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Blue Chips

PG-13 Released Feb 18, 1994 1h 48m Drama List
40% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) is a college basketball coach who has to improve his team's standing -- by any means necessary. His hopes are pinned on a trio of talented players: Neon Boudeaux (Shaquille O'Neal), Butch McRae (Penny Hardaway) and Ricky Roe (Matt Nover). But in order to get them to sign to his school, Bell will have to illegally pay the players off. If he's caught, it could destroy Bell's coaching career and cast a cloud of shame over his team. Will he risk it all to win?
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Blue Chips

Blue Chips

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Critics Consensus

Director William Friedkin is working with a strong cast, but an excess of sentimentality renders this basketball drama more than a little flat.

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Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: C+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Todd McCarthy Variety A deafness-inducing but otherwise ho-hum would-be expose of shady recruiting practices by college basketball programs. Mar 25, 2008 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Not even an unsentimental basketball fan like director William Friedkin can wash away all the corn syrup. Mar 25, 2008 Full Review Dan Buffa Ramble On With Buffa (Substack) Friedkin and Shelton know how to mix action, words and music effectively, and Nolte absolutely gives until it's gone as Pete Bell, who will make basketball seem exciting and sexy even to a casual fan. Aug 20, 2024 Full Review Tim Stevens The Spool While shot dynamically, the camera movements and editing diminish the on-court action. Sep 27, 2023 Full Review Peter Martin EverythingButHorror.com Features an absolutely terrific performance by Nick Nolte, and provides evidence that William Friedkin's abilities as a director could make movies that were compelling, lively, exciting, and thoroughly entertaining, no matter their subject matter. Aug 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (299) audience reviews
Carlos I A fairly average sports drama. It plays with melodramatic themes of righteousness, but doesn't allow itself to totally dip into sentimentality. If you dig sports flicks, you should enjoy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/16/24 Full Review Garret G A man named Amin referred me to this movie but I think this a phobe. Bob Cousy better be happy he acted against Electricians and Plumbers or he may be the most ass on acting I've ever seen. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/12/24 Full Review Steve D Far more notable for its cameos than anything else, but watchable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Some fun stuff for sure as a college basketball fan, Nolte was really really good in this. The basketball scenes were shot well and it was fun to see Knight, Boeheim, and Dickie V. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Garrett B A better than average sports movie that gets a little too heavy handed with the moral lessons. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/15/22 Full Review ashley h Blue Chips is a disappointing film. It is about a college basketball coach who is forced to break the rules in order to get the players he needs to stay competitive. Nick Nolte and Mary McDonnell give horrible performances. The script is badly written. William Friedkin did a terrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Blue Chips

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Cast & Crew

Blue Chips

Blue Chips: Official Clip - Ejected Blue Chips: Official Clip - Ejected 2:13 Blue Chips: Official Clip - Please Don't Step on the Kids Blue Chips: Official Clip - Please Don't Step on the Kids 2:06 Blue Chips: Official Clip - Neon Jams, Winning! Blue Chips: Official Clip - Neon Jams, Winning! 1:53 Blue Chips: Official Clip - The S.A.T. Bet Blue Chips: Official Clip - The S.A.T. Bet 1:43 Blue Chips: Official Clip - Coach Bell's Pep Talk Blue Chips: Official Clip - Coach Bell's Pep Talk 1:36 Blue Chips: Official Clip - Meet Neon Blue Chips: Official Clip - Meet Neon 2:07 Blue Chips: Official Clip - How Bad Can it Get? Blue Chips: Official Clip - How Bad Can it Get? 1:51 Blue Chips: Official Clip - Western Vs. Indiana Blue Chips: Official Clip - Western Vs. Indiana 2:12 Blue Chips: Official Clip - Neon Goes to College Blue Chips: Official Clip - Neon Goes to College 2:03 View more videos
School Ties 60% 69% School Ties Regarding Henry 49% 63% Regarding Henry Permanent Record 47% 69% Permanent Record Against the Ropes 12% 29% Against the Ropes Firstborn 36% 53% Firstborn Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) is a college basketball coach who has to improve his team's standing -- by any means necessary. His hopes are pinned on a trio of talented players: Neon Boudeaux (Shaquille O'Neal), Butch McRae (Penny Hardaway) and Ricky Roe (Matt Nover). But in order to get them to sign to his school, Bell will have to illegally pay the players off. If he's caught, it could destroy Bell's coaching career and cast a cloud of shame over his team. Will he risk it all to win?
Director
William Friedkin
Producer
Michele Rappaport
Screenwriter
Ron Shelton
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.8M
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Surround
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