storyline.If people can be dense enough to complain about names and numbers and dates, then they missed the big picture. They missed a great movie that actually conveys a real message. It's not about the sports, it's about the students. And it's not always about what you put in, it's about what you take out. It's about what you take away from the situation that you've walked into.That's what this movie is about, not about basketball. It's about life, and how easily people give in and give up. It's about learning, and having faith that people will do the right thing. Yes, it's about public education, and a community on the edge of stupid, but there's more to it than that. You just have to stop looking, and watch.This movie truly was excellent, right up there on the shelf next to "With Honors." But make sure you are really paying attention, otherwise, what's the point?

growth and change.Ever wanted to know what goes on at the high school dance? This movie holds no punches in showing what is hot and what is not when it comes to todays dances and parties. This might jar some memories! In the end, this film is a lot more than the typical "you can succeed when things are really tough" film. In fact, the ending is not exactly what I anticipated. Although the film is built around some very good basketball action, the center focus is on the growing up process, accountability, parent involvement, and the idea that ones actions really do have consequences that effect not only themselves, but those they hold dear. And yes, in the end success that goes beyond the scoreboard.I loved it!

only enhance our chances of being better educated, but it will also enable us to have the ability of having a higher standard of living. Without an education, there is very little that we can accomplish in life and we are nothing without it.

the year. And it isn't a sports movie, although sports are key throughout. It deals with making men out of boys, and students out of athletes.

great message behind it.

high school he knew the statistics -- only 50% of the students would graduate, only one in 6 would go to college, and 1 in 3 boys would end up in prison or dead. He wanted to make a difference, to change the statistics for these basketball players who only wanted to play ball and win.Coach Carter, on his first day, requires all who want to play, to sign a contract. Maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend all classes, sit in the front row, and wear a coat and tie on game days. And -- learn to refer to each other and the coach as "sir." All quite a change in culture for these borderline ghetto students. Carter figured that unless they could develop a better self-discipline, and follow good rules, then they had no hope of following the rules of society and set personal goals to make something of themselves.Rob Brown of "Finding Forrester" fame is one of the star players, Kenyon Stone, who has a side issue with his pregnant girlfriend Kyra Ashanti . The DVD has an interesting extra featuring the real Coach Carter.SPOILERS. Carter through pushups, "suicides" drills, and lots of outside running makes them the best conditioned team in the area, and uses a running offense to wear down the opponents. They go from poor losers the season before to almost unbeatable. But when Carter finds out that many of them were violating their contracts, skipping class, getting failing or incomplete grades, he locked the gym and canceled games. The parents and town rebeled, wanted Carter to quit, mandated unlocking the gym, but the team held together, refused to practice until all grades were in order, then they were invited to the championship tournament. A low seed, they were forced to play the best team in the state, almost winning, but losing in the final seconds by one point, still they had bonded as a team and understood the priorities in life better.

Coach Carter received some praise and much more criticism for his decision. This is a good inspirational movie of what one must do to excel in sports and in life. Coach Carter taught his players that they must be committed and work hard to excel. This is good movie for people who like sports. Paramount, Run time 2:16, Rated PG-13 8/10

coming to class, etc. Where this movie differs, and what makes this better than most movies of this type, is the depth it goes into in most of the players on the team. The bigger stars have their own back stories and reasons for why they are the way they are.Obviously, judging the acting, Samuel L. Jackson is head and shoulders above the rest but others who stand out here are Rick Gonzalez, Antwon Tanner and Robert Ri'chard. Each of these guys played their characters to a tee. 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. 8/10

channels trying to accomplish his ultimate goal besides winning state , preparing his athletes for college. In the end...well if you haven't seen it, I'll let you find out for yourself.Cast: Samuel L. Jackson is great, what else can be said? He can play such a wide range of roles, and yet he is totally believable in all of them. I never once thought "Shaft" or "Changing Lanes" or even "Star Wars" during his performance as a basketball coach. He played the part very well, without being phony. The young stars did quite well in their roles, and it was a credit to the writing and directing crew as well that they gave background to every character, so that the athletes didn't seem like "rebels without a cause", the weakest character was Kiera played by Alliyah , but still wasn't bad, just didn't shine...and the film went on despite it.Review: I loved this movie, this past year was my senior year, and my school basketball team went through a similar story of nobody thinking anything of us, and we showing up and winning our district and entering the playoffs so the same plot, minus the ghetto and disrespect for the coach . Point is, I felt the pain of the players through their losses, and I felt the rush of winning as this film reminded me of my team and how we fared.Basketball fans and players alike will not be disappointed.8/10