Friday Faves: Sports Movies to Love

After being reminded that the Super Bowl is this Sunday, I realized how little interest I have in this game. There are only two Super Bowls I've really cared about. One was when the Seahawks played the Steelers, in 2006. It was exciting to root for the home team, and disappointing when they lost. The other Super Bowl I was invested in was long before that. The year was 1985 and Dan Marino was leading the Dolphins against Joe Montana's 49ers. I was one of three people in my entire class who wanted the Dolphins to win. My teacher was leading the charge for the 49ers because:

1. Her husband's name was Joe

           and

2. We lived in Montana

Needless to say, my 'team' lost. But I firmly believed the Dolphins had the coolest quarterback and the best uniforms.

Today, when I think of the Super Bowl, the first thing that comes to mind are the commercials. Did anyone not catch the cute little kid channeling Darth Vadar for Volkswagen last year? Sure, the food is great and the men are all amped up (my husband included), but for the remainder of the day, I find myself mentally calculating all I should be getting done. I suppose most of me just wonders why we can't go back to when the Chicago Bears enticed us with a cool rap- "The Super Bowl Shuffle." A football team makes a music video...hold the Aqua Net! I still remember the tune.

"They call me Sweetness cause I like to dance. Runnin' the ball is like makin' romance."

              and

"Give me a chance and I'll rock you good. Nobody messes in my neighborhood."

             the clincher

"You're lookin' at the Fridge. I'm the rookie. I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie." 

The kid in me still finds that song to be totally rad.

Two movie quarterbacks, both based on real people, surface when I contemplate the excitement I should feel toward football. The first is Ronnie 'Sunshine' Bass from Remember the Titans. The second, Tami Maide, who was featured in the made-for-TV movie, Quarterback Princess. Tami was portrayed by a young Helen Hunt. I remember this show fondly and always felt a bit of hope of it being possible to be the star quarterback, as well as, the Homecoming Queen. I suppose it's no coincidence that I'm currently reading CATCHING JORDAN, by Miranda Kenneally.

So, here they are. My favorite sports movies, along with a favorite quote from each. Feel free to chime in on your own selections.

1. Rudy (1993) Simply put, this one tops my list as my absolute favorite sports movie. I still cry every time I watch Rudy Ruettiger run through the tunnel to play in his first, and only, Notre Dame football game. "I've been ready for this my whole life." -Rudy

2. Remember the Titans (2000)  "I don't scratch my head unless it itches and I don't dance unless I hear music. I will not be intimidated. That's just the way it is." -Coach Boone.

3. The Sandlot (1993) "It's about time, Benny. My clothes are goin' out of style." -Squints

4. Love and Basketball (2000) "Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games." -Coach Davis

5. It's a toss up between Hoosiers (1986) "Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here." -Merle Webb

                 and

Field of Dreams (1989) "This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and could be again." -Terence Mann

Maybe that's why I've lost interest in the Super Bowl. I'm looking for a reminder of the past, of how exciting sports can be, and how thrilling it is to watch the underdog succeed. Thankfully, I catch glimpses of it during the excitement of March Madness and whenever I attend one of my daughter's gymnastic meets. I feel the palpable thrill in the air when I hear a marching band at a high school football game and when watching a child dribble a basketball in their first scrimmage.

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday. Stay safe and have fun, wherever you might be celebrating. Maybe even take a moment to sing, "We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle..." C'mon, you know you want to.

Friday Faves: Books I'd Like to See on Film

Unless you've been removed from society and living in a mountain cave, you're aware Breaking Dawn, Part 1 recently hit theaters. Whether or not you're a fan of the Twilight Saga, you have to admit it's buzz worthy. I mean, even my shih tzu perks up when Jacob appears on screen without his shirt. All joking aside, though, it's brought me back to my original thought for this Friday Faves post.

Five books that should make it to the big screen.

* Something Blue by Emily Giffin. Yes, Something Borrowed, was released last year, and they even provided a teaser of its sequel during the credits. But to my knowledge, production has halted. I'm just going to put this out there...I need to see Something Blue. Darcy was a much better character in the second book and let's face it, Ethan is the best. So head to London people...and start filming.

* Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. I really want to see Cannie Shapiro come alive on screen. Honestly, one of my favorite parts of the novel is in the first pages, when she's eating M&Ms and her friend, Samantha, calls and asks if she's read the article "Loving a Larger Woman." The fact that it was written by Cannie's ex-boyfriend makes it even more interesting.

* Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. I'd love to see this book about a modern woman, Lara, befriending a ghost, Sadie. Sadie also happens to be a former flapper girl from the twenties who is off the wall hilarious and has Lara dressing, acting and living it up like she's in the 1920s.

* Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. The story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner and former POW during World War 2. Luckily, it's been optioned for film by Universal. Looking forward to the movie's release.

* The Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs. Okay, so this is not one book, but a series. I love reading the stories of Avalon, and could really see the town brought alive, like Stars Hollow was on Gilmore Girls. I enjoy reading about the Bellamys, hot veterinarian- Noah Shepherd, and my favorite- Jenny Majeski.

Now it's your turn. What books would you love to see on film?

Friday Faves: Fictional Characters I'd Like to Have Lunch With

Fictional Characters you'd like to have lunch with. Go.

These are my picks...

Miriam, from Khaled Hosseini's, A Thousand Splendid Suns. I really can't say enough about this novel. If you haven't read it, please do. I have so much respect for Miriam, and her life of quiet despair, under Taliban rule. Her story haunted me. If given the chance, I'd sit down and tell Miriam how she deserved so much more than life had to offer her.

Becky Brandon, nee Bloomwood, from Sophie Kinsella's, Shopaholic Series. What can I say, Becky Bloomwood cracks me up. She's fun, irresponsible, and much more stylish than I'll ever be. I think she'd be a blast to hang out with, and I'm certain she'd pay for lunch, whether she could afford it, or not.

Anya from Winter Garden, a novel by Kristin Hannah. I loved, loved, loved the character of Anya. She was broken, honest, and captivating. The fairytale she shared with her daughters, throughout the course of the novel, was heartbeaking, but so beautiful. 

Aibileen, from Kathryn Stockett's, The Help. This was just a fantastic novel all around, but Aibileen pulled it all together. She's a woman who raised seventeen white children, and lost her own son while people looked the other way. From having to listen to Tilly's Home Help Sanitation Initiative proposal, to her relationship with Mae Mobley, "you is kind, you is smart, you is important," she was perfect.

Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series. I really hope Stephanie shows up with Lula and Grandma Mazur. I'd also like to run into Morelli and stop by Rangeman. Anything but riding in Stephanie's car because bad luck follows her. I'll even bring a carrot for Rex.

Now it's your turn. What fictional characters would you like to know in the real world?