Movie Guide: Akeelah and the Bee

Transcription

1 Movie Guide: Akeelah and the Bee MOVIE INFORMATION Title: Release Year: 2005 Akeelah and the Bee DVD Edition: Widescreen, 2006 Runtime: 01:52:52 Notes: True Story: Summary: Characters: PCTs: n/a No Akeelah Anderson is intelligent and talented but also unmotivated, afraid, and lacking confidence until, with the help of Dr. Larabee, her family, and the rest of her 50,000 coaches she takes on the challenge of achieving victory at the national spelling bee. Akeelah Dr. Larabee Javier Tanya (Akeelah s mother) Georgia Dylan Mr. Chiu (Dylan s father) Mr. Welch Devon Derrick-T Terrence Kiana Generosity Love Self-Discipline ADVISORY INFORMATION MPAA Rating Sensualit y/ Nudity Violence Substance Use/Abuse Profanity / Vulgarity Other PG, for some Infrequent romantic Frequent verbal Infrequent smoking and Occasional profanity, Family/auth ority/youth

2 language intrigue and/or mild sensuality confrontati ons, emotional tension, and/or physical altercation s or menace, with reference to injury or death drinking oaths, insults, and/or abusive language, including mild racial slurs and infrequent verbal vulgarity tensions or concerns Racial/ethn ic/ class tensions or concerns Bullying situations One religious reference MOVIE INTRODUCTION, FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR PERSONAL ENDORSEMENT IF YOU LIKE THE MOVIE. Akeelah and the Bee You could say young Akeelah Anderson has a way with words. But studying at Crenshaw Middle School is boring for this 11-year-old spelling wiz because her abilities are going unchallenged. She lives in a rough South Los Angeles neighborhood marked by poverty and crime and she misses her deceased father terribly. Still, Akeelah is motivated to enter the school s spelling bee competition and easily wins. She never could have expected what happens next discovery of the insanely competitive world of spelling bees and complex vocabulary lessons. These challenges lead to a surprisingly fulfilling relationship with a special spelling coach, the haunted Dr. Joshua Larabee (played by Tony & Emmy Award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne). He teaches Akeelah that she is capable of great things and discovers that he has some things to learn too. On top of this, Akeelah s mother (portrayed by Angela Bassett) is unable to understand how important spelling bees are for Akeelah. But none of that is going to stop things from turning out all right in the end. Being able to spell any word in the English language takes some education, but the real lessons in this movie are spelled out as Generosity, Love, and Self-Discipline.

3 PCT INTRODUCTIONS Generosity Giving without expecting anything in return better to give than to receive I give more than what was asked for. I contribute with a free spirit and expect nothing in return. I offer help to those in need out of the kindness in my heart. Love To care deeply for ourselves or somebody such as a close relative or friend, or for something such as a place, an ideal, or an animal share your heart When I love myself, so do others. I know the more love I express, the more love I receive. Loving myself allows me to celebrate my accomplishments and focus on the good in me. Self-Discipline Keeping yourself under control keep it in check I make choices that maintain the well-being of my body and mind. I control my feelings of anger and disappointment. I stay on task without being told to. Push Play LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

4 CHARACTER CLOSE-UP MOVIE TIME: 00:22:26 Scene description: Akeelah meets Javier at the spelling bee. PCT: Generosity Hero: Javier Demonstrations: Javier makes Akeelah feel welcome at her first big spelling bee. Javier is cheerful and kind towards her without being asked (and without knowing how she would react). Javier helps her with her name tag. Javier offers Akeelah some good advice even though they are competing against each other. Discussion questions: What do Javier s examples of Generosity show us about the importance (or benefit) of helping others? What effect did his demonstration have? What are some good examples of Generosity in your life? Answers can include something you have done or plan to do in the future. FREEZE FRAME MOVIE TIME: 00:34:56 Scene description: Javier, Akeelah, and other students take time to study up on their spelling words. PCT: Self-Discipline Heroes: Javier, Akeelah, and other students Demonstrations: People with Self-Discipline are able to motivate themselves to stay on task. In this scene, Javier and Akeelah work hard, but also have some fun at the same time. CHARACTER CLOSE-UP MOVIE TIME: 00:51:33 Scene description: Dr. Larabee and Akeelah hard at work together and individually. PCT: Self-Discipline Hero: Akeelah

5 Demonstrations: Akeelah has shown many demonstrations of Self- Discipline since the last Freeze Frame. Akeelah goes to Javier s school (taking a long bus ride across the city) to participate in the spelling study club. Akeelah memorizes all of the winning spelling bee words since Akeelah plays Scrabble (a game that tests spelling knowledge) rather than easier games at Javier s birthday party. Akeelah agrees to learn all the little words that will help her to succeed in the spelling bee. Akeelah and Dr. Larabee work hard to get ready for the next bee. Discussion questions: We ve paused the movie after Akeelah has shown several demonstrations of Self-Discipline by motivating herself and putting in 110% effort to accomplish her spelling bee goals. Think about a goal that you have. What are some of the smaller steps that you need to tackle to make that goal happen? Could Self- Discipline play a role in your plan? FREEZE FRAME MOVIE TIME: 01:15:57 Scene description: Akeelah receives help and support from 50,000 coaches. PCT: Love Heroes: Tanya, Terrence, and others Demonstrations: People show Love by sharing their hearts, efforts, time, and energy. In these scenes Tanya, Terrence, and the local tough guy, Derrick-T, share by helping Akeelah prepare for her big competition. This support and devotion from others makes Akeelah feel pretty good! FREEZE FRAME MOVIE TIME: 01:36:32 Scene description: Tanya expresses her thanks to Dr. Larabee. PCT: Generosity Hero: Dr. Larabee Demonstrations: People demonstrate Generosity by giving more than is expected. In this scene, we learn from Tanya that Dr. Larabee paid for four plane tickets so that more supporters could cheer Akeelah on

6 in Washington, D.C.. And he never told anyone about it or asked for anything back! CHARACTER CLOSE-UP MOVIE TIME: 01:45:43 Scene description: Akeelah narrates about L-O-V-E over images of her family, coaches, and her neighborhood. PCT: Love Hero: Akeelah Demonstrations: Akeelah describes the feeling of being loved. You know that feeling where everything feels right? Where you don t have to worry about tomorrow or yesterday, but you feel safe and know you re doin the best you can? There s a word for that feeling: it s called Love, L-O-V-E. Discussion questions: Akeelah does a great job of describing what it feels like to be loved. Think about a time when you have experienced that feeling. How did you benefit from that feeling? Do you offer that feeling to people in your life? What is something that you can do to share that feeling with someone in your life? Movie Conclusion CUT! IT S A WRAP! Movie time: 01:45:43 PCT REVIEW Review the PCTs from the movie, including Heroes, Demonstrations, and the Definition, Catch Phrase, and Making It Real if necessary: Generosity Love Self-Discipline MAIN MESSAGE REVIEW Review the Main Messages from the movie:

7 With worthwhile and difficult goals in life, Self-Discipline pays off. Good coaches and teachers can provide a lot of help to students who are willing to learn. Learning to do one thing well can transform your life and other people s lives in wonderful ways. When we are loved, the world becomes a new and better place. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS This movie provided examples of many types of competitive styles. What kind of competitor are you (or do want to be)? Is there a way to compete that is best for you and those that you compete against? Akeelah worked diligently to prepare for success in the spelling bees. Do you have any interests that you could devote as much effort as Akeelah did? In the beginning of this movie, Akeelah feels very unmotivated and unimportant. Do you ever feel the same way? What did Akeelah do to change her outlook? What could you do to get through times like these in your own life?