Sport: 85

A sports comedy drama film directed by Penny Marshall, A League of Their Own (1992) follows the story of Dottie Hinson attending the opening of an exhibit for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1988. Seeing her former teammates and friends sparks memories of 1943 when World War II threatened to shut down Major League Baseball. In a desperate attempt to keep baseball alive, Chicago Cubs owner Walter Harvey convinces his colleagues to fund a women’s league, led by Ira Lowenstein. Soon after, scout Ernie Capadino is impressed by Dottie’s skills as a catcher during an industrial-league ...

The Power of One (1992) is a drama directed and edited by John G. Avildsen. It is loosely based on Bryce Courtenay’s book with the same name, published in 1989. The story revolves around Peter Philip Kennith Keith (also known as ‘PK’), born in 1930 on a South African homestead to an Englishwoman who had recently lost her husband. PK received dual education – from his mother in England’s ways and from a Zulu nanny whose son Tonderai was his closest friend. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when the farm’s cattle succumb to ...

Across the Tracks (1990) is a compelling American drama by director and writer Sandy Tung. This gripping narrative follows Joe Maloney, a bright student with dreams of earning an athletic scholarship to Stanford University. Living in Gardena, CA with his mother in a trailer park, Joe’s carefully crafted future is upended when his younger brother Billy is released from juvenile detention for car theft and comes back to live with them.

Days of Thunder (1990) is an American sports action drama film that showcases the journey of young USAC racer, Cole Trickle. He is offered a spot on Chevrolet dealership tycoon Tim Daland’s NASCAR Cup Series team, with former crew chief and car builder Harry Hogge coming out of retirement to lead his pit crew. Following a successful private test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Cole is given a new chassis and officially joins the team. However, he faces several challenges in his debut race at Phoenix, struggling to adapt to the larger NASCAR stock cars, communicate with his crew, and fend off aggressive driver Rowdy Burns. These issues, along with crashes and engine ...

Rocky V (1990), an American sports drama film, is directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. Following his victory over Ivan Drago in Moscow, Rocky experiences mental disabilities from the fight. Upon returning to the United States with his wife Adrian, brother-in-law Paulie, and trainer Tony ‘Duke’ Evers, they are greeted by their now 14-year-old son Robert Jr. At a press conference, boxing promoter George Washington Duke tries to goad Rocky into fighting top-rated challenger Union Cane, but Rocky declines. Back home, they ...

The American martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid Part III (1989), is the third installment in the Karate Kid franchise. After the events of Parts 1 and 2, John Kreese is struggling financially. In search of assistance, he turns to Terry Silver, a former Green Beret who has made a fortune in toxic chemicals. Silver promises to help Kreese rebuild Cobra Kai and enact revenge on Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. While Kreese takes a vacation in Tahiti, Silver recruits national karate champion Mike Barnes to compete against Daniel in the upcoming All-Valley Tournament. Upon returning from Okinawa, Daniel and Miyagi discover that their apartment ...

Bull Durham (1988), an American romantic comedy sports film, is loosely based on writer/director Ron Shelton’s own experiences in the minor-league baseball world. Set in Durham, North Carolina, the movie follows the struggling Durham Bulls, a single-A team with a disappointing season record and dwindling attendance. However, their hope lies in rookie pitcher Ebby Calvin LaLoosh, known for his remarkable pitching skills but also for his lack of focus and discipline. To reign him in, the team brings in veteran catcher ‘Crash’ Davis, who is tasked with mentoring Ebby and improving his game. Despite being ...

Over the Top (1987) is an American sports drama featuring Sylvester Stallone in the lead role. The film was both produced and directed by Menahem Golan. Lincoln Hawk is a hardworking truck driver who also competes in arm wrestling for some extra income. His ex-wife Christina, who is suffering from a heart condition, asks that he pick up their son Michael from military school and try to establish a relationship with him – after all, Hawk had left them ten years ago. However, Michael’s affluent grandfather, Christina’s father Jason Cutler, doesn’t ...

In the American sports drama film Youngblood (1986), directed, co-produced, and co-written by Peter Markle, a 17-year-old farmhand from rural New York named Dean Youngblood has aspirations of playing in the National Hockey League. His father initially disapproves when Dean shares his dreams, but Dean’s brother Kelly convinces their father to change his mind. Dean travels to Canada to try out for the Hamilton Mustangs, showcasing his offensive skills but showing a lack of physical toughness. As he competes for a spot on the team, he becomes known as ‘Pretty Boy’ due to his rivalry with another hockey ...

The Canadian drama film Teenage Dream (1986), helmed by director Paul Lynch, follows the story of Robin. She is a young high school student who works as an assistant for her school’s gymnastics team, the Buffalo Flyers. Prior to this role, Robin had been a dedicated competitor in the sport until a car accident claimed her father’s life and left her with a leg injury that ended her career. Unfortunately, Robin’s home life is no better as she faces mistreatment from her stepfather Jack, following her mother Marge’s marriage to him. However, with the support of her friends Roy (a bus driver) and ...

