The Fighter

David O'Russell, 2010 (8.3*)
Another good boxing film, maybe not the best, but another, like Raging Bull (1980) and Cinderella Man (2005),  based on a true boxer's biography, in this case "Irish" Mickey Ward, and his brother Dicky, a former boxer himself who trains Mickey in their Lowell, Massachusetts boxing gym. Mark Wahlberg does a pretty good job as Mickey, and at least the boxing looks real in this one, unlike some other unmentionable boxing films.

Christian Bale turned in an outstanding performance as Dicky, and was rewarded with an Oscar® and 19 other awards. Melissa Leo also won an Oscar® (and numerous other awards) playing Mickey's aggressive, optimistic mother. The near documentary style works, as crackhead brother Dicky is also the subject of a cable documentary about crack addiction, shot here in 16mm to make it look like an older documentary. Amy Adams also turns in another good performance as Mickey's barmaid girlfriend (she'll get an Oscar® soon), who receives the ire of Mickey's family when he starts making his own career decisions. His sisters (five of em? it was hard to keep count, they were everywhere) are something to behold; it's like they were perpetually competing for "family's biggest hair".

Boxing films in a way are like westerns - they each usually feature a man-to-man showdown (with usually one 'good guy'), one with fists, the other with bullets. At least boxing has a time clock, a referee, judges, betting, and the gloves are padded; but, even so, it's not a sport for the squeamish. But, as Mike Tyson once said, "would your rather see me in the ring or in a dark alley outside a bar?"

The Fighter has now won 34 awards overall, 20 by Christian Bale, either for supporting actor or as part of the winning ensemble cast. Add this to the list of boxing films (like the two above) that are better than Rocky but didn't win best picture - some others are The Great White Hope (1970), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), and Rocco and His Brothers (1964) from Italian director Visconti, which had a direct influence on the style of Raging Bull.

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Requiem For a Heavyweight

Ralph Nelson, 1962, bw (9.0*)
[posted on Boxing Day in the Commonwealth, and my birthday, as my dad and I were named for a boxer, William Lawrence Stribling, who lost to Jack Dempsey on a 15th round knockout while leading on all scorecards. Stribling was tragically killed just 3 wks later on his motorcycle before a promised rematch]

One of the best boxing stories ever, from a teleplay by Twilight Zone creator, author Rod Serling. This film was it's second filming, as it was originally a highly acclaimed tv playhouse drama special.

The terrific cast makes this film what it is. Oscar-winner Anthony Quinn plays an aging boxer named Louis Primera (too close to boxer Primo Carnera to be coincidental?) in the twilight of his career, his best days obviously behind him, and he'll never be champ. He's actually knocked out by Muhammed Ali in the beginning, called Cassius Clay at the time.

Jackie Gleason is superb as his manager, Maish, how they kept him from an Oscar is a mystery. Mickey Rooney is his cut man, while social worker Julie Harris optimistically has ideas for other careers.

There are some creative yet realistic plot twists that I won't reveal here, but suffice to say that this film deals with personal honor and dignity perhaps as well as any other sports story. That makes it perhaps my second favorite boxing film after Million Dollar Baby, as there's no performance in any boxing film as superb as Hilary Swank's; you can watch her actually become a boxer on film before your eyes.

This version is better than the teleplay for CBS Playhouse 90, which was actually done live, with Jack Palance in the lead role. For my money, Jackie Gleason, here and in The Hustler, is perhaps the most deserving of those shut out all-time for an Oscar®, he should have one for supporting actor out of these two.

[Other notables shut out include Peter O'Toole, with 8 losses, Richard Burton, Myrna Loy, and Edward G. Robinson, who never even got a nomination]

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The Black Stallion

Carroll Ballard, 1979 (8.5*)

One of the best horse stories ever, from the children's novel by Walter Farley. A young boy, played by Kelly Reno, on an ocean voyage is intrigued by a black stallion on board, when a sudden shipwreck strands them both on a deserted island. The boy and the horse become inseparable friends out of loneliness and mutual need.

