Amazon.com

After the Sunset may not be the greatest jewel-heist caper comedy ever made, but it sure is easy on the eyes. Shifting back into his crowd-pleasing Rush Hour mode, director Brett Ratner kicks off the action with a rousing chase scene that pretty much describes the entire film: utter nonsense, but adequately enjoyable. Things get very sunny thereafter, when FBI agent Woody Harrelson lands in the Bahamas to track down ace diamond thief Pierce Brosnan and his lovely accomplice Salma Hayek, whom he suspects of planning their next big heist on a cruise ship. A Bahamian gangster (Don Cheadle) wants in on the action, and the whole thing's about as fluffy as an Elmo doll and just as harmless, especially when you consider Hayek's revealing wardrobe (which, thankfully, distracts from Brosnan's less-than-Bond-like physique). There's an abundance of witty banter between everyone, and the tropical locations make After the Sunset a balmy, vicarious vacation. Critics weren't exactly kind to this breezy dose of popcorn entertainment, but it's an agreeable time-killer and an instant cure for seasonal affective disorder, even if the comedic chemistry leaves something to be desired. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Better Than I Expected
This isn't really a caper film, which is one reason I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.Sure, it has some of the elements of the Hollywood caper movie--the debonaire, super-clever and super-successful thief, the cop out to thwart him, exotic locations--but the movie isn't really about will-he-pull-it-off-or-won't-he.It's more of a cat-and-mouse buddy movie.That the heists are utterly implausible, to the point of being ridiculous (as they are in most caper movies, like Oceans's Eleven and Ocean's 12) doesn't matter as much, because it's not what the movie focuses on.

Instead, we get a lot of cute banter and bonding between Harrelson and Brosnan, who are fun to watch.There are some good, low-brow laughs in this movie--they are enough for me.I laughed out loud, for instance, when during the fishing scene Harrelson is putting tanning lotion on Brosnan's back, and Brosnan says, "My pole!" and Harrelson pulls back with disgust and says, "No way, I'm only doing your back!" (Of course, Brosnan meant, Look at the pole; I caught something.)There are other, similar crude jokes and sight gags.

Both men are good in their roles, and fun to watch.The female roles in the movie seem incidental, a formulaic requirement of Hollywood movies, and are never really developed beyond that basic requirement.And what is Don Cheadle, a great actor, doing in such a miniscule role?Anyone could have done his rolel he's sadly wasted.Chris Penn has an amusing cameo...but my goodness, has he gotten fat.I remember seeing him in movies in the 80's, before he starting hitting the Big Macs.You don't often see an actor let himself go like that.

Commercial for Bahama Tourism Starring...
After the Sunset is a fluffy piffle that is almost always beautiful to look at, but emptier than the nutritional content of cotton candy.

Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek make a good-looking couple, and the movie actually TRIES to address a theoretical dilemma that is infrequently brought up in movies.If a rich and successful criminal retires, what do they do?If, presumably, part of why they were a criminal in the first place is for the thrill of it, how can they be content simply retiring?If being a thief is both your job AND your hobby, what do you do after the last "big one"?The only film I can think of that showed the boring lethargy that sets in on a successful criminal is the end of "Scarface" when Al Pacino is lying around in the marble tub of his palatial bathroom, smoking a cigar and cursing at his wife and buddy.

But I digress.After the Sunset would be familiar territory if the only movies you had seen were the "Ocean's 11" remake(s).It's a "steal the jewel" caper.It tries to be a comedy, but Brosnan and Woody Harrelson don't have the comic chemistry we've seen both of them have in other work. Harrelson appears as the FBI agent who has been repeatedly burned by Brosnan, and wants to get his revenge.It follows the film cliche where the lawman is "hot on the trail" of the criminal - a la "Heat", etc., but instead of an edgy relationship between the Thief and the Lawman we get a bumbling comic relationship between Brosnan and Harrelson.

The "star" of the film is the way it looks, and much of that is owed to the Bahamanian resort standing in for paradise.The movie made me want to go there - but it didn't make me want to ever see this film again.

Our family has been in manure for three generations!
Did I miss something?Was there a contest going through all the Grade Schools of America to find the best story for acclaimed director Bret Ratner to bring to the silver screen?If so, why wasn't there a calendar made for those who didn't make the final cut?Oh, wait, apparently children did not write this film, but instead a guy that wrote for the TELEVISION SERIES the Weakest Link.That surely makes him ready by all means to tackle the caper genre and inherit a big payday ... right?You are the weakest link ... good-bye.This movie was a disaster from the beginning.With cardboard acting, an aging (and girth growing) sex symbol, and a corny ending that incorporated nothing that we were shown through the entire film, it is a big wonder how After the Sunset ever saw the illustrious "green-light".Perhaps it was the size of Salma's boo ... name, or perhaps the fact that Pierce Brosnan's The Thomas Crown Affair was such a cult film, or maybe because Don Cheadle was in it, because it had really no pull with just Woody headlining.So, how did this film get made?This film targeted pre-teen boys and retirement communities, and with their great pull, the financing behind this film became very easy.

This was a caper film right?We are supposed to go on this roller coaster ride of who's conning whom, coupled with lies, deceit, and a surprise ending that will make you want to rewatch from the beginning to experience anything that you missed.That is the focus, goal, and overall tone that a film like this should have followed.Instead, Ratner decided to just make a movie without any sort of excitement or drive.As I watched this film, I never once felt excited about the plot.Why?Because there was nobody getting me excited.The acting in this film was well below par for anything that Hollywood has released.Pierce tries, but just can't seem to capture the essence of the film.There is no little demon inside you rooting for anything.Salma's role was basically for eye-candy.She provided nothing spectacular either.I can literally say the same for Woody and Cheadle as well.Here we have strong actors doing absolutely nothing during the course of about two hours.These characters never drive the plot, they bring nothing but clichés to the table, and by the end we really don't have any true grasp as to whom they are.Honestly, cardboard cutouts could have replaced the actual actors and After the Sunset would have been a better film.There was no depth to the characters, no emotion, no structure, just the simple direction of "step here, say your line, step here, look surprised".It was embarrassing for all that were involved.

I think a major flaw to this film was that Ratner did not fully understand, or was prepared, for the caper genre.From the opening moments until the end of the film, you can tell that Ratner is just trying to use his friends in the industry and show the world that he has some power as well.I say this because I saw no true direction or moment of impressiveness where he defines himself as a director.He reuses the same ideas throughout the entire film, he doesn't give anything strong to his players, and nothing stood out in this movie.Sure, it was a beautiful location, but am I to believe that Salma spend a majority of the film building a deck for them to sit on?Am I to believe that Pierce is still a sex symbol even with a HUGE gut sticking out?Am I to believe that Cheadle is a bad guy/imported American who is at the top of the community?Finally, am I to believe that Pierce could still move as quickly as Ratner defined?I swear that in the final unclimactic moments of this film, I could hear Pierce doing some heavy breathing to get from point A to point B.Maybe he isn't ready for the next Bond role.

So, without a good story, or decent characters, maybe there was some humor in it that could pull us away from the sour sensation cultivating in your mouth.Well, guess who is placed in to do the humor element? Woody Harrelson.Now, I don't mind Woody, but in this role, he just wasn't believable and his humor was so cliché that I had trouble believing that he brought anything to this character.He literally plagiarized his entire role.Teachers, and film viewers of the world, should be very upset with him.Instead of bringing a new twist to his character, he resorted to weird sex humor, skimpy bully humor, and that ever-popular drunken humor while fishing that is sure to make that senile woman in the front burst out with laughter. To me it was pathetic and a worthless attempt to make a joke out of already dead film.

Overall, this was a massive disappointment.Here you had a decent director, some strong players, but the worst story ever written by a man who wrote for a game show.Which piece does not fit?There was this huge sense of apathy throughout this entire film and clichés riddled it that I just couldn't get past.Brosnan had trouble with this film, and I couldn't tell if it was because he just didn't care, or because he was working with such low-talent that his heart just wasn't in it.The ending hurt as well.There was no excitement or intensity, just plain ... "here it is ... like it or not".I personally couldn't digest this film with its poor acting and below-par story.This may be a good film for some that are not familiar with the caper genre, but for me it was just hogwash.

Grade: * out of *****

I Liked It
I liked this movie alot. I watched it twice. I really enjoyed the little twist it had at the end.

