This is a story about finding one's character and courage in the face of mounting pressure and high expectations. It's about a very young boy who wants to be sure his father loves him for who he is, not just for what he can do.

Written and directed by Steven Zaillian (who wrote, among other things, the screenplay for Spielberg's "Schindler's List"), SFBF is a heartwarming movie that has you rooting and cheering. And young Max Pomeranc is a real fine young actor! Multiple Oscar-nominee Joan Allen plays the boy's mother in this film, and here she continues to solidify her position as one of the most wonderful actresses working today. Will she EVER get the widespread recognition she deserves?

Review by Mrs. Landsman's 9:40 Summer Class (3rd-5th grades) (Rating: 4.00)
Review : What if you were one of the best kid players at chess in the U.S.? It started off pretty unusually for you. You learned chess so quickly by simply watching people play in the park. Now, people are saying that you play like Bobby Fischer, who was one of the most amazing chess players ever. What would you be like if this was happening to you? This is what occurs in the movie, Searching for Bobby Fischer.

This movie had a great plot, and it also had a super screenplay. The characters were interesting. Some of the acting of the scenes was excellent. It really made sense how the characters developed. The climax was intriguing and the denouement was satisfying. There was some humor in it, too.

There were also some little flaws in the film. Some parts were upsetting. There was not a lot of action in this film. This movie may not be so good for kids that are younger than 7 years old because they may not understand it.

We recommend Searching for Bobby Fischer to kids and adults. However, if you like action a lot, then you wouldn't really be interested in this movie. We liked it through the whole movie and we hope you enjoy it, too.

Check Mate (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This is one of the most touching movies ever written. It has so many special undertones and hidden messages, making for a very pleasurable movie-watching experience.

Joe Mantegna discovers his seven year-old son, Josh played by Max Pomeranc, has a gift for playing chess. He sees his son's talent, and the enter the world of chess tournaments, behind the guidance of tutor, Ben Kingsley. Before long, he becomes the number one child chess player, and is seemingly unstoppable. Conversely, Josh merely wants to be a "normal" boy and just wants to have the love and admiration of his family instead of countless trophies, so he soon loses his edge for the chess world.

The cast is astonishing. Lawrence Fishburn, one of the most underated actors of our time, plays a wonderful "street smarts" chess player. Add in cameos by Dan Hedaya, David Paymer, and William H. Macy, who I can't watch on the silver screen without saying "Ah, Gees," and you have one entertaining film.

This is a truly wonderful movies, with lots of depth. It is not so much about chess as it is about finding one's inner strength and character in the face of adversity and high-pressure challanges. The acting is superb, and the chess tournament scenes are, in fact, riveting. This film is a can't miss.

A film for the whole family (Rating: 5.00)
Review : A heart-warming, feel good movie that introduces you to Josh Waitskin (Max Pomeranc), a 7-year-old chess enthusiast. Not only is he enthusiastic, he is a brilliant player that uses combinations that only the most advanced players would dare to try. The best part is Josh is just an everyday kid with a good heart. He has never been schooled in the techniques of the advanced rules of competition that accompany the game. Josh lacks the "killer instinct", and he finds himself up against kids whose lives are warped by their obsession for the game.

Ben Kingsley plays the chess teacher hired by his dad to coach him in the ways of this competitive world where many of the moves are based on games played by such greats as Bobby Fischer. Laurence Fishburn's role introduces the flip side of the spectrum, a street player who plays for money in Washington Square, and shoots from the hip. Conflict is bound to ensue when oil meets water and it certainly does.

Director Steven Zallian, interlaces live footage of Bobby Fischer's genius which Josh narrates, adding an interesting aspect to the possibilities and incredible vigor behind the competition that these kids are up against. Based on a true story, this was a great movie for the whole family, with life lessons to be learned. I highly recommend it. Kelsana 6/19/02

a good movie about a good thing (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This movie is really good. It got me interested in chess when I first saw it, and now I am one of the top scholastic chess players in my state. It has really good music and really good actors, and the story is good. I also read the book about the real thing, and the movie is pretty close to the book. Overall it is a super good movie.

This film blows chunks! (Rating: 2.00)
Review : Awful film that is totally pretentious. I mean this rich parents are SO New York its disgusting. Nothing but the best for their kid. First of all as of today Josh is not even rated in the top 2000 players in the world and Judit Polgar can kick his butt all over the chessboard. But the scenes in this film are God-awful and ben kingsley acts like Ghandi in this one- like hes reprising his Ghandi role here with that bull accent of his. Pass on this mess of a film thats so bad even cable wont show it anymore.

chess at it's best (Rating: 5.00)
Review : A classic movie that will inspire any level of chess player