In some of my previous Christmas articles I have provided advice on how you can maximise your Christmas fitness. However, Christmas is not just about keeping fit. It is also a time where you can relax, recharge after a long hard year and spend some quality time with family and friends. Films are a great way to do this and the good news is there are plenty of great sports and fitness films out there. So grab a beer, get yourself comfortable and take a look at my top 10 fitness films that you can watch this Christmas:
1) BLOODSPORT
Storyline:
There’s a secret underground fighting tournament called the Kumite being held in Hong Kong. Jean Claude Van Damme (starring as Frank Dux) travels to Hong Kong, enters the tournament and kicks some serious ass.
Best Quote:
“Aren’t you a little old for videogames?”
Best Moment – The Final Fight With Chong Li:
Chong Li has already beaten up Ray Jackson (Frank Dux’s friend and manager), broke 1 guy’s leg and even killed an opponent. Then to top it all off he does the ultimate dirty move of throwing some dust from his shorts into Frank Dux’s eyes. This guy is the ultimate bad ass which makes watching him submit in the final fight so worthwhile.
Why You Should Watch It:
This (along with Kickboxer) is 1 of the few films where you get to see Van Damme doing what he does best – fighting. I chose Bloodsport over Kickboxer as this is the film that launched Van Damme’s career. The guy is not an actor but he is a pretty competent martial artist and anyone who says they are not impressed by his split kicks are lying. Bloodsport allows Van Damme to showcase his talents without too much acting getting in the way.
If You Like Bloodsport You Should Also Check Out:
– Best Of The Best.
– Enter The Dragon (listed below).
– Kickboxer.
– Never Back Down (listed below).
– The Quest.
– Warrior.
2) COACH CARTER
Storyline:
New basketball coach Ken Carter believes in the importance of education so much that he puts a lockdown on the gym and refuses to let the team play until they improve their grades.
Best Quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Best Moment – Our Deepest Fear Speech:
After quitting his job, Ken Carter finds his team studying in the gym. As he is leaving, Timo Cruz finally reveals his deepest fear to his coach and utters the memorable speech above.
Why You Should Watch It:
Great basketball action scenes, an uplifting story and some motivational quotes combine to make this a great couple of hours of entertainment.
If You Like Coach Carter You Should Also Check Out:
– Any Given Sunday.
– Moneyball.
– Remember The Titans.
– We Are Marshall.
3) ENTER THE DRAGON
Storyline:
Bruce Lee (starring as Lee) travels to a mysterious island to participate in a martial arts tournament organised by the villain Han. Whilst entering the tournament he also works undercover on behalf of British Intelligence to spy on Han and his illegal drug trafficking and prostitution operations.
Best Quote:
“Man, you come right out of a comic book.”
Best Moment – The Iconic Final Fight With Han In The Hall Of Mirrors:
After finally getting to grips with the villain Han, Lee starts giving him the beating he deserves. Han manages to escape into a room full of mirrors and uses the element of surprise to gain the upper hand. Just when it looks like Han’s sneaky tactics are going to work, Lee has a brainwave, smashes all the mirrors and finishes Han off.
Why You Should Watch It:
Bruce Lee was 1 of the most iconic figures in the fields of fitness, martial arts and films. He was years ahead of his time and introduced completely new concepts to the martial arts community. In addition to this, he was lighting fast, had the strength of a man 3 times his size (just check out his 1 inch punch if you don’t believe me) and had an amazing physique. Enter the Dragon was his breakthrough Hollywood film and provided a brilliant showcase to the world of his talents and philosophies. Sadly it was also his last film with Bruce Lee passing away before its release at the tender age of 32.
If You Like Enter The Dragon You Should Also Check Out:
– Best Of The Best.
– Bloodsport.
– Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.
– Fist Of Fury.
– Game Of Death.
– Kickboxer.
– Never Back Down (listed below).
– The Big Boss.
– The Quest.
– Warrior.
– Way Of The Dragon.
4) HAPPY GILMORE
Storyline:
Happy Gilmore is an extremely aggressive, pretty useless hockey player who has 1 powerful weapon in his arsenal – a mean slapshot. His overly aggressive behaviour gets him kicked off every hockey team he attempts to join but after a chance meeting with former golf star Chubbs Peterson and the news that he needs to come up with $270,000 to save his grandmother’s house, he enters the world of professional golf with hilarious results.
Best Quote:
“The price is wrong, bitch.”
