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Cinematic Underdogs

Cinematic Underdogs

By Paul Keelan / Jordan Puga

Cinematic Underdogs is a joyful, intellectual, and nostalgic look at sports movies of all forms, shapes, and sizes. Hosted by Jordan Puga and Paul Keelan, this overlooked genre is re-evaluated with the sincerity that it deserves.
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1. Cinematic Underdogs - Introductory Podcast

Cinematic UnderdogsMay 26, 2020

00:00
50:41
109. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

109. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

It's Oscars season and so we're back with Matt Belenky to spar with a Best Picture winner: Million Dollar Baby. Starring and directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Paul Haggis a year before he penned yet another Best Picture Winner in Crash, this pugilistic take on euthanasia is a classic tearjerker. It is also a mixed punching bag: filled with melodramatic fetishization of the southern bumpkin archetype, brilliant cinematography, a florid narration by none other than Morgan Freeman (channeling strong Shawshank Redemption vibes), and a plucky Best Actress performance (earned or not) by the always endearing (if not a little cloying) Hilary Swank (to be fair, everyone in this is a maudlin caricature, to degrees). Though nowhere near as bad as we make it out to be (one might say it's more appropriately "between nowhere and goodbye"), Million Dollar Baby received a good old-fashioned beatdown on this episode. If you're in the mood for some Academy Award-adjacent schadenfreude, you've come to the right place. Enjoy!!!


Mar 04, 202401:15:53
108. The Underdoggs

108. The Underdoggs

We're back to the basics this week, covering Charles Stone III's "The Underdoggs," starring Snoop Dog, Mike Epps, and George Lopez. This is a film we've been barking for: a kids' centered sports movie in the vein of The Might Ducks, Little Giants, or The Big Green, only raunchier. Filled with direct callbacks to each of movies (including a scene where a Hummer arrives on the football field just as Emilio Estevez infamously had his limo driver park on the ice, an Annexation of Puerto Rico-inspired trick play, and an asthmatic kid with an overbearing, neurotic mom a la the nose-bubble dweeb in Little Giants), The Underdoggs fills like a giant homage to his 90s predecessors.

For what this 90-minute comedy offers, we found it a success. As most know, boys are a puerile bunch. They curse, they say dirty jokes, they're rowdy. The Underdoggs leans into this reality, and it does so with winks that let us know that the kids sports movies we grew up loving still have a niche place in the culture today. Sure, the dramatic beats and attempts at poignancy feel rushed and hasty (lost in the glib pastiche of surface sentiment and elision by way of meta winks), but The Underdoggs' rehashes the tropes and archetypes we know so well at the same time, reviving this little subgenre with blunts, runts, and unfiltered glee.

Enjoy!

Feb 25, 202401:01:45
107. Ferrari w/ Bilge Ebiri

107. Ferrari w/ Bilge Ebiri

Bilge Ebiri joins the pod to talk Michael Mann's Ferarri! We chat about the film's multidimensional themes, its subtle subversion of conventional sports tropes, and the powerful way its irreconcilable conflicts and philosophical tensions linger long after the initial viewing. We also discuss Bilge's Top 5 Sports Movies and the state of the genre. *A preemptive apologies for the mixed vocal quality. There was a mic issue that caused a postproduction headache.*
Enjoy!
Feb 16, 202402:11:18
106. Beckham (2023)

106. Beckham (2023)

On this episode, Chad Lott of Scary Thoughts Podcast joins us to talk about the Netflix documentary Beckham. We chat about Brit fashion, culture's uncouth obsession with exhuming salacious details on celebrity affairs, and the remarkable resilience of Posh and Becks, both on and off the pitch.

Enjoy!

Feb 04, 202401:31:37
105. Messi Meets America

105. Messi Meets America

Gene Lyons of Shat the Movies joins the pod to talk about Apple TV's bingeable MLS puff-piece Messi Meets America! We also chat about the differences between the USL and MLS, the amazing championship run of the Phoenix Rising, the origins of Shat the Movies, Messi's GOAT-qualities, Gene's Top 5 Sports Movies, and much, much more!


Enjoy!

Jan 23, 202401:26:53
104. Gran Turismo

104. Gran Turismo

On the latest episode of Cinematic Underdogs, we chat about Gran Turismo, Neill Blomkamp's rousing, kinetic, feel-good hit racing flick released at the tail end of the summer box office rush in 2023. Much more than a video game IP-grab, Gran Turismo is an unbelievable true story about a young SIM-racer, Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), who is chosen to compete at an academy and become a real-life racer.

Much like Yann's transition from simulation gaming to actual racing, Blomkamp showcases his versatility, adapting a screenplay that is packed with heartwarming albeit cliche sports tropes and mainstream beats. Glossy and tidily packaged, the film uses platitudes to achieve an high-octane pacing that hits a lot of beloved sports movie beats.

All the actors are on their A-game. David Harbour plays a has-been racer turned mechanic who begrudgingly plays a mentor with a tough outer shell that slowly melts away. Orlando Bloom plays Danny Moore, an entrepreneurial maverick who concepts a madcap marketing ploy to turn SIM-racing GT gamers into professional racers. Geri Halliwell (yes, of the Spice Girls) plays a supportive mother who cooks lentils. Djimon Hounsou plays a blue-collar ex-soccer playing father who worries about Jann's future and chides his son for excessively gaming.

Mixing tragedy with inspirational zeal, and commenting on the symbiotic nature of digital/virtual SIM-racing and physical/analog race car driving, Gran Turismo has enough heart and subtext to satisfy one's emotional and intellectual needs. It's narrative is filled with spoon-fed exposition to maximize mass-appeal and some of the story beats are predictable and manipulatively rearranged, but overall it does the trick, creating a film that entertains and motivates in equal measure.

Enjoy our episode as Mikey from Screen Nerds Pod joins us to celebrate and champion this underdog of a movie (which is now streaming on Netflix!).

Jan 15, 202401:27:25
103. Jack Frost & Sports Christmas Movies

103. Jack Frost & Sports Christmas Movies

On this very festive Christmas special, we debate whether Jack Frost (1998) could be categorized within the sports movie genre, celebrate the phony performances by Henry Rollins and Michael Keaton, recite Roger Ebert's iconic/scathing review of the Jim Henson's snowman suit, and discuss the entire canon of holiday-centered sports films (A Christmas Fumble, A Wrestling Christmas Miracle, and A Karate Christmas Miracle pretty much sum up the extent of this paltry subgenre). We also each handpick a yuletide-sports films to cover in the future, and determine which film we'd see in theaters the weekend of Jack Frost's release, on December 11th 1998.


Dec 23, 202301:16:52
102. The 100 Foot Wave (Season 2)

102. The 100 Foot Wave (Season 2)

The 100 Foot Wave is truly must-watch TV for anyone who appreciated big wave surfing. Following Garrett McNamara and his lifelong quest to catch the world’s biggest wave, the 1st season tracked his dual romantic elopements—both to his wife, Nicole, and to Nazaré, a small Portuguese port town where he stumbles upon an undiscovered swell of mythic proportions. 

