Or, Revenge of the Nerds. The octet of eight-graders whom we follow to the 1999 National Spelling Bee in this endearing documentary comes decked out in full geek paraphernalia. Virtually all wear glasses and braces. The boys have faint downy moustaches and voices prone to sudden three-octave jumps. The girls stuff their unformed legs into too-short shorts, with dogs propped in laps. Acne looms uncomfortably near. Yet each of the eight is, in his or her own way, a star. And as Spellbound tracks them from local competitions to the final round of 249 “spellers” (the noun is used seriously, like “athlete”), you’ll inevitably root for one of these fierce, driven, prepubescent competitors, including Angela Arenivar (pictured), the daughter of Mexican-American immigrants. Their sheer glorious dorkiness is wonderful to watch. (G) Continues at Metro. BRIAN MILLER

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