Hurricane Season

Coach Al Collins is just your average high school basketball coach from New Orleans, Louisiana, with a heart set on having the best basketball season ever. However, everything changes when Hurricane Katrina hits the city of New Orleans. In its wake, Coach Collins is determined more than ever to keep the basketball team together and recruits players from five different high schools across Louisiana. Together, the players, along with their coach, form a bond and realize that together, nothing can stand in their way.

Let me just start by congratulating the entire cast and crew for a job well done. I would especially like to commend Forest Whitaker for his outstanding job in his role of Coach Al Collins. In addition, Isaiah Washington did an incredible job in his role as Assistant Coach Simmons. This movie was great in every aspect… from the acting to the cinematography.

Objectionable Content

Language: My main concern with this movie was the language, which includes: “bull-s**t,” once instance of the word “h**l,” five uses of the word “b***h,” multiple instances of the word “a**,” four instances of the word “d**n,” and two instances of the word “bastard.” Unfortunately, there was also an instance where God’s name was taken in vain. Other language includes the word “piss.”

Sexuality: The sexual content in this film, considering this is a film based on teen basketball, was minimal. There is a brief scene of kissing at the beginning of the film. The most disturbing scene was when the bus driver is talking to the coach and the players during a trip, comparing the bus to “making love with a woman.” There is also a scene where two players make comments about cheerleaders at the game.

Violence: At the beginning of the film, there is a fight scene involving two players. There is also a fight scene between two women at a rescue shelter. A Patriots player is, also, accidentally pushed to the ground and is seen later in the locker room with a bloody nose and blood on the rag.

Other issues: At the beginning of the movie, during the basketball physicals, men are seen in line carrying containers of urine. There are a couple scenes of panic and some scenes showing the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the city. Lastly, there are some scenes where dead bodies can be seen floating in the flood waters left by Hurricane Katrina.

Spiritual Lessons

When Coach Al recruits his players, at first, they are at odds with each other. However, later in the movie, towards the very end of the film, the Patriots come together and learn about what it truly means to be a part of a team, and more importantly, what it means to become part of a family.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become a part of God’s family. God will always be there for us, whenever we need Him. Whether we are going through good times or bad times, we can always count on the Lord to be there for us. Here are some scriptures that might help:

“In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.” -Psalm 71:1-2 (New International Version)

And, in the words of the apostle Paul…

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” —Romans 8:38-39 (New International Version).

Overview

So, do I recommend this movie? Yes, but with some caution due to the language and other objectionable material. This a movie for sports and non-sports fans alike. My bottom line? This is definitely a movie worth renting!

Violence: Minor / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Mild

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.