Season 2 picks up in the decline of Garrett’s dominance, chronicling his transition to family life and his maturation into a mentor figure. It also tracks the monstrous swell created by Hurricane Epsilon, the ramifications of COVID-19 on surfing, and the emerging big-wave parvenu, an endearing cast of relatable characters: Andrew "Cotty" Cotton, Justine Dupont, Antonio Laureano, Michelle Bouillons, Kai Lenny, CJ Macias, Lucas “Chumbo," and more. This niche community of big wave surfers is inspiring and likable, conquering extraordinary feats on the surf board with stupefying temerity and tenacity.

This episode, covering the 2nd season of HBO’s Emmy-winning docuseries The 100 Foot Wave has sat in the vault for quite some time. We were hoping to record the 1st season and release it first, however, fate keeps interrupting those plans, so the time has come to finally let this ride free (before the box office talk that kicks off the episode feels too outdated).

Thus, without further ado, the time has arrived for us to let this totally rad conversation hang ten. Join Michael Burgett of Screen Nerds Podcast and I (Paul Keelan) as we work backwards from the sophomore season, waxing awestruck about our amazing watching this gem of a show. And don’t fret: our episode on the sublime inaugural season will emerge when the oceans calm and the swell is ready.

Dec 15, 202301:45:05
101. Major League (1989) + Rookie of the Year (1993)

101. Major League (1989) + Rookie of the Year (1993)

For our hundred and first episode, we are back with the classics. Baseball classics to be precise! Join us as we discuss 1989’s hit sports comedy Major League and 1993’s hit kids’ sports film fantasy Rookie of the Year. We also talk about the disappearance of Pauly Shore, the growing fervor around 90s spy/thriller film revivalism, box office gems from the time of both releases and debate the merit and trickiness around deeming anything an instant classic. It's a long episode but you can split it into two distinct listens!


Dec 01, 202302:10:00
100. The Sports Movie Tropes Draft

100. The Sports Movie Tropes Draft

We made it! Our 100th episode is here, and we couldn’t be more stoked to share it with everyone. First and foremost, a huge shoutout to everyone who’s listened and appeared on our podcast over the last 99 episodes. We feel blessed to have met so many awesome people, enjoyed many fun recordings of memorable conversations, and received a ton of positive feedback along the way! 

We had an absolute blast recording our first Sports Movie Draft with an all-star cast of previous guests, which included Justin Khoo from Cows in the Field,  Justin Peterson from The Average Joe’s Movie Club Cast, Matt Belenky (film critic + frequent podcaster + producer), Don Shanahan of Cinephile Hissy Fit & Every Movie Has a Lesson, Michael Burgett of Screen Nerds Podcast, and of course, your two cuddly, charming, adorable underdogs, Jordan and Paul. 

In total, we drafted from eight categories: 

  1. Best Sports Biopic (About an individual athlete - not a team)
  2. Best Heel/Villian In a Sports Movie 
  3. Best Locker Room Speech In a Sports Movie
  4. Best Fictional Sports Announcer(s) in a Movie
  5. Best Soundtrack/Score In a Sports Movie
  6. Best Nickname or Character Name in a Sports Movie
  7. Best Futuristic Race, Game Show, or Sport Invented in a Movie
  8. Best Romance in a Sports Movie

Everyone's picks were amazing. Our conversation was even better! Now it is YOUR TURN TO VOTE!

So what are you waiting for? Listen to our 100th podcast episode, check out our draft board, and vote below (if you're on Spotify) for the draftee whose picks you dig the most! 

Oh, and thanks for listening! Cheers to the next 100! Woof, woof!

Nov 15, 202301:59:60
99. The Fan (1996) & Two for the Money (2005)

99. The Fan (1996) & Two for the Money (2005)

Matt Belenky joins us for a double feature as we discuss Tony Scott's "The Fan" and D.J. Caruso's "Two for the Money". We talk the decline (or not) of "hack" studio directors, Robert De Niro's unhinged portrayal of a psychopath in "The Fan," and Al Pacino's twilight years as a leading man, among many other box office topics.


Enjoy!

Nov 03, 202302:00:54
98. Untold: Swamp Kings

98. Untold: Swamp Kings

We finish out our football season with another docuseries, jumping back into the world of Untold with Swamp Kings. On this episode, we talk abut what makes college football uniquely special, why this documentary is wrongly maligned, and why it is fairly criticized. In terms of leaving out the dirt on Urban Meyer and his Florida Gators, this four-part series is a head-scratcher — omitting the juicy, salacious controversies one is ostensibly expecting to see. But in doing so, we get another intriguing tale of militant style training camps and college football sincerity. For the Meyer and Tebow hates, this is pure hagiography, and it is. But for those more neutral to the players and subjects of this series, this is a raw look into what it takes — psychologically and physically — to be a powerhouse college football team. 

Oct 10, 202350:17
97. Hard Knocks: Training Camp w/ NY Jets (2023)

97. Hard Knocks: Training Camp w/ NY Jets (2023)

We are still in the thick of football season and back with an episode on Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets, or The Aaron Rodgers Show as we called it. Hear us discuss our likes, dislikes, and takeaways from this season. Next episode — and our final pigskin themed docuseries for the kickoff of football season — will be Untold: Swamp Kings.

Please share, rate our pod, and share some more! Enjoy!


Sep 30, 202356:35
96. Quarterback (2023)

96. Quarterback (2023)

On this episode, we continue with our (un)cinematic streak of sports-themed streaming docuseries. This time, we’re talking Netflix’s Quarterback (2023), produced by none other than Peyton Manning and featuring 3 of QB’s at very different junctures of their career: Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota. Justin Peterson of the Average Joe’s Movie Club Cast joins us discuss their work ethic, weekly regimen, off-the-field personalities, legacies, pregame preparations, football IQ, perseverance, in-the-pocket ingenuity, and behind-the-snap theatrics. It was a magically “scripted” season and Quarterback captures all of the fun, striking gold by picking arguably the most entertaining in-season QB (Cousins) and then chronicling one of the most impressively gutsy playoff runs of all time with Mahomes unflappable quest to hoist the Lombardi trophy. 

Sep 19, 202301:35:25
95. American Gladiators: Muscles & Mayhem vs. 30 for 30

95. American Gladiators: Muscles & Mayhem vs. 30 for 30

On this episode, we compare and contrast two docuseries on American Gladiators released in 2023: Muscles and Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators (Netflix) and The American Gladiators Documentary (ESPN/30 for 30). American Gladiators was always one of our favorite TV programs from childhood and we had a blast recounting our memories of the toys, the ‘roided up gladiators, the madcap fun of 90s Trash TV, the exploits of the athletes bodies for meager pay, the scab-like underpinnings of the series (which gets aired every time there’s a picket-line), and the dubiously murky origins of this gaudy, ostentatious product of pop entertainment. Enjoy!