Best Moment – The Bob Barker Fight:
After being paired with Bob Barker at a celebrity golf tournament Happy is constantly heckled by 1 of his competitor’s mentally unstable fans. This distracts Happy and starts to affect his game. Bob Barker does not hide his frustration and states; “I can’t believe you are a professional golfer. I believe you should be working at the snack bar.” He then tips Happy over the edge with the comment; “There is no way that you could have been as bad at hockey as you are at golf” which leads to a hilarious fight between the 2.
Why You Should Watch It:
Adam Sandler films are something you either love or hate. Happy Gilmore is a very stupid, brainless film but it is also a lot of fun. If you want to spend completely switch off your brain for a couple of hours and enjoy some cheap laughs then you could do a lot worse than Happy Gilmore.
If You Like Happy Gilmore You Should Also Check Out:
– Blades Of Glory.
– Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
– Run Fat Boy, Run.
– Semi-Pro.
– The Ringer.
– The Water Boy (listed below).
– Tin Cup (listed below).
5) NEVER BACK DOWN
Storyline:
After moving to Orlando, Florida former high school football star Jake Tyler attends a party and gets goaded into a fight with the current school fighting champion Ryan McCarthy. He loses the fight but befriends classmate Max Cooperman who introduces him to the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) and his mentor Jean Roqua. Roqua agrees to train Jake as long as he does not fight outside the gym. Jake agrees but secretly uses the classes to train for the underground fighting tournament – The Beatdown and get his revenge on Ryan McCarthy.
Best Quote:
“If you gonna be the best, you have to take out the best.”
Best Moment – The Hummer Fight
Jake Tyler’s road rage gets the better of him and he takes out 3 guys in a Hummer with devastating effect. It ends with 1 guy getting up close and personal with the Hummer’s wing mirror. The whole thing gets filmed and goes viral on YouTube around Jake’s school.
Why You Should Watch It:
Like Bloodsport and Enter the Dragon, Never Back Down is full of well choreographed fight scenes. Plus, it is kind of fun watching and waiting for Jake Tyler to lose his temper and let rip.
If You Like Never Back Down You Should Also Check Out:
– Best Of The Best.
– Bloodsport.
– Enter The Dragon.
– Kickboxer.
– The Quest.
– Warrior.
6) PREFONTAINE
Storyline:
A biopic of the American long distance runner Steve Prefontaine who tragically died in a car accident at just 24 years old.
Best Quote:
“Let me tell you something, all of my life people have said to me, “You’re too small, Pre. You’re not fast enough, Pre. Give up your foolish dreams, Steve!” But you know what, they forgot something: I have to win. There’s no fallback here, no great stride, no long legs–nothing!”
Best Moment – I Have To Win:
Steve Prefontaine explains exactly why he has to win by uttering the brilliant quote above (sorry guys cannot find a video of the exact scene so the trailer below will have to do).
Why You Should Watch It:
Prefontaine is an inspirational and tragic underdog story. Steve Prefontaine succeeded against all the odds and at 1 point held the American record in 7 distance track events from the 2,000 meters to the 10,000 meters. It’s a fantastic feel good film about a great man that leaves you feeling impressed by his determination and success but also wondering just how much he could have achieved had his life not been taken so early.
If You Like Prefontaine You Should Also Check Out:
– Across The Tracks.
– Chariots Of Fire.
– Gallipoli.
– Without Limits.
7) ROCKY
Storyline:
World heavyweight champion Apollo Creed gives struggling boxer Rocky Balboa the chance of a lifetime when he agrees to an exhibition match.
Best Quote:
“Cause I was thinkin’, it really don’t matter if I lose this fight. It really don’t matter if this guy opens my head, either. ‘Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody’s ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I’m still standin’, I’m gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren’t just another bum from the neighbourhood.”
Best Moment – The Final Fight:
This is the main event and really does have it all. The whole film has been building up to this point and it does not disappoint. Rocky states his intentions early by knocking Apollo to the floor in the first round. The 2 then continue to give each other the beating of their lives. After a gruelling 15 rounds and with the fight coming to a close it looks like Apollo has the upper hand. However, Rocky gets a second wind, unleashes a collection of powerful punches and has Apollo on the ropes, only for the final bell to cruelly end the match (sorry guys, couldn’t find an English language version of the final fight that allows me to embed the video).
Why You Should Watch It:
Rocky is 1 of the most iconic fitness films of all time and there are so many reasons you should watch it. It is a brilliant underdog story that has you rooting for Rocky all the way, has a great training montage, a sincere love story and a fantastic finale.
If You Like Rocky You Should Also Check Out:
– The Fighter.
