Moxie User Rating

7.3 stars out of 10 (18 votes)  -  login or register to rate this film

Synopsis

In the comedic style of The Office and Christopher Guest's films, director/co-writer Mike Akel pulls you into the frenetic and awkwardly painful journey of three teachers as they navigate one memorable school year. Mr. Lowrey (Troy Schremmer) is struggling to even call himself a teacher; Coach Webb (Janelle Schremmer) pines for some romantic company; and assistant principal Mrs. Reddell (Shannon Haragan) discovers her new power post is all-consuming. In a country where 50 percent of teachers quit within the first three years, Akel delivers an enormous dose of heart, hilarity and hope for America's most important institution. Produced by Morgan Spurlock of SUPER SIZE ME FAME.

Film Information

• Genre: Comedy / Drama
• Director: Mike Akel
• Written By: Mike Akel, Chris Mass
• Starring: Chris Mass, Troy Schremmer, Janelle Schremmer, and Shannon Haragan
• Running Time: 85 minutes, approx.
• MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language
• Language: English
• Official Site

Reviews

"Chalk is loaded with life, energy, truth and respect. It may just make you yearn for your high schooling days. Okay, maybe not, but Chalk will have you laughing long after the movie has ended. How's that for homework?"

   - Eric Campos, Film Threat

"Though Akel and Mass share writing credit, Chalk was actually shot in a loose, improvisational manner in the mode of Christopher Guest's films, and its best set pieces are like devastatingly effective pinpricks puncturing the Hollywood hot-air balloon of inspirational teacher/coach melodramas."

   - Scott Foundas, LA Weekly

"Filtering one school year through the eyes of three young instructors and a rookie administrator, this loosely scripted satire mostly steers clear of cheap shots and over-the-top gags, balancing its comic observations with a real measure of affection for teachers and students alike."

   - Justin Chang, Variety

"Chalk pays homage to the kind of teachers students never forget, which makes it all the more perverse that it's so stubbornly, albeit affably, forgettable."

   - Nathan Rabin, The Onion (A.V. Club)

"Unlike high school movies made for the teen market, Chalk gets many of its laughs from the backstage wrangling among the teachers as they unload their stress on one another."

   - J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Showtimes

• Wednesday, June 27th
  5:15 pm
• Thursday, June 28th
  7:00 pm
• Friday, June 29th
  4:45 pm
• Saturday, June 30th
  4:45 pm, 7:00 pm
• Sunday, July 1st
  7:30 pm
• Monday, July 2nd
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, July 3rd
  9:00 pm
• Friday, July 6th
  9:15 pm
• Saturday, July 7th
  12:00 pm, 7:00 pm
• Sunday, July 8th
  2:00 pm
• Monday, July 9th
  7:00 pm
• Tuesday, July 10th
  4:30 pm, 9:15 pm