Coach Carter

Plot synopsis:
In 1999, Ken Carter takes over the head coaching job for the basketball team at his former high school Richmond, having played on the team himself and earning records. Carter quickly sees that the athletes are rude and disrespectful, and are in need of discipline. He hands the players individual contracts, instructing them to attend all of their classes, sit in the front row of those classes, wear dress shirts and ties on game days, refer to everyone (players and coach alike) as "sir", and maintain a 2.3 (C+) grade point average, among other requirements. Carter also asks the school staff for progress reports on the players' grades and attendance. He teaches them to play a disciplined brand of basketball.
In the gym, Carter is faced by hostility from the players and one of them, Timo Cruz attempts to punch him but he stops him by putting his arm on his back and pushing him against the wall. Cruz quits the team in anger along with two other players, the previous season top scorers. Carter warns them that, if they are late for practice, then they will run suicides (a type of sprint touching the court's lines), and, if they act disrespectfully towards him, then they will do push-ups. He then orders them to do a series of suicides for one hour to improve their conditioning. Later, Carter's son, Damien, decides to join the team, after quitting the private school St. Francis. Shocked, Carter asks why he did this, and Damien tells him that he wants to play for his father. Carter reluctantly agrees but holds his son to a higher set of standards than the rest of the team.
Kenyon Stone struggles to come to terms with his girlfriend, Kyra who is pregnant, unsure if he can juggle basketball and prepare for college as well. Later at a game, Cruz watches the team win and then asks Carter what he has to do to get back on to the team. Carter agrees but on one condition: he needs to do 2,500 push-ups and 1,000 suicides before Friday. At a school dance, Stone talks to his girlfriend about the baby and says he does not want to live that way. He asks her what she's going to do after the baby is born and believes that she would not know what to do. She angrily tells him that she is having the baby.
During a practice, Carter tells Cruz to give up because it is impossible to complete all of the push ups and suicides by Friday. When the day arrives, Cruz has not been able to finish but the team help him by doing some of his push-ups and suicides, getting him back on the team. On a game day, Carter asks Cruz what his biggest fear is, and Cruz is confused by the question. Later, the team won the game. Carter learns that one particular student does not attend classes: Junior Battle. Later in practice, Carter talks to Battle, who does not seem to be worried about it, so Carter suspends him for games. After a confrontation, Battle leaves the team in anger. Afterwards, Battle's mother asks Carter to let him back on the team. Carter says that he needs to hear that from Battle himself. Battle apologizes for what he did and is allowed back on the team, but is told that he had to do 1,000 push-ups and 1,000 suicides to make up for it.
The team goes on to have an undefeated record, eventually winning the Bay Hill tournament. The team go off to a party hosted in a girl's house, without the knowledge of her parents. After looking for the players to celebrate, Carter goes to the house and orders his team to leave. In the bus going home, Carter criticizes his team for their reckless behavior, while Cruz points out that they won the tournament and already gave Carter what he wanted: winners. Back at school, Carter discovers that the progress reports show that some of the students have been skipping classes and failing academically. Enraged, Carter locks the gym and sends his players to the library to study with their teachers. This upsets the players, especially Cruz, who quits the team again, stating that he had tried so hard to do all those push-ups and suicides for Carter, to get back on the team in the first place.
Later, Carter is criticized by parents and academic personnel alike for his decision to lock down the gym. The school board eventually confronts Carter, who explains how he wants to give his team the opportunity and option for further education so that they won't resort to crime, asserting that achieving a sound education is more important for the students than winning basketball games. One night, someone throws a brick through Carter's store window for not letting the team play. The next day, a man pulls up next to Carter's car at a stoplight then proceeds to spit on his window, taunting him about his decision to lock down the gym. Carter became enraged and tries to hit him, but Damien breaks up the fight. Later that evening, while Cruz is hanging out with his drug dealer cousin Renny, he saves three of his teammates from being harassed by some gangsters, but when the drug deal goes wrong, his cousin is shot dead, leaving Cruz distraught. Cruz goes to the Carters' house and begs to be allowed back on the team. Carter comforts him and allows it.
The board holds an assembly about the lockout. Carter states that he wants to prevent his players from resorting to crime. A man suggests that Carter should be removed from the basketball coach position, which the school refuses, which then leads him to suggest that they should end the lockout. Carter promises that he will quit if the lockout is ended. Principal Garrison and the chairman vote to not end the lockout, but the other board members (four) vote in favor of ending it. Carter is shocked to find his players in the gym with desks and teachers, studying and working to bring their grades back up. The athletes decide to fulfill Carter's original intention of them pursuing academic achievement before continuing to play their next game. Cruz answers Carter's question about fear and thanks him for saving his life. They work hard and eventually raise their grade point average to a point that fulfills their contracts. Later, Stone talks to Kyra about the baby. She reveals that she had an abortion and tells Kenyon that he should go play basketball in college.
