Miracle

Miracle is about a coach, Herb Brooks, who embarks on a mission to assemble the perfect hockey team to beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.  The team goes through some initial growing pains, but soon comes together to attempt the seemingly impossible task of beating the best hockey team in the world.  Based on a true story.

Release Year: 2004
Rating: PG
Length: 135m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Commitment: Herb Brooks addresses the team right after the team has been chosen and says, “take a good look gentleman, because they [the ones who did not make the team] are the ones getting off easy.  The final roster will have 20 names on it so more of you are going home."  (15m)

Leadership: Mike Eruzione shows his leadership when he tells Herb Brooks that he plays for the USA after they had been made to skate after an exhibition game in Europe.  Herb Brooks had been asking this question throughout the movie and the players kept giving their college names instead of saying they played for the USA.  (45m)  

Motivation: Herb Brooks uses a variety of motivational tactics throughout the movie.  He tells goaltender Jim Craig that he is thinking of benching him after the exhibition loss to the Soviet Union. (1h 16m)  During an intermission, Herb uses a player's bruised leg  as a way to fire the team up when they are losing by calling him a quitter and to be a hockey player.  Herb knows this will fire the rest of the team up because of how close they are to one another. (1h, 24m)  And finally, he gives his famous speech, starting with, "Great moments...are born from great opportunity." (1h 37m)

Politics:  Opening scenes show the Cold War problems, inflation, and around the Christmas party scene Jimmy Carter gives his famous speech discussing how there was a “question of confidence in America.” (65m)  It shows where the country was at this time and how the hockey game versus the Soviet Union meant everything.

Teamwork: Mike Eruzione and a few other players talk to Herb about bringing in an all-star college player three months before the Olympic Games and tell him that they are a “family” so Herb should send the all-star home even though he is an incredible talent. (61m)

Underdogs: Team USA are the underdogs in the Olympics, but primarily when they face the Soviet Union in the semi-final game, where they beat them.

Run, Fatboy, Run

Run, Fatboy, Run is about Dennis Doyle, who left Libby at the alter due to mounting pressures of being a husband and father. Now Libby has a new boyfriend who is everything Dennis is not. Motivated to win back Libby's respect, his goal is to run a marathon alongside the antagonist Whit.

Release Year: 2007
Rating: PG-13
Length: 100m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Attributions: Dennis attributes his failures to external, stable, and out-of-control variables.
• Confidence: Dennis walks around the whole movie slumpy until the very end, while Whit is a very proud and confident person.
• Goal Setting: Dennis sets his goal of finishing the marathon and earning back the respect of Libby and his son Jake.
• Imagery: During the marathon, Dennis hits the "runner's wall" and envisions himself breaking through a real wall, recalling images of past moments.
• Motivation: Dennis is motivated by various other characters throughout the movie, such as making a bet with friends, being chased with a spatula, betting his rent, and wanting to earn back the respect of his former fiancé.

The Rookie

The Rookie is about Jim Morris, who pitched in the minors, but after injuring his arm and having multiple surgeries, he became a science teacher and baseball coach in a Texas high school. After a bet with his team he found himself at a MLB tryout and at 35 years old he attempts a childhood dream.

Release Year: 2002
Rating: G
Length: 127m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Coaching: Jim Morris is a high school coach, so there are several examples of him coaching throughout the movie.
• Confidence: Jim pitches batting practice to the team, and once they start hitting off him, they have the confidence to hit any pitcher they face.
• Going for your Dream: His childhood dream was to pitch in the MLB, which is the dream he is now chasing again.
• Injury: He was drafted young, but after injuring his arm, he had to give up his pitching career and his chance at making it in the big leagues.
• Motivation: The bet between Jim and his team give the team extra motivation to win the championship, while Jim also turns to his family for motivation.

The Waterboy

The Waterboy is about the team waterboy (Bobby Boucher) who accidentally has his anger unleashed, turning him into a defensive maniac and a feared linebacker. However, if he wants to play football, he must keep it a secret from his mother who believes he is too delicate, while also overcoming academic adversity.

Release Year: 1998
Rating: PG-13
Length: 90m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Aggression: Aggression is seen in nearly every scene of this movie. His aggressive is usually unlocked by opposing team members and even his coach. For example, Coach Klein tells Bobby that water sucks and gatorade is better to motivate him and make him angry, which leads Bobby to have a field goal block/return to win the game. (42m)
• Confidence: Confidence plays a major role in the beginning of this film. Bobby was picked on by players from both teams he worked for but failed to redeem himself due to a lack of confidence. It is evident when he recalls a memory from his childhood where a past coach belittles him when he tries to stand up for himself. (13m)
• Cultural Differences: Bobby has never considered playing football and when given the opportunity he is hesitant because of what his mother will say. Coach Klein attends dinner at Bobbies house where his mother rattles on about how bobby is to delicate and how she raised a sweet boy and he doesn't need to go to college. You can tell they have different standards and beliefs towards education. (16m)
• Imagery: In several instances he recalls images from his past that contribute to his aggression. But a better reference for imagery is the scene where Bobby replaces the heads of the offensive line and field goal kicker with Coach Klein's face while having them sing a catchy tune. (43m)

Like Mike

Like Mike is about an orphan kid who encounters magic shoes that turn him into a great basketball player. He then gets the opportunity to play for an NBA team and faces several ups and downs along the way.

Release Year: 2002
Rating: PG
Length: 99m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Confidence: When Calvin entered his first game, he was not confident at all and did not want the ball, but once he put on his MJ shoes he gained total confidence and won the game. (29m)
• Parents/Families: This happens when Calvin is adopted by a teammate and he now has a real father and family. (1h 32m)
• Teamwork: This happens throughout the whole movie but is specifically noticed when the announcer talks about the team having had teamwork since Calvin has been on the team. (42m)

Stick It

Stick It is about the sport of gymnastics and everything that comes along with it.  Haley is faced with the challenge of returning to the sport after she traumatically left it years ago.  She goes through many ups and downs along the way, and can attribute many of them to her coach.

Release Year: 2006
Rating: PG-13
Length: 103m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Confidence:  When the girls have their first meet, Haley tells her teammates to throw harder skills because she knows they can do it.  The girls do throw the harder skills, showing they are confident in their abilities.
• Eating Disorders: This theme is seen quite a lot in the sport of gymnastics.  It is evident in this movie when Joanne is looking at herself in a mirror in disgust, even though she is far from being overweight.
• Leadership:  From the start, the other gymnasts looked up to Haley as a role model.  They decide to scratch their routines at Championships after Haley is the first one to do it and throw their harder skills at their first meet because Haley convinces them it is a good idea.
• Sportsmanship: Joanne (a fellow gymnast) is very un-sportsmanlike, sarcastically telling another gymnast "nice stick" when she falls on her bar dismount and follows that up by saying, "it's not called gymn-NICE-stics" to Haley.
• Teamwork: This theme is seen throughout the entire movie, especially when the four girls go to Championships.  Mina performed her vault flawlessly, but received only a 9.5 because her bra strap was showing.  All the other girls decided to blatantly pull out their bra straps during their vaults and scratch for that event so that Mina will win.

Frasier

Frasier is a television show about a radio psychiatrist who moves back to Seattle.  Frasier lives with his father and his father's physiotherapist, and his brother Niles (also a psychiatrist) is a frequent visitor.

Years: 1993-2004
Rating: TVPG

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database or purchase it from Amazon.

The following video contains scenes from the season four episode "Head Game."  In the video, there are various examples of ethical situations (e.g., boundaries of competence, bartering, and publicity) and athlete superstitions.  Each clip is preceded by a short explanation of what the upcoming clip will show, making it a great educational tool as it is both informative and entertaining.

The Boy in Blue

The Boy in Blue is based on the life of Ned Hanlan, a champion sculler.  The movie chronicles his life and how he starts off as a wild child until he took control of his own career and teamed up with an inventor.

Release Year: 1986
Rating: R
Length: 100m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

True Blue

True Blue (also known as Miracle at Oxford) is about the Oxford rowing team's rivalry with Cambridge.  After a tough loss, the team argues over how to band together to come back and win again.

Release Year: 1996
Rating: R
Length: 115m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Invictus

Invictus is the real story about the South African rugby team who became champions in 1995, when the Rugby World Cup was held in their own country. Good history about coaching, leadership, and how sports united the whole country, which was suffering from racial and political tensions.

Release Year: 2009
Rating: PG-13
Length: 134m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Teamwork: In the final game, against New Zealand. The rivalry and how the South African team won by uniting together.
• Leadership: The position that the captain assumes in field and how he becomes the main worker within the team.
• Going for your Dream: The influence of Nelson Mandela in the training and conversations with the captain / players.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a comedy that follows the career of NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby.  He grew up with the motto, "If you ain't first, you're last."  Ricky Bobby is in the race of his life when his career and motto are put to the test when French Formula One driver Jean Girard joins NASCAR.