AFTER THE BOREDOM! (21/2 ) STARS
Where the hell was the action in this movie! It started off
decent, then went down hill from there. The only thing that
kept me watching this lame script, was Salma Hayek! I gave the
movie 1 1/2 stars, and Salmas body 1 extra diserved star! ... Read more

Amazon.com

After the Sunset may not be the greatest jewel-heist caper comedy ever made, but it sure is easy on the eyes. Shifting back into his crowd-pleasing Rush Hour mode, director Brett Ratner kicks off the action with a rousing chase scene that pretty much describes the entire film: utter nonsense, but adequately enjoyable. Things get very sunny thereafter, when FBI agent Woody Harrelson lands in the Bahamas to track down ace diamond thief Pierce Brosnan and his lovely accomplice Salma Hayek, whom he suspects of planning their next big heist on a cruise ship. A Bahamian gangster (Don Cheadle) wants in on the action, and the whole thing's about as fluffy as an Elmo doll and just as harmless, especially when you consider Hayek's revealing wardrobe (which, thankfully, distracts from Brosnan's less-than-Bond-like physique). There's an abundance of witty banter between everyone, and the tropical locations make After the Sunset a balmy, vicarious vacation. Critics weren't exactly kind to this breezy dose of popcorn entertainment, but it's an agreeable time-killer and an instant cure for seasonal affective disorder, even if the comedic chemistry leaves something to be desired. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Better Than I Expected
This isn't really a caper film, which is one reason I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.Sure, it has some of the elements of the Hollywood caper movie--the debonaire, super-clever and super-successful thief, the cop out to thwart him, exotic locations--but the movie isn't really about will-he-pull-it-off-or-won't-he.It's more of a cat-and-mouse buddy movie.That the heists are utterly implausible, to the point of being ridiculous (as they are in most caper movies, like Oceans's Eleven and Ocean's 12) doesn't matter as much, because it's not what the movie focuses on.

Instead, we get a lot of cute banter and bonding between Harrelson and Brosnan, who are fun to watch.There are some good, low-brow laughs in this movie--they are enough for me.I laughed out loud, for instance, when during the fishing scene Harrelson is putting tanning lotion on Brosnan's back, and Brosnan says, "My pole!" and Harrelson pulls back with disgust and says, "No way, I'm only doing your back!" (Of course, Brosnan meant, Look at the pole; I caught something.)There are other, similar crude jokes and sight gags.

Both men are good in their roles, and fun to watch.The female roles in the movie seem incidental, a formulaic requirement of Hollywood movies, and are never really developed beyond that basic requirement.And what is Don Cheadle, a great actor, doing in such a miniscule role?Anyone could have done his rolel he's sadly wasted.Chris Penn has an amusing cameo...but my goodness, has he gotten fat.I remember seeing him in movies in the 80's, before he starting hitting the Big Macs.You don't often see an actor let himself go like that.

Commercial for Bahama Tourism Starring...
After the Sunset is a fluffy piffle that is almost always beautiful to look at, but emptier than the nutritional content of cotton candy.

Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek make a good-looking couple, and the movie actually TRIES to address a theoretical dilemma that is infrequently brought up in movies.If a rich and successful criminal retires, what do they do?If, presumably, part of why they were a criminal in the first place is for the thrill of it, how can they be content simply retiring?If being a thief is both your job AND your hobby, what do you do after the last "big one"?The only film I can think of that showed the boring lethargy that sets in on a successful criminal is the end of "Scarface" when Al Pacino is lying around in the marble tub of his palatial bathroom, smoking a cigar and cursing at his wife and buddy.

But I digress.After the Sunset would be familiar territory if the only movies you had seen were the "Ocean's 11" remake(s).It's a "steal the jewel" caper.It tries to be a comedy, but Brosnan and Woody Harrelson don't have the comic chemistry we've seen both of them have in other work. Harrelson appears as the FBI agent who has been repeatedly burned by Brosnan, and wants to get his revenge.It follows the film cliche where the lawman is "hot on the trail" of the criminal - a la "Heat", etc., but instead of an edgy relationship between the Thief and the Lawman we get a bumbling comic relationship between Brosnan and Harrelson.

The "star" of the film is the way it looks, and much of that is owed to the Bahamanian resort standing in for paradise.The movie made me want to go there - but it didn't make me want to ever see this film again.

