It seems that Samuel L. Jackson has been one of the hardest working men in Hollywood since the late 80s. He shows up a lot, even in obscure movies such as Formula 51 and One Eight Seven, as well as really silly places like Deep Blue Sea. But, as Coach Ken Carter of Richmond High School in 1999, Samuel is neither in an obscure nor silly environment. Actually, he seems right at home as the tough, focused leader who runs a sporting goods store during the day and helps shape the future of young men in the late afternoon.

As Coach Carter is based on a real character and actual events (Carter was responsible for the entire basketball program from 1997 to 2002), there is no betrayal of top-secret information to reveal that the Richmond Oilers did not win the state championship that season. Further, it should come as no surprise to expect some violence peppered with the shroud of statistics, which put African-American and Latino teens in a better position to die or go to jail rather than move on to college. That which might offer some astonishment, is yet another example of athletics being put before education by a school system and many parents. In all fairness, it can be a tough call. If basketball, football or track is the only thing that offers the chance for something better, should it matter if the athlete can spell his name?

Well, it did matter to Ken Carter and it resulted in games being cancelled and the gym being locked until the team met their academic requirements. In all honesty, Coach Carter is not a movie that offers many new revelations. We know what is going to happen. What it does give us are some wonderful performances by Jackson, and many of his young co-stars including Robert Richard, Rick Gonzalez, and Rob Brown. As a matter of fact, even though we know what’s coming, there are even a couple moments that just might evoke a tear or two.