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MTV Films
Paramount Pictures
Not part of a collection.
It begins on the streets. It ends here.
Based on a true story, in which Richmond High School head basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to poor academic results.
CinemaSerf
Nov 17, 2024 · via TMDB
When the eponymous coach (Samuel L. Jackson) arrives at Richmond High School, he inherits a disparate group of guys who play basketball as they take life - casually with little responsibility. Their grades are low and so their futures unlikely to break the cycle of poverty and lack off opportunity. He decides to try and break that by insisting that they sign contracts before they can play. These require perfect attendance, no late-coming and grade averages that will ensure they graduate. There's resistance from the team and from their parents, but thanks to a bit of help from the principal (Denise Dowse) he sticks to his guns and they have to accept his ultimatum. The remainder of the film follows his attempts to mould something cohesive from these young men as they, themselves, deal with issues that impact on their own lives. Carter's dream is not a forgone conclusion here. Though there is an element of predictability to the development of the story, his charges do not routinely conform to his grand design and as he gradually builds a functioning (and winning) team, he also realises that their academic focus is what's lacking. That's his biggest challenge. They can't make a living playing ball, but it can be a conduit to an education that can stand them in good stead in the future - and that's the real message here. As with so many people growing up in an environment devoid of opportunity, sport can prove to galvanise people. It can offer hope, introduce the benefits of team building and inter-reliance and ultimately help to prioritise for what's to come. Jackson puts in a strong effort here, and the writing also helps succinctly tell a story that Rick Gonzalez, Rob Brown and Anton Tanner also contribute well to as they represent the men who just initially want to play with little appreciation of the profound chance being offered them. It is too long, and towards the end the story does rather run out of steam, but as a real-life coming of age story it still works well.
The Movie Mob
Nov 26, 2022 · via TMDB
**Coach Carter allows its powerful true story to shine through Samuel Jackson’s performance and the focus on the lives of the young men Coach Carter coached.** Coach Carter is the inspiring true story of a coach that cared much more about the lives and future of his players than winning a game. Samuel Jackson was the perfect choice to play no-nonsense but compassionate Coach Ken Carter that believed in his players while holding them to standards that changed their lives. While the movie is about basketball, the focus is much more on the relationships and development of its characters. The actual basketball scenes of the movie are decent but less compelling than the rest of the story. Coach Carter is an excellent film for those that want to see how their choices and willingness to fight compromise can change the lives of others.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Samuel L. Jackson
Ken Carter
Rob Brown
Kenyon Stone
Robert Ri'chard
Damien Carter
Rick Gonzalez
Timo Cruz
Nana Gbewonyo
Junior Battle
Antwon Tanner
Worm
Channing Tatum
Jason Lyle
Ashanti
Kyra
Texas Battle
Maddux
Denise Dowse
Principal Garrison
Debbi Morgan
Tonya
Mel Winkler
Coach White
Vincent Laresca
Renny
Octavia Spencer
Mrs. Battle
Sonya Eddy
Worm's Mother
Gwen McGee
Kenyon's Mother
Adam Clark
Gruff Uncle
Paul Rae
Guardian
Eugene Lee
Team Parent
Adrienne Bailon-Houghton
Dominique
Dana Davis
Peyton
Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Ray Baker
St. Francis Coach
Lacey Beeman
Susan
Marc McClure
Susan's Dad
Kara Houston
Amber
Jenny Gago
President Martinez
Ben Weber
Mr. Gesek
Sylva Kelegian
Office Assistant
Floyd Levine
Taxi Driver
Rob Fukuzaki
Reporter
Deena Dill
Field Reporter
Andy Umberger
Bay Hill Athletic Director
Leonard L. Thomas
Preseason Game Referee
Diana Charles
St. Francis Cheerleader
Chauntal Lewis
St. Francis Cheerleader
Anna Zielinski
St. Francis Cheerleader
Tanee McCall
Dancer
Allison Kyler
Dancer
Robert Hoffman
Dancer
Marty Dew
Dancer
Julius Callahan
Sideline Heckler (uncredited)
Curt Clendenin
Student (uncredited)
Kenneth Antonio Fernandez
Score Keeper (uncredited)
Jason Flowers
Student (uncredited)
Trae Ireland
Basketball Player (uncredited)
Spencer Kayden
Kennedy Cheerleader (uncredited)
Shavon Kirksey
Kennedy Cheerleader (uncredited)
Roger Lim
Benson Chiu (uncredited)
Paul McMichael
Student (uncredited)
Robert McMurrer
Fan (uncredited)
Margaret Newborn
Fan (uncredited)
Clara Soyoung
Miss Sherman (uncredited)
Sharone Meir
Director of Photography
Camille Friend
Hairstylist
Thomas Carter
Director
Cedric Nairn-Smith
Assistant Editor
Randi Hiller
Casting
Sarah Halley Finn
Casting
Caitlin Scanlon
Executive Producer
Thomas Carter
Executive Producer
Brian Robbins
Producer
Michael Tollin
Producer
Trevor Rabin
Original Music Composer
John Gatins
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Jan 13, 2005
Los Angeles, California
Jan 14, 2005
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