1999 Rewind: Varsity Blues


It's been 20 years since 1999, a year with a number of extraordinary and engaging films. During this summer, I'll be looking back at 10 of my favorites from 1999 for those looking to catch up with a few good films. Check back Mondays this summer for more from 1999.

Varsity Blues (January 15, 1999)
Starring: James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker, Scott Caan, Ron Lester, Amy Smart, Ali Larter, and Jon Voight
About: Since the first official football game of the year is Thursday night with the Hall of Fame game, it makes sense that we talk about a football film. "Varsity Blues" was one of the first films to be released in 1999, coming out in early January. And it's been one of the most enduring, especially as a cult classic. At the time Van Der Beek was a TV star, and Walker was years away from "The Fast and the Furious." But there were all the elements for a classic story, including a tight sound track and some good work done by director Brian Robbins. This isn't the deepest movie, and it's definitely not family friendly at times (but considering shows like "Euphoria" it's probably tame by today's standards), but it was memorable. There were some classic lines and classic moments, and as someone who was in high school when it was released it appealed to audiences of a certain age. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years, but it remains one of the better football movies to me. If you haven't seen it, and you're looking for some light-hearted entertainment, you can check out "Varsity Blues."
Rating: R for strong language throughout, sexuality and nudity, and some substance abuse.

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