Blue Chips (1994)
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37% of critics liked it
(27 reviews) -
48% of users liked it
(7,548 ratings)
Blue Chips examines greed, cheating, and "winning at all costs" in the world of college basketball. Nick Nolte plays the stressed-out coach on the verge of his first losing season, who hits the road in search of new players not already signed by a bigger school. He finds three prospects: a… More Blue Chips examines greed, cheating, and "winning at all costs" in the world of college basketball. Nick Nolte plays the stressed-out coach on the verge of his first losing season, who hits the road in search of new players not already signed by a bigger school. He finds three prospects: a precision Chicago shooter (Anfernee Hardaway), a giant farmboy (Matt Nover), and a talented troublemaker (Shaquille O'Neal). All three, wise to the ways of college basketball recruitment, make excessive financial and lifestyle demands before they can be persuaded to come to the school; the coach, already haunted by accusations of underhanded dealings, doesn't want to dig himself a deeper hole but has no choice. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi
- Directed By
- William Friedkin
- Genres
- Drama
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Feb 18, 1994 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Todd McCarthy, Variety
A deafness-inducing but otherwise ho-hum would-be expose of shady recruiting practices by college basketball programs.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Not even an unsentimental basketball fan like director William Friedkin can wash away all the corn syrup.
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, Time Out
This hard-hitting college basketball drama marks a notable return to form for William Friedkin.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
If Mr. Friedkin didn't have to work so strenuously framing two-shots of Mr. Nolte with this seven-foot athlete, it might be hard to remember that Mr. O'Neal has a day job.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
The filmmakers don't get the ball into the Shaq-man's hands enough -- both literally and figuratively -- to make this personable giant's screen debut memorable.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Nick Nolte
as Pete Bell
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Mary McDonnell
as Jenny
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J.T. Walsh
as Happy
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Ed O'Neill
as Ed
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Alfre Woodard
as Lavada McRae
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Bob Cousy
as Vic
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Louis Gossett Jr
as Father Dawkins
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Shaquille O'Neal
as Neon
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Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway
as Butch
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Matt Nover
as Ricky
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Cylk Cozart
as Slick
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Anthony C. Hall
as Tony
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Kevin Benton
as Jack
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Bill Cross
as Freddie
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Marques Johnson
as Mel
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Robert Wuhl
as Marty
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Jim Beaver
as Ricky's Father
- Larry Bird
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Sam Crawford
as The Texas Western Team
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Thomas Hill
as The Coast Team
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Allan Malamud
as Reporter
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Nigel Miguel
as Dolphin
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Jerry Tarkanian
as Himself
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Dick Vitale
as Himself
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Bobby Knight
as Himself
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Tony Gonzalez
as Dolphin Mascot
- Louis Di Giaimo
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Michael Johnson
as Cash Man
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Michael Butler
as Dolphin
- DaMarques Johnson