Our family has been in manure for three generations!
Did I miss something?Was there a contest going through all the Grade Schools of America to find the best story for acclaimed director Bret Ratner to bring to the silver screen?If so, why wasn't there a calendar made for those who didn't make the final cut?Oh, wait, apparently children did not write this film, but instead a guy that wrote for the TELEVISION SERIES the Weakest Link.That surely makes him ready by all means to tackle the caper genre and inherit a big payday ... right?You are the weakest link ... good-bye.This movie was a disaster from the beginning.With cardboard acting, an aging (and girth growing) sex symbol, and a corny ending that incorporated nothing that we were shown through the entire film, it is a big wonder how After the Sunset ever saw the illustrious "green-light".Perhaps it was the size of Salma's boo ... name, or perhaps the fact that Pierce Brosnan's The Thomas Crown Affair was such a cult film, or maybe because Don Cheadle was in it, because it had really no pull with just Woody headlining.So, how did this film get made?This film targeted pre-teen boys and retirement communities, and with their great pull, the financing behind this film became very easy.

This was a caper film right?We are supposed to go on this roller coaster ride of who's conning whom, coupled with lies, deceit, and a surprise ending that will make you want to rewatch from the beginning to experience anything that you missed.That is the focus, goal, and overall tone that a film like this should have followed.Instead, Ratner decided to just make a movie without any sort of excitement or drive.As I watched this film, I never once felt excited about the plot.Why?Because there was nobody getting me excited.The acting in this film was well below par for anything that Hollywood has released.Pierce tries, but just can't seem to capture the essence of the film.There is no little demon inside you rooting for anything.Salma's role was basically for eye-candy.She provided nothing spectacular either.I can literally say the same for Woody and Cheadle as well.Here we have strong actors doing absolutely nothing during the course of about two hours.These characters never drive the plot, they bring nothing but clichés to the table, and by the end we really don't have any true grasp as to whom they are.Honestly, cardboard cutouts could have replaced the actual actors and After the Sunset would have been a better film.There was no depth to the characters, no emotion, no structure, just the simple direction of "step here, say your line, step here, look surprised".It was embarrassing for all that were involved.

I think a major flaw to this film was that Ratner did not fully understand, or was prepared, for the caper genre.From the opening moments until the end of the film, you can tell that Ratner is just trying to use his friends in the industry and show the world that he has some power as well.I say this because I saw no true direction or moment of impressiveness where he defines himself as a director.He reuses the same ideas throughout the entire film, he doesn't give anything strong to his players, and nothing stood out in this movie.Sure, it was a beautiful location, but am I to believe that Salma spend a majority of the film building a deck for them to sit on?Am I to believe that Pierce is still a sex symbol even with a HUGE gut sticking out?Am I to believe that Cheadle is a bad guy/imported American who is at the top of the community?Finally, am I to believe that Pierce could still move as quickly as Ratner defined?I swear that in the final unclimactic moments of this film, I could hear Pierce doing some heavy breathing to get from point A to point B.Maybe he isn't ready for the next Bond role.

So, without a good story, or decent characters, maybe there was some humor in it that could pull us away from the sour sensation cultivating in your mouth.Well, guess who is placed in to do the humor element? Woody Harrelson.Now, I don't mind Woody, but in this role, he just wasn't believable and his humor was so cliché that I had trouble believing that he brought anything to this character.He literally plagiarized his entire role.Teachers, and film viewers of the world, should be very upset with him.Instead of bringing a new twist to his character, he resorted to weird sex humor, skimpy bully humor, and that ever-popular drunken humor while fishing that is sure to make that senile woman in the front burst out with laughter. To me it was pathetic and a worthless attempt to make a joke out of already dead film.

Overall, this was a massive disappointment.Here you had a decent director, some strong players, but the worst story ever written by a man who wrote for a game show.Which piece does not fit?There was this huge sense of apathy throughout this entire film and clichés riddled it that I just couldn't get past.Brosnan had trouble with this film, and I couldn't tell if it was because he just didn't care, or because he was working with such low-talent that his heart just wasn't in it.The ending hurt as well.There was no excitement or intensity, just plain ... "here it is ... like it or not".I personally couldn't digest this film with its poor acting and below-par story.This may be a good film for some that are not familiar with the caper genre, but for me it was just hogwash.

Grade: * out of *****

I Liked It
I liked this movie alot. I watched it twice. I really enjoyed the little twist it had at the end.

