Akeelah and the Bee

An inspirational drama about Akeelah, a precocious girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother (Angela Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contests, tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), her principal and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah's aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her community. "Undeniably potent." (Variety)