Collection of top sports docs & movies to watch right now

Written By ROBERT BELARDI

There's a time to take moment; a breath even, and appreciate the glamour of sport with crescendos of elegant music that touch your soul. 

Sport has nostalgia, and with nostalgia comes inspiration. How many times have you seen the career of an athlete turned into a documentary? It's their story and it's left up to you to find the silver lining in between. 

With the National Football League, Formula 1 and soccer in various leagues around the globe a few amongst many sports leagues still open, here in Canada, we wait for the return of hockey, basketball and baseball (although they all have just come to an end). 

In the meantime, if other leagues on right now are not much of an appeal to your sporting pallet there are inspirational sports-documentaries and movies online that you may have never seen before or you've been edging to watch again. 

Here's some of The Citizen's picks on sports documentaries and movies that you must watch and re-watch. 

42 (2013): Chadwick Aaron Boseman passed away tragically at the age of 43 this past year following a long battle with colon cancer. 

Boseman, is better known as T'Challa in the Marvel Universe movie Black Panther and also appeared in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame with this character. 

But, his career broke through (so to speak) in his role as Jackie Robinson in arguably the most inspirational story in Major League Baseball history. 

Robinson is known for bridging the gap between the colour barrier that existed in Major League Baseball in the 1940s. Brooklyn Dodgers owner took a chance on Robinson and following a spell with the farm team of the club, the Montreal Royals, Robinson made his way to the pros only to find his life to become significantly challenging. He endured racism at its highest peak. Fought crowds and other critiques who didn't believe a black player could play. And ultimately, he silenced everyone in this inspirational story leading teammates on the Dodgers to step in and defend him when needed; and that was a lot.  

With the Los Angeles Dodgers coming off a World Series victory, this movie is an excellent watch and a history lesson all at the same time. Today, the entire MLB has retired the number 42, and annually on Jackie Robinson Day (April 15), every player on every team wears that iconic number. 

The Playbook: A Coach's Rule to Life (2020): If you're ever in need of a life-lesson and a swift kick in the you know what, this  motivational docuseries on Netflix is for you. 

Akron natives LeBron James and Maverick Carter teamed up with 22 other executive producers to film this six-part series featuring personal stories from Doc Rivers, Jose Mourinho, Dawn Staley, Jill Ellis and Patrick Mouratoglu. 

Each of these coaches have an episode dedicated to diving deeper into the confines of their own mind and how they perceive coaching on the sidelines and coaching real life. 

This is a must-watch docuseries for sports fans eager to know how the mind of a coach works and how their influence significantly impacts staff and players alike. 

Coach Carter (2005): There's never not a reason to watch Coach Carter. 

With Samuel L. Jackson as the movie's protagonist, Ken Carter returns to Richmond High School this time to coach the basketball team and finds a group of disgruntled young athletes lacking motivation both on the court and in their lives.  

In this sporting drama, Carter seemingly turns around this group around and fights; against all odds (even against the school), to ensure these players are pushing themselves academically, avoiding gangs and crime while also improving their basketball talents. 

Emotionally this film will leave you with a warm feeling and empathy for the fulfilment of all the players. It is a true story. 

The Last Dance (2020): This series has it all.  Anger. Sadness. Pain. You name it, but it ultimately ended with six rings as this documentary is all about the Chicago Bulls and their rise and fall from glory. 

Of course, this docuseries showcases never seen before footage of Michael Jordan but, it also covers the drama and management disputes within the organization. 

Winning six rings wasn't easy by no means. Although this team made it seem that way. Two three-peats has never been accomplished in NBA history and all without reaching game seven in the NBA finals. 

This dive into the Chicago Bulls franchise will have you at the edge of your seat and it's Michael Jordan, it's Scottie Pippen, it's Phil Jackson and of course, it's definitely Dennis Rodman; so it's all-the-more-reason to click the like button and begin playing episodes. 

Other honourable mentions have to be Black Ice, The Blind Side, Remember The Titans, Gridiron Gang, Miracle, Moneyball, Concussion, Secretariet and Invincible.