With theaters still remaining shut as a precautionary measure to stem the rate of Covid-19 pandemic spread, we too still remain locked down in our houses. With number of cases climbing faster than ever, we had to remain safer than ever before. It’s almost certain that theaters gonna remain shut for months, but that doesn’t stop movie fanatics like myself from talking about movies and related stuffs. Even though fresh contents almost stopped arriving few weeks ago, because the ‘pandemic’ also drew curtains on filming of countless in-production movies all around the world. That doesn’t mean we might eventually going to be ran out of ‘interesting’ content at some point in near future. When it comes to movies, almost everybody in the world barely scratched the surface. Myself included.
So I present to you seven of my most favourite sports films from the past decade [i.e., 2010-2019] and if this post stir a huge traction among the public then I will also compile similar such list featuring my favourite sports films from the previous decade before that [i.e., 2000-2009], in the near future. For the time being, lets stick to the past decade. To clear some air, I should have to caution you against interpreting this list as some sort of ranking list or rating list. No, it’s not. Quite simply, these were my personal favourites films, may be just for one particular reason or else even for a bunch of different reasons thus making my list entirely different and totally distinct from the one which you have in your mind. I might have been cruel enough to even ignore your most favourite sports film or to annoy you further I might have probably included one of your least favourite sports film either. So please do keep in mind that it was merely my ‘personal favourite’ sports films for whatever might be the reasons. Let’s find out.
7. Foxcatcher
Foxcatcher stands out among this bunch because it was the only film out of seven that even dared to explore the ‘crimes’ revolving around the enigma which is ‘sports’. It was paced so perfectly well and that was the reason it work so well as a tragic sports drama film. I pledged to myself to never ever review any film in my life, so no need to worry about any potential spoilers here. I recommend this film to any sports film enthusiast out there in case if they somehow haven’t come across this one just yet.
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6. Queen of Katwe
So rare we come across sports films which focus on Chess. Then the possibility of coming across a sports film focusing on sports prodigy coming from an African nation was almost none. There lies the beauty of this sports films, which not only focus in the game of chess, but also shed a light on the African peoples life and the hardship they face to stand up to the rest of the world. Though the backdrop was full of pain, poverty and struggle but this films manages to capture all of those with so much life and colour. Please don’t miss this gem of a film.
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5. Borg vs McEnroe
This fabled tennis history should not have been captured any better than this film did, as it not only explore one of the intense tennis rivalry but also explore the psychological toll it takes on some sports personalities who had already been crowned ‘champion’ and how hard it has been for him/her to live up to the promise, potential and expectations in his/her pursuit to defend his crown. I was not even born when Bjorn Borg eventually retired. Yes, the events happened so long ago but this film manages to captures this enticing piece of history packed with emotions and energy as well very much relevant even to our ‘prove yourself’ times. Just go watch this.
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4. Ford V Ferrari
An almost complete package sports films delivered by one of the renowned filmmakers from the past decade, James Mangold. It has drama. It has energy. It has dirty politics. It had comedy. It has all. It dive deep into the technical mastery involved in the crafting of a perfect sports cars but the beauty of the movie lies not in that. Even for someone who doesn’t even understand one single word related to ‘car mechanism’ can still be able to enjoy this movie as much as those who already knee deep in the world of car design and mechanics. As I said, it was a great watch even for someone who doesn’t even follows racing as a sports. Indeed, a tremendously satisfying movie for those who grew up adoring ‘racing’ sports.
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3. 42
I prefer to watch slow-paced drama film a lot than those fast-paced action stuffs. This might the reason this sports drama film had found itself such a higher place in my all time favourite list. But honestly, it was merely just one of the many reason I placed this film on my top three. I was so mesmerized by the stellar performance of Chadwick Boseman who really gets into the his zone to nail the portrayal of one of the sports ‘iconic’ personality Jackie Robinson so well and authentic. It also star Harrison Ford, to say the least. Such an authentic and a powerful sports drama film, which I highly highly recommend you all to watch.
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2. Dangal
It was more than just a film. In fact it became a ‘movement’ here in our country within a month of it’s theatrical release. The female wrestlers Geetha Phogat and Babita Phogat might not have been able to accumulate such a truly humongous response and a massive attention they both rightfully deserves for their achievements all by themselves as much as their biopic film did. This film did justice to their pioneer and peerless efforts, as it perfectly showcased their valor and grit thus in turn inspiring (and continue to inspire) many, many young girls across the world to take up this violent yet amazing sports. I believe there was no ‘English’ language version of the film available out there. It’ a Hindi language film. But honestly the language doesn’t even matter because it was such a remarkable and truly inspiring film that transcends those boundaries of languages and nations. You must watch this inspiring and powerful film.
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1. Rush
The above six movie were truly such a great films. Each and every one of them. They all did have there own share of dramas, emotions, inspirations, thrills, shocks and meanings. But none really felt like as if I was watching the sports itself like Rush did yet still felt like a movie all the while. A pure adrenaline rush. The experience it gave me was unlike anything I had ever felt when watching a film. For instance while watching the movie, I felt like as if I can smell the tires burning. Less I say about this brilliant film the better. Go watch this one first.
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Creed, Trouble with the Curve, The Battle of Sexes, Moneyball and McFarland, USA were also among my list of most favourties sport films. Further, I was yet to watch few most recent films of this particular genre such as The Way Back and I, Tonya (I had been hearing a lot of good things about them so far). Who knows the outlook of this list might totally change after checking out those films I had missed out. Until then, the above listed seven remains my most ‘favourite’ sports films from the past decade. Do kindly share your very own list of favourite sports films in the comments section and I am intrigued to find out how diverse each and everyone of our lists will end up be. Thanks for visiting my blog. That’s all for the day, folks. Until next time.
Box Office Foresight 