The Wrestler is receiving rave reviews, even without an obligatory appearance by Hulk Hogan (3 Ninjas High Noon At Mega Mountain), and we started thinking about, but certainly not doing any, sport. The only sports we like are professional wrestling and roller derby but, in the movies, we have a fondness for little known sports (Dodgeball) and, even better, crazy future sports.
In the near future, prisoners (including a framed Jason Statham) race to the death in heavily weaponed cars for the entertainment of paying viewers. There is a sliver of a story about corruption and revenge amongst the violence but, let's be honest, the film is mostly about the violence.
Death Racers (2008)
A super low budget release to capitalise on the publicity and interest for Death Race. A bunch of criminals race in customised cars to find Raven (former ECW champion) who is about to release a toxin in to the water supply. It is bad and not helped that one of the teams is the Inane Clown Posse (sorry, Insane Clown Posse) who also provide much of the music.
A super low budget release to capitalise on the publicity and interest for Death Race. A bunch of criminals race in customised cars to find Raven (former ECW champion) who is about to release a toxin in to the water supply. It is bad and not helped that one of the teams is the Inane Clown Posse (sorry, Insane Clown Posse) who also provide much of the music.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
David Carradine drives against a pre-Rocky, pre-elocution lessons, Sylvester Stallone and other crazies in a race where points are scored by killing pedestrians. Set in a post-economic collapse, police state America (sound familiar?), godlike cheapskate Roger Corman blends subversion with the outlandish in an Iron Chef like fusion of wonder.
David Carradine drives against a pre-Rocky, pre-elocution lessons, Sylvester Stallone and other crazies in a race where points are scored by killing pedestrians. Set in a post-economic collapse, police state America (sound familiar?), godlike cheapskate Roger Corman blends subversion with the outlandish in an Iron Chef like fusion of wonder.
Rollerball (1975)
The world of Rollerball (roller derby with motorcycles and, perhaps disturbingly for the current all female derby revival, balls) is run by corporations. It is a world without heroes (not the tv show, although it doesn't have that either ) and when James Caan becomes bigger than the game, the rules are changed to stop him. Violent, provocative, and not too different from our reality.
The world of Rollerball (roller derby with motorcycles and, perhaps disturbingly for the current all female derby revival, balls) is run by corporations. It is a world without heroes (not the tv show, although it doesn't have that either ) and when James Caan becomes bigger than the game, the rules are changed to stop him. Violent, provocative, and not too different from our reality.
Rollerball (2002)
A modern remake where the game remains the same, but the social commentary is replaced by cliched characters and plot. The action scenes and the match commentary, by wrestling commentator Paul E Dangerously, are all this film has going for it.
A modern remake where the game remains the same, but the social commentary is replaced by cliched characters and plot. The action scenes and the match commentary, by wrestling commentator Paul E Dangerously, are all this film has going for it.
Running Man (1987)
Convicted criminals fight for their freedom on a televised game show in the near future. Or do they? Arnold Schwarzenegger is about to find out. Stephen King wrote his best work, like this story, under the name Richard Bachman. This may not be that similar to King’s story, but it does have Jesse Ventura and some enjoyably bad one liners.
Convicted criminals fight for their freedom on a televised game show in the near future. Or do they? Arnold Schwarzenegger is about to find out. Stephen King wrote his best work, like this story, under the name Richard Bachman. This may not be that similar to King’s story, but it does have Jesse Ventura and some enjoyably bad one liners.
Kansas City Bomber (1972)
Raquel Welch does roller derby, in an exploration of how business runs sport with little regard to the impact on the athletes. It veers towards soap opera at times, but then comes crashing back with some great on track action. It’s always nice seeing old school roller derby, and Raquel in her derby gear isn't bad either.
Raquel Welch does roller derby, in an exploration of how business runs sport with little regard to the impact on the athletes. It veers towards soap opera at times, but then comes crashing back with some great on track action. It’s always nice seeing old school roller derby, and Raquel in her derby gear isn't bad either.
Bad News Bears (1976)
A hard drinking, foul mouthed, unrepentant, unapologetic Walter Matthau coaches a team of hard drinking, foul mouthed, unrepentant, unapologetic, juvenile delinquents. Best sports movie ever? Certainly better than the soft remake.
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2 comments:
What? No Salute of the Jugger? For shame!
And what about Tron?
Wordcounts are our enemy.
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