washington DC — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:19:42 GMT

Breaking Away is really a wonderful film--or maybe I should say "was" a wonderful film. Back in 1979, I really liked it a lot. Recently, I saw it again and I didn't think it held-up all that well. But I dislike most sports movies. I see no no redeeming qualities in Field of Dreams, The Natural, Jerry MacGuire, Bull Durham, or Rocky films of any enumeration. And the only reason I sat through Hoosiers even once is because Dennis Hopper is in it--though I'd sooner watch Blue Velvet a dozen more times than have to endure Hoosiers ever again.

Despite their depressing qualities, Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby, or The Hustler are much more to my liking. So I guess, coming full circle, Breaking Away, despite how dated it might be today, is looking pretty good compared to nearly all the other sports movies on that list!

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Joe Schipani, Stamford, CT — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:56:18 GMT

How do you not have THE CHAMP in there..... jeez.

1. Raging Bull
2. The Champ
3. Rocky I and II
4. Chariots of Fire
5. Caddyshack
6. Bang the Drum Slowly
7. When We Were Kings
8. Brian's Song
9. Jerry maguire
10. Slapshot

Substitutes - Field of Dreams, Hoosiers, Breaking Away, The Hustler, Bad News Bears

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Mike G, Omaha NE — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:32:57 GMT

I think everyone is missing two subtle classics that deals with America's favorite pasttime at its finest. The Sandlot and The Bad News Bears (The original one with Walter Matthau) Both deal with little league baseball which is sport at its truest.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Steve Marino, Philly PA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:11:40 GMT

Hey all. I agree with most, but going back to that channel surfing and finding a movie and watching no matter what (Major League), how about The Replacements? I know, not as good as Major League, but the movie constantly makes me laugh evertime I watch it. Having "Hack-Man" in it too gives it SOME credibility.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Stan Z - NYC — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:20:05 GMT

What you must do is think about a given sport and select the movies that immediately come to mind, for example:
Baseball - The Natural; Eight Men Out; Field of Dreams; The Rookie
Football - Brian's Song; Longest Yard (original);Rudy.
Basketball - Hoosiers
Boxing - Cinderella Man; Raging Bull; City For Conquest (JamesCagney); The Champ (Kirk Douglas)
Hockey - Slapshot; Miracle on Ice
Golf - Not a real Sport - Cannot play defense.
Bowling - See Golf
Pool - See Golf.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Ryan, Sac, Ca — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:52:30 GMT

ok we are missing some key movies here lol....
Starting with Happy Gilmore, White Men Cant jump and Above the Rim

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

donna, washington dc — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:50:48 GMT

"Miracle" ?
Why isnt it there, that is truly a GREAT sports movie....

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Ron Calabria — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:45:23 GMT

FIELD OF DREAMS--ENOUGH SAID..

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Tim, Bloomington, IN — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:42:23 GMT

Slight correction to an above post about the great movie "Breaking Away." The Indiana University bike race it is based on is not a 500 mile event. They do 200 laps like the indy 500, but it's only a quarter mile track.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

wayne thomas, martinsburg, wv — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:02:03 GMT

Top ten:

1. Rocky
2. Any given sunday.
3. Remember the titans
4. The rookie
5. Friday night lights
6. Ali
7. field of dreams.
8. Varsity blues
9.Angels in the outfield
10. mighty ducks.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Don Dunham Rochester NY — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:45:23 GMT

Top Ten:
1. Hoosiers
2. The Natural
3. A League Of Their Own
4. Field Of Dreams
5. Eight Men Out
6. Caddyshack
7. Slapshot
8. Bang The Drum Slowly
9. Major League
10. Stealing Home

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Jon, WV — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:05:56 GMT

Breaking Away is one of those films that my parents made me watch as a kid, and it's amazing how it has stuck with me all these years. I do have to say that Bull Durham should have ranked much higher. It really brings out all the dark and light sides of baseball, and it did wonders for minor league baseball attendance since it came out.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Jon, Hagerstown, MD — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:10:36 GMT

I was hoping Bull Durham would rank much higher on the list. It really shows the many dark and light sides of baseball that most other movies don't show. Plus, it did wonders for minor league ballpark attendance since it came out. I would like to see Hoop Dreams on the list, especially taking the place of Jerry Maguire. Then again, I'm surprised there was no Top 10 list for documentaries.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

