Spellbound (Bonus 2003 Documentary)

Spellbound (Bonus 2003 Documentary)

Author: Awesome Movie Year January 19, 2022 Duration: 58:02

For the third episode of our special retrospective season, we’re looking back to our season on the awesome movie year of 2003 to feature another documentary pick, Jeffrey Blitz’s Spellbound. Directed by Jeffrey Blitz and featuring eight contestants from the 1999 National Spelling Bee, Spellbound premiered at the South by Southwest film festival and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.

The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/spellbound-2003), Claudia Puig in USA Today (https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-05-15-spellbound_x.htm), and Ella Taylor in LA Weekly.

Please like, share, rate and comment on the show and this episode, and tune in for our next retrospective installment covering the awesome movie year of 2007, featuring Josh’s personal pick, Gregg Araki’s Smiley Face.


Ever wonder what makes a particular year in cinema truly stand out? Awesome Movie Year digs into that very question, one remarkable film at a time. Co-hosted by film critic Josh Bell alongside filmmaker and comedian Jason Harris, this podcast picks a single, noteworthy year each season and meticulously explores what made it so special. Rather than broad overviews, every episode zooms in on a different movie from that chosen year, offering a deep dive into its impact, its cultural moment, and its lasting legacy. The conversations blend critical analysis with a genuine love for the medium, thanks to the hosts' complementary backgrounds. Produced by David Rosen of Piecing It Together for the All Points West Podcast Network, the show has a polished yet conversational feel. You’ll hear about blockbusters and hidden gems alike, all through the lens of why they mattered then and why they still resonate. It’s for anyone who loves to look beyond the screen and understand the context that creates a classic. Tune in to Awesome Movie Year for a thoughtful and engaging tour through some of cinema’s most fascinating periods.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 375

Awesome Movie Year
Podcast Episodes
The Sixth Sense (1999 Box Office Champ) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1999 features the second-highest-grossing film at the box office, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense. Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring…
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In this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1967, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about whic…
The Trip (1967 Future Cult Classic) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1967 features our future cult classic pick, Roger Corman’s The Trip. Directed by Roger Corman from a script by Jack Nicholson and starring Peter Fonda, Bruce…
The Producers (1967 Dave’s Pick) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1967 features our producer David Rosen’s pick, Mel Brooks’ The Producers. Written and directed by Mel Brooks and starring Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Kenneth…
In The Heat Of The Night (1967 Best Picture Winner) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1967 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night. Directed by Norman Jewison from a script by Stirling Silliphan…
Belle de Jour (1967 Venice Film Festival Award Winner) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
The ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1967 features the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion winner, Luis Buñuel’s Belle de Jour. Directed and co-written by Luis Buñuel (based on the novel by Joseph Ke…
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Duration: 52:27
The eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1967 features Jason’s personal pick, Stuart Rosenberg’s Cool Hand Luke. Directed by Stuart Rosenberg from a script by Donn Pearce and Frank R. Pierson (based…
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