Overflowing with good intentions, Chalk demonstrates that the mockumentary may be in as much trouble as our schools.

| May 26, 2020

As eloquently stated by Mike Akel, "While the temptation in portraying the American high school is to be cynical, our goal was to remain honest, respectful and hopeful." Nice job, Mike. I give CHALK an 'A.'

| Nov 7, 2019

| Original Score: 1/5 | Nov 18, 2011

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 17, 2011

Chalk rides on some well observed lessons in pain by a small group of teachers at Harrison High

| Sep 13, 2008

Chalk's aim is to clue you in why 50% of teachers quit within the first three years.

| Original Score: B | Feb 6, 2008

Mockumentary shines light on high school teachers.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 22, 2007

A special gem of a film that demands a giant audience... One of the finest valentines to the profession ever crafted.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 24, 2007

There are still moments when the tone is uncertain and the actors visibly struggle, but for the most part there's a freshness about the performances that could probably not have been achieved in any other way.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 14, 2007

The movie has 'heart' in a way that doesn't feel cloying or dishonest. And the cast -- especially Janelle Schremmer -- just nails it.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Sep 14, 2007

Chalk might have been both funnier and more penetrating as a real documentary.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 14, 2007

...may be a harbinger of a new kind of cinema, less oriented on big-face stars and spectacular special effects.

| Original Score: 86/100 | Sep 14, 2007

[The filmmakers'] best intentions are better realized than their filmmaking ambitions.

| Original Score: C+ | Sep 13, 2007

Chalk is a gentle mockumentary about high school teachers -- so gentle, you wonder why anyone bothered. So gentle, it verges on 'what's the point?'

| Original Score: 2/4 | Sep 7, 2007

The movie offers some modest, amusing and true lessons about an honorable profession.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 28, 2007

Like the teaching profession, Chalk is at times tedious and rewarding.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 16, 2007

Chalk is a message from the horse's mouth, and is thereby humorously instructive without ever becoming sarcastic or judgmental.

Full Review | Jun 13, 2007

The indie film is funny and, at times, heartbreaking. Wisely, it avoids the happy ending that Hollywood would have insisted upon.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 8, 2007

An unassuming indie comedy that just happens to be terrific, Mike Akel's deceptively modest debut is, unfortunately, as likely to go unrewarded as the thousands of teachers who do a great job with little acknowledgment.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 8, 2007

So convincingly acted that if it didn't include brief interludes in which the grown-ups suddenly break into musical-comedy mode or reflect out loud in video diary segments, you might not guess it is fiction.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 8, 2007