CV — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:52:48 GMT

The horse racing movie should be The Black Stallion, not National Velvet or Seabiscuit. Slapshot should be on the list. And you're cheating yourself not seeing Breaking Away.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Joe, Kansas City — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:57:02 GMT

Wow. How do I get a job where I can write something so erroneous as your description of Breaking Away and essentially brush off as unworthy of seeing a movie I've never seen? It most definitely belonged on the list -- only higher. And while you loved Major League, I'm with those who would have put Field of Dreams on this list or the fantasy list. Plus, Rocky has not aged that well in my opinion -- maybe the sequels have tainted it. Cinderella Man is a much underappreciated gem that I'd stop to watch before Rocky -- and I skip past Raging Bull whenever I see it on. As for hockey, Miracle featured an Oscar-worthy performance by Kurt Russell--a great peformance in a great movie.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Otto Loehrke, Saint Paul, Minnesota — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:59:20 GMT

Mike, really disappointed in your sight-unseen disapproval of Breaking Away. Normally I find your commentary near or right on the mark, and I suspect the movie's sensibilities would be right up your alley. You want to see a horribly treacly cycling movie, watch American Flyers -- blech! -- but Breaking Away is simply a classic, both in regard to "cycling" (highlighted throughout more in parody than seriousness) and the Midwestern life in general. Not to mention, the Little 500 lives on today! So grab some Ity food and give it a chance.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Wayne Gossett — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:03:44 GMT

How can any Top 10 Sports movie list be complete without "Bang the Drum Slowly"? Not all great sports movies need a happy ending.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Steven Weiss — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:34:27 GMT

One must honor 'TV' movies. How can we miss 'Brian's Song...' It is the best TV Sports movie ever made. And for good measure with the perspective of 'Made for TV sports' I nominate the original Rollerball! Forget Kansas City Bomber though.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Henri Raub, Charleston SC — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:07:44 GMT

I've seen National Velvet; those violet eyes are stunning even at Liz's young age but it is not just a chick flick but a young chick's flick. Does the football game in M A S H make it a sports movie?

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Steve Murphy, Fishers, Indiana — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:14:41 GMT

As a Minnesota native whose family moved to Indianapolis when I was young, my two favorites are (predictably) "Slap Shot" and "Hoosiers".

Slap Shot, not because of Paul Newman or the Hansen Brothers, but because it accurately portrays the mentality and lifestyle of minor league hockey players and (not to be forgotten) it's "always second class" fans.

Hoosiers because of it's devotion to the spirit of Indiana's "second religion", high school basketball. Most viewers won't even recognize appearances by people like Ray Crowe (Oscar Robertson's coach at Crispus Attucks High in Indianapolis, or Tom Carnage (known not only as "The Voice of the 500" but also as the voice of the Indiana High School State Basketball Tournament during it's much revered "one class system" that allowed small town schools to compete against big city schools for the true "holy grail", the overall undisputed state high school basketball championship. For decades, Indiana was known far and wide for this singular, undiluted championship tournament, before the state mortaged it's soul in favor of several "class" divisions that immasculated it's basketball legacy.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Steve Murphy, Fishers, Indiana — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:28:58 GMT

"Slap Shot" for it's undertone of the hopelessness of "minor league" players, towns and fans. And the lifestyle of the "second rate" players who forge their lives out of range of the cameras and financial rewards they dreamed of on frozen ponds and in rickety rinks.

Hoosiers for the flawless portrayal of a small, rural school's struggle to win "the holy grail" of basketball; the undiluted, single class, winner-take-all high school basketball state championship. I'm sure neither the AFI nor most viewers around the country had any clue as to the importance of appearances in the flick by Ray Crowe (Oscar Robertson's coach at Crispus Attucks high) nor Tom Carnage (revered as much for his play-by-play of the basketball tournament as for being "The Voice of the 500" for decades). Only "Hoosiers" could be expected to appreciate this...

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Mark Brown, Atlanta, Ga — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:24:29 GMT

I may be old, but the 1949 Ray Milland classic, "It Happens Every Spring" is a movie I watch every time I need a baseball movie fix.

AFI all wrong with top sports movies

Birdzilla — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:52:33 GMT

What about SPACE JAM who could ever forget a movie with both MICHEAL JORDAN and BUGS BUNNY in the same movie