Back in the Grind, and Need Some Coaching

Well, today my vacation ended. So now I'm back in school and work together and getting back to my original schedule. In some ways, I'm glad. I never cleaned my apartment, but while I was not working, I didn't really have a good excuse. Now that I'm back on my schedule, I just don't have the time. It's a relief... and yet, appalling to me at the same time. I'm not sure why that is.

As an out-of-class assignment, I had to screen the movie Coach Carter, so I went and saw it last night. Not a bad night of movie watching overall. It's not a film I would normally go see, but might catch on video since I'm a big Samuel L. Jackson fan. He's the main reason I've been enjoying the recent Star Wars movies. Watching him lop Jango Fett's head off in Episode II was a definite highlight. And Formula 51 totally kicked major ass. This was one of his more toned down performances.

It was based on a true-life incident in 1999 when Ken Carter, a moderately successful business owner, set aside some time to take over the basketball coaching job at his old high school as a favor for his old coach, who was retiring. He was brought in to whip the team into shape after years of large losing streaks. Not only did he force them to improve on the court, but also off the court as they were required to maintain perfect attendance & a GPA high enough to get them college scholarships. He butts heads with players, parents & faculty up to the point that he locks up the gym & bars the players from playing or praticing until they get their grades up. I won't give away the ending... I think you can figure it out for yourself.

Good solid acting by the cast all around and solid direction. While I'm not big on "based on a true story" kind of films, it highlights the often conflicting values of pursuing an education while still developing solid athletic skills that could bring big money. Surprisingly, I genuinely liked this film. Jackson has done several films along this line in the past, albeit slightly more violent (i.e. the film 187), but the solid directing of Thomas Carter along with positive performances by the young actors playing the basketballers make this one of his better movies.

I'd rate it, but what'd be the point? I'd rather compare my level of enjoyment to another of his more somber films I enjoyed, The Red Violin.