We've lost the great Gene Hackman, but sport is cyclical and therefore gives the illusion of permanence. And a great sports movie taps into that feeling, even while reminding us that the moments - all moments - are fleeting, at best. No wonder Dads - who believe ourselves to be both simultaneously immortal and hurtling towards the void - love a sports flick. 

With apologies to Neil Diamond and the Monkees, goodbye cranky Gene. There will be others but never another like you.