SIM’s list of the greatest sports movies.

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 Sunday Inquirer Magazine 

 Moving Screens

 http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view/20100821-288061/Moving-Screens

 By Ruel S. De Vera   Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

WITH their emphasis on winning, the anguish of defeat, interesting characters and the minting of brand new heroes, sports makes a perfect subject for motion pictures. Sports movies spark something within us: a primal need to succeed, as well as an inborn fear of failure.

Here, in no particular order, is SIM’s list of the greatest sports movies.

 

“Invictus.” Proving that a country’s politics and its devotion to sports can be a ruggedly successful combination, “Invictus” combines post-apartheid South Africa and the sport of rugby. Matt Damon may be a bit short for the part of captain Francois Pienaar, but you don’t notice it, while Morgan Freeman is electric in a role that seems made for him: President Nelson Mandela. Clint Eastwood directs.

“Million Dollar Baby.” The second Clint Eastwood movie on this list, “Million Dollar Baby” is based on the writings of the venerable boxing writer F.X. Toole and features a ferocious performance from eventual Best Actress Hillary Swank as the indomitable Maggie Fitzgerald. Eastwood and Morgan Freeman are in Maggie’s corner as we witness the true grit and glory of the prize fighter away from the big lights. •