Ice Castles

Ice Castles, directed by Donald Wrye, is a sports drama about Lexie, a young figure skater on the path to world class competition, who loses her sight in an accident and struggles to return to competitive skating with the support of those who love her. Lead actress Lynn-Holly Johnson was actually working as a professional skater in the Ice Capades show when she was cast, marking her first acting experience. Most of the ice scenes were shot at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, then home to the NHL's Minnesota North Stars; real US Figure Skating Association judges appeared as themselves in the regional championship scenes. The film earned an Academy Award nomination for its song "Through the Eyes of Love"; despite weak scores from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it became a lasting cult favorite among audiences. Interestingly, the 2010 remake of the same name was also directed by Donald Wrye, the original film's director. Who it's for: anyone curious about a sports drama starring a real professional skater in her acting debut, one that critics panned but generations of fans embraced. Who it's not for: those looking for a critically acclaimed classic, since this one scored poorly with reviewers and draws its staying power from audience devotion instead.