Rating: 
Summary: A "spellbinding" movie ^_^
Review: Spellbound is a wonderful documentary that follows 8 teens who make it to the National Spelling Bee. Being a former NSB participant, I could definitely relate to parts of each of their stories. But even if you have never participated in a spelling bee, you will find yourself rooting for all of these teens. The movie takes on many moods; at times it can be uplifting (each contestant's determination and hope), hilarious (April's parents, the Hooters sign, Harry's thought process, etc.), and definitely suspenseful (watching them spell gave me goosebumps!). The great music, especially harmonica, just adds to the movie! The only bad part of Spellbound may be that with that so many subjects, it MIGHT feel a little long-winded at some points. But don't let that keep you from seeing Spellbound-you'll be engrossed until the very end.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't miss this one!
Review: This has to be the best movie that I have seen in the first half of 2003. Don't let the title or the concept throw you for a loop on this one. It is an excellent, gripping movie. While about the National Spelling Contest, it relates the stories of 8 young teens in their quest to be the number one speller. Its really about the teens, their families, and how they made it to the national spelling bee. Contestants range from a daughter of an Mexican immigrant family who does not speak English at home, through families throughout the midwest, and well to do families that hire many coaches for their children to compete.
All of the contestants are compelling, some in their personal desire to achieve, some in the family focus on their child winning, and some are just amused to be there. The real people provide a script that is better than any writer can write. The editing is so good that our audience was spelling out the words and cheering and sighing when contestants were in the final stages of their competition.
If you get the chance I would definately go and rush out and see this one. You will walk away feeling great after this uplifting movie. You will never forget some of this contestants!
Rating:
Summary: C-H-A-R-M-I-N-G. Charming.
Review: "Spellbound," Jeffrey Blitz's documentary of the 1999 National Spelling Bee, shares a title with one of Alfred Hitchcock's most famous movies, and Blitz manages to make the mental anguish of the young spellers before the mike a matter of near-Hitchcockian suspense. Blitz follows the fortunes of eight young regional spelling champs from vastly different home towns, ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic levels. Some study hard--one contender practices spelling words constantly with his father, then studies further with a spelling coach--while others just seem to have a knack for spelling. But all eight share one thing: all are much smarter than--and not quite in step with--their peers. So in the end "Spellbound" becomes as much a celebration of individuality as of intellect and motivation. The competition brings some disappointment and heartbreak, for the audience as well as the contestants: I was disappointed, for example, that the three contestants I was rooting for the most were the first three eliminated. But Blitz makes the point that all these kids are winners, and there are far worse ways to while away an afternoon than to spend it with eight likable, admirable young people.
Rating: 
Summary: They completely ruined the ending!
Review: This film builds to a nail-biting conclusion, to be certain. But the film makers ruined the ending to their own film! They show the contestants being weeded out, one by one, each spelling a word and eventually failing. Finally it comes down to two remaining spellers. The first one fails his word, leaving the door wide open for Nupur to win, IF she spells her word correctly. Just as we are on the edge of our seats, expecting to hear Nupur's word, instead the film makers whisk the viewer off to some video montage of sound bites of the contestants being interviewed in their homes and such. I think, "Oh great, they're making this into a real cliffhanger, and we'll get to see if she spells her word correctly or not after they have built the suspense!" But the very last montage clip is of a television screen where we see Nupur being interviewed on a newscast, and at the bottom of the screen is a ticker which says, "National Spelling Bee Champion." Excuuuuuse me? Thanks for ruining the climax! It was not a given that she was the winner after the first speller failed! She could have failed her word too. A few seconds later they show us Nupur spelling her word correctly, but by this time it is a complete anticlimax. This completely ruined the whole ending for me. They should have gone straight from a suspense-building montage to Nupur spelling her word correctly and her ensuing euphoria so we could share in it. As presented, I felt I was left behind and could not connect with her moment.
Rating:
Summary: Kan Ewe Spel As Gud As Thees Keds?
Review: A giant stage. A microphone. A man with excellent pronounication. And over two hundred nervous spellers. This is the setting for the new documentary just released on DVD, "Spellbound". And the results are almost as perfect as winner of that year's National Spelling Bee.In this documentary, we trace the lives of eight spellers from around the United States. What's presented to us is a great cross section of America, as seen through the eyes of some of our best and brighest students. What's remarkable about each of these kids is that they are totally ordinary kids, and come across as such in the film. A girl from Spanish speaking parents, another girl from Washington DC, a boy who has a world of tutors at his beckoning, all of them prove compelling. Yet you find yourself rooting for your favorites during the Spelling Bee. What amazes me, and I didn't learn this until watching this DVD with the commentary track, is this is a first time film for the film maker, Jeffrey Blitz. It seems like a perfect marriage of material and film maker. You would not have guessed that after watching this brilliant film! What transpires over the course of this documentary is that you realize you aren't just watching a Spelling Bee, but you are witnessing the best part of the country we call America; that anyone, with hard work and determination, can pull themselves up to the highest point and soar with the eagles. And by the end of the film, it simply doesn't matter who win the bee, because by then, you are cheering for ALL the kids. Don't miss this gem.