– Raging Bull.
– Rocky II.
– Rocky III.
– Rocky IV (best training montage and best opponent of all the Rocky’s).
– Rocky V (a lot of people hate this film but I don’t think it’s that bad).
– Rocky Balboa (Stallone may be 60 in this film but he’s still got it).
8) THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
Storyline:
After making a bad financial decision and investing heavily in a device called the “bone density scanner”, Christopher Gardner’s life slowly unravels around him. After his wife leaves him and he loses his home, Chris is determined to turn his life around.
Best Quote:
“Hey. Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.”
Best Moment – Protect Your Dreams Speech:
After telling his son that he will probably be an average basketball player at best and that he does not want him to waste his time playing basketball all day and night, Chris Gardner immediately regrets his actions and gives the heartwarming speech above.
Why You Should Watch It:
Although it is not technically a sports or fitness film, I put The Pursuit of Happyness on this list because I think it is a brilliant example of the importance of mental fitness. This film shows you that no matter how hard life gets and no matter how bad it seems, with the right mental attitude you can always turn it around. This is a true story from a guy who almost lost everything but through sheer willpower managed to not just save himself but to become a huge success. If you are ever feeling discouraged or feel like giving up on something – watch this film.
If You Like The Pursuit Of Happyness You Should Also Check Out:
– Forrest Gump.
– Good Will Hunting.
– Pay It Forward.
– Seven Pounds.
– Reign Over Me.
– The Shawshank Redemption.
– Where God Left His Shoes.
9) THE WATER BOY
Storyline:
Dim witted, 31 year old water boy Bobby Boucher is the laughing stock of the entire college football team. When he gets fired from his current job as a water boy, Bobby offers his services to the worst football team in town. However, when Coach Klein discovers Bobby can tackle, he gets a place on the team and becomes the star player. The only snag is his mother does not approve so Bobby must keep the whole thing a secret from her.
Best Quote:
“Gentlemen, which brings me to my next point, don’t smoke crack!”
Best Moment – Don’t Smoke Crack:
After giving a stuttering guest speech to a bunch of kids, their coach keeps a completely straight face and perfectly delivers the very important life lesson quoted above.
Why You Should Watch It:
This has to be 1 of the funniest sports films I have ever seen. It’s in the classic Adam Sandler mould and there are so many moments where I laughed out loud. The scene above, the moment where Bobby Boucher attacks Colonel Sanders or the moment when he phones up Captain Insano are all absolutely hilarious. If you need a good laugh this Christmas then watch this film.
If You Like The Water Boy You Should Also Check Out:
– Blades Of Glory.
– Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
– Happy Gilmore.
– Run Fat Boy, Run.
– Semi-Pro.
– The Ringer.
10) TIN CUP
Storyline:
Roy ‘Tin Cup’ McAvoy is a failed professional golfer and a heavy drinker. He lives at a rundown driving range that he also owns and manages. After an encounter with his old college rival and professional golfer David Simms, Roy falls for Simms’ girlfriend and tries to qualify for the US Open to win her heart.
Best Quote:
“I hit it again because that shot was a defining moment, and when a defining moment comes along, you define the moment…or the moment defines you.”
Best Moment – The Lay Up:
Whilst working as a caddie for his rival David Simms, Tin Cup tells him he should hit it onto the green when he has already decided to lay up. After a brief argument, Simms lays the shot up. However, the other golfers bet that his caddie Tin Cup can hit it onto the green. Simms tells Tin Cup that if he hits the shot he is fired. Tin Cup goes on to hit and make the shot anyway. He is then promptly fired and reacts by trying to steal David Simms’ bag of golf clubs as the TV cameras catch his every move.
Why You Should Watch It:
I’m not a golf fan. I don’t even know how to play golf. However, I still really enjoyed this film. Great cast, some funny moments and a simple but entertaining story. It also has a really strong message – live life to the full. You might get burned some or even most of the time but in the end the rewards will be worth it.
If You Like Tin Cup You Should Also Check Out:
– Caddyshack.
– Happy Gilmore.
– Seven Days In Utopia.
– The Greatest Game Ever Played.
– The Legend Of Bagger Vance.
Summary
I hope this article gives you some interesting sports and fitness films that you can watch this Christmas. Some of the films listed might not be to your taste but there is a good mix of action, comedy and drama on the list so hopefully at least 1 of them suits your needs.
Now I want to hear your thoughts. What are your top sports and fitness films? Do you enjoy this genre or do you prefer other types of films? Let me know by leaving a comment.