The Oilers eventually end up competing in the state CIF high school playoffs, but come up short to St. Francis by just 2 points after a game winning three-point shot by rivals Ty Crane. Nevertheless, Carter is proud of his players accomplishing their goals of having a proper education. The film's epilogue displays a series of graphics stating that a number of players went on to attend college and play basketball, such as Kenyon, Lyle, Junior, "Worm", Cruz, and Damien.

Tags: inspiring, murder

Review:
The real heart of the movie is in the way Coach Carter begins to turn the lives around of the players on his basketball team by showing them that someone actually cares about what happens to them after high school.At one point in the movie Carter (played perfectly by Samuel L.
Carter tries to show his players that high school basketball is not about winning but about discipline, respect and the confidence to accomplish any goal.If you are thinking about going to see Coach Carter as a basketball movie, I suggest seeing another movie, but if you want to see a truly inspiring story go see Coach Carter..
I do not know much about the coach this movie is based on, but I can not imagine anything better or stronger than what Jackson has given us here.The story is pretty much like any other.
Overall, if you want to see an inspiring movie and feel like it accomplished it's purpose at the end, I can recommend Coach Carter to you.
'Coach Carter' is based on a true story of Coach Ken Carter, a controversial high school basketball coach played by Samuel L.
Sport obviously not the special themes for movies."Jerry Maguire","The Replacements","Any Given Sunday",etc.Hollywood already made it in like 1000 years ago.And mostly had great success in Box-Office and also great story.This year,Coach Carter prove it again.This movie was a representative for great Sport-movie in 2005!Coach Carter showed up and challenge this summer with Lots of wonderful and amazing things.Samuel.L.Jackson undoubtful again was the most stunning,excellent and superb actor of all time.He just could make it!Supporting by lots of great and amazing newcomers like Antwon Tanner or Channing Tatum.Maybe there was also the biggest mistake Ashanti joined this movie.However and Whatever it is,This Movie(plus the Promising Director:Thomas Carter!)was The Best!Loved it!Liked it!Two-Thumbs Up and crowds of applause for Coach Carter!.
The movie, itself, was reminiscent of Lean On Me. It was the same basic story with the disciplinary figure helping the distraught kids through life.I found it disappointing that the parent of the basketball team emphasized a mere game over something vastly more important, education.
Exceptional Samuel L Jackson who gets a chance job coaching a High School team , displaying a first rate performance reaching an important milestone .
Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him .
The team dreams of playing basketball final , no matter how far-fetched the dream .This is an agreeable tale based on true events , it contains a classic plot and deals about a slice of American history , and is plenty of good feeling , heartfelt, interesting characters and formidable performances .
Jackson delivers an engaging acting as is backed by a good supporting cast such as Robert Ri'chard as his son Damien Carter , Debbi Morgan as his wife , Rick Gonzalez as Timo Cruz , Antwon Tanner as Worm , Vincent Laresca as Renny , Ashanti as Kyra, Texas Battle as Maddux and Channing Tatum who a bit later on would become a first world star ; in fact , Tatum had never played basketball before making the movie so he had to have individual training with the coaches to get up to speed with the other actors.
From the same school of plot development that Dangerous Minds attended, Coach Carter tells the story of the Richmond basketball team who learn that 'student' comes first in 'student athlete'.
Ken Carter (Jackson) takes over a losing California high school basketball team and employs extreme measures to turn things around.Yes, we have seen this before: a hard-assed coach molds his players into the image he desires for them.
Based on a real life story that made national news in 1999, Samuel Jackson plays Coach Ken Carter, the controversial high school basketball coach who benched his entire undefeated team due to their poor performance in their classes.I admire the message from Coach Carter but I did not actually like the movie.
Samuel L Jackson was great as Coach Carter and he made the film.
Even the basketball games in Coach Carter weren't very interesting and this hurt the film for me.The movie also pounds it's message into the viewer's head without really giving a good argument.
Coach Carter was an excellent sports film that will keep you interested the entire movie.
It is a wonderful film that offers an array of solutions, extreme as they may be.Early on the film begins with coach Carter slamming one of his belligerent new players into the gym wall only to hear the player whine "teachers aren't supposed to touch students." The rest of the film proves how teachers and coaches can touch students in other than physical ways to effect positive growth and change.Ever wanted to know what goes on at the high school dance?
This movie was based on a true story where a California high school basketball coach named Ken Carter put a lock on his gym until all his students met the necessary academic requirements needed to have a chance to go for a secondary education.
Coach Carter is based on a true story, in which Richmond High School head basketball coach Ken Carter made the headlines in 1999 for locking out his undefeated team due to their poor academic results.
Aided by the exciting, and authentic looking on-court action {well done director Thomas Carter} Coach Carter, and especially Sammy Jackson, manages to deliver more than enough interest to make this one of the better sports movies of the last decade.
I think this is an excellent true story.The story and plot is well-organized.The characters are very strong and catching the attention of the viewers especially the coach carter Samuel.L.Jackson.One man fighting for the right of the others here the students.He is not only coaching them basketball but also taking care of their studies and future.This is something which now-a-days is missing in our daily life and everybody wants to see this happening.There are some catchy scenes plus the music behind is excellent.I really loved it.The end is also unforgettable and made the viewers feel what coach achieved in the end..
However, I have heard that in other parts of the country, the "borders" between urban areas and the suburbs are not as fluid.I do not remember reading about the dramatic victories of the Richmond High basketball team in the local paper, but I did take a community college class taught by an instructor who my mother told me once had Coach Carter in his class, and many of my clients have kids who were or are students at Richmond High.After seeing so many films about events that took place years ago and far away, it was refreshing to see an interesting film about a community with which I am somewhat familiar.
Coach Carter is a brilliant film which presents the audience the quality within the man who changed boys become men and to understand "what is your greatest fear." Base on a true story, Coach Carter invites the audience to see the different side of the world of Callifornia - "it begins on the streets, it ends here.".
And I was- delighted in fact.Great adaption of this true story about a high school basketball coach who benched his team because they were failing their subjects.
Over-all Coach Carter is a very touching and moving story about a basketball team that didn't have much hope in winning or having any hope to Succeed in school and go on to college, But after the arrival of Coach Ken Carter(Samuel L.Jackson) a former student at Richmond High school the Student-Athletes worlds are flipped upside down.
This film is a must see not only for basketball fans but for anyone who wants to watch a good movie.
Apparently (based on the end credits) most are real people, but their stories are similar to what we've seen in any number of similar school/sports/urban teenage films where characters strive to overcome a variety of disadvantages and adversities.The film has solid production values and the basketball choreography is first rate.
And his performance as Coach Ken Carter is very good, and the overall story is quite inspiring.
As Carter, Jackson is playing the coach of the Richmond High School basketball team.
But the performances from Jackson and the young actors who played the members of the team (and from Ashanti, who played Kyra, the girlfriend of one of the players) does manage to keep it seeming fresh and alive at the same time.Sure you can quibble about the timeline being off (for example, Carter took over the team in 1997 and the year of the lockout was 1999, not just a few weeks after he became coach) but chalk those things up to dramatic license.
He tries time and time again to get the understanding in their heads that students become before athletes when considering "student athletes." At first, this doesn't go over well with the players, but in time it goes to show how powerful a person can be with school work, basketball, and other areas or difficulties in life.The work done by the actors, the director, and the writers have led to this movie being one of the biggest successes in sports films of this era.
Coach Carter is based on a true story of Richmond High School basketball coach Ken Carter (Samuel L Jackson) who made headlines in 1999 for benching his high school basketball team due to poor academic results.The film is not really about basketball that is just a backdrop.
Although a disciplinarian the team has an unbeaten run and turns around the lives of their players even though some in the school and many of the parents are unhappy with his methods.I guess I would loath to have Ken Carter as my coach but in this movie with its assortment of High school misfits that are straight out of ghetto casting, it works.Samuel L Jackson has enough charisma and likability for you to invest in his character.
This film also showcases the tough time people have growing up in poor areas and the broken-down American education system.Thomas Carter's film is about a legendary basketball player named Ken Carter who goes back to his old high school to coach a number of violent, uneducated people the true game of basketball and how the game will change their attitudes, and more importantly their lives.Samuel L.
Samuel L Jackson was brilliant as Coach Carter and there was a good supporting cast.On-court the film is thrilling but I was surprised to find it just as sensational off the court but that is down to Jackson, the rest of the cast who do well to hold their own and some good storytelling.I've heard people complain about clichés within the film but it is very hard to not have them plus I had no problem with them and would rather it stayed with a formula which has been used many times and works well than change it completely.Overall this is a great film for anyone as it sends some important messages, is inspirational and a heart-warming sports drama if ever there was one..
Coach Carter is one of the best sports films of all time, not only because it shows how a team came together and progressed with their season, but also how the coach helps each player develop into well rounded men.
If you like Sports films that not only talk about the team but also make a story out of each players life then this is the movie for you.
Jacksons title character Coach Ken Carter is terrific and I have seen many films with him in it,because he is in so much,but none with him as into the character as he is in this,he was in character from start to finish.Coach Carter will inspire students struggling in school with some amazing speeches and characters that improve on there subjects and other things outside of school along the way.A new coach trains a high school basketball team,he is very strict but just wants them to do well,he stops letting them play until they improve on there subjects and prove they are worthy..
When they made the wrong decision the players were faced with negative consequences and had no one to blame but themselves.The impact of a person of this magnitude is profound and if some viewers found fault with this movie simply because their reality is a little different at this moment then it was for the characters in this film is very unfortunate for the viewer.
When they made the wrong decision the players were faced with negative consequences and had no one to blame but themselves.The impact of a person of this magnitude is profound and if some viewers found fault with this movie simply because their reality is a little different at this moment then it was for the characters in this film is very unfortunate for the viewer.
there are many 'based on true events,underdog stories' made into movies.but this one is different.yes,it is inspirational,but it isn't preachy and schmaltzy like so many have been.maybe the studios are finally seeing the light.after all,this is the second recent movie of the genre(that i have seen) to get it right,the other being "Glory Road".as for "Coach Carter",it's a pretty subdued affair.it focuses on a High School basketball coach(Samuel.L.Jackson)who has a vision for the students at his school.not only will they become winners on the basketball court,but they will also be inners off.this means as human beings,they will lose he loser,mediocrity mentality which has been ingrained intro them,by the school system and even their parents.of course,he meets fierce opposition.does he succeed in this vision?well,lets just say things don't go quite the way you might expect them to.this movie is very character and story driven,so don't expect a lot of action.there aren't that many basketball sequences.much of the movie takes place off the court.but the movie works for 3 reasons.first,its ability to tell an inspirational story without bringing out the sledgehammer.second,the the supporting performances are all credible.but more important is the masterful acting of Samuel L.Jackson.the man is simply mesmerizing.you believe every second of his performance.the man has great screen presence and charisma and the emotion he conveys is real.the movie is long,but it's all about getting there,not being there,and the journey is worth it,in my opinion..
But from this defunct genre comes Coach Carter, a wonderful little film and probably one of my favorite sports movies.Samuel L.
Jackson superbly plays Coach ken Carter, a controversial high school basketball coach who locks his players out of the gym when they don't uphold contracts concerning their academics.
This was a great film.Jackson plays a coach that is more interested in having kids do well in school and stay off the streets than playing some basketball.
Coach Carter is very much a real sports movie.
Combining after-school special drama with basketball, it weaves together the story of a coach that turned his team around and their lives in the process.The problem with the film is that its portrayal of the characters is shallow.
COACH CARTER is an inspiring and richly entertaining film, based on a true story.
This is the story of Ken Carter, a man who returns to his high school alma mater to become the new basketball coach.
Entertaining movie based on the real-life Ken Carter, a high school basketball coach who not only teaches a California high school basketball team how to win, but also about the concept of the student athlete.Samuel L.
Jackson) is trying to keep them in line with the stuff they have to do in school and after school he cares a lot about them and teaches them that if they want to play basketball they should be able to keep up with other stuff two.From this movie you can learn a lot of stuff and i think that's the whole point of to movie.What i don't like about the movie its that the teachers don't really care what Carter is trying to do for those kids and that his trying to teach them how life is out there..
i thought coach carter was a brilliant film and as usual Samuel l Jackson is fantastic.Ashanti is also a better actress than i thought she would be.the films soundtrack is good too especially songs like hope by twista and faith Evans-a fabulous song.the story is really heartwarming too and although the film is a drama there are some really touching moments in the film.i like the way the kids in the film go from one extreme to the other from the start of the movie to the end.
overall i think coach carter is a great film and shows Samuel l Jackson at his best..
Thomas Carter's Coach carter is a well done dramatic/sports films which is the story of a high school basketball team in RIchmond, California.
I think that Coach Carter was a good movie for Samuel L.
Jackson is amazing as always as Coach Ken Carter, a good coach who takes a job at a down and out school as the basketball coach.
Upon seeing that all of the kids on the team are failing their classes, he tells them they can't play basketball until they've brought up their grades.The acting in the film is really good, and the story is great.
It was everything and more that I had looked forward to, it has great actors that really know how to play basketball and a good story line that involves real life issues.
Jackson gives a marvelous performance as Richmond (CA) basketball coach Ken Carter, who has just been hired for the job.
Based on true events, this is the story of Coach Ken Carter who brought change into the lives of young and seemingly hopeless high school basketball players to go to college.
If Hollywood wanted us to see real-life portrayals of profanity it should have come from elsewhere in the movie not from Coach Carter.