Top 25 Hockey movies # 12(a)

Ok, I have had to adjust the numbering of the list as it started quite a while ago and there has been new releases since.  This one is also a cop out - as it really isn't a movie.

#12 (a) - The HBO collection

Their "Miracle on Ice" a few years ago about the 1980 USA hockey team was awesome.  The special on the Broadstreet Bullies was also really good.  Bue the real excellence of late has been the 24/7 Winter Classics series, all are worth tracking down.

24/7 Flyers/Rangers Promo

Top 25 movies of all time - # 13

Since we are at # 13, and that is a great number, time to start getting serious.  Except for this movie.  Swingers was a classic movie for a variety of reasons.   Sure there is only one short hockey scene, but it prompted the (like Guinness) 'brilliant' line:  "I took the Kings to the Cup."  "Yeah, against the computer with the off-sides off."    Here is he scene:



It seemed especially amusing to Chub, Bizz and I because when the movie came out, we were basically living that lifestyle.  Hell, Glen is still called "Double Down" based on his similarities to the character Trent.  And admit it, the multiple phone call scene is like an accident - you have to watch it.  I saw that scene win a poll for toughest move scene to watch (it beat Kevin Costner trying to reach the green in two in "Tin Cup").  

But really, just another quality movie with an appreciated hockey reference.  And hey, it prompted this video:

Top 25 hockey movies - # 14(a)

Well, like the # 14, I also hate the Montreal Canadiens.  I hear "The Rocket" is good, but I doubt I'll ever see it - unless I am imprisoned in Rick James' basement and he makes me watch it and that terrible Joe Torre, Yankees movie.  Wait, where was I?

Anyway, I heard this was pretty decent as it had real players in the movie.  Among those was Ian Laperrierre - and you have to love that guy.  Let me know if you see it, but watch at your peril - you may start diving and booing anthems!

Top 25 Hockey Movies of all-time....# 14(b)

And # 14(b) is "The Town!"

I know what you are thinking - hockey movie?  Well.......the main character played by Ben Affleck, Doug MacRay, has a hockey background - notice the jacket below.  He is described as a player that had a chance to be a professional, but messed up the opportunity and went into a life of crime.

I read one blogger say that since they are stealing from baseball, it is definitely a hockey movie.  I sort of buy that and the anonymous gesture made at the end of the movie is enough to make this list. 

Jeremy Renner is great in the movie, and his character is summed up in one exchange:
Doug MacRay: I need your help. I can't tell you what it is, you can never ask me about it later, and we're gonna hurt some people. James Coughlin (Renner) : ...Whose car are we gonna' take?

While only a 7.7 rating on IMDB (WTF?) - this is a really, really good movie.  Take your time and enjoy this one.

The Top 25 Hockey Movies of All-Time - # 16

Coming in at # 16 is..........Net Worth.  Huh?  I know, but your # 16 is always flaky!  And sadly, I have not seen this one yet.  Supposedly a pretty good movie about how Ted Lindsay helped start the NHLPA.   Sounds worthy of a view on a slow summer night. 

The Top 20 Hockey Movies of All-Time - # 17

Coming in at # 17 is Strange Brew.  This 1983 cult classic was about Bob and Doug McKenzie from "The Great White North."  This was sort of the pre "Wayne's World" from the guys at Second City TV.  It did use the word "hoser" a lot, prompted a song with Geddy Lee of Rush, glorified drinking beer, and used the famous hockey phrase "That was no goal, them guys was in the crease."  Not a great movie, but good for its time, and appropriate for this list.

The Top 25 Hockey Movies of All-Time - # 18

Yes, it is true.  Even with the palpable fear of going into a long(er) goal scoring drought, I have added a Jean Claude Van Damme movie to the list! 

But really, the climax - if you will - of this crap-fest (Sudden Death) occurs during Game # 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals - AND JCVD goes in the net and plays goalie.  Of course he is wearing the gear and the mask so no one realizes it isn't the real keeper.  Uh-huh!

Again, I'd lock up your prozac before you put this dazzler in the DVD player, but hey - it has a hockey theme.  Watch at your peril.

The Top 25 Hockey Movies of All-Time - # 21, 20, and 19

Ok, so this is sort of a cheater, but we need to move the list along.  I will likely never see these three Canadian movies.....so we are going to cover between 3 movies in one post.  Quit yer bitchin' - more is usually better. 

The three are:  # 21 The Sweater a story about a boy whose parents buy him a Leafs jersey when he is a Canadiens fan.  It is animated, so take your chances - of course mocking Leafs fans and showing Habs fans as snobs seems brilliant in its simplicity.

# 20 Les Boys - a series about a Men's hockey team that is a comedic look at sterotypes about guys, sports teams and hockey.  Notice the description at the bottom.

And finally # 19 "Canadian Bacon."  It looks terrible, but the clip below (in the next post) looks amusing.

The Top 25 Hockey Movies of All-Time - # 22

# 22 - Bon Cop, Bad Cop
I can not tell a lie. "Good (French) Cop, Bad Cop" is not the best movie of all-time. It is about as full of cop movie cliches as you already saw in all 14 Lethal Weapon movies. That being said, it does have an interesting plot.
Basically, it is about a killer who is getting back at everyone that has hurt hockey in Canada. Because they did not have the NHL's blessing, they had to change the names to protect the innocent or Canadian. But they do reference the "Fleur De Lys" being sold to Colorado, # 88 not signing, and # 99 being traded.
But the real genius is the pro hockey league's commissioner. They actually use an actor who has to be 4'8" tall (seriously, think Time Bandits) and his name........wait for it.....Buttman! The mocking pushes this movie over the top and onto this awesome list. View at your own peril.

The Top 25 Hockey Movies of All-Time - # 23

The Cutting Edge? OK, I'll admit that I've never seen it. According to IMDB it is about a hockey player who gets injured and becomes a figure skater. I know, it sounds as preposterous as that Jean Claude Van Damme movie (coming soon), but this list is about showcasing hockey - so play along.

The Top 25 Hockey Movies of All-Time - # 24

Number 25 was "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

I know what you are thinking: The Forgotten - did that movie suck, and how much hockey is involved? The answers are: not totally, and not much.

What struck me was that one of the characters was portrayed as an ex-New York Ranger, and the crew actually did a good job of trying to make that realistic. There are actually pictures / photo-shops of the guy in the gear, and playing. I appreciated the effort.

More importantly, that character - Ash Correll - was played by Dominic West - who turns 40 years old today! You may know him as the Greek villain in 300, or more importantly as Jimmy McNulty - the fantastic main character of one of the greatest shows of all time - The Wire.

How is that for a stretch? Speaking of stretches......more on that later.

Another new feature?

Yes, the fan mail never stops rolling-in to the Steamer BLOG. Based on endless requests, we are starting yet another new feature........wait for it......The Top 25 hockey movies of all-time! I know what you are thinking - are there 25 movies about hockey? Honestly....no.


But really our goal here is to point out movies that show some love for the greatest sport on earth. So, we are taking some poetic license on this one. Come on, play along.


# 25 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Yes, I know. It is not about hockey. The important part is that the late director, John Hughes, let Cameron Frye spend over half the movie in a Gordie Howe sweater. Even if you hate the Red Wings - and there are so many reasons to - you have to appreciate the hockey love. Almost as intriguing is that this movie took place in Chicago - pretty gutsy wearing Wings gear in the Windy City.
Hold on, Detroit to Chicago.......who does that remind me of?