Thursday Movie Picks by Wandering through the Shelves returns. According to the theme of the week, three to five movies are picked and shared with the reason. Should anyone be interested in joining in, feel free to visit the main page here.
This week's theme is: The Underdogs or from-zero-to-hero guys or comeback kids, you name it. I must admit that this theme mostly revolves around sports movies, but I'm glad that I found beyond that 'stereotype', too. So, here's my most favorite underdogs movies.
01. Million Dollar Baby (2014, Clint Eastwood)
Clint Eastwood's veteran boxing coach, haunted by a ghost of his past, attempts to train an underdog female boxer (Hillary Swank) in order to atone his deed. Both - the coach and the boxer - are underrated; they climb up the ladders to stardom. Dedication and patience has led Frankie the coach to deliver his mo cuishle, Maggie, to the title shot she's ever wanted; but, it's not the kind of underdog story you've ever wanted to watch. I personally could never forgive that ending until today.
02. The Damned United (2009, Tom Hooper)
The Damned United is a biography of the best football manager England has never had - The Special One of his era, Brian Clough (portrayed brilliantly by Michael Sheen). Starting off as a manager for a provincial club, Derby County, which struggled with relegation in England's third-tier league, his managerial skill helped the club to gain double promotion and even win premier league. Once again, it's not the kind of underdog story you wanted to watch, because it's set in Clough's ill-fated 44-day tenure in a club he hated the most.
03. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010, Edgar Wright)
Edgar Wright's comic-book inspired bravura is definitely 'the underdog' story you'd like to watch. It's a feel-good, energetic and vibrant coming-of-age romance that goes beyond genre. Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a regular guy in a band called Sex Bob-Omb. One day he meets a purple-haired girl, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and fell in love. To be with her, this underdog (yes, Michael Cera is a certified one) must defeat Ramona's evil exes. Weird? Yes, but it's a fun ride in the end.