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Best Boxing Films (10+1list)

Best Boxing Films.

written by Souranath Banerjee

The first boxing film I saw was Rocky, the epic violent scenes of rocky-posterSylvester Stallone battling it out in the ring for honor had made huge impact on me as a teenager, so much so that I wanted to be a boxer at the time! 

But soon enough I saw a real boxing match (The Bite Fight) where Mike Tyson tries to bite off Evander Holyfield’s ear and that sure helped me change my career options and for good.

In fact boxing as a game can be traced back to as early as the Bronze Age (between 3000 BC and 2500 BC).

It is indeed one of the most barbaric form of sport which has it’s roots directly imbedded in the times when gladiators were thrown in an arena for the sheer sadistic pleasure of the viewers, and the so called entertainers had to battle it out till their last breath!

champion-posterOf course the rules have been civilized and sophisticated.

Today, the boxers are generously paid and in return are encouraged only to hit and knock down their opponent (instead of killing them) and we, the (less demanding) audience still enjoy the blood, the pain and the agony of two people fighting each other purely for our entertainment.

We not only buy expensive tickets to cheer them live on stage, but also relish a few emotional movies made on their lives (be it fictional or biographical); a combination of the boxer’s sentimental family background and enough gory fight sequences always seem to work fine for us!

So, let’s celebrate some of the Best Boxing Films ever made till date.

Let the rounds begin!

10. Ali (2001)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl2FSulKQq4

ali-posterHe often unapologetically boasted that he was THE greatest boxer of all times and who can say he was wrong in saying that?

Directed by Michael Mann, this is one of the best biographical account of the all time famous boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

The film is a perfect balance of his epic success in the ring and also his famous personal life.

9. The Boxer (1997)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o55UrRbni50

The-boxer-posterA man recently out of prison tries to resume his life as a boxer and starts a boxing club to train fresh talents.

Directed by Jim Sheridan, this film is not entirely on boxing and it’s glory but about the power of boxing as a sport that has the ability to knit a community (or at least try to). 

Brilliant film that doesn’t shy away from commenting on political violence and it’s after effects.

8. Southpaw (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2ebPxhoLs

southpaw-poster1A tragic accident crashes a boxing champion’s life but he needs to trin himself, comeback for the title and win, at least for the sake of his young daughter.

(click for review)

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film boasts of some brilliant acting and realistic gory fights along with a decent touch of emotions from a boxer’s life.

7. Fat City (1972)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UevWnct5pkQ

fat-city-posterOne young enthusiastic boxer and the other one is a middle aged fighter, and how their life stories get intertwined.

Superlative acting and an uncommon way of storytelling that makes this film unique.

Directed by John Huston, this is one of the most unconventional boxing film that deserves a lot more attention than the usual.

6. Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3h4EHZSj6k

requiem-for-a-heavyweight-movie-poster-1962-1020209637According to the doctor boxer Mountain Rivera must put an end to his career because of his injuries but his crafty manager is all set to use him for one last fight!

Directed by Ralph Nelson, this is one outstanding film that revolves around a boxer’s life and portrays the sad scenario of how a boxer is often used as a tool to make money by the people he trusts.    

5. Cinderella Man (2005)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlbHzcH4VJY

Cinderella-Man-posterThe brilliant comeback story of James Braddock, a boxer whose career was supposedly over, returned to the ring and became a winner.

Directed by Ron Howard, this Oscar nominated film is such a enchanting tale that successfully teleports you to that particular era (1930s) and makes you attached to the Braddock family for real. Probably the most emotional boxing film I have ever seen.

4. Creed (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCBzWLVQgk8

creed-posterThe latest in the Rocky series, but this time Rocky Balboa doesn’t fight himself but mentors one of his past rival Apollo Creed’s son to become a champion.

Great script and awesome acting, and most interestingly superbly realistic fight sequences that makes the film unique.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film does keep up to the great tradition of Rocky Balboa’s legacy.

3. The Fighter (2010)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71l-kIhJ5j8

fighter-posterDirected by David O. Russell, this is one film that is very close to my heart, not entirely because of the tensions inside the boxing ring but also outside it. 

The film portrays the the early years of boxer “Irish” Micky Ward and his brother Dicky Eklund who was also his trainer.

Absolutely brilliant performances and a great biographical boxing drama.

2. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_RsHRmIRBY

million-dollar-baby-posterWon four Oscars including Best picture, a film that tells a tale of extreme determination and courage, the story of a woman who trains herself against all odds to become a professional boxer.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, it is one of the most riveting boxing film that highlights the trainer-trainee relationship to a new height.

A recent Indian boxing drama Mary Kom also has a similar story line but then it’s also a biographical account of famous Indian boxing champion Mary Kom.

1. Raging Bull (1980)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiVOwxsa4OM

raging-bull-posterThe biographical take on renowned boxer Jake LaMotta, his violent temper and destructive attitude that affects his life both in and out of the boxing ring! 

Exceptional performances, brilliant direction, camera and edit and a perfect script – winner of two Oscars.

An epic boxing drama, probably the most popular boxing film ever, directed by none other than Martin Scorsese!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. The Set-Up (1949)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vbuwvR3q_o

set-up-posterA rare combination of a film-noir and a boxing film!

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Robert Wise, this is one dark sports-drama were the boxer desperately tries to win the big game, unaware that a bet has been placed by his manager for him to lose!