Rating:
Summary: A good doc.
Review: Spellbound tell the story of 8 of 249 kids at the National Spelling Bee. It's an interesting documentary, even though it's a little slow during the D.C. spell-off. Also Harry, kind of ruined the doc. too. Way too hyper.
Rating:
Summary: As riveting and suspenseful as any film you're likely to see
Review: In the past, I've occasionally stumbled upon ESPN's live coverage of the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee contest conducted in Washington, DC. I never paid much attention because the event never seemed to be all that exciting. However, this 2002 documentary of the 1999 National Spelling Bee is anything but boring. In the beginning, the viewer is given brief but informative backgrounds on each of the film's eight subjects. The one thing that begins to come across almost immediately is how much these kids care about competing and succeeding and the fact that the parents of each care almost as much (or perhaps even more in some cases) as the kids themselves. Most of the parents spend their free time helping the kids practice spelling words. We're told early on that nine million kids participate in spelling bees every year and that only 249 will make it to Washington, DC. The fact that these 8 (and the other 241 who are not a focus of the film) have already won numerous local and regional spelling bees within their own states is an accomplishment itself. That one will end up being the best speller out of nine million (and beat the best of the best), is simply amazing. As the film focuses more and more on the national competition, I found myself becoming nervous right along with the kids and parents, hoping that I wouldn't hear that little bell at the end of a misspelled word which tells the participant that they may now exit stage right as it is all over with. I wanted all eight to win but the one I found myself rooting for the most was Neil Kadakia, a 12 year old Indian boy from San Clemente, California. His dedication, as well as that of his parents (particularly his father, who makes some encouraging and appreciative comments about the USA) was incredible. It is mentioned that Neil and his father studied thousands, yes thousands, of words a day in preparation. I'll not spoil the outcome for those who haven't seen it. Maybe one of the eight wins, maybe they don't. Moreover, this is a remarkable depiction of dedicated people. Unlike some so-called "documentary filmmakers", director Jeffrey Blitz is content to make a true documentary by allowing his subjects and their surroundings tell the story. Like other great documentaries (Harlan County USA, American Dream, The Thin Blue Line) this is also a great film.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Documentary
Review: I wouldn't call this documentary "riveting", but its an interesting look at the children involved in the spelling bees.
I give this only 3 stars because it was entertaining, but I was hoping to see a kid throw a chair after misspelling "Cornucopia" while the kid before him only had to spell "Aquatic".
My favorite part is a brief interview with a 10-year old Georgie, who many considered to be the favorite in the competition. He's dressed in a suit and offers up some life advice - "Numba one, Twust in Jesus. Numba two, wove yo famiwee."
Rating:
Summary: Excellent educational movie about traditional spelling bee
Review: Could you spell arcane and abstruse words like kookaburra and logorrhea? The young teenagers in this movie (between the ages of 8-12) could.
This movie is about the American tradition of the spelling bee, which most of us have nostalgic memories of. This movie is about the National Spelling Bee, where the stakes are much higher and the words are much tougher.
This movie inspired me because it was a movie that showed the great potential that the young people have. These kids in the movie were truly amazing and dedicated. They were all unique and very intelligent. There was the Indian kid who's father drilled him into studying very hard for the Spelling Bee. There was the shy girl who studied the dictionary all day and shunned going to shopping malls. There was the young 8-year old Indian boy who was home schooled and very smart. There was the girl from a small town in the country who's parents immigrated to this country with humble beginnings. This movie follows the lives of eight children who dreamed of being the National Spelling Bee champions-it's really a great movie.
In an age when most of the movies being produced for children are tacky action thrillers devoid of any educational value and relevance, here's a movie that is rated G and shows children that they should be interested in reading and learning. All of these kids in the movie were diligent and persistent, and that's a lesson that can help any child today.
Rating:
Summary: Very Strong
Review: When I rented this at the rental store, the girl behind counter made sure I knew it was a documentary. I had to laugh because I was renting it along with two other documentary films. I was very surprised when I viewed this one. The kids are great. The director has given us a look into the world of spelling bees. I remember being in one when I was in elementary school and I know why I lost now. Give this one a chance. It might sound a bit boring but you'll be glad to take the time. Next time the spelling bee is on ESPN you'll stop and watch for it. On the special features of the DVD you get a good update on where the kids are today.
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