Okay, so I’ve been meaning to compile a list of movies about coaching, not just the usual sports ones, but flicks that really get into the mentor-mentee dynamic. I finally got around to doing it today, and I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out.
The First Attempt: Brain Dump
First things first, I opened up a blank Google Doc. Just started listing out every movie I could think of that even remotely touched on coaching. Stuff like Coach Carter, obviously, but also things like Good Will Hunting – you know, where the relationship isn’t strictly “coach,” but there’s that guidance element.
Getting Organized: Categories?
After the initial brain dump, I had this messy list. So, I started thinking about how to organize it. Did I want to do it by sport? By the type of coaching? It got a bit overwhelming. I almost scrapped the whole thing, honestly.
The “Aha!” Moment: It’s All About the Vibe
Then it hit me. It’s not about boxing movies versus teaching movies. It’s about the feeling of the coaching relationship. So I started grouping them by the vibe. You got your:
- Tough Love: These are the drill sergeant types, the ones who push you to your absolute limit. Think Whiplash.
- The Inspirational: These are your classic, feel-good movies, where the coach helps the underdog overcome all odds. Remember the Titans, that kind of thing.
- The Unconventional: These are the mentors who are a bit quirky, maybe even a bit flawed themselves. The Karate Kid, the orginal, for my opnion.
- Life Lessons Beyond the Game: These are the ones where the coaching extends beyond the sport or the skill. It’s about growing up, finding yourself. Dead Poets Society fits in here, I think.
Filling in the Gaps: Google to the Rescue
Once I had my categories, I went back to my original list and started slotting movies in. Of course, there were gaps. So, I fired up Google and started searching things like “movies about unconventional mentors” and “films with tough love coaches.” This helped me discover a few hidden gems I’d completely forgotten about, and even some I’d never heard of.
The Final Product: A Pretty Sweet List
Finally, I cleaned up the Google Doc, added a little intro, and boom. I’ve got this pretty awesome resource. It’s not just a list of movies; it’s kind of a guide to different coaching styles, reflected through film. I am pretty satisfied.