The Karate Kid Part II (1986) is an American martial arts drama film written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen. Following their defeat in the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament, a furious John Kreese attacks his student, Johnny Lawrence, in the parking lot. Miyagi steps in and nonchalantly disables Kreese before comically tweaking his nose and leaving. Humiliated, Johnny and his friends abandon Kreese and Cobra Kai. Later on, after Daniel’s senior prom, he confides in Miyagi that his girlfriend Ali has left him for a football player at UCLA. Soon ...

The film The Color of Money (1986) was directed by Martin Scorsese. It serves as a sequel to the 1961 classic, The Hustler, and is also based on Walter Tevis’ novel with the same title. In the movie, ‘Fast Eddie’ has left his pool-playing days behind and has become a successful liquor salesman in Chicago. However, he teams up with other pool players, including Julian, a hustler who is no match for the young and magnetic Vincent at nine-ball. Recognizing Vincent’s talent, Eddie sees potential in him and his inexperienced girlfriend Carmen ...

American Flyers (1985), a sports drama directed by John Badham, follows the story of Marcus Sommers, a sports physician who returns to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri after a long absence. Upon arriving, Marcus has a disagreement with his mother regarding the handling of his father’s death from a cerebral aneurysm. Worried about her other son David’s health due to their family history with the condition, she expresses her concerns. Marcus convinces David to join him in Madison for some quality time together and also undergo testing at his sports medicine center. As they prepare for the test, David ...

Rocky IV (1985) is an American sports drama film starring and directed by Sylvester Stallone. That same year, Russian boxer Ivan Drago arrives in the United States with his wife Ludmilla, an Olympic swimmer, and a team of trainers from the Soviet Union and Cuba. His manager Nicolai Koloff seizes every opportunity to tout Drago’s athletic prowess as a symbol of Soviet dominance. Prompted by both patriotism and a personal drive for validation, former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed challenges Drago to an exhibition match. Though hesitant at first, Rocky agrees to help train Apollo for the fight. Tensions escalate ...

The American martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid (1984), follows the story of 17-year-old Daniel LaRusso and his mother Lucille as they move from Newark, New Jersey to Reseda, Los Angeles. Their apartment’s handyman is a humble Okinawan immigrant named Mr. Miyagi, who quickly becomes a friend to Daniel. At a beach party the next day, Daniel befriends Ali Mills, a high school cheerleader. However, Ali’s ex-boyfriend and top student at the Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny Lawrence, becomes jealous and repeatedly bullies Daniel with the help of his gang members Bobby Brown, Tommy, Jimmy, and Dutch. On Halloween night after a retaliation from Daniel involving water ...

Directed by Michael Chapman, All the Right Moves (1983) is an American sports drama film that follows Stefen ‘Stef’ Djordjevic, a gifted athlete and B student. Stef, a Serbian American, hopes to earn a college football scholarship and leave his economically depressed hometown of Ampipe behind. He dreams of becoming an electrical engineer after graduation, unlike his grandfather, father, and brother Greg who all worked at the struggling steel mill in town. Despite the downturn of the early 1980s recession, Ampipe is still heavily dependent on its main employer, American Pipe & Steel. Stef finds solace in ...

The American sports drama film, Rocky III (1982), was written, directed by, and starred Sylvester Stallone. Five years after defeating Apollo Creed for the world heavyweight championship, Rocky Balboa had successfully defended his title ten times and enjoyed a rise in fame, wealth, and celebrity status. However, his manager Mickey Goldmill became concerned when a rising contender named James ‘Clubber’ Lang caught his attention. During a ceremony to unveil his own statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rocky announced his plan to retire but was interrupted by Lang’s public challenge for the title. ...

Victory (1981), a film directed by John Huston, follows a group of Allied POWs as they agree to participate in a football match against a German team. Led by English Captain John Colby, who played professionally for West Ham United before the war, the prisoners soon realize they are being used for German propaganda. As their captain and de facto manager, Colby handpicks his team members. However, Robert Hatch, an American serving with the Canadian Army, is initially left out but eventually convinces Colby to bring him on as the team’s trainer in order to facilitate his escape plans.

Raging Bull (1980), a biographical sports drama directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on the 1970 memoir Raging Bull: My Story by former middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta. As a young and promising boxer in 1941, Jake experiences his first defeat against Jimmy Reeves, prompting his brother Joey to discuss a potential shot at the middleweight title through their Mafia connection Salvy Batts. Despite repeated offers, Jake refuses the Mafia’s assistance and remains determined to win the championship on his own terms. Later on, he meets Vickie, a ...

The sports drama film, Rocky II (1979), was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also starred in the movie. On New Year’s Day of 1976, world heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed had defended his title against Rocky Balboa in a split decision. Both men were taken to the same hospital where, despite their previous agreement, Apollo challenged Rocky once again that night. He wanted to prove that Rocky’s ability to go the distance with him was just a fluke. However, Rocky chose to decline the rematch and retire from professional boxing. His girlfriend, Adrian, supported this decision as did his ...