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Spellbound (2002) Rank 3 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Spellbound (2002) a score of 3.1460 out of 4
based on (118) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
Excellent
(42)
Very Good
3
Very Good
(68)
Good
2
Good
(8)
Fair
1
Fair
(0)
Poor
0
Poor
(0)
Reviews by Score:
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.30 out of 4 stars for Movie RoundtableMovie Roundtable
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Movie Roundtable
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.28 out of 4 stars for San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.28 out of 4 stars for San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Movie Gazette (Anton Bitel)Movie Gazette (Anton Bitel)
This funny, gripping microcosm of the American dream and immigrant culture will stay with you for more than a spell. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Movie Gazette (Anton Bitel)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Movie Gazette (Anton Bitel)Movie Gazette (Anton Bitel)
A documentary about a spelling competition which is funny, gripping, and somehow manages to take in much broader aspects of American society and immigrant culture along the way. In a word , T-H-A-U-M-A-T-U-R-G-Y. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Movie Gazette (Anton Bitel)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie VoiceFilm Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
The word was liniment. I was a 6th grader who'd won my grade school spelling bee, thus earning the right to represent my hometown in the annual county wide spelling bee. To be broadcast on the radio. Big-Time Stuff.Unfortunately, while all the other ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Could hardly be more suspenseful if it were scripted. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Chicago Reader (Ted Shen)Chicago Reader (Ted Shen)
Blitz shows us these kids in all their quirkiness and dorkiness, letting them do much of the talking as he records them and their families at home. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Chicago Reader (Ted Shen)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for LA Weekly (Ella Taylor)LA Weekly (Ella Taylor)
For the committed word nerd, spelling has its intrinsic pleasures, but in Spellbound it's another example of the peculiarly American mania for turning everything -- even play --into work. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at LA Weekly (Ella Taylor)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Salon.com (Stephanie Zacharek)Salon.com (Stephanie Zacharek)
Blitz captures the intensity of the bee itself, showing how it frazzles the nerves of even the most well-prepared spellers as, one by one, their colleagues and competitors drop away. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Salon.com (Stephanie Zacharek)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Dallas Observer (Luke Y. Thompson)Dallas Observer (Luke Y. Thompson)
Consider it an athletic contest of the mind--ESPN does, as the sports network regularly televises the finals. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Dallas Observer (Luke Y. Thompson)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.17 out of 4 stars for JoBlo.com's DVD ClinicJoBlo.com's DVD Clinic
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at JoBlo.com's DVD Clinic
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.09 out of 4 stars for DVD Times (Daniel Stephens)DVD Times (Daniel Stephens)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at DVD Times (Daniel Stephens)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.07 out of 4 stars for Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.05 out of 4 stars for Lights Out Films - DVD ReviewLights Out Films - DVD Review
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Lights Out Films - DVD Review
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
Some conclusions were obvious. Second generation hyphenatedAmericans apparently study and achieve at much, much higher rates than kids whose families have been here for many generations. Money does appear to help. One kid had separate tutors for words ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at IMDB.com
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
Though the eight spellers are fourteen years old give or take a year or two, they're a diverse lot, with Harry Altman arguable the most idiosyncratic and the most lovable. With nearspastic faces and a broad, if nervous smile exposing his orthodontia, ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at IMDB.com
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
The story begins as Harry, an anguished teen, is trying to spell a simple word that sounds like "bands" but turns out to be "banns," a term familiar only to regular churchgoers. After that, we're introduced to eight local champions. From New Haven, ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at IMDB.com
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.com (Nicholas Schager)filmcritic.com (Nicholas Schager)
Jeffrey Blitz’s Spellbound focuses its gaze on eight children as they make their way to the annual National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. The subjects Blitz chose for his fascinating documentary come in all shapes and sizes – combined, ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at filmcritic.com (Nicholas Schager)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Las Vegas Weekly (Richard Maynard)Las Vegas Weekly (Richard Maynard)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Las Vegas Weekly (Richard Maynard)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
As we watch them drilling with flashcards and worksheets, we hope they will win, but we're not sure what good it will do them. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
One of the many pleasures in Spellbound is watching the reactions of these young brainiacs, all under the age of 14, as they first hear the word they are being asked to spell (''Is that even a word?'' seems to be a common thought passing through their ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
It is useful to be a good speller, up to a point. After that point, you're just showing off. The eight contestants in "Spellbound," who have come from all over the country to compete in ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for NYC Film Critic (Ethan Alter)NYC Film Critic (Ethan Alter)
If it sounds like I'm being unduly hard on the first half of this film, I don't entirely mean to be. Spellbound is an involving movie and it's much more exciting than a lot of the "action-packed" sequels in multiplexes right now. But as someone who ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at NYC Film Critic (Ethan Alter)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Rick Groen)The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Rick Groen)
Loses its momentum just when you'd expect the suspense to mount -- at the competition itself. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Rick Groen)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.95 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.comfilmcritic.com
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at filmcritic.com
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.94 out of 4 stars for Film-Critiques.comFilm-Critiques.com
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Film-Critiques.com
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.93 out of 4 stars for channel4.com/film (James Oliver)channel4.com/film (James Oliver)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at channel4.com/film (James Oliver)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.86 out of 4 stars for Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.86 out of 4 stars for IndependentCritics.com (TC Candler)IndependentCritics.com (TC Candler)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at IndependentCritics.com (TC Candler)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.85 out of 4 stars for Haro OnlineHaro Online
