Frasier

Frasier is a television show about a radio psychiatrist who moves back to Seattle.  Frasier lives with his father and his father's physiotherapist, and his brother Niles (also a psychiatrist) is a frequent visitor.

Years: 1993-2004
Rating: TVPG

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database or purchase it from Amazon.

The following video contains scenes from the season four episode "Head Game."  In the video, there are various examples of ethical situations (e.g., boundaries of competence, bartering, and publicity) and athlete superstitions.  Each clip is preceded by a short explanation of what the upcoming clip will show, making it a great educational tool as it is both informative and entertaining.

The Boy in Blue

The Boy in Blue is based on the life of Ned Hanlan, a champion sculler.  The movie chronicles his life and how he starts off as a wild child until he took control of his own career and teamed up with an inventor.

Release Year: 1986
Rating: R
Length: 100m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

True Blue

True Blue (also known as Miracle at Oxford) is about the Oxford rowing team's rivalry with Cambridge.  After a tough loss, the team argues over how to band together to come back and win again.

Release Year: 1996
Rating: R
Length: 115m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Invictus

Invictus is the real story about the South African rugby team who became champions in 1995, when the Rugby World Cup was held in their own country. Good history about coaching, leadership, and how sports united the whole country, which was suffering from racial and political tensions.

Release Year: 2009
Rating: PG-13
Length: 134m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Teamwork: In the final game, against New Zealand. The rivalry and how the South African team won by uniting together.
• Leadership: The position that the captain assumes in field and how he becomes the main worker within the team.
• Going for your Dream: The influence of Nelson Mandela in the training and conversations with the captain / players.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a comedy that follows the career of NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby.  He grew up with the motto, "If you ain't first, you're last."  Ricky Bobby is in the race of his life when his career and motto are put to the test when French Formula One driver Jean Girard joins NASCAR.

Release Year: 2006
Rating: PG-13
Length: 108m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Anxiety: This theme is depicted throughout several portions of the movie. The most memorable scene is learning to "drive with the fear," or in Ricky Bobby's case, a cougar.
• Career Issues: This is the overall theme of the movie. It is summed up best at the end with the unveiling of Ricky Bobby's new car.
• Confidence: After Ricky Bobby's crash, his confidence is shaken. His anxiety and fear cripple him to a point where he cannot even drive a car. (He resorts to riding a bicycle around town). He slowly regains his confidence after training with his father.

McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice

McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice is a documentary that briefly follows the careers of tennis legends John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.  The movie focuses on their competitive rivalry and friendship, including the epic 1980 Wimbledon final.  Each player along with sports media personnel are interviewed throughout the film.

Release Year: 2011
Length: 61m

For more information, view its HBO page or purchase the 1980 match from Amazon.

• Aggression: Throughout the film, shows highlights of McEnroe flipping out, including the famed "you cannot be serious" 36m in.
• Burnout: About 44m in, Borg talks about how tired he was of playing and his loss of motivation to win.  At 55m, Borg sells his trophies.  About 50m in, McEnroe actually uses the word "burnout" to describe what he was feeling when he took some time off from tennis.
• Intrinsic Motivation: A few minutes in, Borg discusses how he fell in love with tennis when he was young.
• Parents/Family: About 9m in, McEnroe discusses his parents and how they pushed him the right amount.
• Routines: Great example of Borg's pre-match routine about 20m in.  He traveled the same route, used the same towels, and had the exact same preparation before his matches at Wimbledon.

Touching the Void

Touching the Void is an incredible story of survival in the face of death.  This part documentary, part dramatic reenactment follows Joe Simpson and Simon Yates as they climb the previously unclimbed west face of Siula Grande.  The ascent goes well, but, as Joe states: "80% of accidents occur on the way down."

Release Year: 2003
Rating: R
Length: 106m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Confidence: at the beginning of the movie, they believed they would be the first ones to do it because they were better than the previous climbers; loss of confidence following the injury (felt "doomed" and "psychologically beaten")
• Goal Setting: after injury, Joe repeatedly makes time-based goals for motivation as he crawls across the top of a glacier to get back to camp; occurs about two-thirds of the way into the movie
• Injury: shortly into the descent, Joe falls and breaks his leg, rendering him crippled the rest of the climb, about a half-hour into the movie
• Intrinsic Motivation: at the very beginning, Joe and Simon talk about how much they love climbing
• Self-Talk: Joe and Simon discuss their thoughts throughout the entire documentary
• Teamwork: in their style of climbing, were tied to each other, which requires great trust; after injury, Simon attempts to lower Joe down the mountain one rope length at a time