The Sports Burrito Media Recommendations

Here we have collated what we have been watching, reading, listening to and downloading over the past couple of weeks- this page will be updated weekly and feel free to submit your own recommendations via email, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

Run out of things to watch in these weird COVID-19 times? Here are some of our favourites to keep you from going completely insane.

MUST WATCH: Fire in Babylon, 2010, Tribeca Pictures

In the wake of Michael Holding's incredibly powerful words on Sky Sports before the first test this week, we thought it only fair to share a documentary that he features heavily in. This documentary follows the story of the great West Indian cricket team of the 1970s and 80s. After a dismal series defeat against Australia in 1975, the team's captain turned to sheer pace and intimidation tactics in order to make the team more fearsome- and my word did they become fearsome. Soon emerged the 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse': Michel Holding (or Whispering Death as he was known), Joel Garner, Colin Croft and Andy Roberts. The constant threat of 90mph plus bowling terrified all before them, particularly England and Tony Greig, who was made to deeply regret his comments about making the West Indian team "grovel". The documentary also explores the links between the team's success and the civil rights movement in the UK, West Indies and beyond.

When We Were Kings, 1996, Leon Gast

This Oscar winning documentary about The Rumble in the Jungle (Ali's famous fight against George Foreman in 1974 in Zaire) has it all for boxing fans and casual onlookers alike- the insights into the great man's persona and perspectives are as fascinating as expected, and the way the entire film is arranged is beautiful. A sporting event of monumental meaning which has been somewhat forgotten by younger generations, this docufilm shines a light on the bizarre circumstances of this fight taking place in a despotic dictatorship as well as highlighting the event's desire to display black excellence across sport, music and culture.

Available on DVD via Amazon or HBO+ in the USA.

All the Smoke Podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Showtime

The key to any good podcast where guests are being interviewed is to make sure they are as comfortable as possible, and no podcast has achieved this better than All the Smoke. Barnes and Jackson are veteran champions of the NBA and have strong bonds with a wide array of great names from the basketball and wider sporting world, resulting in lengthy interviews with star names such as Stephen A Smith, Kevin Garnett and a now heartbreaking conversation with Kobe Bryant which was recorded just 3 weeks prior to his tragic passing. The close bonds the hosts have with their guests brings a calmness and a reduced inhibition which in turn provokes genuinely interesting insights about not only the characters' sporting careers but also their life as a whole.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you may get your podcasts.

The Last Dance Playlist, Spotify

One of the many successes of Jason Hehir's recent docuseries about the Chicago Bulls teams of the 90s was that of the soundtrack which ranged across a number of different genres and moods. Spotify have curated a playlist which includes the music from the series as well as some related tracks which have proved to be excellent quarantine listening, be it for exercise motivation or just lounging around the house.

Available via this link:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX45xYefy6tIi?si=yjUSFbzcRH-XA7gQz82CMQ

30 for 30: LANCE

A behemoth of his sport who fell further than most, Lance Armstrong continues to be an object of fascination to the sporting world. As his lies, bullying tactics and outright cheating became clear in the wake of multiple investigations and hard nosed investigative journalism, the perfect story and reputation of Lance Armstrong built with his 7 Tour de France wins dissipated quickly. This two part documentary details not only the downfall but more importantly his character and insatiable appetite for winning (and indeed hatred of losing).

Available on BT Sport or ESPN+.