Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
August 3, 2001, Washington Post

Sports in the Movies

Sports are full of drama and interesting people. It is no wonder that Hollywood has turned some real-life sports stories into exciting and entertaining movies. Here are some good movies based on true stories. But be sure to check with your parents before getting them from the library or video store.

A League of Their Own

(PG; 1992; kids 12 and older)

The movie takes place during World War II, when women played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The all-female league was started because so many ball players were off serving in the war. Sometimes the action in sports movies can be real phony. But the actresses who play the Rockford Peaches in "A League of Their Own" make the baseball games look like the real deal. Even Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell look like they can play. Add a fall-down funny performance by Tom Hanks as the Peaches' tough manager and "A League of Their Own" touches all the bases.

Searching for Bobby Fischer

(PG; 1993; all ages)

Okay, it's a stretch to call chess a sport. But competition is the heart of sports, and this video is all about tough competition. Max Pomeranc stars as Josh Waitzkin, a real-life 7-year-old chess whiz. His amazing ability at the ancient game gets him caught up in the crazy world of high-stakes chess. There are the super-intense teachers, the over-the-top parents and even the chess bums in the park. At times it seems that only the kids are keeping their cool and that makes this a cool movie for kids.

Cool Runnings

(PG; 1993; all ages)

My 12-year-old daughter and her friends really like this one. In 1988, the sunny island of Jamaica sent a bobsled team to the Winter Olympics in Canada. The movie captures the craziness of the bobsledders' dream. It shows them practicing in their makeshift bobsled on dry land and getting to Canada without any experience on ice -- or even winter jackets. The movie gets silly at times, but you never forget that it's based on a remarkable real-life story.

Remember the Titans

(PG; 2000; kids 10 and older)

This one has plenty of football action and some great songs. "Titans" is based on local history: the integration of the football team at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Denzel Washington and Will Patton play coaches who turn two groups of feuding football players (one white and one black) into true champions. In time, the team teaches the town something about how everyone can work together.

Hoosiers

(PG; 1986; kids 10 and older)

A gutsy little Indiana high school is trying to win the state basketball championship in 1952. "Hoosiers" captures the heart of high school hoops in the Midwest -- farm boys coming together as a team, all the people in the town coming out to see the boys play, and the long line of headlights moving across the dark flatlands to another town and another game. But the best part is the action. The tight games, bad calls and buzzer baskets are thrilling to watch. (Some parts of the movie are pretty serious. One player has an alcoholic father. He's actually a good character, but he does drink too much.)

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company