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Movies / On DVD / Coach Carter
Coach Carter

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Coach Carter (2005)

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Reviews Counted:141

Fresh:90

Rotten:51

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: Like a good point guard, Samuel L. Jackson is the clear leader on the floor in a film that critics say transcends its formula trappings to be inspirational. However, some have said the film is too preachy and too long.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for violence, sexual content, language, teen partying and some drug material.

Runtime: 2 hrs 16 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:25-02-2005

Synopsis: In the tradition of LEAN ON ME and DANGEROUS MINDS comes COACH CARTER, an inspirational drama starring Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from... In the tradition of LEAN ON ME and DANGEROUS MINDS comes COACH CARTER, an inspirational drama starring Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from California's Richmond High only to return there years later, in 1999, and take over as head coach of the boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the troubled school he remembered as a teenager is an even more insufferable place in his adulthood. Determined to make a change in his players' lives, Carter makes each young man sign a contract that ensures he will maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend every class, and wear a jacket and tie on game day. Of course, the players reject the contract at first, but when they realize that they don't have any other choice, they give in. And when it appears that their tough-as-nails coach is actually turning them into winners on the court, they embrace their coach's philosophy even further. But when Coach Carter receives the incomprehensibly awful progress reports of his players, he does the unthinkable: he benches the entire team. Directed by Thomas Carter (SAVE THE LAST DANCE), COACH CARTER is a sensitive drama that features an impassioned performance by Jackson, as well as the impressive young cast (most notably Rob Brown, Rick Gonzalez, and Robert Ri'Chard). [More]

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown, Debbi Morgan

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown, Debbi Morgan, Ashanti, Antwon Tanner, Ramsey Gbelawoe

Director: Thomas Carter

Director: Thomas Carter
Screenwriter: Mark Schwahn, John Gatins
Producer: Brian Robbins, Mike Tollin, David Gale
Studio: Paramount Pictures

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Reviews for Coach Carter

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121 - 140 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Samuel L. Jackson plays the real-life coach of a high school basketball team in this solid, unsurprising sports drama.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/13/05
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The movie's moral messages are all on target. Too bad the movie is much, much too long and Jackson gives one of his dullest performances ever.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
01/13/05
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

With his steely, don't-mess-with-me aura, Jackson is ideally cast as Carter. When he blows his whistle and demands that everyone do wind sprints, you might think he means you, too.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
01/13/05
Jeff Strickler
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune

For all Coach Carter's moralizing, it is an eminently palatable drama, and Samuel L. Jackson -- who has certainly been known to take nobility to the nth degree -- is first-rate as Carter.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
01/13/05
John Anderson
John Anderson
Newsday

An inspirational film about a high school coach who has the gall to suggest that athletes must make their mark in the classroom as well as on the basketball court.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
01/13/05
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Samuel L. Jackson, who has pretty much been swaggering through recent roles, straightens up and brings a steely, dignified strength to the title role.

Full Review Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel | comment Comment
01/13/05
Tracy Allerton
Tracy Allerton
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The film nicely balances the stories, allowing some of the teammates to emerge as believably streetwise characters.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
01/13/05
Sid Smith
Sid Smith
Chicago Tribune

Thank goodness then for go-to guy Jackson. He takes what could have been a cardboard cliche role and puts flesh on it with his flamboyant intelligence.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
01/13/05
Bob Townsend
Bob Townsend
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Treats its subject in such a neutered, worshipful fashion that it ultimately does the actual accomplishment a disservice.

Full Review Source: The Stranger (Seattle, WA) | comment Comment
01/13/05
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Aside from maybe "Friday Night Lights," I can't think of another recent sports movie that dared to suggest athletic achievement isn't a worthy goal in and of itself.

Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | comment Comment
01/13/05
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

A rather exceptionally counter-cultural "teen movie"...raises authentic youth concerns and answers them with convincing integrity.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
01/13/05
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

Even Samuel L. Jackson’s performance can’t save this glorified press release from its “been there, done that” fate.

Full Review Source: EDGE Boston | comment Comment
01/13/05
David Foucher
David Foucher
EDGE Boston

Each of the side stories is played out in excruciating detail and seems to exist in entirely different movies, all of which will be tied up into bows by the end.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
01/13/05
Phil Villarreal
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

Jackson's ... fire-and-brimstone delivery adds a much-needed edge to the inspirational cliches.

Full Review Source: Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) | comment Comment
01/13/05
Josh Larsen
Josh Larsen
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL)

When critics join in accepting this junk, is it any wonder few directors bother with fresh visions?

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Mercury | comment Comment
01/13/05
Anthony Del Valle
Anthony Del Valle
Las Vegas Mercury

Director Thomas Carter, working from a script by Mark Schwahn and John Gatins, manages to elevate the clichés into a surprisingly engaging, enjoyable two hours.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
01/12/05
Ernest Hardy
Ernest Hardy
L.A. Weekly

Utilizes an alternating formula of motivational speeches and current hip-hop tracks meant to sell Coach Carter soundtracks.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/12/05
Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell
Filmcritic.com

Is there anything in movies less convincing than a high-school ne'er-do-wells get-down-and-study montage?

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
01/12/05
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

As the film grinds on, without any actual actors to work against, Jackson starts to look marooned and eventually seems to give up trying.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
01/12/05
Chris Barsanti
Chris Barsanti
Slant Magazine

An entertaining mix of Stand and Deliver and Remember the Titans with a charismatic performance by Samuel L. Jackson.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
01/11/05
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews
 
 
121 - 140 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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