Shoulda Been Contenders
Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum, whose story on sports
movies appears in the Feb. 6, 2001 issue of the magazine, turns the spotlight on
some films that deserve more recognition. If you don't already know them, give
'em a look. They just might make it onto your own list of classics.
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Gentleman Jim (1942)
Errol Flynn was never better -- or better looking, both
in and out of the
ring.
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Downhill Racer (1969)
Gene Hackman's coach to Robert Redford's cocky ski god:
"All you ever had was skis. And that's not
enough."
|
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Heart like a Wheel (1983)
It helps to have a thang for Bonnie Bedelia, who
portrays trailblazing drag racer Shirley
Muldowney.
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Vision Quest (1985)
Matthew Modine, as a high school wrestler, applies some
skillful holds, a few of them on Linda
Fiorentino. |
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The Color of Money (1986)
If its father film, The Hustler, weren't
immortal, this Scorsese-directed Newman-and-Cruise flick might get more
respect.
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Eight Men Out (1988)
John Sayles's attention to detail in this period piece
about the 1919 Black Sox is phenomenal, as is John Cusack as Buck
Weaver. |
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Everybody's All-American (1988)
Near 40, Jessica Lange looks old for a campus
queen, but Dennis Quaid is terrific as a BMOC turned museum
piece.
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Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
What ever happened to Max Pomeranc, the
sad-eyed miniprotagonist of this outstanding chess
movie? |
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The Program (1993)
Director David S. Ward got more things right in this
football story than he did in his better-known movie, Major
League.
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Without Limits (1998)
This minor classic will keep the memory of Steve
Prefontaine
alive. |
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He Got Game (1998)
No Oscar nomination for Ray Allen, but when you're playing
alongside Denzel Washington, you don't need much
game.
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Love & Basketball (2000)
A PG-13 game of strip one-on-one is about as raw
as it gets in this sweet, well-acted
film. |
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