After rescue, the two are returned home, and an aging Mickey Rooney, a former race horse trainer, gives a wonderful and Oscar®-nominated performance for supporting actor as he persuades the boy to race the almost wild stallion. Beautiful cinematography and an inspiring G-rated story make this one of the best family films. A classic in the Disney tradition established in the 1950's, this is my favorite Rooney performance on film; he's not so over-energetic and obnoxious in his older age.

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Invictus

Clint Eastwood, 2009 (7.5*)

Not one of Clint's best as director, a by-the-numbers sports film which contains little drama or conflict to pull the viewer in. Morgan Freeman, who produced, is excellent as Nelson Mandela, even somewhat resembling him physically, and garnering another best actor Oscar® nomination. Newly elected, his country is still torn apart racially, so he sees the upcoming 1995 rugby World Cup, being held in South Africa, as a potentially unifying event. Their rugby team, though world ranked, is being manhandled by better teams like England.

President Mandala calls in the team's captain, blandly played by Matt Damon, who does little here to convince skeptics that he can act (in spite of a supporting actor Oscar® nomination, where the heck did that come from?) to his office for an inspirational meeting. Damon has little do other than play rugby and tell his players "we can do better for our country". If you don't know this story or the outcome, it may have a little suspense for you, but it seems to be directed as if everyone knows the outcome, here's the 'behind the scenes' inspiration.

Don't expect to learn much about rugby here, but you will learn something more about South African racially motivated politics. All in all, a pleasant but forgettable sports film. Good for soccer junkies disappointed that the 2010 World Cup is now over.

Quote: Soccer is a gentlemen's game played by hooligans, rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen.

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Olympia

Leni Riefenstahl, Germany, 1938, bw (9.2*)

This historic documentary shot by the Nazi propaganda machine's chief filmmaker still looks modern today. The idea originally was to show the glory of Germany and document their many Olympic victories in a fine film by their top director, but the politics were taken out when black American Jesse Owens and others stole the thunder, leaving the Germans with little more than this filmed record.

Riefenstahl pioneered a number of techniques that will look more commonplace today. One that stands out here is burying a camera at the starting line of the 100-yard dash to capture a ground-eye view of that race's tension just before the gun. She always manages to interest the eye even when the action isn't so riveting, and is a master of b&w composition and lighting.

Denounced by many for being the film voice for the Nazis, Riefenstahl later apologized for making Triumph of the Will (1935) in particular, about the rise of Hitler and the party, and attempted a normal film career afterwards, but never again approached the artistic achievement of these two documentaries.

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The Great White Hope

Martin Ritt, 1970 (8.2*)
This is a hard-hitting and Pulitzer prize-winning play by Howard Sackler about boxer Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champ. James Earl Jones recreated his Tony-winning Broadway role, and it rightfully made him a star – he even looks like a good boxer, not an actor boxer (like Stallone).

Jones was nominated for an Oscar®, and should have won. Jane Alexander as his mistress was also nominated. The film is primarily about the racism throughout American that brought up each new “great white hope”, or inferior Causasian boxers, in attempts to dethrone Johnson. This is really a tough film to watch, especially with liberal use of the N word (even from Johnson himself), because you know this man will not get equal treatment or respect, no matter what. Johnson also flaunted his celebrity, with Caucasian girlfriends, expensive coats, taunting chatter to the fight crowds, which made the hatred even worse. (To paraphrase 48 hours, he was everyone's worst nightmare, a black man with a title..)

Martin Ritt (Hud, Norma Rae) bravely exposes social injustice in his films, and was once blacklisted, which he covered in the film The Front, with Woody Allen playing a dramatic lead for Ritt. When I tried to see this film in Georgia just after release, the theater was evacuated for a bomb threat, so the racism exposed in the film still brought out the worst in people half a century later. This is a great sports and boxing film, which must be seen in widescreen, if you can withstand the hatred you’ll witness.