AFTER THE BOREDOM! (21/2 ) STARS
Where the hell was the action in this movie! It started off
decent, then went down hill from there. The only thing that
kept me watching this lame script, was Salma Hayek! I gave the
movie 1 1/2 stars, and Salmas body 1 extra diserved star! ... Read more

Description

GOOD BURGER is the story of two goofy friends, Dexter (Thompson) and Ed (Mitchell), while they spend their summer working at a local burger joint for some extra cash.When Mondo Burger, a mammoth fast-food chain opens across the street, it looks like Good Burger is soon going to be history.Now it is up to Dexter and Ed to save the day, as they develop a delicious special sauce that brings hundreds of new customers to their door and makes their new competition desperate to steal the recipe and all of their customers. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

A Hilarious Movie!
I remember the first time this movie came out. My friend wanted to go see it.. and I thought she was CrAzY, considering it was a movie about fast food. Well, to make the long story short, I went to go see it with her and after watching the movie, my mind about Good Burger had completely changed! It's HILARIOUS! In the words of another reviewer, "I love the actors in it, Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, and Josh Server. They should all get credited for more than just 'People on Nickelodeon.'" I mean, you couldn't ask for a better pair.. Kenan and Kel totally fit their roles. By the way, Josh Server is the cutie who played "Fizz". :) Although, he played a small part in Good Burger, he definitely needs recognition for being a talented actor. He is also a member of the All That cast. Ever since then, I became an avid watcher of the Kenan and Kel Show and of All That. This is a great movie, and not just for kids, but for adults as well! If you have a good sense of humor, then you gotta go see this movie! It is THAT funny!

SO, SO, SOOO FUNNY!!!
I just have to come out and say it-this movie is hilarious!Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell (of Nickelodeon's "Kenan and Kel" and old "All That")are the stars of "Good Burger" and are fabulous in it. They play Dexter and Ed, two Good Burger employees, who are trying to stop the evil Mondo Burger from putting Good Burger out of business. These guys go on one crazy roller coaster of a summer and become friends along the way.I must say that Kenan and Kel are the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy for this generation. Kel Mitchell is particularly funny as the not so smart Ed. This movie just keeps the jokes coming. It also teaches kids a lesson about caring, friendship, and never giving up faith.
I love this movie!!! As a matter of fact, the reason I am writing this review is that my copy of "Good Burger" is chewed up because we have watched it so many times and I wanted to see if Amazon.com had it on DVD. They don't but hopefully it will be out on DVD soon. In the meantime, I will be enjoying every minute of the VHS!!
Last note- if you liked this movie, be sure to watch "Kenan and Kel" on Nickelodeon! It is soooo funny! I absolutely love this show and I am sure you will too. As of right now, it is on every Sunday at 6:00 p.m. for a full hour!!! I tell you this so you can check it out!
Well, I love this movie and I hope that you will love it (and "Kenan and Kel" :) ) too!!!

the best
this good movie is the best good movie in the good god world. this is good, very good.

my favorite character
i love good burger. especially jennie weber. she is so beautiful in this movie. also in real life to. her incredible popularity is so cool. her huge pants that she wears every day are great. she has so many friends. im so jealous especially kennan and kel. she brags about how popular she is and all the kids are so jealous. im so jealous. i wish i had a brother like jennie. she is so funny lookin when keenan slaps her in the face with a spatula. thats why i love good burger. and jennie is the greatest.

Great Flick!
Good Burger is a great old flick. It will become history for us kids and I have at least 32 friends that say it should be in the Hall of Fame Movies. I loved it! Kel Mitchell steals the movie as the always loveable Ed! Kenan is good but not as good as Kel! So good job Paramount and Nickelodeon and Also Kel and Kenan you both and the rest of the crew in Good Burger deserve a million thumbs up! ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Great flick!!!
I don't understand why people keep giving this movie bad reviews! Kazaam is pure fun!!!

The story is very well-written - it's about a genie, a very large genie. This movie would have been good even without Shaq. However, with him as the star, Kazaam is a fantastic movie.

This is the movie that made Shaquille O'Neal a huge movie star. The script is very well-written, and accentuates Shaq's acting abilities. Every time Shaq speaks, you'll realize just how intelligent he is - it's kind of like listening to Einstein lecture.

Also, I think it is hilarious (you will too!) that he's so much bigger than the kid who rubbed the lamp! Everytime they are both standing, I almost lose it - it's gut-bustingly funny!

