DVD | Coach Carter

MTV. Not exactly renown for making great movies, especially not inspirational movies. But take a true story about controversial basketball coach who made national news after he locked out his never-lost-a-game basketball team because their academic performance wasn’t up to scratch. Place in this story the ever so talented Samuel L Jackson, as Carter, and you have the makings of a fantastic movie.

Coach Carter didn’t have to be the coach, it was a passion of his, not just Basketball, but also believing in people and wanting so much more for them, and such is the theme of this movie:

We all have the ability to live extraordinary lives. But working against us fulfilling our potential is belief. We have to believe in our selves, and the people around us have to believe in us also. It’s about the hidden potential in each of us that society often quashes through subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) messages. And it’s about one man who was prepared to take a stand and effect change in his community.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

Your playing small does not serve the world; there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure about you.

We were all meant to shine as children ... it is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same as we are liberated from our own fear. Our presence automatically liberates others.

Of course it’s flawed and predictable in places, but it warms the heart and make for a relaxing, feel good evening in front of the TV.