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Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
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A young girl learns to believe in herself and value her intelligence in this critically-acclaimed, family-friendly drama. Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is an 11-year-old being raised by her mother, Tanya (Angela Bassett), who was left on her own after the death of her husband. While Akeelah is a very bright girl, she's hardly a star student and seems afraid of acting like a bookworm around her friends and classmates. However, Akeelah's teacher sees genuine potential in her student and encourages her to enter the school's spelling bee, convinced Akeelah has the brains and the talent to win. Akeelah applies herself and emerges victorious in the local competition, but discovers the going gets tougher when she goes to a statewide bee, studying for the regionals under the aegis of strict English teacher Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), who consents to act as her coach A college professor who was a spelling-bee champ as a child, Larabee is a stubborn taskmaster who questions Akeelah's ability and commitment, but in time he develops a respect for his pupil and helps her prove her talent as she climbs the ladder to the National Spelling Bee. Meanwhile, Tanya feels intimidated when she finds the contests are dominated by children from wealthy families and privileged backgrounds, and argues that the competition may not be in Akeelah's best interest, believing instead that homework should be the one and only priority in Akeelah's life. It soon becomes apparent that if Akeelah has any intention of entering the national spelling bee championships in Washington, D.C., she will not do so with Tanya's permission or blessing. This marks the first onscreen reunion of Bassett and Fishburne since their Academy Award-nommed performances as Ike Turner and Tina Turner in Brian Gibson's 1993 biopic, What's Love Got to Do with It.
~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, (more)
Director(s):
Doug Atchison
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Akeelah and the Bee

A young girl learns to believe in herself and value her intelligence in this critically-acclaimed, family-friendly drama. Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is an 11-year-old being raised by her mother, Tanya (Angela Bassett), who was left on her own after the death of her husband. While Akeelah is a very bright girl, she's hardly a star student and seems afraid of acting like a bookworm around her friends and classmates. However, Akeelah's teacher sees genuine potential in her student and encourages her to enter the school's spelling bee, convinced Akeelah has the brains and the talent to win. Akeelah applies herself and emerges victorious in the local competition, but discovers the going gets tougher when she goes to a statewide bee, studying for the regionals under the aegis of strict English teacher Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), who consents to act as her coach A college professor who was a spelling-bee champ as a child, Larabee is a stubborn taskmaster who questions Akeelah's ability and commitment, but in time he develops a respect for his pupil and helps her prove her talent as she climbs the ladder to the National Spelling Bee. Meanwhile, Tanya feels intimidated when she finds the contests are dominated by children from wealthy families and privileged backgrounds, and argues that the competition may not be in Akeelah's best interest, believing instead that homework should be the one and only priority in Akeelah's life. It soon becomes apparent that if Akeelah has any intention of entering the national spelling bee championships in Washington, D.C., she will not do so with Tanya's permission or blessing. This marks the first onscreen reunion of Bassett and Fishburne since their Academy Award-nommed performances as Ike Turner and Tina Turner in Brian Gibson's 1993 biopic, What's Love Got to Do with It.
~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
112 mins

Complete Cast of Akeelah and the Bee


Director(s):
Doug Atchison
Writer(s):
Doug Atchison
Producer(s):
Laurence Fishburne, Daniel Llewelyn, Michael Romersa
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Adult Situations, Suitable for Children, Adult Language)
Categories:
Family & Kids
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    Jovan V.

    Very inspiring movie! The story was so well-written that it touches your heart and awakens that part of your soul that yearns for greater knowledge and wisdom. This movie definitely inspires us to accept 'the gift' of who we really are, the special skills that we have, those which make us unique individuals, and use that 'gift' to fulfill our purpose in life, bring hope and inspiration to others, and ultimately, to give back all the glory to the Lord. Watch this movie with your kids... you'll surely love it!

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    Thomas M.

    No way anyone should give this anything below four stars!! Great story, well acted, funny, touching, victorious, inspirational. This was one I watched alone, but will make sure my 8 year old daughter and 14 year old son watch with me in the near future. Powefully uplifting.

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    Bonnie N.

    Great movie. Best of all the whole family can watch without reservations. It is wonderful to find a movie that instills values that seem to be lost in our society. Bravo and thanks that such movies are still being produced.

    Yes   |   No

     
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