Sports & Fitness Movies

Major-league baseball pitchers usually throw fastballs, curveballs, and off-speed pitches. A few brave souls, however, have made a career out of throwing the knuckleball. The pitch entails lobbing the baseball in such a way that it doesn't rotate, and therefore moves in a manner that's impossible to predict. The filmmakers follow Tim Wakefield and R.A. Dickey, the only two knuckleball pitchers in the majors during the 2011 season, as they attempt to stay in the big leagues while relying on this unorthodox weapon. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Chris "Knuckles" Nilan is the focus of Alex Gibney's The Last Gladiators, a documentary that examines the role hockey "enforcers" -- tough guys hired to protect star hockey players on the ice and get into fights with each other -- played for decades in the NHL. Full of entertaining fight footage, and interviews with uber-tough guys like Tony Twist and Marty McSorley, Gibney's film also addresses head-on how the personalities of the men who did this job better than others have often made it very difficult for them to have a problem-free life after they are too old to continue their careers. The Last Gladiators played at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Xavier Mitchell's documentary traces the history of playground basketball, showcasing some of the legendary players who became the most respected asphalt ballers in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The movie charts how this sport grew to become enduringly popular with spectators thanks to these celebrated athletes who never made it to the NBA. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

This inspirational release follows yoga instructor Suzanne Bryant on a journey of self discover and transcendence, discussing how she discovered and came to study yoga, an ancient practice that has attracted millions worldwide. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

An in-depth biography about the New York Jets/ex-Denver Bronco's polarizing QB Tim Tebow.

The 2011-2012 New York Giants caught fire at the end of the season, skyrocketing after a 7-7 start to 6 straight wins concluding with a victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. This documentary serves up highlights from throughout the season, including footage from the championship game, and the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

A young man struggles to overcome a physical handicap in this drama based on a true story. Matt Hamill (Theodore Conley) was born to a single mother (Susan Gibney), who was told her young son was bright, talented, and entirely deaf. Without a father to rely on, young Matt turns to his grandfather Stanley (Raymond J. Barry) as his male role model; Stanley encourages the boy not to allow his deafness to hold him back, and urges him to take up wrestling. Matt shows tremendous promise as a wrestler, but while the sport helps him build confidence and muscle, he isn't sure how to deal with others, particularly girls. After graduating from high school, Matt (now played by Russell Harvard) attends Purdue on a wrestling scholarship, but he's forced to leave school due to poor grades. However, he has an opportunity to redeem himself when his wrestling skills earn him an invite to the Rochester Institute of Technology, a school with a special program for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. For the first time, Matt has peers who are also deaf, and he befriends his roommate Jay (Michael Anthony Spady) and falls for pretty coed Kristi (Shoshannah Stern). But it's a challenge for the lifelong loner to open up to other people and admit his weaknesses, and he also has to learn a new way of communicating by using American Sign Language after spending his life as a lip-reader. The Hammer (aka Hamill) was based on the life of Matt Hamill, a three-time NCAA wrestling champion who has gone on to become a successful mixed-martial-arts competitor. Due to its subject matter and large hearing-impaired audience, the film was exhibited as Open Caption (with onscreen readable text) in theaters. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

TV personality and fitness expert Brooke Burke hosts this total body exercise routine, designed to sculpt and tone all the major muscle groups of the body while simultaneously offering a full aerobic workout. The program is designed to be used with light dumbbells. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

This intense five day fitness routine targets the abdominal muscles with the principles of Pilates, combining toning and sculpting movements with the benefits of aerobic exercise in order to help build lean muscle and increase metabolism. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper delivers an intense and innovative workout regime incorporating intervals and plyometrics, as well as strength and endurance training. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Designed to promote weight loss while restoring the body's natural balance, this workout incorporates vinyasa yoga to help lengthen, strengthen, and tone the muscles. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

This workout program from longtime fitness enthusiast Jane Fonda offers a low-impact, dance-based aerobic workout designed to tone the body while burning fat. Bonus features include an 18-minute meditation program intended to calm the body and mind. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi