Note From CrimeDawg: I want to introduce Flowroni (see top left corner) as a new contributor to LifeTakes. We don’t have titles here at LifeTakes and we certainly don’t give assignments to our bloggers, but @sinbin96 is definitely our jump into Hockey takes – He’s a Hockey Guy. He’s a 2x Beer League Hockey Champion player/manager. Now, his debut piece:

Let’s face it: life without sports really sucks. It especially sucks that the COVID pandemic occurred just before the NHL playoffs–the best playoffs out of all four major sports–were to begin (the NBA playoffs were about to start as well, but let’s be honest, the NBA is a joke).

Trying to fill the void in our lives that sports left behind has been difficult. The NFL draft eased the withdrawals a little bit, but if you’re like me, it wasn’t nearly enough. Luckily, there are plenty of great sports movies that are available for streaming. Here are my top 5 recommendations for sports movies to stream during quarantine.

*If you love sports documentaries and 30 for 30s, get an ESPN+ subscription. Seriously. It’s $4.99 a month.

1. Miracle (2004)

The 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey team is one of the greatest sports stories in American history. Filled with college-age players and no pros (NHLers were not permitted to play in the Olympics at the time), the team was carefully pieced together by coach Herb Brooks with the goal of defeating the dominant Soviet team. During this time, the Soviet hockey team was a model of dominance and success, as their possession-style game was in complete contrast with the Canadian north-south, dump-and-chase style. They had beat the Canadians at their own game, and even a few NHL teams in the 70s.

Miracle depicts the crafting of this team, the highs and lows for the team during their gold medal run, and the political climate of America during the time. Kurt Russell is brilliant in his portrayal of Herb Brooks, and delivers one of the greatest locker room pep talks of all time.

Available to stream on Netflix and Disney+.

2. Raging bull (1980)

Before diving into the plot, here’s all you really need to know: This movie stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in their primes, and is directed by Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street). That alone should be enough reason to watch this movie.

I love boxing movies, and Raging Bull is based on the true story of troubled boxer Jake LaMotta, whose fighting style was almost as vicious and fierce as his personal life. This gritty, black-and-white movie follows the rise of Jake LaMotta the boxer, while also depicting his tragic and inevitable fall. If you are hesitant to watch a black-and-white movie, let me say this: the punches are harder and the fights are more brutal in black-and-white. Plus, who doesn’t love a violent movie with a great plot?

Fun fact: To prepare for the role, De Niro trained with the real-life LaMotta for about a year, getting shredded in the process; LaMotta said De Niro could have fought professionally if he wanted to.

Available to stream on Netflix.

3. Jerry maguire (1996)

Fellas, this is the perfect movie to watch with your girl. Why? Well, it’s a romantic comedy and a sports movie all in one!

Jerry Maguire stars Tom Cruise as a football agent who is falling out of love with his profession. He then loses his job and all of his clients but one: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr). With the help of former co-worker turned employee Dorothy (Renee Zellweger), Jerry attempts to build himself back up as an agent again while falling in love with Dorothy and her son in the process.

Say what you want about that weirdo Tom Cruise, but the guy makes great movies. This one is a bit cheesy (come on, it was the 90s) but a solid hybrid between a rom-com and sports movie.

Available to stream on Netflix.

4. ice guardians (2016)

Ice Guardians is a documentary exploring both the history and current state of fighting in hockey. Whether you’re a hardcore hockey fan like me or you’re a casual fan who really only likes the hitting and fighting, you will love this doc. Interviews with many former NHLers, from Chris Chelios and Jarome Iginla to Dave Semenko and Scott Parker (and many others) are included.

Does fighting belong in hockey? Absolutely. Does constant fighting take a brutal mental toll on a person, not to mention physical injury? Absolutely. This doc covers the entire spectrum of fighting in hockey, and most importantly provides the players’ perspectives and point of view.

Available to stream on Netflix.

5. goon (2011)

Yeah, another hockey movie. Don’t like it? Fuck off, bud. You should have stopped reading when I trashed the NBA in my intro.

Seriously though, even if you are not a hockey fan at all, this movie is hilarious. It stars the Stiffmeister (Seann William Scott) as Doug Glatt, a strip club bouncer turned hockey player–I mean, goon. Doug “The Thug” Glatt beats the absolute shit out everyone he fights and helps his team make the playoffs even though he can barely skate. Oh, and there are a lot of dick jokes.

Fun fact: Goon was written by Canadian actor Jay Baruchel, frequent collaborator of Seth Rogen in movies like Knocked Up and This is the End. Baruchel also stars as Doug’s best friend in Goon and is a huge hockey fan.

Available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.