Release Year: 2006
Rating: PG-13
Length: 108m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Anxiety: This theme is depicted throughout several portions of the movie. The most memorable scene is learning to "drive with the fear," or in Ricky Bobby's case, a cougar.
• Career Issues: This is the overall theme of the movie. It is summed up best at the end with the unveiling of Ricky Bobby's new car.
• Confidence: After Ricky Bobby's crash, his confidence is shaken. His anxiety and fear cripple him to a point where he cannot even drive a car. (He resorts to riding a bicycle around town). He slowly regains his confidence after training with his father.

McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice

McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice is a documentary that briefly follows the careers of tennis legends John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.  The movie focuses on their competitive rivalry and friendship, including the epic 1980 Wimbledon final.  Each player along with sports media personnel are interviewed throughout the film.

Release Year: 2011
Length: 61m

For more information, view its HBO page or purchase the 1980 match from Amazon.

• Aggression: Throughout the film, shows highlights of McEnroe flipping out, including the famed "you cannot be serious" 36m in.
• Burnout: About 44m in, Borg talks about how tired he was of playing and his loss of motivation to win.  At 55m, Borg sells his trophies.  About 50m in, McEnroe actually uses the word "burnout" to describe what he was feeling when he took some time off from tennis.
• Intrinsic Motivation: A few minutes in, Borg discusses how he fell in love with tennis when he was young.
• Parents/Family: About 9m in, McEnroe discusses his parents and how they pushed him the right amount.
• Routines: Great example of Borg's pre-match routine about 20m in.  He traveled the same route, used the same towels, and had the exact same preparation before his matches at Wimbledon.

Touching the Void

Touching the Void is an incredible story of survival in the face of death.  This part documentary, part dramatic reenactment follows Joe Simpson and Simon Yates as they climb the previously unclimbed west face of Siula Grande.  The ascent goes well, but, as Joe states: "80% of accidents occur on the way down."

Release Year: 2003
Rating: R
Length: 106m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Confidence: at the beginning of the movie, they believed they would be the first ones to do it because they were better than the previous climbers; loss of confidence following the injury (felt "doomed" and "psychologically beaten")
• Goal Setting: after injury, Joe repeatedly makes time-based goals for motivation as he crawls across the top of a glacier to get back to camp; occurs about two-thirds of the way into the movie
• Injury: shortly into the descent, Joe falls and breaks his leg, rendering him crippled the rest of the climb, about a half-hour into the movie
• Intrinsic Motivation: at the very beginning, Joe and Simon talk about how much they love climbing
• Self-Talk: Joe and Simon discuss their thoughts throughout the entire documentary
• Teamwork: in their style of climbing, were tied to each other, which requires great trust; after injury, Simon attempts to lower Joe down the mountain one rope length at a time

Without Limits

Without Limits is a biography of Olympic runner Steve Prefontaine.

Release Year: 1998
Rating: PG-13
Length: 117m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Wildcats

Wildcats is about a white middle-class woman who becomes the head coach of a black inner-city football team.

Release Year: 1986
Rating: R
Length: 106m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings is a documentary about the 1974 heavyweight title bout "Rumble in the Jungle" between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali.

Release Year: 1996
Rating: PG
Length: 89m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Vision Quest

Vision Quest is about a high school wrestler (Louden) who attempts to drop two weight classes to beat the state's number one wrestler (Shute).

Release Year: 1985
Rating: R
Length: 105m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Confidence: Louden's confidence grows throughout his quest to face Shute.
• Eating Disorders: Louden must cut weight to face Shute, so he eats sparingly and overtrains, causing nosebleeds.
• Focus: Louden focuses on Shute every day, even when Shute shows up at a match to get in his head.
• Imagery: He imagines the six minutes on the mat with Shute, but his friend tell him, "It's not the six minutes, its what happens in those six minutes that counts!"
• Underdogs: Louden is the underdog because no one has beaten Shute and he is a monster.

Victory

Victory stars soccer legend Pele as he leads a team of prisoners in a soccer game against their German captors during World War II.

Release Year: 1981
Rating: PG
Length: 116m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Varsity Blues

Varsity Blues is about a high school football team in a small Texas town that is obsessed with football.

Release Year: 1999
Rating: R
Length: 106m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Tin Cup

Tin Cup is about a former pro golfer who tries to qualify for the US Open.

