Big Fan
Just in time for football season, check out this character study of obsessive New York Giants fan Paul Aufiero (comedian Patton Oswalt, in a remarkable performance). After some overzealous stalking of his favorite player leads to an assault, he has to decide where his loyalties lie. Some of the best moments are the nightly calls he makes to his local sports radio show, as well as his rivalry with another frequent caller, Eagles fan Philadelphia Phil. Highly recommended even for non-sports fans (it was a Sundance favorite last year, and was directed by the screenwriter of The Wrestler).
-Beth
Born to Run: a Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen
by Christopher McDougall
You don’t run. You hate sports. You should read this book anyway. Not focusing on running celebrities or ego-maniac endurance athletes, McDougall profiles the Tarahumara tribe of northern Mexico. With a cultural tradition of ultra-distance running (i.e. 50-100+ miles), the Tarahumara are some of the best runners in the world and seem to do so simply for the joy of it. He compares the Tarahumara with a handful of American ultrarunners who have a similar approach, and, you guessed it, are some of the best in world. People who choose to run 50-100+ miles are kind of nuts. Born to Run is a kaleidescope of lovable whack jobs (in this it shares some resemblance to John Waters’ recent Role Models). We meet Zen kickboxers, self-declared Victorian sports experts, and sex cultists. One such turned-on-tuned-in-dropped out runner, “Caballo Blanco” dreams of organizing a race between the Tarahumara and like-mined Americans. The story of the race is an inspiring as best sports tales without devolving into the pity fest cliches which ruin so many other true life sports stories.
A significant portion of Born to Run is a lot of science about human physiology and nutrition. McDougall aims to prove we are literally born to run. Many of the ideas are controversial within running circles. McDougall makes a good argument but definitely presents only one side of the evidence. I’m neutral towards the science. Much of the nutritional evidence is backed up in Racing Weight by Matt Fitzgerald, though said book is coming from a diametrically opposed philosophical direction. I don’t know if we were born to run. I’m not an evolutionary biologist. Isn’t it obvious though our lifestyle and food choices have sky-rocketed rates of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease? As was pointed out in the 1970s when running exploded with popularity, running helps prevent the aforementioned diseases. An uninterested reader could skip these passages and stick to the dramatic narrative about the race and larger-than-life racers.
As someone who has ran until I hallucinated and loved it, I loved this book. An ode to the joy of running, this book will not only inspire you to run more and have more fun doing it, but motivate you to get off your tukhus and accomplish other goals you thought were impossible.
- Bryan
Sugar
This heartfelt film by the writers of Half Nelson realistically follows the life of a minor league baseball player from the Dominican Republic. With a stunning lead performance and an unexpected resolution, this is not your average sports movie.
Bright Star
The butterfly scene alone makes this lovely film about the doomed love of poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne worth your time.
Moon
A Science Fiction movie for people who don’t like Science Fiction movies, this is more art house than action film.
- Beth
Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played
By Jon L. Wertheim
4 stars
Senior Sports Illustrated writer L. Jon Wertheim weaves an intricately detailed recounting of what all agree was an epic, thoroughly well played tennis match into a compelling multi faceted book.
This is a very descriptive portrait of each man’s differences, backgrounds, tendencies, technical strengths and styles, coaching entourages and personalities which leads up to the titanic Wimbledon final that was played over five sets and seven hours in July of 2008.
Many interesting behind the scenes moments, humorous asides and detours including how Federer met Mirka, his disdain for Djokavic’s “boorish” parents, Nadal’s family dynamics and upbringing, racquet comparisons and endorsements all add background color to the event. Even chair umpire Pascal Maria gets his time in the sun (or rain as it were) here.
One of the best tennis books I’ve read; an often witty and full account of the quirks and glories of Wimbledon, “The Championships” and of what makes both Roger Federer and the eventual ’08 Champion Rafael Nadal so outstanding by anyone’s standards.
My only complaint: no photos included.
- Phil K.
Every Second Counts
By Lance Armstrong
This is an excellent book to read prior to Armstrong’s attempt at a record six straight Tour de France victories in 2004. That would be an awesome achievement. Reading this book will give you unique perspectives and insight into what makes the brash Texan so tenacious and motivated.
Lance shares his thoughts on a variety of topics along the way, covering details from each of his tour victories, his preparation, the incessant doping control visits and his life in Spain and France. He treads upon the trials of his marriage, his disappointment at his Olympic performances, his great supporting teams on US Postal Service and how he is looked upon in the cancer survivor community.
Having seen him race a few times early in his career and as a devoted Tour de France fan, I highly recommend this book.
-Phil
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