‘Rudy’

Sweet-natured and unsurprising--about as hard to resist (and as intellectually demanding) as an affectionate puppy--this 1993 tale of a guy who never gave up on his dream of suiting up as a football player for Notre Dame benefits from a charming and engaging performance by Sean Astin (pictured) in the lead role. Otherwise, it’s “Never Say Die”/” Gotta Be Me” all over again (HBO Sunday at 5:15 p.m.; Friday at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.).