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(1 - 34) of 34 OFCS Rating: 97% Fresh Page   1   "A suspenseful and inspiring documentary."   ReelTalk Movie Reviews   Betty Jo Tucker 5/5 "There’s not a frame of Spellbound that leaves you wanting to look away from the screen."   eFilmCritic.com   David Cornelius B- "It might be spellbinding, but the theming of this indie documentary is mismanaged and it lacks a voice for its subject matter."   EDGE Boston   David Foucher 3.5/4 "...the Spelling Bee portion of the film [is] surprisingly suspenseful because we've come to care about each of the eight children."   Reel Film Reviews   David Nusair 3.5/4 "...the Spelling Bee portion of the film [is] surprisingly suspenseful because we've come to care about each of the eight children."   Reel Film Reviews   David Nusair A "Inspiring."   Ozus' World Movie Reviews   Dennis Schwartz A "I almost hate to tell you it's a documentary, because I'm afraid you won't believe me that it's the most entertaining, suspenseful film I've seen all year."   EricDSnider.com   Eric D. Snider B+ "A well-structured, well-made piece whose only flaw, if you want to call it that, is its deluge of characters."   Film Blather   Eugene Novikov B+ "An absorbing film that will send you home with a real affection for these kids...emerges as a champion in its own right."   One Guy's Opinion   Frank Swietek "Spellbound depicts the unhealthy and oftentimes outrageous national obsession with the positive aspects of competition in the stories of eight finalists in the National Spelling Bee."   Spirituality and Practice   Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat 2.5/4 "It's a commendable attempt to bring an overlooked and fascinating subject to the screen, but the approach is surface oriented and perfunctory, and I didn't really find myself moved, edified, or enlightened by the experience."   ReelViews   James Berardinelli 3.5/4 "If the concept of a spelling bee leaves you yearning for an evening of watching paint dry, think again. This compelling documentary is one of the most suspenseful films of the year."   Palo Alto Weekly   Jeanne Aufmuth 9/10 "Has no right to be this insanely involving."   Window to the Movies   Jeffrey Chen B "remarkable film captures the spirit of this event with great intimacy and insight"   Old School Reviews   John A. Nesbit 4.5/5 "Gripping and fascinating work by first-time filmmaker Jeffrey Blitz. Bravo!"   Cinerina   Karina Montgomery 2.5/4 "Even if you question the relevance of the event, [the film] remains interesting as a snapshot of various types of children, parents and communities."   Montreal Film Journal   Kevin N. Laforest B+ "My favorite contestant, April DeGideo, wears glasses and a perpetually serious expression, even when describing her oblivious parents as Archie and Edith Bunker."   Reeling Reviews   Laura Clifford 3.5/5 "An enthralling, suspenseful documentary about spelling bees... yes, spelling bees."   TV Guide's Movie Guide   Maitland McDonagh 4/4 "Director Jeffrey Blitz has made a surprisingly suspenseful film that sharply observes the awkwardness of living as an intelligent adolescent in a society dedicated to the lowest common denominator."   Mark Reviews Movies   Mark Dujsik 3.5/4 "The movie's great achievement is that it captures a broad cross-section of America"   Movie Habit   Marty Mapes "Simple and... pure."   Flick Filosopher   MaryAnn Johanson A "It is one of the most genuinely thrilling, touching, and purely enjoyable movies of the year."   Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies   Nell Minow 3/5 "Despite its somewhat skin-deep look at these talented youngsters, Spellbound's charm and allure is undeniable."   Filmcritic.com   Nick Schager 4/5 "Blitz films the competitions in a way that keeps us gasping for breath; this is a jumble of comedy, drama and severe edge-of-seat suspense from the first to the last word."   Shadows on the Wall   Rich Cline B+ "This is the best 2002 documentary I have seen, even better than 'Winged Migration' or 'Bowling for Columbine.'"   Laramie Movie Scope   Robert Roten B "“Spellbound” is unembellished, textbook documentary filmmaking that chronicles the lives of eight typical kids vying for honors in the NSB and who happen to know how to spell “logorrhea.”"   Reeling Reviews   Robin Clifford "Spellbound might follow eight juniors as they try to become champions, but director Jeffrey Blitz is really documenting the American Dream in action."   Movie Views   Ryan Cracknell 5/5 "The finest documentary ever made on the fine art of speling."   eFilmCritic.com   Scott Weinberg A "To use a word I know these kids can spell, Blitz’s Spellbound is spellbinding."   Eclipse Magazine   Sean O'Connell A- "A tribute to old-fashioned virtues of hard work, education, competition — and good spelling in a spellchecker age."   Decent Films Guide   Steven D. Greydanus 6/10 "The contest is far more interesting than you'd expect."   www.susangranger.com   Susan Granger 7/10 Read review   Movie Gazette   Anton Bitel 8/10 Read review   JoBlo's Movie Emporium   JoBlo Read review   BlackFilm.com   Wilson Morales  (1 - 34) of 34 OFCS Rating: 97% Fresh Page   1