Aug 31, 202301:47:52
94. Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child

94. Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child

On this episode, we talk about the rise of Jake Paul in the ring. From a YouTube hellion and obnoxious Influencer to a boxing star, Jake Paul has become one of the truly improbable sports transformations of the 21st century. He may be polarizing and milage varies greatly on his likability. But as a celebrity committed to a sudden calling after a quarter life crises and cultural cancellation, Jake Paul is a pretty remarkable figure, who has only proved himself time and time again as a formidable contender against a ragtag albeit talented group of ex-MMA fighters and seasoned athletes. 

Is this a puff piece? If the ubiquity of Prime drinks is any indication, the Paul brothers’ trademark self-mythology and promotional acuity is all over this thing. And there’s no doubt the Jake Paul has some warranted behind-the-scenes stains on his past — along with some overblown controversies. He’s played the heel, the villain, the antihero, and the problem child for years, making a killing out of marketing himself as the person people want to see being pummeled in the ring. What’s crazy is that the opposite happens, repeatedly, putting the likes of Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, the Fury family, and Dana White on blast as they’re forced to chew their words, eat crow, and watch in awe. 

Whether you’re frothing at the bit to see where Paul’s boxing career goes next or prefer to hate watch one of Influencer culture’s prime public enemies, there’s no denying that the entertainment factor is off-the-charts. He may be a douchebag, a shameless self-marketer, a chauvinist, or whatever, but he’s also chosen a wise venue to pursue: a space of pugilistic primality where one’s moral shortcomings and social pretenses are stripped away by the savage ferocity of sparring and spectacle. Carrying the dying sport of boxing on his bulky tattooed back, Jake Paul is a bleach-haired pug with a rabid will to power. He’s as American, for better and worse, as an acidic apple pie smashed straight to the jugular. 

Aug 25, 202349:44
93. Untold: Johnny Football

93. Untold: Johnny Football

Untold: Johnny Football represents an iconic era of college football, and offers an astute examination of one of the most immature quarterbacks to ever win a Heisman Trophy, Johnny Manziel. An affable, perennial partier, Manziel was notorious for his off-the-field antics and partying. He played the game with the same freewheeling sense of intuition and exigency he seemed to live, transplanting his unhinged frat boy personality onto the field. He also transformed the Texas A&M program into a powerhouse over the course of a critical two year stint, pulled off a ridiculous heist to get drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft, and  became a mythic bust for the Cleveland Browns.

In the episode, we discuss Johnny’s wild shenanigans, the WTF moments of the documentary (his father faking a cardiac arrest, his friend planting a story about a false oil inheritance to deflect attention from under-the-table side hustles that violated the NCAA, his infamous bender in Vegas), and our letdown that the doc didn’t press Johnny harder with pointed, direct questions about his insane life of drugs, celebrities, and debauchery. For those who know nothing about Manziel, this is a great place to start. For those who’ve been fascinated by his mythic downfall, this is a bit too broad and breezy. Nonetheless, it’s a great conversation starter on one of the most stupefyingly immature yet likable athletes of the 21st century. 

Enjoy! 

Aug 18, 202352:31
92. Cinematic Underdogs Q&A

92. Cinematic Underdogs Q&A

A bonus episode consisting of two separate interviews of Jordan & Paul on The Average Joe's Movie Club Cast. We discuss or movie tastes, preferences, and habits. Enjoy!

Aug 11, 202301:21:05
91. SK8 the Infinity

91. SK8 the Infinity

This week, we return to the world of Manga adaptations & join our friend Matt St. Jack of Anime Talk! to chat SK8 the Infinity (you can watch it on Crunchy Roll!). In the episode, we discuss the series' nostalgic tone, ardent-hearted appreciation of skateboarding, controversies surrounding queer-baiting, technical/scientific descriptions of boarding, quirky biblical allusions, and notable popularity. Check it out!

Jul 28, 202301:18:51
90. Blackberry (2023) w/ Feelin' Film

90. Blackberry (2023) w/ Feelin' Film

We’re back with our friends Aaron & Patrick from Feelin’ Film to talk 2023’s underdog sleeper hit of the year, Blackberry: a riveting, fictionalized biopic detailing the rise & fall of the now-infamous phone. Equally funny and thrilling, Blackberry taps into the spirit of Fincher’s The Social Network or Boyle’s Steve Jobs. It is filled with amazing performances and panache—appropriating Nat Geo-style long-lenses (a stylistic riff stolen from D.A. Pennebaker’s The War Room), leaning into faux-documentary comedic beats (Christopher Guest films, The Office), celebrating the by-the-bootstraps/punk-rock ethos of indie filmmaking (Primer, Slacker, Clerks), and heavily stylizing itself with erratic camera shifts and short, snappy, WanderCam pans (which approximate a sense of eavesdropping on tense, anxiety-inducing affairs). It’s also a topical cautionary message about the dangers of unchecked greed and myopic business decisions, and in this way it resembles the recent slate of streaming mini-series documenting market-driven folly (The Dropout, WeCrashed, Fyre Fraud, etc.).  

Although it is only tangentially affiliated with sports (there is a fairly prominent side plot involving an attempt to purchase an NHL team), we felt like this would be a perfect companion piece to our conversation on Air. Both films track the origins of a culture-altering IP, showcasing the competitive ferocity of entrepreneurialism. Both films also examine the ways cutthroat business acumen, team camaraderie, rivaling companies, and creative playfulness clash, dictate, and shape the way technology and commerce operate. Yes, to call this a sports movie would be disingenuously lenient, even for our criminally lax standards. But sometimes it’s good to question genre boundaries, as trespassing outside stringent confines can help delineate and expand one's understanding of the immanent tropes, archetypes, leitmotifs, and structural parameters that can't be compromised.


Jul 14, 202301:26:42
89. Ted Lasso (Seasons 1-3)

89. Ted Lasso (Seasons 1-3)

In the wake of Ted Lasso's series' finale, we decided to talk about Apple TV's feel-good sports-themed sensation by covering the show's entire 3 seasons. Painting broadly, we discuss the recurring pattern of gradually inverting character traits & expectations, contextualize the aesthetic choices/references/silliness/garishness within the canon of classic sitcoms, analyze the pavlovian opening credit sequence, debate the subtle 2nd and 3rd season shift toward prestige TV runtimes and overtones, and proclaim our overarching verdict on whether it deserves to endure in infamy or posterity.

Jul 06, 202301:39:44
88. Netflix's Break Point (Season 1)

88. Netflix's Break Point (Season 1)

On this episode, Harry LaBollita returns to discuss Netflix's hit series Break Point. Helmed by the same team behind F1: Drive to Survive, Break Point chronicles the world's up-and-coming tennis stars as they prepare and compete on the international professional tennis circuit, including all four Grand Slams and ATP and WTP tournaments. In Season 1, the cast of characters includes Nick Kyrgios (a "bad boy" from the Land Down Under), Matteo Berrettini (an Italian stallion with high ambitions and an equally successful girlfriend, Ajla Tomljanovic) Taylor Fritz (a So-Cal native who overcomes injury to out Nadal in the Indian Wells championship), Paula Badosa (a Spanish model dealing with mental health issues), Ons Jabeur (a Tunisian standout representing an entire continent), and Felix Auger-Aliassime (a Montreal-based wunderkind who just might be the next great).

We focus on a few primary themes: namely, the emergence of mental health crises and the perils of neuroses in the sport. This leads us into a fascinating discussion about the inherent pressures of tennis, the grueling attrition of playing year-round on the pro circuit, the attrition of mental fortitude due to the overwhelming speed of the game, the isolated vulnerability of playing a singles tournament, and the relativistic medley of psychological approaches and philosophies deployed by the various teams in hopes of curbing negative thoughts before they spiral into destructive self-sabotage on the court. We also debate who we think might be the next poster child for tennis as the Big Three (Nadal, Federer, Djokovic) begin to retire or suffer from the law of diminishing returns with age.

Enjoy!

Jun 16, 202301:30:04
87. Nacho Libre (2006)

87. Nacho Libre (2006)

We're back and this time we brought both Justin & Laura Khoo of Cows in the Field on the pod to discuss the 2006 cult sports-comedy classic Nacho Libre. Little did we know that this movie holds a truly special place in the Khoo's hearts (you'll have to check out the episode to hear exactly why). In addition to anecdotal associations, we get down to the nitty-gritty on what makes this such an indelible movie. We chat about the artisanal needle drops, the meticulous costume design and visual craftsmanship, the unique tonal blend of childlike silliness (fart jokes) and hipster cleverness (including satirical jabs at Catholicism), the endlessly quotable one-liners, the hilariously off-putting accents, the comedic mastery of Jack Black's eyebrows and inflections, and the overall feel-good timelessness of this endearingly ridiculous tale about a monastic cook clandestinely pursuing a career as a Luchador to subsidize field trips for the orphans.

So go snatch some eagle eggs, nurture your mystical powers, and get ready to enjoy our conversational smackdown on everything there is to know about Nacho Libre. And always remember: It is fun to wrestle. A nice pile-drive to the face; or a punch to the face; but you cannot do it because it is in the Bible not to wrestle your neighbor.

Jun 02, 202301:28:06
86. Ready to Rumble (2002)

86. Ready to Rumble (2002)

What's up, Underdogs!? ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE!? Well, you better be because we're back, we're joined by Lou Moon, and we're diving headfirst into a raunchy sports comedy about the wonderful world of WCW wrestling. Yes, that's right: we're powerbombing 2000's puerile cult classic Ready to Rumble! This fatuously fun film is absolutely stacked. It stars David Arquette, Scott Caan, Oliver Platt, Joe Pantoliano, Martin Landau, and an ultra-hot Rose McGowan; it features epic, Slim Jim-inspired cameos from a horde of professional wrestlers (Goldberg, Booker T, Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Randy Savage, Sid Vicious, Bam Bam Bigelow, Rey Mysterio Jr., and of course, Michael Buffer); and it's written by the king of juvenilia/silly kid-skewing sports comedies, Steven Brill.

What are you waiting for? Grab those dusty spandex, queue up your entrance song, and join us as we perform a tag-team suplex on this hilariously dumb movie, which achieves something rare in Cinema, becoming the equivalent of mixing Red Bull & an Icee. No doubt, this thing is frozen in time - stuck in that strangely boyish space we knew as the late 90s/early 00s. It's one hell of a brain freeze: a serially ridiculous prepubescent buddy comedy with a shit-eating grin on its face. Why are you still reading this? Wipe that Cheshire grin away and get in the damn ring!

Enjoy!


May 20, 202301:33:28
85. Air (2023) - Feelin' Film Guest Appearance

85. Air (2023) - Feelin' Film Guest Appearance

On this bonus episode, your cinematic underdogs join Feelin' Film for a guest appearance discussion on the feel-good, 2023 dad-flick Air. Directed by Ben Affleck, written by Alex Convery, and starring Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, and Chris Tucker, Air is the highly-manipulated backstory of Nike's acquisition of the GOAT Michael Jordan. Giving MJ not only a licensing fee, but also a slice of the residual pie with royalties on each sale, Nike capitulated billions in potential profit to acquire a young, unproven NBA rookie. It was a daring gamble, but one that paid off handsomely as MJ went on to become one of the most lucrative sports figures and brand icons in history. Listen to us debate whether this is a sports movie, celebrate Affleck’s directorial consistency, and praise on of the underdog winners at the cineplex in 2023.
Apr 21, 202301:24:54
84. Field of Dreams (1989)

84. Field of Dreams (1989)

Jed Bookout joins us on this episode as we explore Phil Alden Robinson's 1989 paternalistic, cornfed, heartland classic Field of Dreams. We discuss the film's disquieting subtexts and alternative readings, grappling with multiple surrealistic and existential readings. We discuss its similarities and lack thereof to the filmography and sensibilities of Douglas Sirk & Frank Capra. We discuss whether the central conceit and deus ex-machina of the film -- the mysterious, uncredited voice -- is the remnants of a Berkeley acid trip, a biblical parable, or the summoning of a cult leader. We discuss whether the film would turn into a sinister horror movie if the James Horner score was removed. We discuss Kevin Costner's salt of the earth gravitas and onscreen persona. In fact, we discussed so much we ended up matching the official runtime of the movie.

Enjoy!

Apr 06, 202301:46:13
83. The Color of Money (1986)

83. The Color of Money (1986)

Marc Dottavio of Unwatchables joins us to discuss Martin Scorsese's 1986 The Color of Money. A legacy sequel to The Hustler, this pool-hall classic incorporates all of Scorcese's usual obsessions, stylistically and thematically, in very sly ways. The whip pans, snap zooms, time-lapse sequences, needle drops, and gritty mise-en-scene nicely complement the slow-burn tempo and 8-ball sequences, setting the tone for a cunning exploration of authenticity and integrity in life and sport alike.

Often overlooked in discussions surrounding the filmographies of Tom Cruise, Paul Newman, & Martin Scorsese, The Color of Money is a complex character study within a neorealist milieu. It is filmmaking that deserves to be celebrated as one of the best of its decade: both raw/unvarnished & filled with directorial flair, frigid & impassioned, literal & filled with subtextual layers (including a meta commentary on weaponizing the power of observation & acting).

We kick off the pod with a topical discussion on how we'd compare The Color of Money's 3 Academy Awards nominations (for Best Supporting Actress, Best Art/Production Design, & Best Adapted Screenplay) to the 2023 Oscar nominees (we recorded on the eve of the 95th Academy Awards ceremonies). It's an insightful conversation, illuminating the ways the zeitgeist and even the industry's definitions of these awards can evolve over time.

Enjoy!

