Ten Must Watch Sports Movies | Under Lens

1) Ali : Impressive biopic of Mohd. Ali played by Will Smith. It speaks more about the person Ali was rather than the player he appeared in ring.

2) Caddyshack: Interesting story of a caddie, golfers and a gopher. Considered to be one of the best sports comedy ever made.

3) Coach Carter : Inspiring tale of Ken Carter who wants his players to score in academics as many of them who never make it big in game, fail in life due to lack of formal education.

4) Invictus : After suffering apartheid for long, will people of SA support their team having Whites. Will they ever forgive? Can Mandela make it possible?

5) Jerry Maguire :  Amazing story of a sport agent who is trying to balance his career after being fired and having only one client with an average career.

6) Miracle : True story of an American Ice Hockey team which beats a very strong Soviet team in Winter Olympics of 1980.

7) Raging Bull : Boxer Jake La Motta's biographical movie made by Martin Scorsese based on a namesake book by the boxer himself. Movie shows how the rage in a man can ruin his personal life.

8) Remember The Titans : One of the most captivating story where a coach with his assistant fight with racism to make a team no one can forget.

9) Rocky : Sylvester Stallone in the memorable role of Rocky Balboa who has every quality to be successful in ring and faces big hurdles in face.

10) The World's Fastest Indian : Anthony Hopkins. Indian. Period.

Sportsperson Turned Actors | Under Lens

Many professional sportspersons like Kapil Dev, Babe Ruth, Vijay Amritraj etc have played cameos in movies however, only a few took acting seriously and took it professionally as well.

Alex Karras: A football player and pro wrestler, Karras is also known for the role of Mango in film Blazing Saddles. At a point he was under consideration for role of Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather. He also worked in few other films and TV series and also tried his hands on Commentary.

Vinnie Jones: He played for Chelsea and Leeds United. He played for Welsh team. He acted in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. He also acted in Gone In 60 Seconds, Swordfish, X-Men: The Last Stand and a few others. Quite a filmography.

Carl Weathers: People might not remember Chubbs from Happy Gilmore but definitely can't forget Apollo Creed from Rocky. However, professional football was part of his accomplishments before he made Rocky's nemesis turned friend immortal.

Jim Brown: His acting exploits were perhaps not comparable to his skills in football. He is perhaps one of the greatest American athletes and definitely the greatest Athlete turned Actor. The Dirty Dozen was perhaps his best work on screen.

Leander Paes: Known for his across the court skills, he is considered to be one of the finest players of doubles in tennis is going to silver screen as well. Details... aah, we will be back.

Hammers High: Arnold - Stallone rivalry

Arnold Schwarzenegger versus Sylvester Stallone is every action lover’s wet dream. Well they already have had a face-off, albeit in real life. They have been bitter foes at one time. Want to know when? Why? Read on.
Both Arnold and Stallone tasted their first critical acclaim in the movie industry the same year. 1977 was the year when Stallone won Best Actor Award (Rocky), and Arnold won Best Debut (Stay Hungry) at Golden Globe Award.
In early 80’s Stallone had the initial edge, starring in two hugely successful franchisees Rambo and Rocky.
By 1982 (Arnold: Conan the Barbarian, Stallone: Rocky III, first Blood(Rambo)), both emerged as international action movies stars and started keeping an eye on each other, starting a fierce competition. By 1985 (Arnold: Commando Red Sonja, Stallone: Rambo II, Rocky IV) competition breached personal front. They both dated Brigitte Nielsen (star of Red Sonja). Brigitte married Stallone but was seeing Arnold behind Stallone’s back. Brigitte and Stallone later divorced for the same reason.

Both promoted any negative publicity regarding the other. Arnold would in his signature style make snide comments on Stallone, even mocked Stallone in his movie Twins when he sees a Rambo III poster and feels his arms an laughs over Stallone’s physique Stallone is reported to have promote a tell-all book on Arnold based on wild pre- stardom days.

In late 80’s Arnold edged out Stallone, delivering hits like Total Recall, Twins, Terminator II.
It was early 90’s that saw Arnold and Stallone becoming friends. They collaborated on the famous restaurant chain “Planet Hollywood” along with other biggies of Hollywood. Both of them are rumored to star in the movie "The Expendables" to be released in 2010. Can’t wait for them to kick some ass, again, together!!

For The Reel; Written By: Ali ‘Rosebud’ Naqvi