Big Soda & Popcorn – (March 24, 2009)

POWER RANKINGS – UNDERDOG STORIES

            With the 2009 NCAA Tournament underway and the Cinderellas fighting the clock, wouldn’t it be nice to give them another dose of hope?  These are the teams that make March what it is.  The teams we know nothing about, but root for relentlessly to take down the Goliaths.  The doe-eyed kids who seemingly forget their rightful place in the basketball universe. 

            It’s one of the few yearly sporting events where critics, commentators and analysts don’t take anything away from the lesser-known victor.  Unlike the MLB Playoffs, the system isn’t conducive to determining the “best” team.  There are no second chances—just ask anyone who lost to George Mason in 2006 or God Shammgod’s Providence in 1997.  Unlike the Super Bowl, few people care about who “should have” won and why they didn’t.  When we talk about the 1985 tournament, all we care about is Villanova’s impressive run, not Georgetown’s regular season dominance.  It’s just not the kind of thing the tournament cares about.

            So, in honor of these inspirational lesser-thans, I’m offering up my top underdog stories.  These movies are the cinematic embodiment of the feel-good stories we look forward to every spring.  Just ask Wake Forest, because Cleveland State was obviously paying attention.

 

 

12.  The Mighty Ducks (1992)

 The film that spawned a long line of underdog sports films for kids, The Mighty Ducks initiated a formulaic approach to a familiar storyline.  If you don’t believe me, just think about it: a talented, good-looking kid, reluctant to be a star; a fat kid for comedic relief; the nerdy kid who’s just happy to be part of the team; and the hard-nosed coach who must undergo a lifestyle change in order to relate to his ragtag team of misfits.  If you haven’t seen that formula before, you’re probably Amish.

 

11.  The Bad News Bears (1976)

 Buttermaker!!!  This is the story of an alcoholic has-been trying to teach baseball—a game he once loved—to a bunch of screw-ups who couldn’t care less.  Nobody was cooler in 1976 than the cigarette-puffing, dirt bike shredding Kelly Leak.

 

10.  Little Giants (1994)

 Otherwise known as the “Ozzie Canseco Story,” Little Giants revolves around the competition that exists between a former sports superstar and his less successful, but uber-lovable younger brother.  No matter how much you may have wanted Devon Sawa to die in Final Destination, you’ve got to love his ability to throw toilet paper rolls into a shopping cart.

 

9.  Cool Runnings (1993)

 Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!  Try not to cry when the Jamaicans carry their rickety bobsled across the finish line and all their former doubters do the requisite slow clap.  I dare you.

 

8.  Angels in the Outfield (1999)

It’s a little known fact that Big Soda wrote a 20-page paper about Disney’s portrayal of religious symbols in Angels in the Outfield.  There was more than one underdog in this film, with not only the team on the field, but also young Roger, the unloved foster child who sees angels.  Who’s your favorite Angel player: Matthew McConaughey, Adrien Brody or Tony Danza?

7.  Major League (1989)

 Can you believe it only cost $11 million to make this movie?!?  What an all-star cast: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Wesley Snipes, and President David Palmer (err, I mean, Dennis Haysbert).  I can’t tell you how many times I yelled “DORN!” during co-ed softball this season.

 

6.  Chariots of Fire (1981)

 I assume that this is the one movie on the list that most people haven’t seen.  For those that haven’t, it’s the story of British runners training for the 1924 Olympics.  The theme song is probably the most famous aspect of the film.  To prove it (and to keep up my string of Kel Mitchell references), the song from the opening credits was even used in a scene from Good Burger, where the dynamic duo delivers a burger to none other than Shaquille O’Neal.

 

5.  Seabiscuit (2003)

 Sure, a horse’s heart is technically 16 times larger than a human’s, but Seabiscuit’s was 100 times bigger.  In a sport where bigger, faster, and stronger are the only criteria, Seabiscuit was the most unlikely of all champions.  For a horse that everyone said was too small to compete, Horse of the Year should have been an impossible achievement.

 

4.  Rudy (1993)

 Don’t let the fact that the real Rudy Ruettiger bums around bars in South Bend, using his “celebrity” to score free drinks between speaking engagements at grade schools, sway your opinion of this film.  Also, don’t let the fact that barely anyone in the stadium knew who he was convince you that the “Rudy” chant was embellished for the sake of filmmaking.  Just take the movie for what it is, and try to forget that a hobbit could make the Notre Dame football team.

