Southpaw (2015)
Rated R, 2 hour 4 minutes

Southpaw is a 2015 sports film that follows the emotional journey of Billy “The Great” Hope. Billy is a successful and volatile professional boxer who needs to navigate the trials of personal tragedy, redemption, and the quest to reclaim his former glory. Billy is a ferocious and undefeated light heavyweight boxing champion. Billy is known for his aggressive fighting style and ability to take a punch, earning him the nickname “Southpaw” due to his left-handed stance. Outside the ring, Billy enjoys a lavish lifestyle with his devoted wife Maureen and their daughter Leila. This is until tragedy strikes when a heated confrontation with an ambitious young boxer, Miguel “Magic” Escobar , results in a horrific accident that takes Maureen’s life. The loss causes Billy to become majorly depressed and comes to the point where he loses custody of his daughter and his wealth.  With his life in shambles, Billy finds himself at rock bottom and must rebuild his life from scratch. Billy seeks refuge at a rundown gym owned by his wise friend Tick Wills, an ex-boxer and trainer who sees potential in Billy. Under Tick’s guidance, Billy starts his journey of redemption, both in and out of the ring. Billy begins the difficult process of regaining custody of his daughter and learning to channel his anger and pain in a positive way. Through relentless training and self-discovery, Billy prepares for an opportunity at a championship comeback. The film explores themes of resilience and how important second chances can be. As Billy fights to win back his daughter and return to the pinnacle of the boxing world, he must confront his own demons and start to rebuild his life. Southpaw delivers intense and emotionally charged boxing sequences that showcase Billy’s determination to reclaim his title and honor his late wife’s memory. In the climax of the film, Billy wins the fight and fully regains custody of his daughter in the process. Southpaw stands as a compelling and heartfelt sports film that transcends the boxing genre. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. This is a film I would definitely recommend to Boxing fans as it’s right up there with “The Fighter ” and “Rocky”. 

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Rated PG-13, 2 hours 13 minutes

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a superhero film that reintroduces Spider-Man to the franchise with a focus on his high school life and his journey as a young superhero. The film picks up after the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” where a young Peter Parker has already experienced the thrill of joining the Avengers in a battle against other superheroes. Back home in Queens, New York, Peter returns to his ordinary life as a high school student under the supervision of his Aunt May. Peter, eager to prove himself as more than just a “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man,” Peter becomes obsessed with joining the Avengers full-time. However, Tony Stark/Iron Man, his mentor, insists that he focus on his high school studies and avoid getting involved in dangerous situations as he believes Peter is not ready and still has a lot to learn. Meanwhile, a new villain emerges known as the Vulture. Vulture and his crew scavenge and sell advanced weaponry made from the wreckage of alien battles, leading to clashes with Spider-Man. As Peter tries to balance his ordinary life and his responsibilities as a hero, he faces challenges in keeping his identity a secret from his friends, including his best friend Ned and his crush Liz. Throughout the film, Peter has trouble dealing with the complexities of being a superhero while still dealing with the typical challenges of being a teenager. Peter’s determination to prove himself leads to several mishaps and comedic situations, highlighting his growth and maturation throughout the film. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” emphasizes the theme of responsibility, as Peter comes to understand that being a hero is not just about fighting villains but also about protecting those he cares about and the responsibilities of having powers. The film showcases Peter’s resourcefulness and intelligence as he relies on his scientific knowledge and awareness to outsmart the Vulture and his crew. The film’s climax involves a showdown between Spider-Man and Vulture aboard a damaged Stark cargo plane, where in the end Peter proves he can be a valuable superhero and is offered a full-time spot in the Avengers. Peter shuts this down though as he realized that now that he’s gotten a taste of being a hero, he rather enjoys high school while he still can. Overall, Spider-Man: Homecoming is praised for its freshness in the cast with Tom Holland playing the role of Peter in this film. This is a film I would highly recommend to any fan of Spiderman or Marvel.

Rookie of the Year is a sports film that follows the story of Henry Rowengartner, a young baseball fan who miraculously gains the ability to throw incredible pitches after breaking his arm. Henry is an average 12-year-old boy who dreams of playing baseball for the Chicago Cubs. One day, while trying to catch a fly ball at a Cubs game, Henry slips and breaks his arm. When the cast is removed, Henry discovers that his arm has miraculously healed with a unique side effect, Henry can now throw a baseball incredibly well. With his newfound talent, Henry becomes an overnight sensation in the baseball world. Henry’s powerful arm earns him a spot on the Chicago Cubs’ roster, making him the youngest player in MLB history. The team’s manager, George Knox , is initially skeptical of Henry’s abilities, but soon realizes that the young pitcher could be the key to turning the struggling team’s season around. As Henry adjusts to life as a professional baseball player, he faces numerous challenges, both on and off the field. Henry must now deal with being an MLB player while still balancing the responsibilities of a kid. Throughout the film, Henry learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, humility, and the importance of staying true to yourself. The film also delves into the dynamic between Henry and his mom Mary, who worries about her son’s newfound fame and the impact it may have on his childhood. Meanwhile, Henry’s best friend, Clark supports Henry through his journey. As the Cubs’ season progresses, Henry faces a crucial game that will determine the team’s fate. With the support of his teammates, coaches, and fans, he must prove that he is more than just a one-hit wonder and has what it takes to be a true baseball star. Rookie of the Year is a heartwarming and fun sports film that appeals to audiences of all ages. The film celebrates the power of believing in oneself and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. This is a film I would definitely recommend to sports fans and families.