Brooklyn Castle

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Audience Member This film was almost good. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/25/23 Full Review Audience Member "Brooklyn Castle" is a social commentary on school budget cuts that is disguised as a documentary about chess. The story follows five students from Intermediate School 318, the inner-city Brooklyn public school and unlikely home of the country's most successful middle school chess program. This chess team helps its diverse student population master the game through dedicated educators and administrative support. The only problem is that, rather than helping the audience to create an emotional connection to the kids, the movie depresses us with today's grim state of education. I would have rather celebrated the success stories of these exceptional students instead of being reminded of school budget cuts and suffering extracurricular programs. "Brooklyn Castle" could have been an amazing, uplifting film but the end result is another average, politically-influenced documentary. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review walter m One one level, "Brooklyn Castle" is an occasionally suspenseful documentary that also makes unfortunate use of stop motion effects about the dynasty of championships won by the chess teams at I.S. 318 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. That winning streak continues even though players like Rochelle graduate and seek to continue their study of the game at a higher level, because new players like Justus enter the school, even though he has to travel all the way from the Bronx on a daily basis. On a much wider and more important level, "Brooklyn Castle" makes a great case for why such extracurricular activities are important, and not just because they might keep kids off the street. What this extremely successful program also does is allow the students to travel outside New York City for tournaments, while chess exercises their brains and is an activity that prizes sportmanship.(I love the handshake before and after matches, by the way.) So while they think six moves ahead in the game, they also become prepared to do so in real life, as the documentary also provides insight into the structure of the New York City school system. All of which is threatened is by severe budget cuts after the 2008 recession. As one student says, the last thing that should be cut from any budget is education. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Feel good documentary. What is not to like? Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Or the Nerds Shall Inherit The Earth... Such an inspiring and interesting story about a chess club team from a Jr High School in Brooklyn. There are so many stories here to tell, and they're all so interesting that the film never feels like its dragging. It makes a good case for better funding for schools without explicitly making the case. You care so much about these students and see how chess has helped them in their lives to be more confident and have better problem solving skills that you want every kid to have that. You don't worry about the politics of the issues or how the problem has to be fixed, you just want it fixed. It's a really wonderful film about how hope can change a community. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Uplifting without ever needing to stoop to fake emotionalism. It's a wholly fascinating and frankly realistic look at chess and its effect on kids growing up. The competitive nature of the game really shines through. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Brooklyn Castle

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