My only complaint is the lack of a DVD! Why isn't this already out on DVD? The studio could make so much money!

ok...
if shaq didn't try and rap, this movie would get one more star! haha im serious... his singing is atrocious! anyway's the kid in this movie is precious! i feel soo bad for him that his dad is a jerk ball! it's a cute movies im sure the kids will love. i would only buy this on video not dvd. or rent it. i don't have any little kids in my house, but this would be a perfect movie for 9-14 ages. i liked it when i was that age

Action Packed Thriller of the Season!
For years the pundits said he would never make it. "go home" they said, "your finished in this buisness."

But being the fighter he was, Shaq carried on.

When he announced to the world he would begin a career in acting, the world thought he could never make it. But make it he did. His debut movie, Kazaam, proved once and for all that Basketball players can act.

His star performance in Kazaam was topped only by his rap career.

Silencing his critics, Shaquille went on to perform in many great commercials, such as Burger King and Radio Shack.

Shaq is such a great actor and Basket ball player. I am glad he is my friend.

This movie rocks
Shaq is a genius. I've seen him play basketball and his acting skills are far superior. If he's a method actor, he has successfully demonstrated a new method that no one has ever seen before. I also went to NYU film school and this movie was used in class as an inspirational tool. Forget about the whole genie aspect. I mean, a seven-foot black dude comes out of a bottle and grants wishes! This movie deserves 30,000 stars. If I had a genie I would wish for Kazaam II.

KAZAAM IS OFF THE FASHIZZLE DIZZLE
this is cleary the best movie ever created, by humans (that would exclude good burger, which of course was made by kaola bears). Shaquille O'Neal is a very talented actor and rapper, plus i heard he plays a little basketball. I wonder if he's any good. There are many hilarious scenes in this instant classic. My favorite part is when shaq makes it rain candy. I LOVE IT!!!
i own 13 copies (no joking here) in short its a hilarious tale of a genie played by shaq. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here's another smart sports movie penned by Ron Shelton (Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump). It's an incriminating look at major college recruiting in the days of secret payoffs, circa the early 1990s. Coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) seems to be the only honest man left in sports, and the pressure to win at his UCLA-like school soon takes its toll. For action fans, the well-staged games are only at the bookends of the movie: the film is about scandalous recruiting and the passion of the coach. Shaquille O'Neal's ballyhooed debut is short and sweet as a nearly mythical basketball warrior. The biggest acting surprise is Boston Celtic legend Bob Cousy's deft debut as the school's AD. The film is a little too preachy at times, but the sermon is worth listening to, especially with some solid laughs from Shelton's stinging pen. Director William Friedkin's change-of-pace film would only be half the movie without Nolte, who is instantly believable as the workaholic coach. In game situations where opposing coaches are the likes of Bobby Knight (one of many excellent cameos), Nolte comes off as the real thing. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (19)

What happened?
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. In the `70s, director William Friedkin was at the peak of his powers. The one-two punch of The French Connection and The Exorcist made him a force to be reckoned with. And then, he made Sorcerer, a critical and commercial failure. His industry clout disappeared as fast as he had acquired it. Studios did not want to deal with his inflated ego and hard-headed pragmatism. Other than the excellent, To Live and Die in L.A. Friedkin has made one forgettable film after another through the `80s and `90s. On paper, Blue Chips must have seemed like a good idea. Team up Friedkin with a Ron Shelton (responsible for one of the best sports films ever, Bull Durham) penned screenplay to create a hard-hitting expose on college basketball. So, what happened?

Friedkin doesn't seem all that interested in the basketball sequences, shooting them in the standard way that we have seen on TV instead of trying something different, like employing his trademark you-are-there cinema verite which would have captured the intensity of a live game, much as Oliver Stone did in Any Given Sunday. Friedkin seems more interested in the off-court mechanics: the wheeling and dealing needed to get raw talent from high schools to their college without a rival school stealing/enticing them away and Bell wrestling with his conscious. This is when the film is at its strongest and most interesting.

Blue Chips is fine until its conclusion when it suddenly loses its freakin' mind when a guilt-ridden Bell tries to redeem himself at a post-game press conference. It just doesn't seem believable-especially when this scene is followed by a staggeringly naïve, it-starts-with-our-kids message that is way too preachy. It betrays what the film has been saying up to this point: that no one seems to play for the love of the game anymore. Everybody wants something - money, a house, a car, or a job. Ultimately, Blue Chips is about an honest man who sells his soul, who gives into overwhelming pressure to get what he wants and who loses his way. Friedkin almost pulls it off and the sudden, pat ending makes one wonder if he originally intended a more downbeat ending only for the timid studio to impose a more positive conclusion. In doing so, they've alienated the audience who was with them up until that point.

Wooh...Wooh...WU
Okay...Shaq and Penny are not good actors.With that being said and out in the open, let's address the role of Coach Pete Bell (portrayed in this film, brilliantly, by Nick Nolte).Coach Bell, and obvious Bobby Knight knock-off, is torn between running a clean program and winning games.Coach Bell, who has not had an impact season in a number of years, decides to allow Western University boosters free reign to 'buy' players at the highest price in order to play for his team.
As bad as Shaq and Penny are, Matt Nover delivers the kind of awful performance that actually lends a level of respectability to the former Orlando Magic teammates performance.The centerpiece of this film, Nolte, delivers the kind of commanding and believable performance that certainly warrants more recognition than he actually received.The pivotal moments in this film are as follows:
1) The scene in which Nolte agonizes over making the phone call to Happy to 'make it so'.Great acting from Nolte.
2) The absolute top moment in the film, however, is Nolte's speech at the end.Coach Bell, who can not allow himself to cheat, gives a srtong and candid speech in which he addresses all the problems with modern day college athletes.get the money out of the sports.Too many other people are making money off the kids' hard work.Its all about money.

Overall, I gave this film four stars.Had Shaq or Penny not been in this movie, it would have received five stars.Their screen presence is just too unpalatable to warrant such a high rating.

-Pops

TERRIBLE!
Okay, this movie is a complete waste of time for even the most diehard college basketball fans.
Nick Nolte does a fine job acting like Bob Knight coaching UCLA, or in this case, the fictional Western Univ. That is until the 'real' Bob Knight coaches Indiana against Nolte's fictional team in the climactic game at the end.
I was a student at IU when Nolte was going to every Indiana home game in order to study how a real college basketball coach acts. At the time Indiana was number 1 in the nation so Nolte got a lot of attention for his role. However, the acting by Shaq, Hardaway, and Matt Nover was absolutely HORRID!
The plot centers around a legendary b-ball court (Nolte as a Knight rip-off right down to the sweater) who is turned to cheating by those nasty alumni and boosters. He takes his dirty team through the season and plays number 1 Indiana at the end. The Real Bob Knight shows up with a cast of former IU b-ball legends and one Duke legend in Bobby Hurley. Anyway, after beating the squeaky clean Indiana team Nolte rats out the alums and boosters for their recruiting violations.
Other than Nolte nobody gives a really solid performance. Mary McDonnell is good but she's hardly in the movie. Bob Cousy plays the AD and he does an okay job for a guy who isn't even an actor. Hardaway is terrible and Matt Nover is just plain horrible.
The only part really worth watching is the final game between Indiana and Shaq's team. It does a good job of taking you inside the huddle as you actually see and hear Knight diagram plays and Nolte does the same. However, it just turns into a highlight reel of Shaq dunking.
If you want to see a good b-ball movie just watch Hoosiers again. Also, I'd like to be on whatever mind altering drugs the people who gave this movie 5 stars were taking.

A Good Realistic Look at Basketball
Nick Nolte is Coach Pete Bell in This drama about basketball. He has been a failure the last two seasons. He starts to develop a straight A team. even going to Louisiana and finding the big man Shaquele O'Neal. He knows when he does this that he is going to need an incentive for them. Thats Where the Alumni Supporter crook Happy(J.T. Walsh) comes in to buy the players and give them what they want. Of course they can get passed the sportswriter(played by Ed O'Neill) who is working on the story fo Basketball corruption.
Director: William Friedkin
Screenplay: Ron Shelton

Not a Hoosiers Imitator
We sure do make a lot of sports movies in the US, and this is one of the better ones, not as good as Hoosiers, but then again who could touch Gene Hackman in his prime, right?What I like about this one is the somewhat stiff performances by Shaq and Anfernee Hardaway, which add "something" of reality to the film.Really.The other good thing is Nick Nolte.He played his part to the hilt.He sold his soul to the devil (he cheated), but then he redeemed himself.The scene with him teaching the kids at the playground the fundamentals is a classy and classic ending.Excellent movie. It's not as emotionally exhilerating as Hoosiers, but that's another story, right? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Shaq-Tastic! Quite a Surprise Video
Shaquille O'Neal and a comedy roast? Who would have thought that this would be as funny as it was. Perhaps it's because Shaq is such a natural object of joking, ridicule, good-natured ribbing, whatever you want to call it. As a fan of good roasts -- Dean Martin, Friar's Club -- this video lives up to the time-tested standard. Shaq's good nature and charismatic smile show him to be not only a world-class athlete, but a world-class good sport. The only time he looked a little angry was when Artie Lange made some off-color references to a part of Shaq's anatomy, segueing into a derisive comment about his mother. Nonetheless, the joke was a riot and Shaq seemed to take everything in his Size 22EEE stride.

The question is: Do you need to buy this video? Of course not, but if you love world-class comedy -- from the likes of Jonathan Winters, Gilbert Gottfried, Don Rickles, and Jerry Seinfeld -- then ... well, what do you think?

We all knew Shaq could dunk, rebound, and play ball, but who knew that he could tell a joke or two and be the fodder for such comedic hilarity? Buy it, check it out. It's Shaq-tastic!

this was cracking!!
i truly enjoyed this all the way.some of the Comedians featured here while not always knocking me out with there regular Comedy were really funny here.Cedric The Entertainer&Steve Harvey cracked me up.Dick Gregory was a Hoot as well.this was cool.Shaq is the Baddest Cat on The Court&is cool off the court.very down to Earth. ... Read more

Amazon.com

1 Love is an exciting, comprehensive documentary about the mingling of cultural and social influences that made basketball what it is today. Appropriate credit goes to the game's official inventor, Canada's 19th-century physical education instructor, Dr. James Naismith. But filmmaker Leon Gast (When We Were Kings) also explores the YMCA's early role as a "pipeline for spreading basketball over the world," as well as the importance of the sport to New York's Jewish immigrant communities (players often had no ball, using wadded-up newspaper instead) in the early 20th century. The film pays tribute to the old Knickerbockers and Philadelphia Warriors legends, among others, who comprise today's coffee-klatch South Florida Basketball Fraternity. It also digs deep into the impact of Harlem's early precision players (and, by extension, today's pro-am street tournaments in the same neighborhoods) on the game's vitality and international popularity. Interviewees include Joe Hammond, the legend that got away from the NBA. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (1)

No Depth
This disc is like a Whitman's candy sampler: It has a lot of different things... but a lot of the things you don't really want. The film covers kids, high schoolers, college ball and college recruiting/pay controversies, ABA, NBA through all its decades, Harlem Globetrotters, the street game and inner-city stars, country boys, Indiana basketball, retired old timers hanging in Florida, current stars, marketing (are there ANY hoop videos that don't talk about sneaker brands), public relations, fireworks, cheerleaders, guys on trampolines, women's basketball..... Whew. None of these subjects is studied in depth. If you've followed basketball for a while, you know and have seen most of this. The subject sampling seems to jump all over the place, so it would be hard to hit chapters to see just what you want. I'd rather see a DVD star profile (Jordon, Iverson) or "NBA at 50" or Spike Lee's movie, or "Hoop Dreams," etc. 1 Love is such a sampler it feels like the disc should come free with the purchase of a Wilson basketball. Or it seems like something you'd see on Sunday TV, after most people have turned off their sets when the real game ends. In short, "1 Love" is a decent sampling, but nothing to sink your teeth into. ... Read more

Description

Apple Pie, from award-winning director Mary Mazzio, is a riveting film about extraordinary athletes and their moms.The film features NBA MVP Shaquille O'Neal; NFL Pro-Bowl quarterback, Drew Bledsoe; NBA star Grant Hill; soccer star Mia Hamm; blind climber Erik Weihenmayer (who recently summitted Mount Everest);baseball star Kenny Lofton (raised by his blind grandmother, Rosie Lou); Indy Car Driver Sarah Fisher; Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner, among others - and of course, their moms.

Called "warm and illuminating… told with deftness and emotion… priceless" – The New York Times; "fantastic" – NPR; "excellent" – CNN; "heartwarming" – Los Angeles Times, Apple Pie was also a recommended pick in both Entertainment Weekly and TVGuide.The film aired on ESPN. ... Read more