 

3.  Hoosiers (1986)

 Which character is more inspirational: Jimmy Chitwood, the sheltered, quiet sharpshooter; Ollie MacFarlane, Hickory’s team manager who saves the day by sinking two game-saving free throws; or Wilbur “Shooter” Flatch, the town drunk who overcomes his addiction to become a vital part of the team’s success? 

 

2.  Rocky (1976)

For a man who can barely speak the English language, Sly Stallone wrote one hell of a movie.  This film is proof that you don’t always have to win to be a champion—just go the distance, fool.

 

1.  The Karate Kid (1984)

 What’s better than an undersized new-kid-in-town, learning karate through everyday chores from an Asian man with whom he shares subtle homoerotic tensions?  Daniel LaRusso kicking the crap out of the Cobra Kai Dojo to the tune of “You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito.  “Get him a body bag!  Yeeeeaaaaah!”

 

 

*** Questions? Comments? Hate mail? Nude photos? Big Soda can be reached at bigsoda@themixtapemonster.com***

Lawson’s Sick Nasty Killer Crossover

Sooooooo sick right there. So sick.

Rick Fox Upsets #1 Oklahoma

I know I’ve posted this before, but not this version with the interview after it. 1990. The Heels upset number 1 Oklahoma in the second round. Rick “Pretty Boy” Fox with the jumper.

GO HEELS! TOURNEY STARTS TODAY!!!

Where You At Wednesday : Bryce Drew and Tyus Edney

Both of these clips still give me chills. Awesome Plays.

Most of you have probably seen these a million times. Bryce Drew’s shot for Valpo over Missisippi is one of the most played highlights this time of the year. What a play though! At Broughton, we ran this play. Every day at the end of practice, we did this play several times, just in case, just to prepare for this type of situation. That situation never came. We always practiced the play with 3 different people as Bryce Drew and I was one of the 3 “sharp shooters” on the team chosen in this play. Always dreamed that I would get a chance to pull it off, but like I said, all season that year we were never in that position. Some might not see it, but this play is all about the pass. Both passes actually. It’s a play more based on timing than anything. The inbounder has to hit the first dude in stride so he can hit the shooter in stride. If I got a good pass in practice, I would nail the shot. Dah well. Anyways, what is Bryce Drew up to these days? Well, when he hit the shot, his Dad was the coach, and I believe his Dad still is. Bryce is an “associate coach” at Valpo now. Not sure how that differs from an assistant, but whatevs. (Interesting extra fact, Scott Drew, the brother of Bryce, is coach at Baylor).

The Tyus Edney 4.8 second dash against Missouri is important because UCLA went on to win the title that year. It seems like every year, whoever wins the title has at least 1 scare. Rip Hamilton had to bail out Uconn the year they won. There was a close call for the Heels against Villanova in 2005. Tyus Edney came through huge here. Sick clip, but I like the other angle from the opposite baseline that they sometimes show. What’s Tyus up to these days? Well, after college, Tyus played a couple of years in the league with the Kings and Celtics before going to the Euroleague. He led his team in 1999 to the Euroleague title (and got the MVP award). Also got MVP of the Italian Cup in 2003.  He currently plays for PGE Turów Zgorzelec in Poland.

Quick Impressions from the Mixtape Monster on March Madness

Well March Madness is here, and the brackets are now out. I’ll be guest blogging via The Good Look Newsletter for those of you who subscribe to that on some of my picks (if you aren’t a subscriber, go peep http://www.thegoodlook.net and check it out). Many a people have been asking me on my first impressions of the bracket. I have NOT filled out my bracket yet, so take these observations with the grain of salt which they are given.

For those of you who follow The Mixtape Monster Blog on Twitter , you probably saw me tweetin’ up a storm during the selection show about some of my impressions. In fact, I dropped so many of them, @BigSoda might have un-deviced a player’s updates. Hopefully not though.