Great storytelling and the boxing scenes are superbly shot, I am sure this film is the inspiration for many future boxing films that followed through the years ahead.

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.themoviedb.orgwww.traileraddict.comstallonezone.com

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2016 Oscar Predictions: Best Picture

2016 Oscar Predictions: Best Picture

written by Souranath Banerjee

On Sunday, February 28th, it’s that time of the year when they give away those awards!

Yes, on this day, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences will hand over the most prestigious awards of the entertainment world – the Academy Awards or the Oscars.

On the basis of the ‘preferential voting’ system (democratic and unbiased), all the nominees are chosen each year for the various award categories and then they simply wait, hope and pray to win!

This year Chris Rock will be hosting the award ceremony on ABC.

In total 305 feature films are competing for Best Picture nominations. Though the final and official seven/eight nominated ones will be announced on Thursday, January 14th, it’s always fun to guess, predict and anticipate a little before hand.

So let the predictions for the ‘Best Picture’ category begin!

10. Beasts of No Nation (Netflix)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xb9Ty-1frw

beasts-of-no-nation1An African country at war, where violence is routine and murder is the law.

Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, this is the story of a kid who is forced to join a group of soldiers and take up the gun to fight and kill people.

A raw and deadly film that shows the emotional turmoil of a child soldier. And surely a favorite in the Oscar race.

9. Carol (The Weinstein Company)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4z7Px68ywk

carol-poster1The combination of New York in 1950s and Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, and a perfect love story.

Full of emotions and breathtaking visuals, superb music and brilliant acting – the film is a complete package of aw

Directed by Todd Haynes, this one is a favorite of mine as well as the Oscar nominees. 

8. Youth (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T7CM4di_0c

Youth-poster2Michael CaineHarvey KeitelRachel Weisz and director Paolo Sorrentino cooks up one of the best mouthwatering cinema of this year.

(click for the review)

A film that reflects on the youth and relishes the old age with the same intensity. It deals with friendship, love, marriage, lust, professions, emotions and above all emotions. I bet my

7. The Hateful Eight (The Weinstein Company)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRbXn4-Yis

hateful-eight-posterQuentin Tarantino is back with his 8th film and along with Samuel L. JacksonKurt RussellJennifer Jason Leigh and Tim Roth among others this one gets as gritty and violent as you can expect it to be.

Powerful performances with awesome visuals and a superbly entertaining story line.

An Oscar favorite because ‘No one comes up here without a damn good reason’. 

6. Brooklyn (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15syDwC000k

brooklyn-poster11950s Brooklyn as the backdrop, the film is about an Irish immigrant’s life, her love story and her past, and the choices she makes.

Directed by John Crowley, and outstanding performance by Saoirse Ronan, this is a film that breadths perfection.

My personal favorite and I wish it all the luck for the tough Oscar chart ahead.

5. Mad Max: Fury Road (Warner Brothers)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEJnMQG9ev8

mad-max-poster5In the year 1979 Mad Max was established – a drifter, a loner and of course mad as hell. And this is the latest addition to the popular franchise.

(Click for the review)

Powerful, dramatic and full of energy, directed by George Miller, this is undoubtedly the best action flick of 2015 and a leader in the Oscar race for the ‘Best Picture’. 

4. The Revenant (20th Century Fox)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoebZZ8K5N0

revenant-posterDirected by Alejandro González Iñárritu (whose film Birdman won the ‘best director’, ‘best picture’ and ‘best screenplay’ awards last year), has come up with this brilliant tale of an explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio).

A fur trading expedition in the 1820s; inspired by true events this is an epic adventure, a quest for survival and also a sure favorite in this year’s Oscar.

3. The Big Short (Paramount Pictures)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDlYm15ztK4

big-short-posterWhen Christian BaleSteve CarellRyan Gosling and Brad Pitt come together – you know it’s worth it. 

Directed by Adam McKay, this is a biographical account of the time (mid 2000) when there was a financial crisis in the US, and four individuals decided to fight the greedy banks for their lack of foresight.

Looks like a pretty sure thing for the award ceremony. Watch out!

2. Room (A24 Films)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_Ci-pAL4eE

room-posterAdopted from Emma Donoghue‘s famous novel, this is one unique story of a five-year old boy who is told by his loving mother that their 10-by-10 foot ‘room’ is the only world that exists! 

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, a brilliant film that surely is becoming people’s favorite and a likely contestant for the Oscar.

Brilliant performance by Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay

  1. Spotlight (Open Road Films)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwdCIpbTN5g

spotlight-poster1Probably the most significant cinema on ‘journalism’ made after the epic All the President’s Men (1976).

Directed by Tom McCarthy, this is one film that is considered certainly as the top favorite in this year’s Oscar game.

With Mark RuffaloMichael KeatonRachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber among others this is one safe film to put your money.

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most popular one).

+1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Disney)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE

star-wars-posterThe recently released ever popular addition to the Star Wars franchise and a sudden favorite for the Oscars.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, this film with it’s immense fan following has the potential to be a game changer in the race for this years ‘Best Picture’ Academy Awards.

By the way, this film has recreated the U.S. box office record beating James Cameron‘s Avatar!

And now the films though not included in my list but are certainly fair competition for the award: Straight Outta ComptonCreedTrumboSon of SaulBlack MassThe Danish GirlLove & MercyTangerineSicarioSteve JobsThe MartianBridge of Spies and Joy.

And finally – A Thank You to the movies of 2015.

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.com.

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