Fine Arts
Bars/Clubs
Dining
Music
Movies
Literature
Fitness
Recreation
Attractions
Community
Professionals
Bright Idea: [
By CitySami’s Picks for Favorite Flicks
Printer-Friendly Version | Email This Article
Sami’s Picks for Favorite FlicksThe Top 13 Football Movies
2006-02-11
Article Written by: Sami Jo
Its official…football season has ended. One thought presses on the minds of avid football fans everywhere: What do we do now? Just over a month ago an entire weekend could be consumed by football. Now we must find something to pass the excruciating time until August comes again. To fill the void, one option is to spend our Monday nights watching football movies. The following is a list of Sami’s favorite football movies.
The Program (1993): Stars Omar Epps, James Caan, Halle Berry and Kristy Swanson in a film that covers the pressures of guys coming from different backgrounds and playing football together at a major university.
Memorable line from the film: “I don't know. It’s the battle, the going to war with the other guys, hanging together, having our own dorm, staying in hotels the night before the games, setting ourselves apart, being different than everybody else, having a chance to be somebody, to do something that people look up to you for, your strength, your courage. Not everybody can play football. We’re the lucky ones.” Steve Lattimer (Andrew Bryniarski)
Brian’s Song (1971): James Caan and Billy Dee Williams star in this heart wrenching story based on the real-life friendship of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers.
Memorable line from the film: “I'd like to tell you about a guy I know, a friend of mine. His name is Brian Piccolo. And he has the heart of a giant, and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent, cancer. He has a mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the word 'courage,' 24 hours a day, every day of his life. Now you honor me by giving me this award, but I say to you here now Brian Piccolo is the man who deserves the George S. Halas award. It is mine tonight... and Brian Piccolo's tomorrow.” Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams)
The Longest Yard (2005): Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, Nelly, Michael Irvin, and Courtney Cox star in this remake of the 1974 film of the same title (#7 on our list). This is one of the few films on the list that will make you laugh for sure!
Memorable line from the film: “We win! Group hug in the shower tonight! Or not. Or not.” Punky (Rob Schneider)
The Waterboy (1998): Another football comedy starring Adam Sandler, this film tells the story of a water boy that discovers he has an incredible tackling ability. Kathy Bates and Henry Winkler also star in this film that was partially taped at our local Stetson University.
Memorable line from the film: “So that's what opening up a can of whoop-ass feels like.” Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler); “Son, you just opened up a whole case of whoop-ass.” Coach Klein (Henry Winkler)
Jerry McGuire (1996): While this film is more a love story between a sport’s agent (Tom Cruise) and a single mother (Renee Zellweger), Cuba Gooding, Jr. gives a remarkable performance as Rod Tidwell, an Arizona player in search of his Quan.
Memorable line from the film: “Show me the money!” Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.)
All the Right Moves (1983): This football movie stars Tom Cruise as a high school football player desperate to get a scholarship and out his hometown – a Pennsylvania steel town.
Memorable line from the movie: “Scholarship here, no scholarship here. Who the hell gave you that power?” Stef (Tom Cruise)
The Longest Yard (1974): Burt Reynolds (who was also in the 2005 remake) stars as Paul Crewe, a former football player who ends up in jail for drunk driving and resisting arrest. The prison warden forces him to put together a team to play against the guards.
Memorable line from the movie: “All I'm saying is that you could have robbed banks, sold dope or stole your grandmother's pension checks and none of us would have minded. But shaving points off of a football game – man, that's un-American.” Caretaker (James Hampton)
Varsity Blues (1999): In a small-town in Texas, a group of high school boys are expected to win football games to keep the community happy. The pressure is on when the starring quarterback gets injured. The film stars Jon Voight, James van der Beek, Paul Walker, Scott Caan, Amy Smart and Ali Larter.
Memorable line from the film: “If we go out and half-ass it 'cause we're scared, then we'll always wonder if we were really good enough - but if we go out there and give it all we've got... that's heroic. You guys wanna be heroes?” Mox (James van der Beek)
Radio (2003): Another tearjerker, Radio tells the story of a high school football coach and the developmentally challenged form a relationship that shapes the community. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ed Harris, S. Epatha Merkerson and Alfre Woodard star.
Memorable line from the film: “You want strawberry pie or apple pie?” Waitress (Rebecca Coon); “I wan' both!” Radio (Cuba Gooding, Jr.)
Any Given Sunday (1999): Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, James Woods, Jamie Foxx, Lauren Holly, LL Cool J, Aaron Eckhart and Ann-Margret star in this intense depiction of the modern day life of a professional football player.
Memorable line from the movie: “On any given Sunday you're gonna win or you're gonna lose. The point is - can you win or lose like a man?” Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino)
Friday Night Lights (2004): Based on H.G. Bissinger’s book, Friday Night Lights is another movie about a small-town in Texas that revolves around football. The head coach is expected to win the state championship, but after losing the star tailback in an injury, all hope seems lost. The cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Jay Hernandez and Tim McGraw.
Memorable line from the film: “Gentlemen, the hopes and dreams of an entire town are riding on your shoulders. You may never matter again in your life as much as you do right now.” Coach Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton)
Remember the Titans (2000): The film takes place during the first year of racial integration at a high school in Virginia. A black man is appointed head coach of the football team over a highly qualified white coach. The coaches and the players show the community that black and white can co-exist. Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, Ryan Hurst, Ryan Gosling, Kate Bosworth and Hayden Panettiere make up the all-star cast.
Memorable line from the film: “The world don't give a damn about how sensitive these kids are, especially the young black kids. You ain't doin' these kids a favor by patronizing them. You’re crippling them. You’re crippling them for life.” Coach Boone (Denzel Washington)
Rudy (1993): Before playing Sam in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Sean Astin starred as Rudy, a boy who spent his life dreaming of becoming a Notre Dame football player, but has always been told he’s too small.
Memorable line from the movie: “You're 5 foot nothin', 100 and nothin', and you have nearly a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football team in the land for 2 years. And you're gonna walk outta here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself.” Fortune (Charles S. Dutton)
