NEWSLETTER
If we had our way, the Chicago Cubs would be gearing up for their second game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. No movie can ever replace that. But at least “Rudy” is a good one.
From the same writing/directing combo as one of our previous films – Hoosiers – Rudy is the story of … you know what? Everyone knows the story of Rudy. Everyone knows the chant. It’s not just a cult classic, like so many other sports movies on this list, it’s an actual classic.
One story you definitely do not know, however, is personal.
When I was seven years old, I had one boy cousin in a family full of girls. He was about three years older than me and an awesome hockey player, too (relative speaking, I’m sure), which meant I thought he was the coolest person in the world. Sadly, my cousin, Rocky, developed a brain tumor and never overcame it. Before he passed, however, he was granted one wish (from the same Make-A-Wish foundation we support with our blog-a-thon every year). All my cousin wanted to do was meet Rudy (well, the guy from the movie), and that’s exactly what he got to do.
The actor Sean Astin visited my cousin in person, and, as far as I know/hope (I was very young), made his day. Whether or not this was an easy request for him, Sean Astin will now always hold a special place in my heart. And so will this movie. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, even if it’s not Cubs-Cardinals on a weekend at Wrigley.
Movie Info
(Note: Some of the movies on this calendar are streamable on Netflix, Hulu, etc. (and some of you may even own hard copies on VHS or DVD!) I’ll be sure to mention it when they are. However, whenever they’re not available for free, I’ll share a link to the cheapest place to rent it in this section).
Rudy (1993) – Saturday, April 11th on … Rent on YouTube ($3.99), Rent on Amazon ($2.99)
Credits:
Director: David Anspaugh
Writer: Angelo Pizzo
Ratings:
IMDB: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% Critic Score, 90% Audience Score
The Cast:
- Sean Astin … Daniel E. ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger
- Jon Favreau … D-Bob
- Ned Beatty … Daniel Ruettiger
- Greta Lind … Mary
- Scott Benjaminson … Frank Ruettiger
- Mary Ann Thebus … Betty
- Charles S. Dutton … Fortune
- Lili Taylor … Sherry
- Christopher Reed … Pete
Full Calendar:
