A remake of the 1991 Christina Applegate cult classic Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (watch it Here) is coming our way as a BET+ Original Film – and Iconic Events Releasing has announced that they will be giving the film a theatrical release on April 12th. We got to see a teaser trailer for the film last month, and now a full trailer has arrived online. You can check it out in the embed above. If you like what you see, head over to DontTellMomFilm.com to purchase tickets to see the movie on the big screen!
Directed by Wade Allain-Marcus (French Dirty) from a script by Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Hayward, whose credits include Ted Lasso and WandaVision, this remake has the following synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell can’t wait to spend the summer living it up with her friends in Spain before heading to Howard University in the fall. But...
Directed by Wade Allain-Marcus (French Dirty) from a script by Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Hayward, whose credits include Ted Lasso and WandaVision, this remake has the following synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell can’t wait to spend the summer living it up with her friends in Spain before heading to Howard University in the fall. But...
- 3/26/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
A remake of the 1991 Christina Applegate cult classic Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (watch it Here) is coming our way as a BET+ Original Film – and Iconic Events Releasing has announced that they will be giving the film a theatrical release on April 12th. Along with this announcement comes the unveiling of a teaser trailer for the new Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, and you can check it out in the embed above. If you like what you see, head over to DontTellMomFilm.com to purchase tickets to see the movie on the big screen!
Directed by Wade Allain-Marcus (French Dirty) from a script by Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Hayward, whose credits include Ted Lasso and WandaVision, this remake has the following synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell can’t wait to spend the summer living it up with her friends in Spain before heading to Howard University in the fall.
Directed by Wade Allain-Marcus (French Dirty) from a script by Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Hayward, whose credits include Ted Lasso and WandaVision, this remake has the following synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell can’t wait to spend the summer living it up with her friends in Spain before heading to Howard University in the fall.
- 2/28/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
A remake of the ’90s classic “Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead” is coming to theaters in spring.
Simone Joy Jones, Nicole Richie and June Squibb will lead an ensemble including Jermaine Fowler (“Superior Donuts”), comic Ms. Pat, Olympian Gus Kenworthy, as well as newcomers Donielle Tremaine Hansley, Miles Fowler, Iantha Richardson and Tyriq Withers.
Like the 1991 film, “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” follows 17-year-old girl Tanya (Jones), who plans to vacation in Europe with her friends before heading to college in the fall. But her mom (Ms. Pat) decides to go to a wellness retreat in Thailand, so Tanya is forced to stay home with her siblings. When — as the title suggests — their elderly babysitter (Squibb) unexpectedly dies, Tayna gets a job working for an ambitious woman named Rose (Ritchie). As she juggles work, family and a complicated romance, Tanya navigates adulthood at the cost of her last summer of freedom.
Simone Joy Jones, Nicole Richie and June Squibb will lead an ensemble including Jermaine Fowler (“Superior Donuts”), comic Ms. Pat, Olympian Gus Kenworthy, as well as newcomers Donielle Tremaine Hansley, Miles Fowler, Iantha Richardson and Tyriq Withers.
Like the 1991 film, “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” follows 17-year-old girl Tanya (Jones), who plans to vacation in Europe with her friends before heading to college in the fall. But her mom (Ms. Pat) decides to go to a wellness retreat in Thailand, so Tanya is forced to stay home with her siblings. When — as the title suggests — their elderly babysitter (Squibb) unexpectedly dies, Tayna gets a job working for an ambitious woman named Rose (Ritchie). As she juggles work, family and a complicated romance, Tanya navigates adulthood at the cost of her last summer of freedom.
- 2/28/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Nearly four years have gone by since it was announced that Treehouse Pictures was developing a remake of the 1991 Christina Applegate cult classic Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (watch it Here) that would be directed by Bille Woodruff (Beauty Shop and the Honey quadrilogy) from a screenplay by Chuck Hayward (Dear White People). All that was revealed about the project at the time was that it would be “a present-day retelling centered on a black family.” Then that’s the last we heard about it. Apparently it made its way through production while flying under the radar, though, because Film Ratings has revealed that the remake has already received its rating from the Motion Picture Association ratings board… and it’s a surprising one. While the original film was rated PG-13, the remake has earned an R rating for “teen drug use, language and some sexual references.”
Directed by...
Directed by...
- 1/31/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Disney on Wednesday settled a copyright lawsuit from 2017 that alleged that the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies infringed upon the plaintiffs’ copyrighted original spec script.
Writers Arthur Lee Alfred II and E. Ezequiel Martinez Jr. along with their producer Tova Laiter in 2017 claimed in a federal court in Colorado that Disney committed “willful infringement of Plaintiff’s original copyrighted expression of themes, settings, dialogue, characters, plot. mood [and] sequence of events contained in an original spec screenplay entitled ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’”
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Copyright claims against successful Hollywood projects are common, but judgments and settlements are rare.
Disney and an attorney for Alfred and Martinez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Also Read:
Johnny Depp Can Return for Next ‘Pirates’ Movie, Former Disney Exec Believes
The two writers back in 2017 said that Laiter presented the screenplay to Disney executive Brigham Taylor in...
Writers Arthur Lee Alfred II and E. Ezequiel Martinez Jr. along with their producer Tova Laiter in 2017 claimed in a federal court in Colorado that Disney committed “willful infringement of Plaintiff’s original copyrighted expression of themes, settings, dialogue, characters, plot. mood [and] sequence of events contained in an original spec screenplay entitled ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’”
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Copyright claims against successful Hollywood projects are common, but judgments and settlements are rare.
Disney and an attorney for Alfred and Martinez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Also Read:
Johnny Depp Can Return for Next ‘Pirates’ Movie, Former Disney Exec Believes
The two writers back in 2017 said that Laiter presented the screenplay to Disney executive Brigham Taylor in...
- 9/2/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Tyra Banks (America’s Next Top Model) has signed on for a role in Treehouse Pictures’ remake of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, which is heading into production in Los Angeles in July.
The original 1991 film, from director Stephen Herek, follows Sue Ellen “Swell” Crandell (Christina Applegate), a 17-year-old forced to take care of her four younger siblings after the babysitter hired by her mother dies while mom’s out of town. While the Warner Bros comedy also starring Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, John Getz and Josh Charles didn’t land as a major hit, either critically or commercially, it has fostered a cult following in the decades since.
Treehouse’s remake is billed as a present-day retelling centered on a Black family. Banks will play Cassidy’s character Rose, a fashion executive at General Apparel West, who takes a chance on Swell by hiring her as an executive assistant.
The original 1991 film, from director Stephen Herek, follows Sue Ellen “Swell” Crandell (Christina Applegate), a 17-year-old forced to take care of her four younger siblings after the babysitter hired by her mother dies while mom’s out of town. While the Warner Bros comedy also starring Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, John Getz and Josh Charles didn’t land as a major hit, either critically or commercially, it has fostered a cult following in the decades since.
Treehouse’s remake is billed as a present-day retelling centered on a Black family. Banks will play Cassidy’s character Rose, a fashion executive at General Apparel West, who takes a chance on Swell by hiring her as an executive assistant.
- 4/25/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Treehouse Pictures has set in motion what it’s describing as a diverse remake of 1991 coming-of-age comedy, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, which is being written by Chuck Hayward with Bille Woodruff attached to direct. Hayward’s take is a present-day retelling centered on a black family.
Treehouse’s Justin Nappi and Juliet Berman are producing along with Oren Segal. Executive producers are Michael Phillips — also an Ep on the original — Juliana Maio and Tova Laiter.
The 1991 film, which was directed by Stephen Herek, starred Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy and Josh Charles. It follows Sue Ellen Crandell, a teenager who is forced to take charge of her four younger siblings when their mom leaves town and the wicked babysitter her mother hired suddenly dies. Despite the fact that the film wasn’t a huge success critically or commercially, it amassed a significant cult following.
“Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead...
Treehouse’s Justin Nappi and Juliet Berman are producing along with Oren Segal. Executive producers are Michael Phillips — also an Ep on the original — Juliana Maio and Tova Laiter.
The 1991 film, which was directed by Stephen Herek, starred Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy and Josh Charles. It follows Sue Ellen Crandell, a teenager who is forced to take charge of her four younger siblings when their mom leaves town and the wicked babysitter her mother hired suddenly dies. Despite the fact that the film wasn’t a huge success critically or commercially, it amassed a significant cult following.
“Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead...
- 5/21/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated, 9:20 Am: Quibi has ordered Varsity Blues to series. “For all those who cheered Mox’s refrain, ‘I don’t want your life,’ as well as all those who never heard of the West Canaan Coyotes, we’re thrilled to bring Varsity Blues to Quibi and into the 21st century,” executive producer Mike Tollin said. Read details below.
Previously, July 11: Quibi is revisiting Varsity Blues. Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman’s short-form video platform has put in development Varsity Blues, a modern take on the 1999 movie, with the film’s original producers Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter attached. The project hails from Tollin and Peter Guber’s Msm and Paramount Television.
The project will be penned by Tripper Clancy (Stuber) and directed by Anne Fletcher (Dumplin’). Tollin and John Gatins executive produce along with Laiter. Paramount TV is the studio. Maia Glikman will oversee the project for Msm.
Previously, July 11: Quibi is revisiting Varsity Blues. Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman’s short-form video platform has put in development Varsity Blues, a modern take on the 1999 movie, with the film’s original producers Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter attached. The project hails from Tollin and Peter Guber’s Msm and Paramount Television.
The project will be penned by Tripper Clancy (Stuber) and directed by Anne Fletcher (Dumplin’). Tollin and John Gatins executive produce along with Laiter. Paramount TV is the studio. Maia Glikman will oversee the project for Msm.
- 11/15/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The West Canaan Coyotes live again: Quibi has given a series order to an update of the 1999 high school football movie Varsity Blues.
The series comes from writer Tripper Clancy (Stuber) and Paramount Television (Paramount Pictures produced the film). Like the movie, the Quibi show will follow members of a high school football team and their battles with a demanding coach.
Two of the movie's producers, Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter, will executive produce the series along with John Gatins and Peter Guber. Tollin and Guber's Msm produces with Paramount TV. Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, This Is Us) ...
The series comes from writer Tripper Clancy (Stuber) and Paramount Television (Paramount Pictures produced the film). Like the movie, the Quibi show will follow members of a high school football team and their battles with a demanding coach.
Two of the movie's producers, Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter, will executive produce the series along with John Gatins and Peter Guber. Tollin and Guber's Msm produces with Paramount TV. Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, This Is Us) ...
- 11/15/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The 1999 high school football film Varsity Blues is being adapted into a series for the new streaming service Quibi. This series is said to be a “modern take” on the story and the producers of the original film Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter are on board to help develop it.
In a statement regarding the new series, Tollin said:
“For all those who cheered Mox’s refrain, ‘I don’t want your life,’ as well as all those who never heard of the West Canaan Coyotes, we’re thrilled to bring Varsity Blues to Quibi and into the 21st century!”
The project has a solid creative team that includes writer Tripper Clancy (Stuber) taking on the script and it will be directed by Anne Fletcher (Dumplin’).
James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, Paul Walker, Ron Lester, and Scott Caan starred in the original film which centered on “a small-town 3A...
In a statement regarding the new series, Tollin said:
“For all those who cheered Mox’s refrain, ‘I don’t want your life,’ as well as all those who never heard of the West Canaan Coyotes, we’re thrilled to bring Varsity Blues to Quibi and into the 21st century!”
The project has a solid creative team that includes writer Tripper Clancy (Stuber) taking on the script and it will be directed by Anne Fletcher (Dumplin’).
James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, Paul Walker, Ron Lester, and Scott Caan starred in the original film which centered on “a small-town 3A...
- 7/15/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Varsity Blues is getting a revival!
The 1999 sports drama will be getting an update in the new short-form video platform Quibi, created by former DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman.
Called a “modern take” on the classic film that originally starred James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker and Jon Voight, the story will be written by Tripper Clancy and directed by Anne Fletcher (Dumplin‘, Step Up).
The original story followed a small-town high school football team and their overbearing coach (Voight) through a tumultuous playing season.
The football players deal with the pressures of adolescence while living up...
The 1999 sports drama will be getting an update in the new short-form video platform Quibi, created by former DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman.
Called a “modern take” on the classic film that originally starred James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker and Jon Voight, the story will be written by Tripper Clancy and directed by Anne Fletcher (Dumplin‘, Step Up).
The original story followed a small-town high school football team and their overbearing coach (Voight) through a tumultuous playing season.
The football players deal with the pressures of adolescence while living up...
- 7/12/2019
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
The West Canaan Coyotes are making a comeback: Quibi is developing an updated take on the James Van Der Beek football movie Varsity Blues, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Original film producers Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter will serve as executive producers on the series, with screenwriter Tripper Clancy (Stuber) penning the update.
More from TVLineDarren Criss to Star in, Executive-Produce Musical Comedy at QuibiLiam Hemsworth to Star in Action Thriller From Scorpion Creator at QuibiFriends: Pottery Barn to Release New Collection That Includes Rachel's Apothecary Table (Sorry, Phoebe!)
“For all those who cheered Mox’s refrain, ‘I don’t want your life,...
Original film producers Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter will serve as executive producers on the series, with screenwriter Tripper Clancy (Stuber) penning the update.
More from TVLineDarren Criss to Star in, Executive-Produce Musical Comedy at QuibiLiam Hemsworth to Star in Action Thriller From Scorpion Creator at QuibiFriends: Pottery Barn to Release New Collection That Includes Rachel's Apothecary Table (Sorry, Phoebe!)
“For all those who cheered Mox’s refrain, ‘I don’t want your life,...
- 7/11/2019
- TVLine.com
“Varsity Blues” is getting a modern update courtesy of Jeffrey Katzenberg’s short-form video service Quibi.
“Stuber” writer Tripper Clancy is writing the script for this new take on the 1999 high school film, which will be executive produced by the film’s original producers Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter. Tollin will executive produce alongside John Gatins and Peter Guber. The project comes from Tollin and Guber’s Msm and Paramount Television.
Anne Fletcher will direct. The film starred James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker and Scott Caan as Texas high school football players who deal with an overbearing and demanding coach (Jon Voight). “For all those who cheered Mox’s refrain, ‘I don’t want your life,’ as well as all those who never heard of the West Canaan Coyotes, we’re thrilled to bring Varsity Blues to Quibi and into the 21st century,” said Tollin.
Also Read: How Quibi...
“Stuber” writer Tripper Clancy is writing the script for this new take on the 1999 high school film, which will be executive produced by the film’s original producers Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter. Tollin will executive produce alongside John Gatins and Peter Guber. The project comes from Tollin and Guber’s Msm and Paramount Television.
Anne Fletcher will direct. The film starred James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker and Scott Caan as Texas high school football players who deal with an overbearing and demanding coach (Jon Voight). “For all those who cheered Mox’s refrain, ‘I don’t want your life,’ as well as all those who never heard of the West Canaan Coyotes, we’re thrilled to bring Varsity Blues to Quibi and into the 21st century,” said Tollin.
Also Read: How Quibi...
- 7/11/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
In today’s roundup, Quibi announces development on a “Varsity Blues” series adaptation and Fox releases the trailer for the series premiere of “BH90201.”
First Looks
AMC released the first trailer for the second season of “Lodge 49.” Ex-surfer Dude and his fraternal order will return in the modern day stoner fable August 12.
IFC dropped the “funk’n-new” trailer for the first season of “Sherman’s Show.” The variety sketch show premieres on Wednesday, July 31 at 10 p.m.
Fox released the trailer for the series premiere of “BH90201.” The Beverly Hills gang returns Wednesday, Aug 7 on Fox.
Development Quibi is developing a series based on the classic high school football film “Varsity Blues.” The series is being written by Tripper Clancy, who most recently penned the upcoming comedy film “Stuber.” Anne Fletcher will direct. Mike Tollin and John Gatins will executive produce. The series hails from Peter Guber and Tollin’s Msm and Paramount Television.
First Looks
AMC released the first trailer for the second season of “Lodge 49.” Ex-surfer Dude and his fraternal order will return in the modern day stoner fable August 12.
IFC dropped the “funk’n-new” trailer for the first season of “Sherman’s Show.” The variety sketch show premieres on Wednesday, July 31 at 10 p.m.
Fox released the trailer for the series premiere of “BH90201.” The Beverly Hills gang returns Wednesday, Aug 7 on Fox.
Development Quibi is developing a series based on the classic high school football film “Varsity Blues.” The series is being written by Tripper Clancy, who most recently penned the upcoming comedy film “Stuber.” Anne Fletcher will direct. Mike Tollin and John Gatins will executive produce. The series hails from Peter Guber and Tollin’s Msm and Paramount Television.
- 7/11/2019
- by Dano Nissen
- Variety Film + TV
Quibi wants Varsity Blues' life.
Jeffrey Katzenberg's shortform outlet has put into development a modern take on the 1999 James Van Der Beek feature film Varsity Blues.
Tripper Clancy — who penned the feature Stuber, which bows Friday — is attached to write the new take on the film about a high school football team and their battles with a demanding coach.
Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter — who produced the original pic — are on board to executive produce the Quibi series. Tollin will exec produce alongside John Gatins and Peter Guber. The project hails from Tollin and Guber'...
Jeffrey Katzenberg's shortform outlet has put into development a modern take on the 1999 James Van Der Beek feature film Varsity Blues.
Tripper Clancy — who penned the feature Stuber, which bows Friday — is attached to write the new take on the film about a high school football team and their battles with a demanding coach.
Mike Tollin and Tova Laiter — who produced the original pic — are on board to executive produce the Quibi series. Tollin will exec produce alongside John Gatins and Peter Guber. The project hails from Tollin and Guber'...
- 7/11/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Disney plundered a copyright owned by other people in creating its hugely successful “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise, according to a lawsuit filed by writers Arthur Lee Alfred II, E. Ezequiel Martinez Jr. and their producer Tova Laiter. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Colorado on Tuesday, alleges that Disney committed “willful infringement of Plaintiff’s original copyrighted expression of themes, settings, dialogue, characters, plot. mood sequence of events contained in an original spec screenplay entitled ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.'” The suit contends that Laiter presented the screenplay to Disney executive Brigham Taylor in August 2000. Also Read: Disney Slapped.
- 11/15/2017
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Varsity Blues Quick Thoughts: I was 22-years-old when Varsity Blues came out and while it's about high school students, the fact the majority of the actors are older or only slightly younger than myself it pretty much fit right into my early-twenties wheelhouse. Partying, playing sports and hot blondes in whipped cream bikinis (wait... what?). I mean, what isn't there for a 22-year-old not to love? Of course, the film is downright cheesy -- "I don't want... your life" -- and if you are going to attempt to take it seriously you have seriously taken a misstep. However, that isn't to say this film is an entire farce. High school football in Texas is a big deal and while I have no idea if they take it as far as Jon Voight's Coach Bud Kilmer takes it, I would be surprised if the majority of goings on in this...
- 9/29/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Call It Elvis Confidential. Variety reports that Kim Basinger has signed on to the romantic comedy Elvis Has Left the Building, to be helmed by My Big Fat Greek Wedding director Joel Zwick. Scripted by Adam-Michael Barber and Mitchell Ganem, the comedy follows a cosmetic saleswoman (Basinger) who's been linked to Elvis ever since birth, having been born at one of his concerts. While on the road, she accidentally kills a pair of Elvis impersonators, finds herself inadvertently on the run from the FBI, and teams up with a depressed ad exec en route to an Elvis convention in Las Vegas. Tova Laiter is producing for London-based Capitol Films, and shooting is scheduled to begin September 15 in New Mexico.
- 8/5/2003
- IMDbPro News
Call it "Dawson's Cleats".
WB resident James Van Der Beek tries the big screen on for size with "Varsity Blues", an all-too-familiar portrait of a group of small town high school footballers who ultimately make All The Right Moves after seeing their way through a barrage of physical and psychological obstacles.
While Van Der Beek manages to make the transition with most of that "Dawson's Creek" sweetness intact, the tired, corn-fed storyline and generic, plug-and-play direction quickly give rise to the question, "Where's Adam Sandler when you need him?"
Given its pre-Super Bowl positioning and potential built-in "Dawson's Creek" demo, the MTV Films production probably won't have Paramount crying the blues, but neither will it be a boxoffice overachiever.
Van Der Beek plays second-string West Canaan Coyotes quarterback Jonathan Moxon, a good student with aspirations beyond the gridiron (he spends his time on the sidelines reading Kurt Vonnegut) which automatically puts him at odds with bullying head coach Bud Kilmer (Jon Voight) who's hell-bent on leading his team to their 23rd division title.
Of course, nobody likes a smart boy, especially in a town that has at least one very obese character called Billy Bob (Ron Lester) and a distinct fondness for the phrase, "sumabitch."
But Jonathan ends up going head-to-head with Kilmer when star quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker) suffers an injury that will put him out of commission for two seasons, thrusting Moxon into the limelight.
As it turns out, keeping his team's spirits up and winning the division aren't the only items on Mox's full plate. There are also the matters of living out his father's own failed high school football dreams, handling the transferred affections of Harbor's cheerleader girlfriend (Ali Larter), while trying to hold onto his relationship with Harbor's unimpressed sister (Amy Smart), not to mention how he's going to deal with Kilmer's less-than-ethical ways of treating player injuries.
Since this is a story with zero semblance of originality or unpredictability, all will be tied up with a cute little bow at the end, with Mox providing a closing voice-over assuring us that he'll never forget that championship season.
Whatever cliches may have been inadvertently left out of W. Peter Iliff's derivative script, have thoughtfully been visually incorporated thanks to Brian Robbins' ("Good Burger") no-brainer directing style. The modus operandi here appears to be, when in doubt, go for the slo-mo.
Although Van Der Beek doesn't exactly register strongly here, he remains likable enough despite the uninspiring material. As his chief nemesis, Voight adds yet another heavy to his ever-growing roster of arched-eyebrowed adversaries. He's certainly up to more challenging stuff.
As the chronic party animal, Scott Caan displays some of dad James' early Young Buck bravado; while Ali Larter shows some spark as the town tramp who's afraid she'll never leave home despite her way with a can of whipped cream.
Production values are certainly more than serviceable, with solid work from cinematographer Charles Cohen, whose affinity for shooting athletics was previously demonstrated with "The Waterboy", "Little Giants", and, particularly, "Without Limits", a sports picture that refreshingly broke the generic mold at every turn with nary a Billy Bob in sight.
VARSITY BLUES
Paramount
In association with MTV Films
A Marquee Tollin/Robbins prod. in association with Tova Laiter Prods.
Director: Brian Robbins
Producers: Tova Laiter, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins
Screenwriter: W. Peter Iliff
Executive producers: David Gale and Van Toffler
Director of photography: Charles Cohen
Production designer: Jaymes Hinkle
Editor: Ned Bastille
Costume designer: Wendy Chuck
Music supervisor: G. Marq Roswell
Music: Mark Isham
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jonathan Moxon: James Van Der Beek
Coach Bud Kilmer: Jon Voight
Lance Harbor: Paul Walker
Billy Bob: Ron Lester
Tweeder: Scott Caan
Jules Harbor: Amy Smart
Darcy: Ali Larter
Wendell: Eliel Swinton
Running time -- 106 minutes
MPAA Rating: R...
WB resident James Van Der Beek tries the big screen on for size with "Varsity Blues", an all-too-familiar portrait of a group of small town high school footballers who ultimately make All The Right Moves after seeing their way through a barrage of physical and psychological obstacles.
While Van Der Beek manages to make the transition with most of that "Dawson's Creek" sweetness intact, the tired, corn-fed storyline and generic, plug-and-play direction quickly give rise to the question, "Where's Adam Sandler when you need him?"
Given its pre-Super Bowl positioning and potential built-in "Dawson's Creek" demo, the MTV Films production probably won't have Paramount crying the blues, but neither will it be a boxoffice overachiever.
Van Der Beek plays second-string West Canaan Coyotes quarterback Jonathan Moxon, a good student with aspirations beyond the gridiron (he spends his time on the sidelines reading Kurt Vonnegut) which automatically puts him at odds with bullying head coach Bud Kilmer (Jon Voight) who's hell-bent on leading his team to their 23rd division title.
Of course, nobody likes a smart boy, especially in a town that has at least one very obese character called Billy Bob (Ron Lester) and a distinct fondness for the phrase, "sumabitch."
But Jonathan ends up going head-to-head with Kilmer when star quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker) suffers an injury that will put him out of commission for two seasons, thrusting Moxon into the limelight.
As it turns out, keeping his team's spirits up and winning the division aren't the only items on Mox's full plate. There are also the matters of living out his father's own failed high school football dreams, handling the transferred affections of Harbor's cheerleader girlfriend (Ali Larter), while trying to hold onto his relationship with Harbor's unimpressed sister (Amy Smart), not to mention how he's going to deal with Kilmer's less-than-ethical ways of treating player injuries.
Since this is a story with zero semblance of originality or unpredictability, all will be tied up with a cute little bow at the end, with Mox providing a closing voice-over assuring us that he'll never forget that championship season.
Whatever cliches may have been inadvertently left out of W. Peter Iliff's derivative script, have thoughtfully been visually incorporated thanks to Brian Robbins' ("Good Burger") no-brainer directing style. The modus operandi here appears to be, when in doubt, go for the slo-mo.
Although Van Der Beek doesn't exactly register strongly here, he remains likable enough despite the uninspiring material. As his chief nemesis, Voight adds yet another heavy to his ever-growing roster of arched-eyebrowed adversaries. He's certainly up to more challenging stuff.
As the chronic party animal, Scott Caan displays some of dad James' early Young Buck bravado; while Ali Larter shows some spark as the town tramp who's afraid she'll never leave home despite her way with a can of whipped cream.
Production values are certainly more than serviceable, with solid work from cinematographer Charles Cohen, whose affinity for shooting athletics was previously demonstrated with "The Waterboy", "Little Giants", and, particularly, "Without Limits", a sports picture that refreshingly broke the generic mold at every turn with nary a Billy Bob in sight.
VARSITY BLUES
Paramount
In association with MTV Films
A Marquee Tollin/Robbins prod. in association with Tova Laiter Prods.
Director: Brian Robbins
Producers: Tova Laiter, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins
Screenwriter: W. Peter Iliff
Executive producers: David Gale and Van Toffler
Director of photography: Charles Cohen
Production designer: Jaymes Hinkle
Editor: Ned Bastille
Costume designer: Wendy Chuck
Music supervisor: G. Marq Roswell
Music: Mark Isham
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jonathan Moxon: James Van Der Beek
Coach Bud Kilmer: Jon Voight
Lance Harbor: Paul Walker
Billy Bob: Ron Lester
Tweeder: Scott Caan
Jules Harbor: Amy Smart
Darcy: Ali Larter
Wendell: Eliel Swinton
Running time -- 106 minutes
MPAA Rating: R...
- 1/11/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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