Murderball

Murderball is about wheelchair rugby, aka Murderball, played by paraplegic and quadriplegic athletes. The story centers on the battle between the American and Canadian teams as they compete for the gold medal.

Release Year: 2005
Run Time: 85m
Rating: R

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

• Disability: The entire documentary is about people with disabilities who play sport. Different types of disabilities are discussed and how different types of disability play a role in the sport, along with how able-bodied individuals will view and talk to people who have disabilities.
• Injury: Throughout the documentary, the players talk about how they acquired their disability. For many of them, it was the result of a traumatic accident, like a bad car crash or motorbike wreck. Players also discuss the recovery period following becoming confined to a wheelchair.
• Keeping Sport in Perspective: People talk about how sport helps them to keep a grip on their life.

Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals

Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals is a documentary produced by HBO that chronicles the parallel careers of two of basketball's most well-known and beloved stars, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird. From their humble beginnings to NBA championships to retirement, this documentary spans their rivalry, friendship, and relentless will to win.

Release Year: 2010
Rating: not rated, but there is some offensive language
Length: 85m

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

• Race: There are many, many examples of race throughout the documentary. Early on, Magic Johnson recalls that he wanted to go to a predominantly black high school, but because of desegregation, ended up at a predominantly white high school. Other NBA players interviewed talk about how many black players were racist against white players because they believed black players were superior, having the mindset of "let's see if he [the white player] can do it against us." Larry Bird was dubbed the "Great White Hope" early in his professional career because basketball was "too black," and the media played up their rivalry as "black versus white," which many fans bought into.
• Class: Both players had humble beginnings. Magic grew up in Lansing, Michigan, the son of poor working class parents. Bird grew up in rural French Lick, Indiana, also the son of poor working class parents. Both players credit watching their parents work hard with why they developed a strong work ethic.
• Illness in Sport, Sexuality: Towards the end of the documentary, it focuses on Magic's contraction of HIV. This forced him to retire, but he became an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness. Interviewees discuss how many people questioned Magic's sexual orientation because at the time, HIV/AIDS was seen as a disease heterosexuals did not contract.
• Injury: Towards the end of the documentary, it also focuses on Bird's playing style and various subsequent injuries, which ultimately caused him to retire. He managed an extreme amount of pain, which was mostly caused by an unstable spine.

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.

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

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.

Little Girls in Pretty Boxes

Little Girls in Pretty Boxes is a made-for-television movie based on the book about gymnasts and the extreme difficulties they encounter at the upper echelons of competition.  Elite gymnastics results in many sacrifices for all involved, both physically and mentally, but how how much is too much?


Release Year: 1997
Length: 96m

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


Aggression: Aggression is depicted in a few ways throughout the movie: both in the parent-to-parent relationships with one another while viewing their daughters and in the coaching style with the athletes.

Anxiety: The coach tries to put them under constent anxiety so they will cope better with it, and some handle it better than others. The girls are constantly reminded of who is at the top and that if they are there, they may not be remain for long.

Commitment: The girls are reminded on a regular basis about how much effort that they need to put into their gymnastics to pursue their goal. Parents make a huge commitment to follow their children in their efforts.

Confidence: In one of the last scenes the coach yells at Katie for not attempting the Yurchenko. You can not bail out on skills; you must have the confidence or you will get hurt.

Eating Disorders: Katie reduces the amount she eats. She says that she won't eat her dinner and if she does, she will just throw it up because losing three pounds means gaining a foot in height in her tumbling.

Goal Setting: The coach puts a lot of outcome oriented goals on the athletes: win or else that's it.

Going for your Dream: All the girls hope to make it to the Olympics. They give up much to pursue their dream, including leaving behind their home and family.

Injury: In the end the star athlete has a career ending injury, which in turn leads to the thought that Katie was being pushed too hard.

Keeping Sport in Perspective: When they decide to go home Katie's mother realizes that her job is to be a mother. She does not want Katie to become hurt in order to be win in a sport. Her life is more important.

Parents/Family: In order for Katie to move her entire family must make a sacrifice and do so. However, her relationship with her family is part of the key to her success.

Substance Abuse: The girls put their bodies through so much and in turn suffer pain they must push through. Dana Parker, the star athlete, offers Katie prescription medicine to help her battle through pain.

The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid is about a young boy who learns from a master the physical and mental aspects of karate.

Release Year: 1984
Rating: PG
Length: 126m

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

Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire is a story about a sports agent and his only client learning what is really important in life.

Release Year: 1996
Rating: R
Length: 139m

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

For Love of the Game

For Love of the Game is about a pitcher during the twilight of his career, who has flashbacks about the decisions he made in his life during a no-hitter.

Release Year: 1999
Rating: PG-13
Length: 137m

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

Days of Thunder

Days of Thunder is about a young and talented driver who finally has his chance to compete at the highest competitive level.

Release Year: 1990
Rating: PG-13
Length: 107m

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

The Cutting Edge

The Cutting Edge is about an injured hockey player and egoistical figure skater pairing up to compete in the Olympics.

Release Year: 1992
Rating: PG
Length: 101m

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

Any Given Sunday

Any Given Sunday depicts the pressures and violence of modern day American football.

Release Year: 1999
Rating: R
Length: 150m

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