Mr. Movie: Even more sports films

Here’s another good bunch of sports movies recommended by my editor. Any other readers who feel called up to furnish material should step right up!

North Dallas Forty (1979) is based on a book by Peter Gent, who was a genuine NFL player (also a good writer). Nick Nolte stars as wide receiver Phil Elliott, who still has good hands but not much else as he ages ungracefully. The film, and book, expose the seamy underside of pro football, where players are encouraged to play hurt and just take more pain pills. Has that much changed in 45 years?
 

Rush (2013) recalls a real rivalry between Formula 1 racers. James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) is a canny Brit who takes huge risks but often wins. Nikki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) is a sophisticated Austrian who is a technical genius and an exceptional driver. They both win often in the 1976 season, only a few points from each other. The racing sequences in this film are just outstanding and the personal stories are almost as fascinating. Ron Howard (yep, Opie) directed superbly well. 

Ford vs. Ferrari (2017) has Christian Bale as British Formula 1 driver Ken Miles and Matt Damon as Carol Shelby, former driver and now race car designer and builder. Lee Iacocca, then head of Ford Motor Co., tries to buy Ferrari racing and is foiled at the last minute. He then hires Shelby to challenge Ferrari’s domination of Formula 1 and the race is on! Both companies suffer mishaps and failures but the competition creates a media sensation. The 24 hours of Les Mans is the goal of both companies.
 

Any Given Sunday (1999) is entirely fictitious and boasts a field full of A-list stars. Al Pacino is Tony D’Amato, coach of the Miami Sharks. Cameron Diaz is Christina Pagniacci, owner and general manager of the team. Dennis Quaid is Cap Rooney, the starting, but aging, quarterback. James Wood is Dr. Mandrake, unscrupulous team doctor, well versed in hiding severe injuries and patching up badly injured players. Jamie Foxx is Willie Beaman, third string quarterback who gets his chance because of the injuries of those ahead of him. Also appearing are real players Lawrence Taylor and Jim Brown, both of whom can act convincingly. The story involves a season in the league, with the requisite passes and completions.
 

Dodge Ball (2004) is a hoot from start to finish. Vince Vaughan plays Peter LaFleur, unconscious owner of Joe’s Gym, which he is about to lose. Ben Stiller is White Goodman, owner of a rival gym and wannabe owner of Joe’s. Somehow this develops into a professional dodgeball game. ESPN 8 (not there quite yet!) covers the league and the championship game will determine Joe’s ownership. Memorable line: “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” So, is there really such a thing as professional Dodgeball? Absolutely; you can look it up.

And finally, Ray wasn’t talking about the 2024 version of Victory, which I panned. He meant the 1981 outing, with Sly Stallone and Michael Caine. And yep, I liked it!