Witness the rise of classic cinematic underdogs at Harbourfront Centre

By Brianne Hogan

Napolean Dynamite can't get no respect. Gosh! (Image: Harbourfront Centre)

It’s that time of year again. When catching your favourite flick underneath the stars is the date du jour. Following on the heels of TIFF Bell Lightbox, Harbourfront Centre resurrects its Free Flicks series tonight, highlighting beloved underdogs from the world of cinema. Audiences can choose their favourite for the finale, but we’ve already gone ahead and ranked the charming down-and-outers featured at the festival.

Name: Peter Gibbons
Occupation: office drone
Lowest moment: basically every day, but apparently not putting a cover sheet on a TPS report is pretty bad
Redeeming moment: kicking the crap out of an office printer
Underdog rating: 7/10

Name: Derek Zoolander
Occupation: male model
Lowest moment: losing the walk-off
Redeeming moment: busting out Magnum and saving the day
Underdog rating: 6/10

Name: Napoleon Dynamite
Occupation: high school student
Lowest Moment: “Ugh! Gross! Freakin’ idiot!”
Redeeming moment: his sweet, sweet dance moves
Underdog rating: 8/10

Name: Mark Zuckerberg
Occupation: Harvard Student, boy genius
Lowest Moment: his girlfriend dumps him
Redeeming moment: becomes the biggest — and richest — s**hole ever
Underdog rating: 1/10*
*he’s a freaking billionaire

Moneyball — August 22

Name: Billy Beane
Occupation: Oakland A’s general manager
Lowest moment: trying to convince his employees to think differently
Redeeming moment: Bean’s “pep talk”
Underdog rating: 4/10*
*he’s freaking Brad Pitt

Free Flicks: The Rise of the Underdog, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., July 4 - August 29. All movies start at 9 p.m.