Mar 24, 202301:43:58
82. Sudden Death (1995)

82. Sudden Death (1995)

Hello, fellow underdogs! We're back with Matt Belenky — film producer/film writer/film aficionado/Pittsburgh native — to discus one of the best Die Hard clone movies ever put to screen: Peter Hyams' 90's classic, Sudden Death. Matt recently celebrated Sudden Death's timeless charm and Pittsburghian ethos in the Pittsburgh Orbit article Terrorism in Overtime: Sudden Death Turns 25, and he fills us in on all the local details you'll want to hear: the casting of real-life Penguins broadcasting duo Mike Lange and Paul Steigerwald as themselves, the story being conceived by  Karen Elise Baldwin (daughter of then-Penguins owner Howard Baldwin, who produced the film), and the strange circumstances in which the hockey game was filmed during the NHL lockout.   

We also talk about how well the film marries action genre tropes with the sports genre tropes, the fast clip at which the deaths pile up and the plotting skates along, whether or not this is Jean-Claude Van Damme's best or most iconic role, the savvy inclusion of the props/backrooms/corridors/interstices of the now-demolished Civic Arena, the hilarious culinary-themed kills (i.e., the death of the Pens mascot, Iceburgh, in an industrial-sized dishwasher), and the stunningly shot stunt work/action set pieces (i.e., the helicopter crashing into the Jumbotron). Oh, and to break the ice, we have a blast breaking down the entire slate of box office releases in late December 1995 (Waiting to Exhale, Grumpier Old Men, Nixon, Dracula: Dead & Loving It, Balto, Four Rooms, Tom & Huck, Cutthroat Island, etc...) — with each of us picking the one movie we'd choose to see if we had only enough allowance to buy a single ticket on opening weekend. 

Enjoy!


Mar 10, 202301:36:26
81. Hustle (2022)

81. Hustle (2022)

On the latest episode, we go back to the basics and cover a newly released yet old-fashioned formulaic sports flick: Hustle. Released on Netflix in 2022, Hustle finds Adam Sandler in a groove. This film sits nicely between his prestige work in Uncut Gems and the juvenile sensibilities we've all become accustomed to expecting from the Happy Madison brand. It is packed full with NBA cameos and call-outs, and delivers its emotional and athletic beats with panache and intensity. 

For a feel-good and by-the-numbers underdog sports flick, Hustle is a winner. Enjoy our conversation as friend and NBA super-fan Juan joins in to chat this refreshing return of The Sandman to fine form as the film's lead Stanley Sugarman. Juan lends the episode a ton of insight on AND1 mixtapes and Anthony Edwards' sassy personality and the fun ways this film played with NBA icons' identities both on and off-the-court. 

It's a fun chat, if we say so ourselves! Thanks of listening! 

Feb 24, 202301:25:08
80. Hard Knocks in Season: The Arizona Cardinals (2022)

80. Hard Knocks in Season: The Arizona Cardinals (2022)

In anticipation of Super Bowl LVII, we're back with a follow up to our episode on Hard Knocks: Training Camp w/ The Detroit Lions, this time tackling Hard Knocks in Season: The Arizona Cardinals. This is easily our most sporty episode yet. As always, though, we transfer the narratives on the field into the world of celluloid dreams. Quite literally: To break the ice, we enumerate the stories and moments from the 2022-2023 NFL season we each think might one day translate fluidly to the silver screen. Purdy, Brady, Hamlin, & Wilson all make our cut (for very different hypothetical movie genres). Finally, after confabulating wild movie premises of our own, we dig into main event and discuss the AZ Cardinal's grueling, abysmal, train-wreck season, marred by motivational apathy, nonstop injuries, and serial underachievement.  

The lackluster display on the field turned so dour, in fact, it took its toll on HBO's show. Noting the gloomy moroseness of each successive episode, we end up in a caustic discussion over whether Hard Knocks in Season: The Arizona Cardinals might be best viewed as an unintentional workplace farce or a tragicomedy. On this line of thought, we have a grand old time nitpicking the depressing details and sporadic silver linings from the season, which include Kyler's conspicuous absence, Kingsbury's bro-chic MTV Cribs-style mansion, JJ's boyish enthusiasm and lovable personality, Budda's unflinching tenacity/affable sibling rivalry, Hopkin's resilient mother/artsy sensibility, and the endless carousal of random, washed-up QBs emerging in the starting lineup every week.  

If you're in the mood to listen to lots of football chatter with some heady thematic extrapolations, you've found the perfect tailgate background noise to toss onto the car radio. So open up a big bag of Lay's potato chips, throw back a few cold ones, and enjoy some goofy Pre-Game bantering before the Big Game!

Feb 15, 202301:30:38
79. Shaolin Soccer (2001) w/ Ashley Naftule

79. Shaolin Soccer (2001) w/ Ashley Naftule

We're back with a classic sports fusion film: Stephen Chow's Shaolin Soccer! Ashley Naftule (freelance writer, playwright at Space 55, Twitter humorist) joins us to celebrate the zany antics and devil-may-care CGI shenanigans of Hong Kong's slapstick king. It's a truly one-of-a-kind cinematic exercise, relocating Shaolin martial arts to the soccer pitch, and we have an absolute blast singing its praises and investigating its zany and somewhat taboo archetypal/gender dynamics.
Enjoy!
Jan 21, 202301:23:26
78. Captains (2022)

78. Captains (2022)

We're back and chatting Captains, yet another underrated Netflix docuseries. This 8-episode journey chronicles the heartbreaking lows and glorious highs of 7 international captains as they lead their country's squad through qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Mikey from Screen Nerds Podcast joins the conversation and we have a blast discussing the doc's diverse cast of characters and cultures. (Given a few vague references, it will be helpful to know this episode was recorded the same day Argentina knocked Croatia out of the World Cup in the semi-finals)

Following the chosen leaders of Vanuatu (Brian Kaltak), Lebanon (Hassan Maatouk), Brazil (Thiago Silva), Jamaica (Andre Blake), Gabon (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang), and Croatia (Luka Modric), Captains offers an intriguing investigation into the varied qualities that define leadership. It also provides an inspiring, in-depth look into the political and economic hardships endured by these resilient figures. Each captain had to overcome immense challenges on their rise to the world stage -- growing up as a refugee, a wartime expatriate, a poor kid in the favelas, an islander with minimal resources, etc. 

Each of these captains display an uncompromising love for the game and a gratitude to represent their country. They also lead in wildly different ways. We found the juxtaposition of their respective roles and personality traits to be existentially riveting, and highly recommend this series to anyone interested in not only the World Cup but sports psychology in general. We hope you enjoy our conversation. 

Jan 04, 202301:10:28
77. FIFA Uncovered (2022)

77. FIFA Uncovered (2022)

On this special bonus episode, Mikey from Screen Nerds Podcast  joins the pod to discuss the timely 2022 Netflix docuseries, FIFA Uncovered. Dropped just before the World Cup in Qatar, this sprawling doc exposes the decades of corruption (wire fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery) staining FIFA. For those who love true crime/in-depth investigative journalism, this might be right up your alley. 

Declared as the World Cup of fraud, the takedown of dozens of FIFA officials by the FBI stunned the world. FIFA Uncovered digs behind the scenes and gets to the bottom of these indictments. We hear from whistleblowers, former FIFA presidents, financial assistants, widowed spouses of incriminated officials, smarmy Qatari ambassadors, journalists/novelists who've covered this scandal, and countless other relevant individuals. The doc also takes a deep look into the use of the World Cup as an act of sports-washing and the way geopolitics and soccer/futbol politics clash behind closed doors. 

Our conversation even delves into the ethical hypocrisies and latent xenophobia surrounding the entire scandal and the western world's tantrum re: the 2022 World Cup being hosted by Qatar. Now is as good of a time as any to reflect on FIFA. The festivities may be over and Messi may be nestled snugly in bed with the World Cup between both arms, but you can bet those slimy FIFA representatives behind the entire pageantry are undoubtedly scheming already: thinking of novel ways to circumvent the system and pocket their next big paycheck. 

Enjoy! 



Dec 21, 202201:01:24
76. Welcome to Wrexham (2022)

76. Welcome to Wrexham (2022)

We're back with another Docuseries. Resembling in ways a real-life Ted Lasso, Welcome to Wrexham chronicles the purchase of Wrexham AFC by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny. The Wrexham Red Dragons are a fifth-tier Welsh football club, meaning they sit at the very bottom of the pyramid of professional UK leagues. Thus, the immediate goal of this venture is pretty simple: Promotion. Ryan and Rob certainly have the capital to make a splash. The question is whether money will translate onto the field.

Marketed as an underdog story, Welcome to Wrexham is anything but and with a cynical lens we look at the odd setup of this program. Sure, as the 3rd oldest football club in the world bolstered a small blue-collar town whose fed-up with years of poor results, Wrexham AFC is a team worth rooting for. However, given the deluge of money & prestige immediately put into the club by their Hollywood owners, they become, in some ways, the evil villain of the fifth-tier league.

Fortunately, the series takes a wise approach and democratizes its focus. Sure, much of the runtime is filled with vainglorious self-promotional bits for Reynolds and McElhenney (after all, everything Ryan touches is branded to death). But many episodes give us, the audience, a direct and intimate glimpse into the small, tight-knit Welsh community of Wrexham. We listen to the pub's boorish bickering and drunken bloviation; we learn about the history of football hooliganism; we get an in-depth backstory on the corruption and subsequent cooperative takeover and ownership of the Red Dragons. 

By the end, it's nearly impossible not to cheer on Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, and teammates as they claw their way to the cusp of promotion. Even for cynics like ourselves, it's nearly impossible not to feel a bit charmed, instead of vexed or embarrassed, by the team's rise to dominance. It's hard not to forgive Rob and Reynolds, despite their football illiteracy (Ryan literally asks bystanders to explain offsides during a critical matchup at Wembley late in the season). And that's a testament to the power of the world-building. Enjoy some good old-fashioned ranting and rowing as we wildly vacillate between positive and negative overreactions.

Dec 05, 202201:03:51
75. Hard Knocks: Training Camp w/ the Detroit Lions (2022)

75. Hard Knocks: Training Camp w/ the Detroit Lions (2022)

On the latest episode, we continue to explore the long-form format of docu-series by tackling HBO's Hard Knocks: Training Camp w/ the Detroit Lions. Sure, it's classifiable as Reality TV, but when it comes to getting an in-depth, behind-the-scenes, all-access look at the ins and outs of running a professional football team, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more illuminating source than the first and longest-running sports documentary series in TV history. 

Produced by NFL Films and narrated by Liev Schreiber (a tidbit neither of us were privy to during the recording and were both undeniably shocked to learn), the flashy series feels shackled by some of its dated/vestigial stylistic traditions. The narration, aping David Attenborough's Nat-Geo style of zoological/anthropological objectivism and wonder, feels oddly at ends with the subject matter - somewhat dehumanizing the players and team. Fortunately, the voice-over framing device is seldom applied, and outside of its gaucheness, the show shines. 

Detroit & its eternally underperforming, down-and-out Lions offer a riveting subject matter. The team/season is helmed by the imposing yet affable presence of Dan Campbell, and led by spirited personalities, including Jamaal Williams, who's passionate post-practice speech about the previous year's abysmal record went viral for good reason. Another standout is Aidan Hutchinson, the darling 1st round draft pick who knocks it out of the park with another viral bit: a spunky, training camp performance of MJ's "Billie Jean."

What makes this season particularly riveting is the focus is largely on players on the cutting block still trying to make a name and earn legit, 6 or 7-figure paycheck. Instead of spending time with Swift and Goff, this pre-season look at the Lions details the ups and downs of those seeking the last spot on the depth chart - Craig Reynolds (the RB3, maybe RB4 with an older brother in jail), Obinna Eze (the Nigerian), Malcolm Rodriquez ("Rodrigo"), David Blough (the 3rd string QB), and Kalil Pimpleton (the juggling, super speedy, but butterfinger-hands slot receiver). 

Witnessing these players practice, prepare, and put it all on the line during pre-season matches elevates the otherwise meaningless games. For an outsider, preseason football is but a glorified practice - a chance for football teams to workout the kinks. But for players on the cutting line, each snap is a tryout - a matter of keeping their job or getting sent packing home or to another team's practice squad. For sports fans who care more about the existential dynamics of the humans behind the pads, this element couldn't be more riveting. It made the season more profound and pathos-filled than any in-season glimpse at x's and o's could ever hope to be. 


Nov 16, 202201:34:44
74. California Split (1974)

74. California Split (1974)

We're back and joined by Mike Harris (director of Your Heart is a Dark & Rotten Place) to discuss Robert Altman's meandering buddy-comedy, California Split. Chronicling two gambling addicts as they bet on virtually everything (horses, poker, pick-up basketball games, boxing) and hang out with an amicable pair of hookers, Altman's cult-classic is both seductively charming while also a deceptively dark look into a seedy and niche American subculture.  We were honored to have Mike's input on this episode. Mike introduced me to The Long Goodbye, Short Cuts, and opened me up to the treasure trove that is Altman's oeuvre in college. He's an infectious champion of many of Altman's films, and thus the perfect guest for any listeners looking for an entry point to Altman's idiosyncratic sensibility. Fitting for the topic at hand, we flow freely throughout this shambolic  episode, digressing into long discussions on everything from Altman's unique cinematic techniques to Godard's love of tennis.  It's a rollicking, rambling good time! Enjoy! https://shermanoaksfilmfestival.com/
Oct 07, 202201:33:36
73. Untold: The Rise & Fall of AND1

73. Untold: The Rise & Fall of AND1

On this episode, we discuss Untold episode on the rise and downfall of the niche streetball brand AND1. After a disastrous sponsorship of Stephan Marbury, which ended unceremoniously with a broken ankle due to the defective AND1 prototype shoes, the three Wharton grads behind this flash-in-the-pan, late-90s brand cleverly redefined their identity: Appropriating NYC street ball maestros to become AND1's ambassadors via viral VHS compilations.
In no time, the scrappy company and its ragtag group of Harlem Globertrotters/carnivalesque ballers would end up inspiring an ESPN-run reality show, a national grassroots sportswear movement, and an emergent style of acrobatic basketball. For any virtuosos who lacked the classical talent required by NBA metrics, AND1's tour and emphasis on showmanship offered another outlet - a space for athletics to overcome their shortcomings with flair, panache, and dexterity.
For your resident Underdogs, AND1's primetime years neatly paralleled our concurrent obsession with skater demos/videos. As a result, we spend amble time waxing nostalgic about how similar these scenes' sensibilities, branding/marketing strategies, and ethos were to one another.
Unfortunately, due to the pettiness of the money-holders, the ephemerality of subcultural trends, the rise of new technologies, and the shark-ish dominance of hegemonic corporations like Nike, AND1's heyday was short-lived. Nonetheless, the spirit that surrounded the brand lives on in the memories for all those who participated in it: for better and worse.
We had a blast reminiscing on this time capsule of an Untold episode. It may be far from the most riveting entries in the series, but it is easily one of the most wistful.
Enjoy!
Sep 23, 202201:05:55
72. Poker Movies & Rounders (1998) w/ Matt Belenky

72. Poker Movies & Rounders (1998) w/ Matt Belenky

What's up, Underdogs!? Light up a thick cigar, pour a tall glass of scotch, queue up Frank Sinatra on the record player, spread a felt green cloth on that old dingy table in your den, and pull out a lucky charm because we're back with a new sport-adjacent series: Poker Movies. We have the perfect guest to introduce us to this rich world of cinematic gambling: Matt Belenky. As a film producer/writer/aficionado, former competitive poker player, and Pittsburgh native, Matt shoots this shit with us for almost two hours. We lay the ground rules and assess all the probabilities in this one: Covering everything from House of Games to The Cincinnati Kid to Mississippi Grind to Vegas Vacation. And to top it off, we finish the episode with a deep dive into the seminal poker film of our generation: the 1998 cult classic, Rounders. Enjoy!
Sep 09, 202201:48:28
71. Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist (2022)

71. Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist (2022)

Season 2 of Untold has arrived and it's more viral than ever! That's right: Our favorite Netflix-produced sports documentary series is officially back! To commemorate the occasion, Aaron White of Feelin' Film joins us to discuss the incredibly bizarre and wacky 1st episode, Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist

As a two-part season opener, this jaw-dropping Untold entry chronicles Manti Te'o's miraculous senior season at Notre Dame and the public downfall that resulted when Deadspin doxxed the truth behind Manti's illusory dead girlfriend. This is one of those "you have to see it to believe it" stories, and easily one of the most infamous catfishing incidents in modern times. It also inspired one of our most feisty and tendentious conversations yet. We debate the tricky role of faith in our hyper-deceptive Internet age of (dis)information, the difference between empathy and sympathy, the ethical thresholds of exploring sexuality/identity at the harm of others, the pillars of virtue vs. the pragmatics of cynicism, and whether a gullible adult should be considered culpable for being innocently duped/blindly naive. 

Join us as we combatively sort through some pretty deep questions about pigskin politics, journalistic priorities, sheltered belief systems, the human right to redemption, the social benefits of healthy skepticism, the gracelessness of media dishonesty, and the placebo power of personal fictions. It gets a bit testy, at times, but we never lose sight of our shared goal: the intellectual synthesis and moral edification that can be achieved by recognizing an antithetical opinion. I'm not sure we reached harmonious reconciliation, but we at least openly and respectfully heard each other out. Sometimes, that's enough. 

Enjoy! 


Aug 26, 202201:35:11
70. The Running Man (1987)

70. The Running Man (1987)

We're back with yet another episode about a film that fits squarely into the surprisingly extensive dystopian/post-apacolyptic game-show subgenre: 1987's mega hit The Running Man. For this round, Chad Lott and Marc Kate from Scary Thoughts join us to chat about Arnold's epically stilted line readings, the eternal humor of nut shots, deepfake technology, the artistic versatility of a well-timed one-liner, Paula Abdul supremacy, TV personality Richard Dawson's rousing villainy, iconic mustard-hued tracksuit fashion, arrantly misogynistic motifs in 80's action cinema,  video game tropes in movies, the apathetic endgame of pervasive disinformation, and whether a piece of mainstream entertainment can ever successfully critique the spectacle of media without appearing hypocritically complicit. 

It's a rollicking good time! Enjoy!  


Aug 18, 202201:36:08
69. Karate Kid 2 (1986)

69. Karate Kid 2 (1986)

On our latest episode, we discuss Karate Kid 2 with the prolific and ever-insightful Gene Ching: layman disciple of the original Shaolin Temple, former publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine, sword/weapons guru, and resident Cobra Kai expert on Den of Geek. Alongside Gene, we tackle everything that works and doesn't work in the second installment of the Karate Kid canon -- reflecting on the film's genre shift from sports tropes to kung fu tropes, deriding its moments of egregious cultural appropriation / misrepresentation, and celebrating the charms and silver lining within this much-maligned sequel. 

Sure, Karate Kid 2 may not be the greatest entry in the franchise but it still offers a fun journey back to the homeland of Mr. Miyagi -- giving Daniel San and its 80's audience a rare glance into Japanese life and culture. From its So-Cal beginning to its rousingly ridiculous Okinawa death-match finale, Karate Kid 2 covers a ton of territory, touching upon the ethics of legacy, regret, pacifism, romance, loyalty, eco-harmony, and owning up to one’s past. We do our best sorting it all out. 

Aug 11, 202201:23:42
68. Untold: Caitlyn Jenner

68. Untold: Caitlyn Jenner

Welcome to our final episode on Season 1 of Netflix’s amazing Untold series. This round, we discuss perhaps the most famous subject in the entire anthology: Caitlyn Jenner. Before listening, however, we want to note that the gender dynamics and politics in this episode get unusually complex. We have no issue referring to individuals in whatever manner they prefer. Diversification and differentiation in gender, sexual orientation, and identity are values we fully support. That said, Caitlyn Jenner is a unique case that deserves to be treated on unique terms. Caitlyn herself “deadnames” / refers to her former self as Bruce. She speaks of the past iteration of herself as if he were a separate individual/identity/self — providing intimate insights into Bruce’s inner subjective life while also noting a sense of current alienation from that identity. Our goal was thus less worried about upholding popular dictums or norms so much as respecting the example set by Caitlyn herself. If acceptance is the willingness to treat everyone as they wish, Caitlyn’s particularized identity deserves to be recognized as she defines it — fashionable or unfashionable as her own choices and gender classifications may be. Even so, during the editing process, I noticed a few pronoun mistakes within these parameters. These were mere performative lapses — on-air mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less. We apologize proactively. Pronoun politics aside, Untold: Caitlyn Jenner offers a fascinating character study of a multidisciplinary personality and exceptional soul — a closeted trans woman, a meat & potatoes former midwesterner with a conservative Christian upbringing, a former Athlete of the World. That’s right — Bruce Jenner’s epic Gold medal decathlon performance during the 1976 Montreal Olympics won him the title to trump all titles. Unless, one argues being awarded Athlete of the Year for the courage of coming out as a trans icon is a superior accolade. Both are pretty remarkable, and worthy of our admiration and attention.
Aug 02, 202248:36
67. Untold: Deal with the Devil

