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Coach Carter might be one of the best basketball films I've ever seen, based on a true story as well. It's made great mainly because of Samuel L. Jackson's performance as the title character, Coach Ken Carter. You're quick to notice how the aesthetics of the film is like a music video, the production company is MTV Films along with Tollin/Robbins Productions. You have hip-hop and R&B music, costume design that leans heavily onto the street culture. The film is written by Mark Schwahn and John Gatins, and directed by Thomas Carter. The direction was incredible, it's overall good with the basketball sports sequences being great, mainly because of it being coordinated by Mark Ellis. Thomas Carter won two Awards for Best director, Black Movie Awards and Black Reel Awards. Samuel L Jackson was also nominated for best Actor for those Awards, same for Best Picture. The writing which is one of the film's highlights, is truly great and how they placed authenticity to the dialogue and basketball. You're quick to grow a liking to the characters, the high schoolers like; Kenyon Stone, Damien Carter, Timo Cruz, Junior Battle, Worm and Jason Lyle. They're played by Rob Brown, Robert Ri'chard, Rick Gonzalez, Nana Gbewonyo, Antwon Tanner and Channing Tatum respectively. The supporting performances by the actresses are also great, for example Ashanti as Kyra and Debbi Morgan as Tonya Carter. There's some great performances here as well, with Samuel L. Jackson gave one of his best performances in my opinion.

The film's premise: Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him.

Coach Carter does a terrific job with exploring professional ethics, academics, and athletics. With the story focusing on these high schoolers, where it's clear that Carter's method is used to change their lives for the better. It's a heartwarming film with a story you have seen before, but it's done brilliantly here. The film wouldn't have worked as well, if it weren't for Samuel L Jackson. I really liked his performance and his presence. Without a cast like this, the film wouldn't have worked as well as it did. It's far from a perfect film though, but sometimes, you need an occasional feel-good film like this, that does it formulaic, but great. I think the film's three act structure works brillianty thanks to the writing, direction and editing. Every act holds the same quality. Coach Carter is a sports drama you need to see.