Starring: Nick Nolte, Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway
Nick Nolte plays Pete Bell, the basketball coach of Western University (based on UCLA). Western has a storied history with championships upon championships. The movie begins with Petey going through the end of his first losing season, and not handling it well. In his classic pre-game speech to his team, which opens the film, Coach curses all up and down at his players about how bad they are and how much he can't stand coaching them. After the season ends he realizes that he needs to get better players and do a better job of recruiting. JT Walsh is Happy, the Buddy Garrity type head hancho of the boosters. When Pete has trouble getting blue chip players, Butch McRae and Ricky Roe to come to Western, he calls upon Happy to get the deal done. Blue Chips tells the story of the behind the scenes antics of college athletics recruiting. Nolte is fantastic and Shaquille O'Neal as the 7'4" Neon Bedeux is an excellent touch.
Favorite Character: Coach Pete Bell
Least Favorite: Jenny Bell
Quote: "Why don't you go to Bulgaria. I heard they're lookin' for whimps like you....whiners!" Happy.
1. Hoosiers (1986)
Starring: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper
Just listening to the Hoosiers theme might make it number one. It is the well known story of the small town Indiana high school that wins the all-class state championship. Gene Hackman is Coach Norman Dale and he comes to Hickory High with some new coaching ideas. The small town people, as well as most of the players don't enjoy his style. What he's left with is a town that hates him and a team of seven guys. After Coach Dale tells Jimmy Chitwood to shove it, Jimmy then decides to join the squad again and the Hickory Huskers make their run to the championship. I could definitely do without all of the Barbara Hershey side action stuff, but the side stuff with Dennis Hopper makes up for it. Hopper plays Shooter, a drunk father of one of the players that loves basketball. Coach Dale ends up handing him the reigns of the squad after purposely getting thrown out of a game. Now if they ever made Hoosiers 2 into an actual movie, it might be number one on the list.
Favorite Character: Coach Norman Dale
Least Favorite: Myra Fleener
Quote: "I don't care if you play on the team...or not," Norman Dale.
great post kid
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