67. Untold: Deal with the Devil

We're back and chatting about yet another excellent episode of Netflix's Untold series. This time, we enter the purgatory to discuss the insanely tumultuous highs and lows of Christy Martin's boxing career and personal life in Deal with the Devil. The title itself is quite revealing: it overtly hints at the Faustian bargain Christy made by marrying her wickedly abusive/controlling real-life trainer/promoter/coach Jim Martin. It also obliquely acknowledges the fact that she not only entered into a partnership with this devilish figure, but that she "dealt" with him: even surviving Jim's very visceral attempt to take her life. 

Christy Martin's story is truly one-of-a-kind. Hailing from a small, backcountry mining town in West Virginia, she becomes a worldwide phenomenon after a bludgeoning, broken-nose performance on a Tyson card at MGM Grand. Soon, she's being picked up by late-night TV shows, placed on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and promoted by Don King. She also ends up playing a homophobic heel (despite being a closet lesbian), becoming addicted to cocaine, and getting into a life-or-death scuffle (replete with stab wounds, gun shots, and battered skulls) with her furious husband/boxing coach. 

Described as having a stone chin, Christy's resilience and stamina is unrivaled. She is a fighter in every sense of the word and this episode is a testament to the wild, admirable, and unbelievable story of her life: both inside and outside of the boxing ring. 

Enjoy! 

Jul 22, 202245:40
66. Driven (2001)
Jul 09, 202201:34:09
65. Over the Top (1987)

65. Over the Top (1987)

On this episode, JB Huffman of Manly Movies joins us to un-ironically champion the many heartfelt virtues & rah-rah moments of Sly Stallone's heartfelt 1987 father-son reunion melodrama, Over the Top. If you're on quest to find the definitive movie about child custody, truck driving, and arm-wrestling, this is your one-stop pitstop. 

Tune in to join in on the fun as we chat about Stallone's equally understated & overblown melancholy, the legal logistics of parental custody, inverted sports movie tropes, why Laughlin should have replaced Vegas for the final tournament (given the fact that Kingpin already snagged Reno), the film's unexpectedly deep life lessons, the vein-throbbing theatricality of bicep-centered athletes, and cinema's most annoyingly entitled child protagonists. 

Jun 29, 202201:38:01
64. Top Gun / Top Gun: Maverick

64. Top Gun / Top Gun: Maverick

Does the Top Gun franchise exist within the domain of sports movies? You bet your callsign it does! On the latest episode, your friendly Underdogs discuss how sports archetypes and tropes (practice adversaries, player-coaches, and the importance of camaraderie) dominate both movies. Also stayed tuned for our divisive take on the legacy sequel (our respective opinions on its formulaic elements & banging soundtrack diverge quite dramatically). Do beware: you will be exposed to small doses of toxic negativity infiltrating the never-ending hype machine. 

So what are you waiting for? Queue up that mental image of Tom Cruise sprinting full steam. Queue up that swooning feeling you got when Lady Gaga began crooning her throwback 80's monster ballad before the end credits. Queue up that loving feeling and get ready for some old time rock n' roll: i.e., another heated back-and-forth about the  predictability of genre movies. Queue up the guts to handle g-force levels of bantering. 

Strap in, buckle up, and enjoy! 

Jun 19, 202201:56:49
63. Death Race 2000 (1975)

63. Death Race 2000 (1975)

Our resident sci-fi/dystopian sports film expert, SF Covell, returns to discuss the grind-house, b-movie classic Death Race 2000. Our convo quickly turns as unhinged & unruly as the movie -- traversing all kinds of detours and unexpected landscapes! 

We discuss how the film oddly parallels the Herbie franchise, Around the World in 80 Days, Rat Race, Mad Max: Fury Road, and countless oddball, race-based, cinematic escapades. We compare the film's ultraviolent westward trajectory to American Bloodsport, our Frontiersman Mythologies, & Manifest Destiny. We vehemently disagree about the quality of Stallone's acting. We wax nostalgic for the pre-Zoom days of watching trash movies with friends. 

Beers are chugged, expletives are hurled, passionate interruptions run amok, and no take is safe on this wild and crazy episode for the ages. Enjoy! 

Jun 12, 202201:31:34
62. The Karate Kid (Live at The Majestic)

62. The Karate Kid (Live at The Majestic)

Enjoy our short, sweet, & trivia-infused live episode, recorded just after a live screening  of The Karate Kid at The Majestic Tempe. The recording includes some audience questions, hot takes, a brief background lesson on where the film exists in the overall trajectory of American-made martial arts movies, and a totally random tidbit about a fitness company called Body by Jake. We kicked off the discussion seconds after the packed theater erupted in roaring applause for the 1984 classic! The energy is palpable! Enjoy!

Jun 05, 202224:34
61. The Karate Kid (1984)

61. The Karate Kid (1984)

This is a special one! Welcome to the in-depth prelude to our live episode on The Karate Kid! We discuss this everything there is to discuss about this heartfelt, feel-good classic in a short 1.5 hours. Sure, that's a decent chunk of time. But when you consider there is a podcast in the cosmos that devotes hour-long episodes to every minute of the movie, we  become paragons of brevity & economy. 

So if you're ready to hear us wax on and wax off about crane-kicks, sweeping legs, shower costumes, motorbike gangs, & 80s bangers, you've come to the right place! We gush about Mr. Miyagi's prudence & sagacity, Daniel Larusso's spunk & wiliness, and the grey contours of Johnny Lawrence. We also discuss the socioeconomic divide between Reseda & Encino, the mysterious & untold backstories to Miyagi's oil-derrick compound & lot of classic cars, the connections between The Karate Kid & Rocky, and why this rightfully deserves to be recognized as one of the better sports films of all time. 

Enjoy! 

May 15, 202201:35:41
60. Cliffhanger (1993)

60. Cliffhanger (1993)

On this episode we are joined by Matt Strohl, author of Why It's OK to Love Bad Movies, to discuss the Sylvester Stallone-led action (with a sports twist) flick Cliffhanger. We discuss why this outrageously fun 90s blockbuster far transcends any one genre and the multiple Razzie awards it undeservedly garnered. Matt's thesis about viewing films charitably and establishing a love for the intertextuality of genre systems perfectly aligns with our own mission to admire the nuances within cinematic formulae. If you are a kindred soul who also loves to celebrate unfairly overlooked & maligned genre entries, this episode is for you! 



May 03, 202201:40:39