Over at Hollywood Elsewhere, Jeff Wells goes off on an eHarmony article about movies that make guys cry, specifically for including Love Actually, which Wells calls "repulsive." Leaving aside for the moment the more pressing question of why Wells happened upon an article on eHarmony to begin with, the list actually does include a few films that are definite tearjerkers, but some of them are over-the-top obvious -- Brian's Song, The Natural, Rudy, The Pride of the Yankees, Rocky (Seriously? Who cries at Rocky?) and Old Yeller, the most stereotypical "it's okay for guys to cry over this one" film ever.

The list loses some credibility points with me for including sapfests like Love Actually and Terms of Endearment, but overlooking Once -- when they play "Falling Slowly" for the first time, I bawl my eyes out -- but moderately redeems itself with the inclusion of Schindler's List, To Kill a Mockingbird, and my all-time fave cry-your-eyeballs-out flick, The Iron Giant. I guess it's true (however much it may be a stereotype) that guys and chicks are moved to tears over different things.

Is there anyone out there who doesn't, in some way, love Rudy? The 1993 football film was a feel-good tale of a kid with the pressure of life on his shoulders, whose dream of playing football trumped his athletic skills, struggling grades, and the fact that he was much smaller than the other players. It was also Sean Astin during his early-90s film collection -- a Sgt in Memphis Belle, fiesty Billy Tepper in Toy Soldiers, and harborer of an Encino Man. Le sigh... Anyway, Rudy director David Anspaugh is dipping into the sports once again, with the sport that brought him lots of cred when he helmed Hoosiers.

Variety reports that Screen Gems has tapped him to direct the Charles Murray and Chris Parker-penned Phenom, the basketball movie I briefly mentioned in March when Stomp the Yard actor Chris Brown sign on to star. (The young actor had been trying to get Antoine Fuqua to direct the film, but who can argue with this choice?!) The film focuses on Brown, "a standout high school basketball player who goes pro after the media discovers he's the illegitimate son of the NBA's best player. Father and son are on a collision course as their teams meet on the road to the playoffs." It sounds like it could be a comedy, but this, like Rudy, is a listed as a drama. The production also stars Henry Simmons (Dad?)and Vanessa Williams (Mom?), and will cook up next year after Brown finishes his current concert tour. Are you ready to see Anspaugh's world of sports again?

So, I'm watching some of the NFL Playoffs this weekend (which, mind you, included some of the most fantastic games the post-season has given us in quite some time), when myself and a friend of mine began debating the best football-related flicks of all time. Football has always been popular on the big screen, with at least one or two films arriving each year that use the sport as their backdrop.

Usually, our football flicks come in one of three different forms: First up we have the laffer (ie: The Longest Yard), which usually consists of a group of horrible players who bumble, fumble and, with help from their brand new coach, somehow find themselves on the opposite side of losing. Throw in a montage or two (and a guy named Harold "Sticky Fingers" Lewis), and you have comedic gold. Next up is the straight-up drama (ie: Any Given Sunday), packed full of serious football playing with serious players and a serious director out to show us the real side of the game. Finally, we have the tear-jerker (ie: We Are Marshall) ... because there's nothing like watching football that makes you cry. These films usually revolve around players (or a player) who are either trying to overcome a disability or the remnants of a horrific accident.

Personally, I've always had a weak spot for The Longest Yard (the original), Friday Night Lights and, most of all, Rudy. My friend really loves Any Given Sunday, though that film never quite found a spot in my most memorable bin.

So, I ask you: What is your favorite football flick of all time?

Okay, raise your hand if Rudy is among your favorite movies of all time. (Hell yeah, you bet my hand is raised!) Heck, I'm not even a huge football fan, but there's something about that film -- the emotion, the heart -- that leaves me in tears once the credits start rolling. I've always thought Sean Astin was a good actor, though it seemed as if he could never land a big film. That is, until Peter Jackson took a chance and cast him in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We love you Sam!

Astin followed up the monster blockbuster trilogy with a string of lesser-known films -- because that's how he rolls. Hey, I'm sure he's glad to be working, but how come we can't give this guy some bigger parts? For God's sake, it's Rudy! Anyway, Astin has just signed on for a lead role in Forever Strong, returning once again to a sports-themed flick. Pic revolves around a troubled youth (Sean Faris) who, in order to stay out of juvenile detention, must help coach a rugby team. To everyone's surprise, said team travels to the National Championship where our main character must face the toughest coach yet ... his father. Unfortunately, Astin will not be handling a ball this time -- instead, he'll be playing a social worker.

Last week on The Poll (calling it The Poll makes it sound as if it's more important than it really is and, since I like to feel special, I may do that from time to time), we talked about controversial films. Entertainment Weekly came up with a list of those they considered most controversial,and we debated which ingredients belong in such a film -- and some of us even mocked EW for coming up with yet another crappy list.

For this week's (Episode? Edition? Version?) of The Poll, we will focus on a different list: AFI's 100 most inspirational films of all time. And yes, I'm curious -- what makes a film inspirational? Not surprisingly, they chose It's a Wonderful Life as its top pick.  Ya know, some guy learns the meaning of life after an angel shows him what things would be like if he never existed. There's not a Christmas film that exists in which this one isn't on a television somewhere in the background. Has it ever inspired me to be a better person? No. Has it made me feel good? I suppose. And I guess feeling real good after watching a film is a form of inspiration.

Some other films ranked high on the list include Rocky, To Kill a Mockingbird, Schindler's List and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. One of my personal favorite feel-good flicks is Rudy, and I was somewhat peeved to see it all the way down at number 54. I mean, how does one film make you feel better than another? How do you rank inspiration? Honestly, at the end of the day, if there's anything this list inspires me to do, it's to never read another one of these lists.

So, I ask you: In your mind, what makes a film inspirational? And, after taking a look at AFI's list, do you feel some films should have been ranked higher than others or is it impossible to rank such a thing in the first place?