by Elliot Ewert

Created on: September 15, 2009

The act of categorizing a work of art as the best is never easy. In the rational, scientific mindset, something is qualitatively or quantitatively the best if it is the most accurate or precise in fulfilling its objective or purpose of creation. And if the evaluated entity fails miserably at executing its intended function, it may accidentally succeed marvelously at accomplishing something else entirely.

Unfortunately in the world of arts and entertainment, the benchmark of success is hazy precisely for this reason; there are too many different standards by which to measure a work, and therefore to many functions that it may intentionally or inadvertently fulfill. For an example, some spectacularly bad films have reaped equally spectacular box office receipts (e.g. most of the films you have ever seen in theatres).

Conversely, other films of high quality have not received the recognition they deserve because of the low budget or obscure circumstances in which they were made (e.g. early works of David Lynch).

When it comes to a single critic subjectively reviewing a work, things get even more complicated. A decently made film whose storyline resonates deeply with the personal experiences of a particular viewer may give that individual an inflated opinion about the quality of the film.

With the aforementioned factors in mind, I would like to state that I did my best to assemble a list of athletics-themed cinematic works that have stood up among the critical consensus as giants among sports movies, as well as done for me, the individual viewer, what good art is supposed to accomplish: improve, and increase understanding of, the human experience.

5. Caddyshack The funniest sports movie of all time, and one of the most potently-scripted comedies ever written, Harold Ramis' cult classic embellishes a timeless narrative with the best zings and one-liners Rodney Dangerfield ever uttered on film. The film's reductio ad absurdum plot pokes fun at how seemingly stupid coincidences (personified by Dangerfield's character) greatly alter the outcomes of events that can have momentous consequences on an individual's life.

4. Rocky Some readers might argue that the film's ranking should sit three spots higher, but I cannot help but assert, it stands to reason that Rocky's critical success and status as a cultural icon is at least somewhat attributable to the fact that the film's rags-to-riches storyline parallels the reality of the film's production itself. Grossing over 100

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