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Haro Online
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.83 out of 4 stars for Blackfilm.com (Wilson Morales)Blackfilm.com (Wilson Morales)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Blackfilm.com (Wilson Morales)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.82 out of 4 stars for hoopla.nuhoopla.nu
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at hoopla.nu
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Film Threat (Merle Bertrand)Film Threat (Merle Bertrand)
Draws an unspoken parallel with, of all things, beauty pageants, complete with unnaturally driven kids and nervously supportive parents desperately trying not to appear too pushy. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Film Threat (Merle Bertrand)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for The Onion (A.V. Club) (Scott Tobias)The Onion (A.V. Club) (Scott Tobias)
Can't help but be deeply engrossing, as it taps into a highly charged atmosphere that one parent dubs "a different form of child ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at The Onion (A.V. Club) (Scott Tobias)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
An enthralling, suspenseful documentary about spelling bees. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Future Movies - reviewFuture Movies - review
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Future Movies - review
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic (Scott Weinberg)eFilmCritic (Scott Weinberg)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at eFilmCritic (Scott Weinberg)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.79 out of 4 stars for Reel.com DVD review (Bonnie Fazio)Reel.com DVD review (Bonnie Fazio)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Reel.com DVD review (Bonnie Fazio)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.79 out of 4 stars for DocumentaryFilms.net (David Loftus)DocumentaryFilms.net (David Loftus)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at DocumentaryFilms.net (David Loftus)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.78 out of 4 stars for Spirituality & Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)Spirituality & Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Spirituality & Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.77 out of 4 stars for CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.77 out of 4 stars for CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.77 out of 4 stars for Film Freak Central Review (Travis Hoover)Film Freak Central Review (Travis Hoover)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Film Freak Central Review (Travis Hoover)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.76 out of 4 stars for Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
"Inspiring." ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.76 out of 4 stars for DVD VerdictDVD Verdict
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at DVD Verdict
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for txreviews.com (Curtis Edmonds)txreviews.com (Curtis Edmonds)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at txreviews.com (Curtis Edmonds)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.74 out of 4 stars for Zertinet Movies ReviewZertinet Movies Review
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Zertinet Movies Review
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.74 out of 4 stars for Moviepie.com reviewMoviepie.com review
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Moviepie.com review
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.73 out of 4 stars for PopMattersPopMatters
At the 1999 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee's hotel headquarters in Washington, DC, a gigantic American flag vertically blankets at least seven floors. Engaged in tense competition, a diverse group of elementary and middle school children in the ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at PopMatters
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.72 out of 4 stars for Slant Magazine (DVD Review)Slant Magazine (DVD Review)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Slant Magazine (DVD Review)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.70 out of 4 stars for eye WEEKLY (Kim Linekin)eye WEEKLY (Kim Linekin)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at eye WEEKLY (Kim Linekin)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.68 out of 4 stars for Exclaim! (Erin Oke)Exclaim! (Erin Oke)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Exclaim! (Erin Oke)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.67 out of 4 stars for PixelsurgeonPixelsurgeon
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Pixelsurgeon
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.64 out of 4 stars for Culture Wars (Munira Mirza)Culture Wars (Munira Mirza)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Culture Wars (Munira Mirza)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.63 out of 4 stars for Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.62 out of 4 stars for Slant MagazineSlant Magazine
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Slant Magazine
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.59 out of 4 stars for BBCi - FilmsBBCi - Films
Here's a documentary with plenty of tears, trials and tribulattions. No wait, tribblations. Erm... TRIBULATIONS! Set in the stressful world of America's National Spelling Bee championships, where nine million children aged 12-14 compete for a place ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at BBCi - Films
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.57 out of 4 stars for Reeling Reviews with Laura and Robin CliffordReeling Reviews with Laura and Robin Clifford
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Reeling Reviews with Laura and Robin Clifford
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.56 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.55 out of 4 stars for CineScene (Howard Schumann)CineScene (Howard Schumann)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at CineScene (Howard Schumann)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.52 out of 4 stars for ReelViews (James Berardinelli)ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Despite rave reviews, film festival awards, and an Oscar nomination, Spellbound comes across as little more than a marginally compelling documentary -– the kind of movie that would be at home on PBS. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.52 out of 4 stars for USA Today (Claudia Puig)USA Today (Claudia Puig)
Casts a potent spell. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at USA Today (Claudia Puig)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.52 out of 4 stars for New York Daily News (Jami Bernard)New York Daily News (Jami Bernard)
This could be a documentary about reading the body language of childhood. ...read the complete Spellbound movie review at New York Daily News (Jami Bernard)
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.51 out of 4 stars for Offoffoff -- The Guide to Alternative New YorkOffoffoff -- The Guide to Alternative New York
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Offoffoff -- The Guide to Alternative New York
Spellbound (2002) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Boston Herald (David Brudnoy)Boston Herald (David Brudnoy)
...read the complete Spellbound movie review at Boston Herald (David Brudnoy)
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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
3.1789
Spellbound (2002) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
3.1460
Spellbound (2002) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
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