Biggs and Aaron return to the diamond, this time during the second world war when all the men are gone and only the "ladies" can play ball. Possibly one of the most important sports films in history, A League of Their Own sets up conversations about generational expectations and story telling, it also lets us wonder what it is that makes even the most despicable characters played by Tom Hanks so endearing. Madonna sets the record straight as only she can at the end: why did it have to end? And why do they always say keep your head held high, don't ask them why, because life is short...

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This week Biggs and Aaron take a look at the top grossing soccer (aka football) movie of all time: Bend it Like Beckham. We continue our discussion about the importance of independent film productions and examine a movie that was apparently written to celebrate queer protagonists only to try (unsuccessfully) to conceal them by the time shooting began. This opens the door for readings that can empower some, but which ultimately feel limited, and of course, introduces a whole lot of hegemonic normalization. This movie tries to have it both ways, it fails and in many ways it succeeds, but it can't be denied that it has left a demonstrable legacy in the real world of professional sports - and that's the kind of cultural construction this show is all about.

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Biggs and Aaron travel back to the turn of the century to witness the best that ever was (if only he hadn't gotten shot by a lady and/or had learned the lessons of ancient lore) with The Natural. We talk about mythology and representation, we talk about a man in his 40's pretending he is a teenager (that's Robert Redford, not Wilford Brimley ...), and we talk about the importance of independent film companies. We cap it all off with a look at one of the more iconic finales to a sports movie ever. From iconic cinematography to the historic implications of smashing the lights out at a baseball game there is plenty to learn all the way to the end; check it out!

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The San Jose Sharks battle to make the playoffs despite struggling with injuries, internal battles within the organization, and reckoning with the inherent racism of the league.

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This week Biggs and Aaron strap on the pads and go to college with Rudy (1993). Arguably one of the more iconic feel-good sports movies of all time, we ask the hard questions like: is Rudy a "nice guy?", "what is chronic traumatic encephalopathy and why do we subsidize it with our tax dollars?", and "what, exactly, is Rudy's major at Notre Dame?" (it's dreaming!). Jerry Goldsmith and the affects of fall and winter make it feel incredible, it will inspire you (ignore what Joe Montana has to say!), and of course Sean Austin is adorable. Don't miss it!

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Biggs and Aaron go to the Olympics with arguably the most famous bobsled team of all time, not the actual team of course but the Disney version complete with racist names (Sanka Coffee!?!?), an angry and violent and arrogant (and lovable!) white guy in charge (why doesn't John Candy make jokes?), and a soundtrack that "popularizes" reggae with new takes on old hits (it's so affordable!). Deep down it is an incredible story about historic athletes in a sport that is terrifying, and there is some of that in there too. Don't miss it!

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A father and son play ball at dusk behind the house - it's a strike! But this isn't baseball, it's bowling. Biggs and Aaron hit the road with the Farley Brothers and Kingpin (1996). They talk about hegemonic masculinity's relationships to transphobia and misogyny, the "dirty poor," and about losing to a loser. "Hot  garbage with meatballs" this movie is work, but the good news is it's all done for you here in this podcast.

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Biggs and Aaron begin Batch 2 on Losing the Big Game with 2000's Bring It On. We talk about the power of camp and the resilience of the male gaze, we talk about what the "outsider" politics of cheerleading can tell us about idealized notions of belonging, and we explore the connections between football, cheerleading, and settler colonial ideologies. Don't miss it!

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Biggs and Aaron step into the ring to talk about one of the most important sports films in history - 1976's Rocky. We go the distance and revisit our conversation about the work of John Avildsen, and we talk more about r*pe culture. We discuss saving money in ways that help the story and, importantly, trains - all to the fist-pumping sounds of Bill Conti. Let's hit some stairs!

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Biggs and Aaron pick up 1989's Major League to continue an exploration of their "formative sports films."There's a red moon rising, on the Cuyahoga River," and it's because the water is on fire. But don't worry, it's not a crisis, it's an accomplishment! This movie has it all: some of the most iconic baseball moments on screen coupled with r*pe culture, anti-blackness, cultural genocide by way of Indigenous caricature, and, of course, the sounds of Randy Newman helping it all feel amazing.

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