Anyhow, some impressions:

• I am happy with UNC’s draw. Sure, Oklahoma is the 2 and Syracuse the 3, but overall I don’t think we have the hardest road to the Final Four out of all the number 1 seeds (which I felt we did have last year), so that’s a good thing. As is opening in Greensboro.
• The Boston College – USC matchup in the first round is going to be a GREAT game.
• I’m a little nervous for FSU against Wisconsin, though I think FSU is a clearly better team
• People need to be quiet about Penn State. They didn’t deserve to get in. How the Big Ten got 7 teams anyway is already beyond me.
• VERY intrigued by a possible Wake – Arizona matchup in the second round. Same for Texas – Dook.
• Clemson – Oklahoma could be another barn burner in the second round
• Everyone (even some random guy on Twitter) keeps telling me Missouri is for real. Still not sure if I buy it, and I don’t know why.
• VCU over UCLA in round one…..I MIGHT be picking that upset. Maynor is a beast, UCLA has disappointed all year

Remember, these are just quick impressions. Haven’t filled out my bracket yet, might let y’all in on some of those secrets when I do…but probably not.

One thing I can assure you of though….I’m picking the HEELS all the way, baby! No surprise there.

Your quick thoughts?

Big Soda & Popcorn (March 13, 2009) – March Madness Movie Guide (DOUBLE FEATURE!)

THE ULTIMATE MARCH MADNESS GUIDE TO BASKETBALL FILMS

Ahhh yea…it’s Big Soda’s favorite time of the year. My Tar Heels just won the ACC Regular Season Championship.  NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday is this weekend.  And I’ve got a birthday coming up if anyone wants to buy me tickets.  Needless to say, I’ll be like a hyperactive child loose in FAO Schwartz for the next month.  So, until the NCAA Championship is wrapped up, you’ll be getting nothing but basketball-related Big Soda & Popcorn articles from me.

Earlier this week, I was trying to decide what the all-time classic round-ball movies are for each level of the game—high school, college, professional, street ball, and yes, even Globetrotters.  Well I did it, and I’m gonna share them with you, along with a movie I think you should check out if you haven’t already, one you can completely avoid if you desire, and a quality documentary to top it all off.

High School:

Classic:  Hoosiers (1985)

High school sports live for the David and Goliath story.  Just ask Jason McElwain.  Arguably the greatest basketball film of all time, the story of Hickory High School’s undersized and underestimated team has it all.  Team member with rocky parental relationship?  Check.  Down-on-his-luck coach with a questionable past?  Absolutely.  Reluctant star athlete with an over-protective family member?  Jimmy Chitwood was the original “Next Jordan.”  Physically- and athletically-superior opponent to overcome for the championship?  That South Bend Central team could probably beat this year’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

Check It:  The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend (1991)

At age eight, I think I watched this movie every single day.  I’d watch about 30 minutes, then go play ball for an hour, then do it all over again.  The movie tells the story of “Pistol” Pete Maravich, focusing on the 1959 season, where Pete made the varsity team as an eighth grader.  As far as memorable basketball personalities go, the Pistol is at the top of my list.  His style and flare changed the game in many ways.

Leave It:  Coach Carter (2005)

As much as I love Samuel L. Jackson yelling at me for a couple hours (not at all), you won’t be missing anything if you haven’t seen this gem yet.

Documentary: Hoop Dreams (1994)

One of the more critically-acclaimed films on this list, Hoop Dreams tells the story of two inner-city Chicago youths hoping to overcome their circumstances and make a career out of playing ball.  Touching on a number of sociological issues, including race and class, the film covers a span of five years, along with all the ups and downs the young men experience.

College:

Classic:  Blue Chips (1994)

The movie poster says all you need to know….”NOLTE – SHAQ.”  Pretty good basketball scenes thanks to Shaq and Penny Hardaway, plus a ton of great cameos (Bobby Knight, Larry Bird, Jerry Tarkanian, Robert Wuhl and Bob Cousy).  Written by the same guy who penned Bull Durham, Tin Cup, The Great White Hype, Cobb, White Men Can’t Jump, and sadly, Hollywood Homicide.  Does anyone else get the feeling that Rick Pitino is as annoying in person as he is during this scene?

Check It: City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal (1998)

This HBO documentary tells the story of college basketball’s first known point-shaving scandal.  CCNY came into the 1951 season as the defending NCAA and NIT champions, but four players got caught up in an illicit gambling ring, run by New York organized crime.  The scandal involved players from six other schools, including Adolph Rupp’s 1951 NCAA champions from the University of Kentucky.  In my eyes, UNC just got one national championship closer to the Wildcats.

Leave It: Harvard Man (2001)

Poor Ray Allen.  How did he get caught up in this mess?  Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a cheerleader from Boston College who gets her Harvard point guard boyfriend (Adrian Grenier) involved with her mob-boss father’s gambling ring.  Even for the Ivy League, Grenier isn’t athletic enough to pull this off.

Documentary:  Skywalker: The David Thompson Story (2004)

One of the greatest college players of all time deserves a great documentary.  I can’t stress enough how ridiculously talented David Thompson was.  Michael Jordan credits Thompson with sparking the public’s interest in a player’s vertical leaping ability.  When watching Skywalker highlights, keep in mind that he played in an era where the dunk was outlawed.  What a waste.

Professional:

Classic:  Space Jam (1996)

I’m calling this a “professional basketball” movie for a few reasons: (1) there really aren’t very many pro basketball movies, (2) I’m not prepared to put Semi-Pro in this spot yet, and (3) you could form a dynamite all-star team with the NBA players who make appearances.  In honor of the Mixtape Monster, I threw in this clip of the Monstars getting nasty on the toon squad.

Check It: Slam Dunk Ernest (1995)

Don’t look at me like that.  This movie is beyond ridiculous.  Ernest receives a pair of magical shoes from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and then he…you know what, just watch the clip.

Leave It:  The Cookout (2004)

One of the characters in this movie called it the story of the “Black Beverly Hillbillies.”  When fictional player Todd Anderson signs a $30 million contract with the New Jersey Nets, he decides to throw a family cookout.  Watch as the kooky characters and hanger-ons (including Ja Rule) come out of the woodwork to take advantage of his newfound fame and fortune.  As offensively stereotypical as anything Tyler Perry has done.

Documentary: Michael Jordan to the Max (2000)

A film dedicated to the true GOAT, Michael Jordan to the Max focuses on the Bulls’ 1998 championship season.  I remember seeing this in IMAX back when it came out, but it’s equally enrapturing on the small screen.

Street Ball:

Classic:  He Got Game (1998)

Timeless Spike Lee Joint about a convicted criminal (Denzel Washington) trying to reconnect with his superstar son (Ray Allen).  The basketball scenes are good, even with Denzel’s janked-up shot form.  Ray Allen manages to hold his own.

Check It:  Rebound (1996)

No, no, not the Martin Lawrence kids’ movie, but rather the story of Earl “The Goat” Manigault, a Harlem playground legend who lost his chance at stardom because of drug addiction.  Don Cheadle isn’t the most athletic actor, but manages to pull it off.  I tell people about his movie all the time because I watch it every other month or so.

Leave It:  Like Mike 2: Streetball (2006)

Here is an actual quote I found about this movie: “Jascha Washington, taking over from rapper Bow Wow, is likable and the new story is actually more believable than the original.”  Seriously?!?  A story about a second young boy finding a magical pair of shoes that belonged to Michael Jordan is more believable than the story about the first boy who found a magical pair of shoes that belonged to Michael Jordan?  Maybe it’s because this one co-stars Kel Mitchell (I found him!) as a bumbling ballplayer.

Documentary:  On Hallowed Ground: Streetball Champions of Rucker Park (2000)

TNT documentary about the world-famous Rucker Park and the countless legends that have played there.  The film follows the team sponsored by Bad Boy Records at the renowned Entertainer’s Basketball Classic.

Globetrotters:

Classic:  Go, Man, Go! (1954)

This film tells the story of the Harlem Globetrotters, from their creation in 1927 until they began playing outgunned all-white teams like the Washington Generals in 1953.  Sidney Poitier plays an assistant coach.

Check It:  Scooby-Doo Meets the Globetrotters (1972)

Classic basketball entertainers meet classic American Saturday-morning cartoon.  Just ignore the firestorm of criticism these short movies receive from dedicated viewers.  You don’t wanna be like those people anyway.

Leave It:  Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island (1981)

Do you really need to see the Globetrotters defeat a team of basketball robots in order to save a group of hapless castaways?  I didn’t think so.  Chick Hearn makes an appearance at least.

Documentary:  The Harlem Globetrotters: The Team That Changed the World (2005)

Another must-see documentary.  This film sports a gaudy list of celebrity interviews that touts Bill Cosby, Barack Obama, Chuck D., Bill Bradley, and Henry Kissinger.  HENRY KISSINGER!  He’s an honorary Globetrotter.  Knowledge is power.

***Questions? Suggestions? Hate mail? Big Soda can be reached at bigsoda@themixtapemonster.com***