Here's a closer look at the best and worst of the bunch of high school football movies from the 80s.
THE BEST: All The Right Moves (1983)
Stars: Tom Cruise, Lea Thompson, Craig T. Nelson, Christopher Penn.
The plot: A football player and his coach look to escape the steel towns of Pennsylvania.
Realism factor: Aside from the fireworks going off when rival Walnut Heights scores a touchdown, I think it's fairly flawless. Craig Nelson is the embodiment of every high school coach I've ever met (he would of course later go on to prove this again in TV's "Coach.") And yeah, Tom, that WAS pass interference! Next time, go for the ball.
Favorite line: "You're not god, Nickerson. You're just a typing teacher."
THE WORST: Wildcats (1986)
Stars: Goldie Hawn, Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Nipsey Russell, Bruce McGill.
The plot: A female track coach accepts her dream job -- head football coach ... at the worst school in the city.
Realism factor: The female coach is possibly the only realistic angle to the entire movie. Otherwise, you have players break-dancing on the field (that's 15 yards unsportsmanlike conduct), profanity during the plays (another 15 yards and possible ejection) and a 400-pound player jumping high enough to block a field goal. (No flag, but come on!)
Favorite line: "If you're going to shake my hand, I'd rather do you did that before you checked his jock."
THE GUILTY PLEASURE: The Best of Times (1986)
Stars: Robin Williams, Kurt Russell.
The plot: Two men seek to turn their lives (and the fortune of their town) around by replaying an important game from their high school days.
Realism factor: You wouldn't ask how realistic "Field of Dreams" is, would you? Same deal here. Just enjoy the shot at redemption (and secretly wish it could happen to you as well.)
Favorite line: "I was lucky." "No Jack, you were due."
