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- 2006
- PG
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 52 m
- 2006
- PG
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 52 m
Summary An inspirational drama, Akeelah and the Bee is the story of Akeelah Anderson (Palmer), a precocious eleven-year old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother (Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contest, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Fishburne), her principal M...
Directed By: Doug Atchison
Written By: Doug Atchison
- 2006
- PG
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 52 m
- 2006
- PG
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 52 m
Akeelah and the Bee
72
6.5
Where to Watch
Summary An inspirational drama, Akeelah and the Bee is the story of Akeelah Anderson (Palmer), a precocious eleven-year old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother (Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contest, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Fishburne), her principal M...
Directed By: Doug Atchison
Written By: Doug Atchison
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
72
90% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
10% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
72
90% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
10% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Keke Palmer, a young Chicago actress whose first role was as Queen Latifah's niece in "Barbershop 2," becomes an important young star with this movie. It puts her in Dakota Fanning and Thora Cross territory, and there's something about her poise and self-possession that hints she will grow up to be a considerable actress.
A film like this has to be seen. It's beautiful, it's encouraging, and it really inspires its audience to commit to something positive.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 35 User Ratings
6.5
69% Positive
24 Ratings
24 Ratings
23% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
9% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 35 User Ratings
6.5
69% Positive
24 Ratings
24 Ratings
23% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
9% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
This is a decent and family friendly (for the most part) film - I suppose its a drama, although its not especially dramatic, its more insightful. There are some cliches present but I didn't feel it was entirely preachy or anything. I suppose perhaps a fair term to use in relation to the social commentary aspect of this film (or maybe instead of term I should say word - which is particularly relevant given the theme - this is a film about words! and I don't mean word as in respect(!)) would be wholesome. It felt fairly contemporary and has some decent performances. I could understand the main characters anxiety and concern relating to the pressure felt from others in terms of their hopes for her achievement. I've been aware of spelling bee contests for a few years and I like to think my spelling is ok - not amazing but certainly not awful, so I was slightly interested in the whole concept of this 'industry', if I may call it that, as it were etc. This is pretty clearly a film, a slightly Disney-ish (although its live action) one but not one that seemed completely artificial. I thought that Laurence Fishbourne gave a good performance as a Unviersity Professor turned Spelling Bee tutor. I kept thinking that this is the guy who was in The Matrix - its not quite so high drama, his role in this but its a good performance never the less. Have no doubt about it, there's cheese here but its not a bad film. I would recommend it as a mostly family friendly and somewhat intriguing watch, yes.
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Akeelah and the Bee connects where it counts most, on an emotional level. Only a curmudgeon could watch this feisty but vulnerable youngster rack up victories against all odds without tearing up.
By turns funny, affecting tale.
This earnest weepie plays like "The Karate Kid" with a pro-literacy agenda, pushing all the right emotional buttons yet hitting quite a few wrong ones in the process.
So warm and well-meaning that you may find yourself wanting to like it more than you really do.
It is a rewarding tale for public educators, parents, and kids with big dreams.
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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i already seen keke win the spelling be a thousands of times . this movie is **** an i can not believe critics are loving this . Grade F..........................................................................
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This movie is AWFUL, I can't believe it got a 72, it deserves a 7.2. We're watching this in class, and I wish we were actually doing classwork instead of watching it, that's how bad it is. There's a cliche every 5 seconds and it's insanely cringe worthy at almost all moments, it's not even remotely realistic, how do people like this? **** this movie.
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Production Company
Out of the Blue... Entertainment,
Reactor Films,
Cinema Gypsy Productions,
Lionsgate Films,
2929 Productions,
Starbucks Entertainment,
Spelling Bee Productions Inc.
Release Date Apr 28, 2006
Duration 1 h 52 m
Rating PG
Tagline Changing the world... one word at a time.
Awards
Black Reel Awards
• 1 Win & 6 Nominations
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 2 Wins & 5 Nominations
Black Movie Awards
• 4 Wins & 4 Nominations
