Blue Chips

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Blue Chips ★★½ 1994 (PG-13)

Nolte does Bobby Knight in this saga of Western U basketball coach Pete Bell, suffering through his first losing season. What follows is a tug of war between rich alumni who want to win at any cost and his ethics as he recruits for a new season. Larger than life hoopster O'Neal's film debut. McDonnell and Woodard are merely afterthoughts, but look for cameos from many real life b-ballers, including Dick Vi-tale and Larry Bird. Average script is bolstered by exciting game footage, shot during real games for authenticity. 108m/C VHS, DVD . Nick Nolte, Shaquille O'Neal, Mary McDonnell, Ed O'Neill, J.T. Walsh, Alfre Woodard; Cameos: Larry Bird, Bobby Knight, Rick Pitino; D: William Friedkin; W: Ron Shelton; M: Nile Rodgers, Jeff Beck, Jed Leiber.