Blue Chips 1994

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. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: Not even an unsentimental basketball fan like director William Friedkin can wash away all the corn syrup. Read more

Entertainment Weekly: Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: A rare example of an entry into this genre that attempts to be honest and unique. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: What Friedkin brings to the story is a tone that feels completely accurate; the movie is a morality play, told in the realistic, sometimes cynical terms of modern high-pressure college sports. Read more

Time Out: This hard-hitting college basketball drama marks a notable return to form for William Friedkin. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: A deafness-inducing but otherwise ho-hum would-be expose of shady recruiting practices by college basketball programs. Read more

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. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: If it wasn't for some exciting roundball action, Shaquille O'Neal's hulking-dunking presence and a wonderfully guttural performance from coach Nick Nolte, you'd slither off the bench asleep. Read more