Favorites: FOOTBALL MOVIES

As I, like millions of football fans around the world, finish their my preparations for this year's Super Bowl between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, I started to think about the best football movies that I've had the opportunity to watch. There have been a slew of them over the years, many of which have become ingrained into our collective public consciousness. While sports films have always been a little hit-and-miss, something about football-centric films finds a way to strike home with audiences more so than most other sports, save only boxing. So, in recognition of today being the biggest day in the football year, I thought I'd bring you my list of my favorite football movies. I've managed to list my top five, and I've thrown in a few videos that give a sense of each film's overall tone. I hope you enjoy this list, and I hope everyone has a safe and fun afternoon and evening watching the big game!

5. We Are Marshall
2006
Directed by: McG
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie, David Strathairn, Ian McShane, Kate Mara


*****

4. The Waterboy
1998
Directed by: Frank Coraci
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Fairuza Balk, Henry Winkler, Jerry Reed


*****

3. Friday Night Lights
2004
Directed by: Peter Berg
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez, Garrett Hedlund, Tim McGraw


*****

2. Rudy
1993
Directed by: David Anspaugh
Starring: Sean Astin, Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, Robert Prosky, Jason Miller


*****

1. Remember the Titans
2000
Directed by: Boaz Yakin
Starring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Hayden Panettiere

Happy Birthday, Denzel Washington!

Today, we're celebrating the 57th birthday of two-time Academy Award-winning actor, Denzel Washington. He got his acting start with an uncredited role in 1974's Death Wish but didn't make his first real splash until 1986's Power. He worked periodically throughout the 1980s, but it wasn't until 1989 that he crashed his way into the collective public consciousness after winning his first Oscar for his supporting performance in Glory. From there, Washington landed roles in some big-time early 1990s films like Malcolm X (1992), The Pelican Brief (1993), Philadelphia (1993) and Crimson Tide (1995). After a bit of a break, Washington came back strong with performances in 1999's The Hurricane and 2000's Remember the Titans, and he nabbed his second Oscar win for his leading role in 2001's Training Day. Denzel has continued to work periodically since the turn of the millennium, and in his entire career, he's managed a total of five Oscar nominations with the two aforementioned wins. Most recently, audiences have seen him in 2010's Unstoppable, and they'll next be able to see him in 2012's Safe Room and Flight. So, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite Denzel performances. I hope you enjoy the videos! Once again, happy birthday, Denzel Washington!

5. Detective Keith Frazier
Inside Man (2006)


*****

4. Frank Lucas
American Gangster (2007)


*****

3. Pvt. Trip
Glory (1989)


*****

2. Coach Herman Boone
Remember the Titans (2000)


*****

1. Det. Alonzo Harris
Training Day (2001)