Grab your pizza, hover in front of the TV with your loved ones, and root for your favorite team on Super Bowl Sunday. When it’s over, since you’ll already have food, friends and a flat screen on hand, tackle these football films to keep the momentum alive.
“The Waterboy” (1998)
Funnyman Adam Sandler stars as Bobby Boucher, a mama’s boy who is the water boy for his college football team. He is made fun of, especially for his stutter, until he can’t take it anymore and tackles one of the football players. Everyone soon realizes Boucher would be perfect for the team. Henry Winkler also stars as Coach Klein and Kathy Bates as Boucher’s nosy mother, Helen.
“Little Giants” (1994)
Competitive brothers Danny and Kevin O’Shea, played by Rick Moranis and Ed O’Neill, become rival coaches to pint-sized players in a junior’s league. O’Neill runs a car dealership and is a former football player whose team has all the newest equipment and uniforms. When Moranis’ daughter tries out for the team, she and several others don’t make the cut and feel discouraged until they form their own team, coached by Moranis.
“The Replacements” (2000)
Keanu Reeves stars as Shane Falco, a former college football star who never went pro, and becomes the captain of the Washington Sentinels replacement team after the original team goes on strike. Gene Hackman plays Jimmy McGinty, a retired NFL coach who comes back to mentor the replacements and get them in shape to make it to the playoffs before the real team returns. With a team of former athletes to work with, this comedy will make the audience see football in a whole new way.
“Rudy” (1993)
Rudy Ruettiger, played by Sean Astin, dreams of attending the University of Notre Dame and getting out of his small town. His family doesn’t believe he has what it takes to even get in to the university, but once he does, he works hard to qualify for Notre Dame’s competitive football team. His determination and ambitious spirit makes this the ultimate rooting-for-the-underdog film.
“Remember the Titans” (2000)
Based on a true story, this film follows rival high school football teams forced to join forces on the field and off when their schools merge, creating T.C. Williams High School. Denzel Washington replaces Will Patton as the head coach, creating more tension and competition. This film chronicles how segregation in the 70s was like as the black athletes and the white athletes realize they’ll be more triumphant working together than apart.
“Varsity Blues” (1999)
Football means everything in the small Texas town of West Canaan, and the Coyotes are in the midst of leading the town to another victory until quarterback Lance Harbor, played by the late Paul Walker, is forced to sit out for the remaining season. James Van Der Beek stars as Mox, a second-string quarterback and Harbor’s best friend, who now has the pressure to win resting on his shoulders. Bud Kilmer, played by Jon Voight, shows the darker side of coaching with his mistreatment of the players. The movie, which celebrated its 15th anniversary last month, portrays the players’ struggle to be the best and deal with the dramas of high school.
Other football films to check out
“The Blind Side”
“Brian’s Song”
“Heaven Can Wait”
“The Longest Yard”
“Necessary Roughness”
“Wildcats”
“Gridiron Gang”
“Friday Night Lights”
