Sport films you might have missed
Sport Review #105
There’s no shortage of fantastic sporting docos - When We Were Kings, Hoop Dreams, Murder Ball and the Bobby Robson and Sunderland ones on Netflix. I’ve not had the pleasure of diving into The Last Dance, Netflix’s mega-documentary on the close of Michael Jordan’s basketball career, but if you haven’t already, you should go do that.
Narrative film can be harder to pull off - sport has drama baked in, adding bits around the sides is just a bit of a distraction isn’t it? Everyone’s seen the great ones - Rocky, Caddy Shack, etc... but if you’re starting to run out of content, here are a few sport films you might have missed.
The Damned United is Brian Clough’s story, stars Michael Sheen and is one of the best football films you’ll see. And as @sportsfreakconz always says - read the book.
Paul Newman stars in Slap Shot (1977), it’s got blood, it’s got sex, it’s got hockey - it’s hilarious.
If you ever played pool while extremely wasted in Wellington in the 90’s, Stick Men could have been made for you.
Naked Gun plus South Park equals: a good movie? Parts of Baseketball haven’t aged well, but the vision of a backyard sport going mainstream is extremely compelling.
Hell on Wheels is the story of the greatest pre-Drugs Bust Tour de France ever, following the T Mobile team as they chase Lance in his pomp.
OK, everyone’s seen Chariots of Fire - but wouldn’t running on a beach feel pretty awesome right now?
You’d think it was hard to pull off a lawn bowls comedy - you’d be mostly right, but Crackjack has some great moments, and features John Clarke, so is worth your time.
Thanks for reading - Richard
The week's best NZ sport content
How do you cope when you’re an Olympic athlete whose sport has been specifically banned under lockdown? Suzanne McFadden asks kayaker Kayla Imrie [LockerRoom]
Ben Stanley meets legendary yacht designer Bruce Farr and hears about his beginnings, successes and what he’s up to now [NZ Herald]
Bruce Holloway pays tribute to those gutsing it out on dodgy wickets every weekend by going deep in the archives for the five best Auckland club cricket tons ever [NZ Herald]
We’ve seen every kind of backyard trick shot in the last few weeks - but honestly, Blues magician Carlos Spencer is the king [Stuff]
Video nasty
The world cup final re-created in Lego - love the dystopian vibe.
Long read
Devastating read on what’s involved practically and emotionally when you shut the doors on your restaurant after 30 years [New York Times]
Recommendation
Underseen gem The Nice Guys is on Netflix, with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as shambolic private detectives. If you like this track down director Shane Black’s masterpiece Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Bring back the gif
How I’ve coped with lockdown.
Sport Review is the week’s best NZ sport writing and loads more in your inbox every Friday at 8am. Tell your friends!