Whether it's a refrigerator magnet advertising some unknown business or a variety of dinner mints awaiting you as you exit your favorite restaurant, freebies are just that, freebies. You gotta take advantage! In this instance, my freebie was a pass to see the advance screening of "Coach Carter."
After hearing the hoopla surrounding the movie, starring Samuel L. Jackson and the acting debut of Ashanti, I thought I should give it the old college try. I enlisted the help of my buddy, an advance screening professional, and her miniature sidekick to lead me on my first excursion. My naivety led me to think that I was one of the privileged few to be able to partake of this film. As we walked up to the theatre, I entered the realm of reality.
I was indeed privileged, in that I was able to get a seat. I was far from being in an exclusive group. It was so crowded I was positioned close enough to the screen to, perhaps, reproduce my own version of "Coach Carter" (advance copies on sale now), still, I was content.
Extra info: Finding a seat was only part of the adventure, staying in it was entirely something different. After securing my spot, I realized I had to use the bathroom. Thinking that I couldn't predict the movie and its outcome, I opted to hold my "urge" until it was safe. Ok. I'm done.
What They Say
"The only unpredictable thing, really, about Coach Carter is how engaging it turns out to be."
- MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
"Coach Carter is a ghetto valentine, set to the funky beat of Chingy, Kanye West, Mac 10 and many more musical artists.. Forget about character arcs, three-act structure and whether or not the extras are convincing. And instead, just focus on this film’s two biggest strengths: a nucleus of fantastically talented male actors brought together by
casting directors Sarah Finn and Randi Hiller, as well as a deeply felt, man-to-man performance by Samuel L. Jackson as Coach Carter. - Richard Horgan, Filmstew.com
"Despite the fact that this highly didactic morality play is based on the real-life events of coach Ken Carter.. it is somehow utterly intolerable with its indulgence in inner-city stereotypes, overt preaching and simple antidotes. All the performances are bad, the writing is of Learning Annex ilk, and the directing is surprisingly juvenile, except for the basketball sequences, which are dominated by a score that is absolutely Wagnerian."
- Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Online
My Opinion
Watching the coming attractions for this movie over the last few weeks, I envisioned a remix of Lean on Me with a dash of Sunset Park. What I got was all that and more. The background of the movie revolves around an alumnus of Richmond High School, Ken "Coach" Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) returning to lead a group of young, unmotivated, mostly black males to not only a winning basketball season, but ultimately a winning future.
The movie digs a little deeper than just the aches and pains of winning and losing basketball games; it deals with the lives of those affected by the players and the various games they play. The varieties of lessons learned in this film, from gang affiliation and teen pregnancy to gun violence and crime are too numerous to name and too important to forget.
This MTV production begins with the basketball team losing yet another game, and the eventual interaction of the players with their newly appointed coach - Coach Carter. Tempers and attitudes run rampant, yet Carter stands firm and hold his ground. He institutes a "contract" which players must sign to not only vow to be diligent in their athletic abilities, but also in their academics. It's a noble attempt, but proves futile without further encouragement.
The outside forces that many high school athletes and students alike face, are prevalent in the movie. Yet, what pains me as being consistent with athletes of various races, are the attitudes of their families. As the movie progresses, you see that on many occasions, whether it be a town hall meeting or simple parent/coach interaction, the families are more concerned with their children excelling in sports, not in the books.
Yes, you want your child to be all they can be, but in the same breath, desire them to learn all they can learn. Broken ankles or torn ACLs will not be able to clothe the backs of as many children as an educated individual.
More info: With an hour down, and no immediate end in sight, the possibility of slipping out to the restroom is looking more and more distant. Ok. I'm done.
Ashanti plays a character by the name of Kyra, a young girl dating a member of the basketball team and simultaneously dealing with the possibility of bringing a child into her already unstable environment. Ashanti's performance isn't groundbreaking, but the plight of her character was a dose of reality.
In one scene she meets up with her boyfriend to show him her latest and greatest purchase: a pair of red thongs from the 99 cent store. My first thought was, "Girl, you're already possibly with child, why would you want to aid in the progress by teasing your man with some thongs?" Secondly, who the hell buys panties from the 99 cent store? I understand times are tough, and money is scarce, but I'll be damned if I buy a single thong from any dollar store. Chances are it was part of a pack that either they broke apart to sell, or someone else opened and returned.
Is an intimate purchase for 99 cents worth the 99% chance that they are tainted? I think not!
Ashanti's boyfriend confides in her that he has a chance to further his athletic prowess by gaining a scholarship to a university in California. Yet, the thought of having to support himself, her and their child could possibly prove to be impossible. This dilemma laid the foundation for a tough decision many high school athletes have to make. Young athletes are forced to decide between living a fairy tale life, with the hopes of becoming the next first round draft pick, or choosing another possible reality which includes taking care of their responsibilities.
Info I know you want: Two hours down and only a few minutes to go. I still haven't used the bathroom! Now the finale is approaching, and I definitely don't want to leave. I'll continue to divide my attention between the moral of the story and that warning I read about holding your urges unnecessarily. Then again, maybe holding it in isn't all bad. I've heard that Kegel exercises - hold and squeeze - can make the desire to put a thong to good use on high priority. Ok. I'm really done now.
My rating: a jumbo tub of hot buttered popcorn, some milk duds and a big cup of reality, straight no chaser. Or a 4.5, however you want to interpret it, but nothing less.
4 1/2 squirts of butter
