Spring has Sprung! Let's go outside and play!

This month we have many outdoor Sports Movies to choose from, heavily loaded, it seems, with "True Stories". (It just sorta worked out that way.)

Of course there's always a few of us that prefer the smoky backrooms of a Poolhall or a Boxing Ring, and they are there for you, too.

Now it's up to you, the readers of Sports Lore, to pick your Favorite Sports Movie.

Your favorites will be tallied up, as is the case every month, and your Top Ten Faves will face a showdown in November/December, for your favorite Sports Movie of the Year

Don't forget to Rewind!
Your Pal, Hal

8 SECONDS (1994) – The title refers to the amount of time a rodeo rider has to remain on a bull, for his points to count.

This is true life story of Lane Frost, the youngest U.S. National Champion Bull Rider in history, who was tragically struck down in the ring way before his time.

The film follows Frost's dream of Bull Riding from a very young age. Training on his Daddy’s farm, we see Lane’s near-instant success on the rodeo-circuit as a young adult. Sadly, we learn that this success had also put a damper on his married life. Lane's ride up the ladder is quick, and his down-fall even quicker, but get to see the camaraderie of Cowboy Life, their Poetry and hear a great country music soundtrack.

While the riding scenes are very exciting, most of film follows Frost's personal life outside the ring, and how his traveling the circuit of rodeos, tears his personal life apart. Sadly the film has all the emotional power of a made-for-TV movie.

Despite having both the director and the music composer for ROCKY on board for this one, 8 SECONDS falls a little flat. (PG-13)
LUKE PERRY, CYNTHIA GEARY, STEPHEN BALDWIN

THE BABE (1992) – This film chronicles the tumultuous career of George Herman Ruth.

George is unceremoniously dropped into an orphanage as an incorrigible kid at a very young age. Years later he is noticed by a baseball scout, who convinces the brothers at the orphanage, that his team wants to adopt the young man because of his baseball skills.

We follow Babe's career and life as he rises to the top of his game, through two marriages and several affairs. However Drunk and Disorderly, he is the "Hittingest" man to ever come along, save for an asterisk or two.

The film also follows the Babe's career back down to the minors, as an assistant coach in Pittsburgh, but ends on a high note as the elder Sultan swats 3 home runs out of Ford's Field and dropping his hat, quitting with dignity.

While other critics complain of the portrayal of Ruth as crude or crass, I saw a portrayal of an innocent joi-de-vivre (joy of life). He was, after all, an under-educated orphan thrust into riches and the public limelight. Nowadays, the press would probably crucify him for his antics.

Goodman is fantastic as he sweetly portrays Ruth's naiveté and generosity as well as the "incorrigible" nature of a man who loved to play ball. This is a film that will ultimately stand the test of time. (PG)
JOHN GOODMAN, KELLY McGILLIS, TRINI ALVARADO, BRUCE BOXLEITNER, JAMES CROMWELL

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (2003) – It's an East/West culture clash when a young English girl from an Indian family must defy her conservative family's rules in order to play soccer. She is noticed, and recruited to play with some of England's finest women.

Jesminder, "Jess" sneaks around against her family's wishes to follow her dream of becoming a soccer star in the amateur women’s league.

"Bend It Like Beckham" is a family comedy that shows that all cultures thrust together may have to "bend" their values for the good of all involved.(PG-13)
PARMINDER K. NAGRA, KEIRA KNIGHTLEY, JONATHAN RHYS-MEYERS, ANUPAM KHER, SHAHEEN KHAN

BODY AND SOUL (1947) – John Garfield is a young boxer on the rise in the amateur circuit. Fighting is in his blood and when the mob gives him the chance to turn pro for 50% of his winnings, he jumps at it with all four burners going on high.

Playing and winning, by the mob rules, a now arrogant Garfield, loses the humanity that he once had balanced against the killer instinct he has in the ring. Family and friends try to help convince him that he is a pawn, to no avail.

When his underworld pals urge him to take a dive in his next fight, giving him 60 Grand to bet against himself as a pay-off, he sees that he must fight to win in order to regain his self-respect.

This film pretty much defined what we expected out of the Boxing Film genre for years to come. (B/W) (N/R)
JOHN GARFIELD, LILLI PALMER, HAZEL BROOKS, ANNE REVERE, WILLIAM CONRAD

CHARIOTS OF FIRE (1981) – Who would have ever thought that a turn of the century costume-drama about the relatively dull sport of running could have turned out to be such an engaging film?

Harold Abraham and Eric Liddel were both English runners in the 1924 Paris Olympics, each trying to win for his own personal reasons. One runner, against all odds, due to Anti-Semitism, has been picked to represent Cambridge. The other, a rather poor chap and Christian preacher, believes his running skills are a gift from God. The two athletes are nearly opposites in every way, yet they become lifelong friends.

The film details the trials of both runners to join the English racing team, and the troubles each has while in Paris, during the Olympics, competing against, but encouraging each other to win for love of Country.

Wonderfully acted by all involved, beautifully photographed and scored, Chariots of Fire won the Academy Award in 1981 as Best Picture and Best Original Score. (PG)
BEN CROSS, IAN CHARLESON, NIGEL HAVERS, IAN HOLM, JOHN GEILGOOD

DAMN YANKEES (1958) – Poor old Joe Boyd swears he'd sell his soul if he could only get his team into the series and Up Jumps the Devil only too eager to give oblige. The Devil makes him young and the greatest baseball player ever, so Joe can help the Washington Senators win the Pennant. But things are rarely that simple when you’re Running with the Devil, are they?

The baseball scenes are great, the ladies are going to love Tab Hunter, and Gwen Verdon is very sexy. However, Manly Men Beware; this is a Musical, adapted from a Broadway play. Check your Anti-Musical Muscles at the door: "Damn Yankees" is a very funny Musical/Comedy worth seeing.

Great songs including "Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets)", "You Gotta Have Heart" and "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal Mo". Choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse. (N/R)
GWEN VERDON, RAY WALSTON, TAB HUNTER, JEAN STAPLETON

NATIONAL VELVET (1944) – Velvet Brown, a young English school-girl falls for a neighbor's unruly thoroughbred. The neighbor can't keep this wild thing from jumping his fences and running, so he decides to raffle him off. Our dear, sweet Velvet is the winner.

Determined that she can turn this horse's penchant for jumping and running into an asset, Velvet is convinced that she can train him for the world's toughest horserace, the Grand National Steeplechase.

Sweet family fare that turned Elizabeth Taylor into a star at the young age of twelve, the film also headlines Mickey Rooney as the traveling border who helps her follow her dream. Anne Revere won best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the mother, Mrs. Brown. (G)
MICKEY ROONEY, DONALD CRISP, ELIZABETH TAYLOR, ANNE REVERE, ANGELA LANSBURY

POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003) – There's always a con going on down at the Poolhall.

Johnny hustled pool until he found out that his manager, Joe, stole his dream, and kept him out of the pros. So, Johnny splits, leaving Joe in hot water. Johnny tries to go straight, hoping to gain the good life for him and his girl, Tara, but the game is in his blood.

To fill the void, Johnny's younger brother, Danny, is trying to carry on the family hustling legacy. Soon, Danny is deep in debt to Joe and his new star player. Now it’s up to Johnny to step up to one last game to save his brother.

Poolhall Junkies has its flaws, but is very entertaining. If for nothing else, you should see it for the great performances of a fine cast, including Rod Stieger in his last movie role. (R)
GREGORY "MARS" CALLAHAN, CHAZZ PALMINTERI, CHRISTOPHER WALKEN, ROD STEIGER, MICHAEL ROSENBAUM, ALISON EASTWOOD, RICK SCHRODER

RADIO (2003) – Set in Anderson, South Carolina, in 1976, "Radio" in based on the true story of James "Radio" Kennedy.

After a few members of his football team torment the mentally-challenged Radio, Coach Jones reaches out, allowing him to help out on the team.

Radio's kind and generous spirit and his passion for the game becomes an inspiration the team, the high school and the entire town.

Excellent performances by Gooding and Harris. (PG)
CUBA GOODING JR., ED HARRIS, DEBRA WINGER, ALFRE WOODARD, S. EPATHA MERKERSON

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (1993) – Twelve Year old Henry Rowengartner's broken shoulder heals after four months in a cast. He celebrates by going to a Cubs game. When a Home Run lands up in the cheap seats near him, as per custom the fans urge Henry to throw it back, which he does – at 100 MPH, all the way to home plate! The tendons in Henry's arm have seemingly tightened up to the point where he is a human catapult.

This does not go un-noticed by the Management of the last placed Cubs, and soon Henry is league's youngest professional pitcher. With selfish step-dad as his manager, and uncooperative team mates, his dream of helping out the broken down Cubbies is a tough one.

The mentoring of an aging star pitcher and his Mom's encouragement pushes Henry to do the impossible and bring the last place Cubs to the Pennant. (PG)
THOMAS IAN NICHOLAS, GARY BUSEY, DAN HEDAYA, DANIEL STERN