Release Year: 1996
Rating: R
Length: 135m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

This Sporting Life

This Sporting Life is about a coal miner who wants to become a professional rugby player.

Release Year: 1963
Length: 134m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Youngblood

Youngblood is about a young hockey star with no propensity towards fighting who must try to make it on a minor league team.

Release Year: 1986
Rating: R
Length: 110m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi is the final movie in the Star Wars trilogy where the Jedi finally overthrow the empire.

Release Year: 1983
Rating: PG
Length: 134m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back continues the story of the Jedi knights and their battle with the empire.

Release Year: 1980
Rating: PG
Length: 124m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope follows the story of the last Jedi knight as he teams up with rebels to take down the evil galactic empire.

Release Year: 1977
Rating: PG
Length: 121m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Space Jam

Space Jam is about Michael Jordan and a team of Looney Tunes who must defeat aliens in a game of basketball.

Release Year: 1996
Rating: PG
Length: 88m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Slap Shot

Slap Shot is about a failing hockey team that uses violence to create fan interest.

Release Year: 1977
Rating: R
Length: 123m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Searching for Bobby Fischer

Searching for Bobby Fischer is about a young chess protégé who struggles with the pressures of competition.

Release Year: 1993
Rating: PG
Length: 109m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Running Brave

Running Brave is the story of Sioux Indian Billy Mills who won gold at the 1964 Olympics.

Release Year: 1983
Rating: PG
Length: 106m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Rudy

Rudy is the story of a kid who is determined to fulfill his dream of playing football for Notre Dame

Release Year: 1993
Rating: PG
Length: 114m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Rookie of the Year

Rookie of the Year is about a 12 year old boy who suffers an accident that leaves him able to pitch amazingly well.

Release Year: 1993
Rating: PG
Length: 103m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Rollerball

Rollerball is about a futuristic sport that is brutal and violent.

Release Year: 1975, 2002
Rating: R
Length: 125m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database (1975 and 2002) and Rotten Tomatoes (1975 and 2002) or purchase it from Amazon.

Rocky IV

Rocky IV continues the story of Rocky, who boxes for his country against the Soviet Union's top fighter.

Release Year: 1985
Rating: PG
Length: 91m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Rocky III

Rocky III continues the story of Rocky, this time pitting him against a new foe.

Release Year: 1982
Rating: PG
Length: 99m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Rocky II

Rocky II continues the story of Rocky, where he receives another chance at the title.

Release Year: 1979
Rating: PG
Length: 119m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Rocky

Rocky is about an underdog boxer who receives a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champion.

Release Year: 1976
Rating: PG
Length: 119m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

The Replacements

The Replacements is about replacement players who provide some talent for a football team on strike.

Release Year: 2000
Rating: PG-13
Length: 118m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Remember the Titans

Remember the Titans is the story of a coach who unites a racially diverse football team and takes them to championships.

Release Year: 2000
Length: 113m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

The Program

The Program is the story of a college football team facing the pressure of winning and balancing life. The team has players from all walks of life, and they need a winning season so the program can survive.

Release Year: 1993
Rating: R
Length: 112m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Aggression: Shown through the desire to win and one player's use of steroids, which caused him to become very angry and aggressive.
• Anxiety: There was a lot of pressure on the team to win, otherwise their program would be cut. Plus, the quarterback came from a family of alcoholics, so he was always on edge and nervous, and ultimately ended up going to rehab for drinking.
• Parents/Families: Girlfriends and families played a big role. Alvin wanted to get his family out of poverty, the QB wanted his family to support his playing, and the running backs were battling for a girl's heart and approval.
• Cultural Differences: The team was made of players with very different backgrounds and the team had to try and blend everyone together for their success.

Price of Glory

Price of Glory is about a father who pushes his three sons into boxing after he was cheated out of his own career.

Release Year: 2000
Rating: PG-13
Length: 118m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Oxford Blues

Oxford Blues is about an American competing for Oxford's prestigious rowing team.

Release Year: 1984
Rating: PG-13
Length: 97m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

The Natural

The Natural is about a man's invigorating return to a baseball team after a mysterious absence.  Great scene with a sport psychologist in it.

Release Year: 1984
Rating: PG
Length: 134m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Mystery, Alaska

Mystery, Alaska is about a small town hockey team that is chosen to play an NHL team.

Release Year: 1999
Rating: R
Length: 119m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Mr. Holland’s Opus

Mr. Holland's Opus is the story of a music teacher's life and the students he inspires.

Release Year: 1995
Rating: PG
Length: 143m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.