Classic: Cinderella Man (2005)

Inspired by the true life story of James Braddock aka The Cinderella Man, this movie is extra-ordinary to say the least. The human emotions, the struggles during the Great Depression, the subsequent rags to riches story and some of the most brutal boxing fights shown on the cinema screen make this Ron Howard movie a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Russell Crowe teams up with Ron Howard for another classic after 'A Beautiful Mind'. That both these movies are inspired by true life heroes, is more than a mere coincidence. He is top class to say the least. His talents need no further explanation. Another milestone for the Australian superstar

There are solid support roles for Renee Zellweger as the wife of James, Paul Giamatti as the manager/ringside coach of James and Paddy Considine as James' friend at the dock

Some of the dialogs induce goose-bumps particularly, the dialog that Mae tells James before the final bout. For more such dialogs check this out http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0352248/quotes

The fights are all real, particularly the Lasky fight and the final Baer fight. Such intensity and such detailing that they suck you into them. The final bout gives you the same feeling as watching a Federer-Nadal grand-slam final.

More than the fights, it's the human interest element that makes this movie a classic, be it the relationship between the father and his 3 young kids or the lovely mature husband-wife relationship or the entire community looking up to the Bulldog of Bergen / The Pride of New Jersey for hope and courage during the Great Depression.

VERDICT: Must watch for any movie buff and more so for sports movie buffs.