Quote: (when he weighed less then Brady) Can you believe that? The man says I’m lighter than you!

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Cinderella Man

Ron Howard, 2005 (8.4*)
Fans of Rocky and Raging Bull and other classic boxing films will love this true story from Ron Howard, who manages to perfectly capture the look of the 30's era. Russell Crowe plays heavyweight boxer Jim Braddock, a former boxer now working the docks due to an injury to his right hand. However, concentrating on his left hand has now made him a southpaw boxer and more of a threat. Renee Zellweger looks perfect as his supportive wife. If you don’t know boxing history, I won’t spoil it here, just be prepared for a good G-rated sports film about a clean family man and a very uplifting story.

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Breaking Away

Dir: Peter Yates, 1979 (8.5*)

Best Comedy Picture (GG)

This is a sports movie with everyday heros that we can all cheer for, namely some locals, called "Cutters" from working in the local stone quarry, that are living in the shadow of Indiana University. The small group is led by Dennis Quaid, the ex-quarterback and local ladies man, and the film’s star Dennis Christopher, a lonely and lovesick biker with a dream of racing with the big guys, the Italians, and backed up by funny-man Daniel Stern, and pipsqueak Jackie Earle Haley in his first major part.
Most of the comedy in Steve Tesich's Oscar-winning script comes from Christopher’s dysfunctional dad, Paul Dooley, in his funniest film role as the local used car lot owner who literally has a coronary when his son suggests giving a student a refund for buying a lemon there, while the patient mom, Barbara Barrie, wants her son be happy. We get a little sports, a little romance (with Robyn Douglass as the college girl Dennis fools into thinking he's Italian), but a lot of comedy about growing up, dreams vs. reality, and trying to make your place in the world, whether you break away from your home town or not. A G-rated gem, all done in good taste, without sentimentality. 5 nominations, One Oscar (Screenplay)

Quote: I'm tired of all this "ini" and "oli" food, I want some American food - bring me some French fries! (Paul Dooley)

Quote2: Well, my dad's birthday's coming up soon, I could fail the SAT's for him - then he could say "it's alright, Cyril" (Daniel Stern)

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Hoop Dreams

Dir: Steve James, 1994 (8.9*)
Sundance Audience Award

What started as a short documentary would up being a four-year filming of two high school hoop stars, and a three-hour documentary film that could be the best one ever, also one of the best sports films. William Gates (no, not the computer nerd!), and Arthur Agee are the players, from Chicago. This was a dedicated filmmaker sticking with his obsession, and the results are tremendous. Sundance Audience Award for Documentary, why no Oscar? Likely ineligible for some stupid reason, as they sometimes enforce some ridiculously arcane rules (has to play in an L.A. theater for a full week?), like a foreign language film has to be in the language of its country, making Motorcycle Diaries ineligible, being in Spanish but a U.S. film.

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Bull Durham

Dir: Ron Shelton, 1988 (8*)
Enjoyable romantic fluff featuring Susan Sarandon as a local minor league baseball groupie, for the Durham, N.C. "Bulls", hence the title. Former collegiate baseballer Kevin Costner was appropriately chosen as an aging minor league catcher, named "Crash" Davis, destined to spend his waning days away from the big leagues. He is brought in to groom "Nuke" Lalouche, hilariously stupid and naïve rookie pitcher, with a very young Tim Robbins in a star-making role. Sarandon picks Lalouche as this years bedmate, and Robbins also met wife Sarandon on this picture. Ken Wahl is also very funny as a coach. A realistic look at the minor leagues, do they have this much fun?

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The Natural

Dir: Barry Levinson, 1984 (8.1*)
One of those "mythic" sports stories, starring Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs, a terrific pitching prospect whose career is cut short by a shooting (Barbara Hershey). He emerges later as a slugger, with a bat made from a tree struck by lightning (somehow it never gets broken), and with Glenn Close as his inspiration. Kinda Hollywoodish, but also purely enjoyable Americana, as "baseball is the national pastime". From the novel by Bernard Malamud.

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The Pride of the Yankees

Dir: Sam Wood, 1942 (8.8*)
Follows the true story of Lou Gehrig, played by Gary Cooper, who took over for an injured first baseman once for the Yankees then played in 2,130 consecutive games, becoming known as "Iron Man". His era was that of Babe Ruth and Joe Dimaggio both, the most productive in Yankee history. Of course, if you don’t know the story I won’t spoil it here, but suffice to say that this is one of the best sports films in history because it transcends sports, and is also one of the few films guys will admit to crying at! 10 Oscar noms including Picture and Actor, one Oscar (Editing).

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Friday Night Lights

Dir: Peter Berg, 2004 (8.9*)
Sometimes you don’t expect much from a film, and you get a lot. Friday Night is about high school football in west Texas, and how that’s ALL there really is in west Texas; the entire town lives and dies with the football team. This is a town that expects their team to play for the state championship, anything less is a catastrophe, and coaches get fired. Billy Bob Thornton is the coach, Derek Luke the quarterback, as we follow the entire season, game by game, along with all the turmoil and setbacks. This becomes a riveting sports movie, and is based on a true story by H.G. Bissinger, and is well directed by actor-turned-director Peter Berg, who later did The Kingdom.

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The Hustler

Dir: Robert Rossen, 1961, bw (8.2*)

Best Picture (BAA)

This gritty black and white classic follows the rise of pool shark "Fast" Eddie Felson, in one of Paul Newman’s best roles. His nemesis is Minnesota Fats, expertly portrayed by Jackie Gleason, who made all his own pool shots, and deserved at least an Oscar nomination. World champ Willie Moscone was there to do the real tricky stuff when all you see are hands. Piper Laurie is also excellent as Felson’s romance, as is George C. Scott as his manager. Has to be the best pool film ever, garnering 9 Oscar® nominations. The Color of Money was a later sequel, winning Newman his only acting Oscar®, but was barely connected to this classic in either style or realism, opting for easy commercial appeal. 2 Oscars®

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Million Dollar Baby

Dir: Clint Eastwood, 2004 (9.1*)
Best Picture (AA)
This hard-hitting boxing film is based on a true story and is Eastwood’s best as director, and was his 2nd best picture Oscar® winner after 92's Unforgiven. I'm puzzled it isn't on more all-time best lists. Hilary Swank, in an amazing Oscar-winning supporting performance, convinces jaded manager Eastwood and his trainer, Morgan Freeman (also an Oscar winner), to give her a shot and train her for a pro boxing career. What follows can’t be described without spoilers, but suffice to say that this deserved the Best Picture Oscar it won, as well as all the acting accolades. Either this or Raging Bull is the best boxing film yet made; Bull had the style, Baby has the heart. 4 Oscars®

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Raging Bull

Dir: Martin Scorsese, 1980, bw (9.1*)
AFI and Time Top 100
This Martin Scorsese sports classic was shot in black & white and is a masterpiece of the colorless, a decision which places the film during its own era, when many of us saw boxing weekly on tv. Robert De Niro, in his best (Oscar winning actor) performance, and one for all time, put on the boxing moves as well as 40 lbs in order to play the older Jake LaMotta after retirement, and also the younger LaMotta in the ring in some of the best staged boxing in film history.
This terrific docudrama covers about 20 yrs in LaMotta’s life; Joe Pesci did a good job as his brother and manager, but Cathy Moriarty was a stunner as his wife Vicky and was robbed of an Oscar, as was Scorsese as best director. Many now consider this the best sports film ever. 8 nominations, including Picture and Director, 2 Oscars (Actor, Film Editing)
Quote: You never knocked me down, Ray, never…

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