IT’S beginnng to look a lot like Christmas.

And with exactly a month to go, the holiday rush is already here. Everywhere the Christmas spirit is around and everybody is now busy making a list of what to give this holiday season regardless whether you’re naughty or nice.

To some, Christmastime is also a day off.

And what a better way than spending it with the family at home and watching movies. In our case, feel-good, sports-oriented movies.

Six years ago, we made a list of what we wanted to watch during the holidayd.

And if we can find them again on Netflix or other over-the-top streaming services, we look forward to watching them again as we take a well-deserved rest in this merry month of December.

Queen’s Gambit — A 2020 coming-of-age, seven-part television mini-series from Netflix, the story follows the life of Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), a fictional American chess prodigy on her rise to the top of the chess world while struggling with emotional problems, and drugs and alcohol dependency. The title refers to the “Queen’s Gambit”, a popular chess opening.Netflix reported that it was the most-watched miniseries in 63 countries, including the Philippines. Taylor-Joy’s performance, the cinematography, and production values all received critical acclaim. Even the chess community gave it the thumbs-ip for its accurate portrayal of the game and players. The Washngton Post noted the series increased public interest in chess. (2020, Directed by Scott Frank)

For Love of the Game — A 1999 American drama sports film based on the novel of the same title by Michael Shaara and starring Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston, the movie follows the perfect game of Billy Chapel, an aging, 40-year-old Detroit Tigers pitcher as he reminisces about his career and his relationship with his on-and-off girlfriend, while pitching his final game. The play-by-play of the game is announced by long-time Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers baseball broadcaster Vin Scully, who has called four perfect games in his career. (1999, Directed by Sam Raimi).

Any Given Sunday — A 1999 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone, the story revolves around the Miami Sharks, a once-great American football team, who are now in turmoil and struggling to make the AFFA (Associated Football Franchises of America) playoffs. The team is coached by 30-year veteran Tony D’Amato (played convincingly by Al Pacino), who can’t agree with the new team owner (Cameron Diaz). The movie’s recurring theme is that “on any given Sunday, anything can happen.” The film also stars Dennis Quaid (as starting quarterback James ‘Cap” Rooney), Jamie Foxx (as Steamin’ Willie Beamen), LL Cool J (as J-Man Washington), James Woods (as the team physician) and many American football players. (1999, Directed by Oliver Stone and Allan Graf).

A League of Their Own — Directed by Penny Marshall, the 1992 comedy-drama film is a fictionalized account of eeal-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Set during World War II, with major leaguers going off to war, the movie shows women trying to just play ball at a time when females rarely get respect as athletes.The movie stars Tom Hanks, Gena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell. One of the highlights of the film was Jimmy Dugan’s proclamation, “There’s no crying in baseball!”, which was later rated 54th on the American Film Institute’s list of greatest film quotes of all time. (1992, Directed by Penny Marshall).

Rocky — A highly-popular boxing movie which stars Sylvester Stallone, the story tells the story of Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer who gets an opportunity of a lifetime when world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers) chooses him at random as his opponent in an exhibition match. With girlfriend Adrian Pennino (Talia Shire) and trainer-manager Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith) on his side, Rocky fights for self-respect. The movie won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, garners a host of other nominations. The 1976 film spawns five sequels and reportedly grossed US$1.25 billion at the worldwide box-office. (1976, Directed by John G. Avildsen).

Field of Dreams — Based on the novel “Shoeless Joe” by W.P. Kinsella, the 1989 masterpiece stars Kevin Costner, as an Iowa farmer who plows his crops to build a field for the ghosts of the disgraced Chicago ‘Black Sox’ to play on, and Ray Liotta, as Shoeless Joe Jackson. A mysterious voice that whispers, ‘If you build it, he will come,’ serves as the inspiration for a man to reconnect with his deceased father through baseball in a movie that is considered a classic of American film. (1989, Directed by Phil Alden Robinson).

Jerry Maguire — A 1996 American romantic comedy-drama starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding and Renee Zellweger, the movie is about Jerry Maguire, a glossy 35-year-old sports agent, and egotistical Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell (Gooding). Zellweger plays Cruise’s love interest. The movie spawns classic lines for both football fans and romantics: “Show me the money!” and “You had me at hello.” (1997, Directed by Cameron Crowe).

NOTES — Happy birthday to my son, Brian Paul Andaya, who turns another year older on Nov. 25.

Also to Mark Gabriel Gardose of St. Clare College of Caloocan, who will celebrate on Nov. 28.

For comments and suggestions, email to [email protected]

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya