Capsule reviews of films opening this week:
"Coach Carter" - You pretty much know what you're getting when you walk into a sports movie that bills itself as "an inspirational account... inspired by a true story." And you pretty much get that: The story of Ken Carter, the basketball coach at Richmond High School in a tough section of the San Francisco Bay Area, features rousing, crowd-pleasing moments and breathless buzzer-beating action. It's also full of the obligatory speeches about turning athletes into students and turning boys into men. The difference here is that the person making those speeches is Samuel L. Jackson. Melodrama is not in his repertoire. The result, like the recent "Friday Night Lights" and "Miracle," is a movie that manages to transcend its predictable, by-the-numbers structure, although its tough-love themes inevitably will remind you of "Stand and Deliver" and "Dangerous Minds." PG-13 for violence, sexual content, language, teen partying and some drug material. 137 min. Two and a half stars out of four.
- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
---
"Elektra" - Blissfully Ben Affleck-free, this "Daredevil" spin-off benefits greatly from the presence of Jennifer Garner, who steps from the shadows of Hell's Kitchen rooftops into the spotlight of her own butt-kicking chick flick. In fact, you'd never know that "Daredevil" ever came out in 2003 from watching this movie, and that's a good thing. Garner already has proven herself the ideal action figure from her star-making role on TV's "Alias." Playing Elektra, the Marvel Comics warrior princess, is a perfect fit for the perfectly fit actress. But Garner's charms extend beyond the mere physical. Simply by showing up, she makes "Elektra" far more entertaining than it has a right to be. Yes, she's smart and sexy and strong, but she also has a girl-next-door likability that makes her seem accessible. Goran Visnjic and the confident Kirsten Prout play the father and daughter Elektra protects from dark forces. PG-13 for action violence. 93 min. Two and a half stars out of four.
- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
---
"Racing Stripes" - Dismissing this as a paltry retread of "Babe" would be mean, and it's hard to be mean to a movie that's so well-intentioned. The similarities are awfully hard to miss, though - as are the differences. Whereas the talking little piggie of "Babe" wanted to be a sheepherding dog a decade ago, the talking baby zebra of "Racing Stripes" (voiced eagerly by Frankie Muniz) wants to be a racehorse. Like Babe, Stripes the zebra lives on a farm, where he's surrounded by a menagerie of computer-enhanced creatures who crack wise - only here their voices are provided by a much higher-profile assemblage of celebrity talent (Whoopi Goldberg, Joe Pantoliano, Snoop Dogg and the best of all, Dustin Hoffman as a Shetland pony). What "Racing Stripes" offers in star power, though, it lacks in heart. It's strangely distant, with its superficial platitudes about tolerance and daring to go after big dreams. PG for mild crude humor and some language. 93 min. Two stars out of four.
- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
