These three new sports dramas punch above their weight

NEW YORK — The sports movie, like any genre, can easily fall victim to overly familiar story beats. “Day of the Fight” Jack Huston’s “Day of the Fight,” currently playing in theaters, stars Michael Pitt as down-and-out middleweight boxer “Irish” Mike Flannigan. I think that’s probably why their world is so fascinating to us.” Michael Pitt in a scene from “Day of the Fight.” Michael Pitt in a scene from “Day of the Fight.” Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print CORNERMAN: Ron Perlman. Jharrel Jerome in a scene from “Unstoppable.” Jharrel Jerome in a scene from “Unstoppable.” Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print “At a certain point, it’s a movie about an athlete who wins, so there’s going to be certain tropes that are unavoidable. Ryan Destiny as Claressa Shields in a scene from “The Fire Inside.” Ryan Destiny as Claressa Shields in a scene from “The Fire Inside.” Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print The first half of “The Fire Inside,” which opens Dec. 25, is somewhat conventional, albeit crafted with a keen sense of texture and the local flavor of Flint, Michigan, where Shields was from.