PS : if you're here for the free tickets to the IPL, congrats, you just became part of a social experiment - also known as, guerrilla marketing! No free tickets, but as promised, here's a quality post for ya.
The best thing about watching a movie based on sports rather than the sport itself is that you don’t have to be an expert to get your adrenaline pumping. The cinematography does all the work! With the IPL season already on, cricket is certainly the talk of the town, especially in India. But with all that lazing around for the past few months, you certainly need some motivation to snap out of your ‘couch potato’ pod and get going!
Here are our top picks for the best sports movies that should be on your watch list. Mind you, the list starts with 2 because the way your crush plays with your feelings still tops every list!
2. Raging bull (1980)
Just the mention of the film makes you flinch because the punches are real hard. Scorsese, the genius himself, takes a memoir and turns it into a masterpiece. This is not a regular rag to riches drama where the protagonist cakewalks through his personal, professional, and social life. De Niro as Jake LaMotta is perfection while expressing rage, jealousy, passion, and lament. If you are also among the ones who shadow-box for self-motivation, watch this movie to see where the inspiration comes from!
WATCH IT FOR: De Niro’s Oscar-winning performance, surrealistic boxing scenes
3. Lagaan (2001)
Talking about IPL season in the very beginning and not including the OG would be like making this all about clickbait. I mean yes, cricket unites Indians but who knew Gowarikar would take it to the next level by weaving a narrative around the freedom struggle. With dialogues like ‘kachra choo ke bhaag!’ and ‘hum jeet gaye’, it certainly gave adequate meme content for social media too! Also, can someone tell me to not jump in joy even after watching the movie for the 56th time!
WATCH IT FOR: the super-detailed cricket sequence, Aamir Khan and team’s acting performance
4. Jerry Maguire (1996)
‘You had me at hello’ is certainly not a dialogue you’d expect in a conventional sports movie. Yet, somehow you feel overwhelmed when you hear it in this film! And this is exactly the beauty of Jerry Maguire because it balances romance and sports with panache. Although not an out and out sports movie, this one must certainly be on your list for the weekend binge.
WATCH IT FOR: The performances of Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger, the feel-good effect
5. Chak De! India (2007)
The king himself stepped into the shoes of a women’s hockey coach for this all-time favorite movie of mine. Shah Rukh portrays the role of Kabir Khan, who takes the responsibility of an almost invisible women’s hockey team to earn his reputation back. The hockey sequences are shot brilliantly and will leave you biting your nails, no matter how many times you watch. Khan’s reaction to the victory, coupled with the intense background score makes it very difficult to hold back your tears.
WATCH IT FOR: nail-biting hockey matches, the ‘sattar minute’ speech, Shah Rukh khan’s performance (Goosebumps already!)
6. Any given Sunday (1999)
This is a rather debatable movie and I’m pretty sure the movie buffs might be at loggerheads about this. Believe me, the movie was far ahead of its time precisely because it shows you an essential aspect of sport- defeat. Al Pacino as the coach of an American football team is rugged and almost obsessive about the game.
WATCH IT FOR: Al Pacino’s motivational speech is the Monday motivation everyone requires
So, the field is set and the players are all geared up. What are you waiting for! Choose your sport to binge on this cricket season.
Comments