Steve James made his name exploring the hopeful side of sports with one of the most acclaimed

Steve James made his name exploring the hopeful side of sports with one of the most acclaimed documentaries of all time: 1994’s “Hoop Dreams.” Now, he’s shining a light on the potential dangers of athletics in “Head Games.” James’ latest documentary depicts the damage, depression and even dementia that players often endure after years of repeated concussions. James picked his five favorite sports films:

v “Raging Bull” (1980): Scorsese’s masterpiece is the undisputed heavyweight champion. A biopic of Jake LaMotta that’s not really a sports film yet somehow manages to capture the sport in all its brutality and beauty, along with the rage, aspirations and impotence that fuel both its participants and fans.

v “Slap Shot” (1977): The funniest sports film ever. But also one of the most trenchant critiques of contemporary America. George Roy Hill’s film is about violence, capitalism and unfulfilled dreams set in the world of minor league hockey. It holds up beautifully, too — it’s as relevant today as it was when it was made.

v “Senna” (2011): A riveting documentary about the Formula One racing rivalry between legendary Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna and French driver Alain Prost that ultimately ended in tragedy. A formally groundbreaking documentary by Asif Kapadia that is drawn entirely from thousands of hours of archival television footage along with only the voices of contemporaries offering insights.

v “Fallen Champ, The Untold Story of Mike Tyson” (1993): Barbara Kopple’s overlooked great documentary was made around the time that Tyson was convicted and went to prison for raping Desiree Washington. It does a magnificent job of detailing his rise and fall without moralizing or painting him as a monster.

v “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner” (1962): A great and angry film from the British kitchen-sink-realism movement of the early ‘60s that tells the story of a troubled, blue-collar teen from a dismal family background who discovers running as an escape. Tom Courtenay gives a great performance in this gritty Tony Richardson film that has one of the most uncompromising climaxes to any sports film.

“Ncis” (8 p.m., cbs): Last season, “NCIS” ended with a great big kaboom. Now, it’s time for Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his team to pick up the pieces.

“the office” (9:30 P.M., FOX): After stealing scenes on “The Office,” Mindy Kaling is a leading lady on “The Mindy Project.” It’s an offbeat sitcom about a doctor struggling with the fact that life doesn’t always turn out like the romantic comedies she craves.

“vegas” (10 p.m., cbs): “Vegas,” one of the season’s best new dramas, hits the jackpot with an awesome cast. Dennis Quaid plays a sheriff who tangles with a mob boss (Michael Chiklis) in the early days of Sin City.

tv listings, b6

Oakland number

youngstown

Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., Youngstown, presents “The Normal Heart” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Oct. 5 and 6.

For reservations, call the box office at 330-746-0404. An incorrect number was published Sunday with a review.

The play takes place in New York between 1981-84 when HIV/AIDS is beginning to affect the gay community.