Movie Watchin Wednesday

September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

Yey! Crossword puzzles! I know, it sounds less than stimulating, but really, it's a fun documentary. I mean, C'mon, Jon Stewart's in it:)

Here's the desciption:

Wordplay (2005)

Directed by Patrick Creadon, Patrick Creadon.
Starring Indigo Girls, Ken Burns, Jon Stewart, Will Shortz, Merl Reagle.

Cinematographer-turned-documentary filmmaker Patrick Creadon takes a compelling look at the brainy world of crossword puzzles, the masterminds that conceive them, and the folks who struggle to solve them in a film that offers a close look at one of America's most popular pastimes. For 12 years, the name Will Shortz has been indelibly linked to the wildly popular New York Times crossword puzzle. As filmmakers speak with Shortz and the puzzle constructors with whom he collaborates, viewers are treated to a rare look into the minds of the people whose intellect entertains a nation of puzzle-solvers on a weekly basis. Interviews with a variety of celebrity crossword-puzzle enthusiasts including Bob Dole, Ken Burns, and Jon Stewart are also included, and a trip to the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament -- an annual event founded by Shortz himself -- offers an entertaining look at a world where the brain power and colorful personalities of contestants combine to create a lively atmosphere of friendly competition. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

We'll convene here after the film for some discussion:)

Re:September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

This movie was actually entertaining. It also made me feel like less of a geek, so that's always good. :)

Re:September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

kizmar:

This movie was actually entertaining. It also made me feel like less of a geek, so that's always good. :)

You are a geek, embrace it:) hahaha.

I loved the sheer enjoyment and thrill these people got from using their brains. If only there were more people who liked thinking in the world. hmmmmm.

I wanted Al to win.

Re:September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

Quirky and fun... I enjoyed the many cameos and everyones' take on how the NY Times crossword puzzle plays a part in their lives.   Such an interesting thing to tie lives together...

I enjoyed this light-hearted documentary a lot - it put a smirk on my face may times, and provided me some fodder for mocking... in a good, constructive way, of course. 

Re:September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

Oh, three things about Wordplay :

1. Crossword Puzzle Ties ( a must have for tournament judging).

2. Crossword Puzzle Mural on the wall of your living room (perhaps for practice, but also because you find sheer beauty in those black and white boxes).

3. Really big, really old, really conprehensive dictionaries, prefereably leather-bound (at least two per household along with a random assortment of dictionaries for the commoner/mere mortal).

Re:September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

I really enjoyed the documentary.  I was afraid it was going to be one of those 'freak show' documentaries where its hard to tell if the fimmakers are putting a subculture on display for everyone to gawk at, or if they genuinely care about these people and exploring their passion.  

The film reminded me a lot of 'Trekkies'--most likely because it was a similar demographic being explored, but I actually felt that the filmmakers of Wordplay did a much better job of attempting to 'normalize' Crossword puzzle enthusiasts by showing their normal home lives, and using cameo's by a few celebrities who normally wouldn't be thought of as 'the crossword puzzle type'. 

Trekkies, on the other hand, seemed to exclusively point out how strange and bizarre the Star Trek obsessed fans are, setting up viewers to laugh at them and marvel at their oddities, instead of being intrigued by their enthusiasm.  I came away wanting to do crossword puzzles.  Very well done!

Re:September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

seely:

I really enjoyed the documentary.  I was afraid it was going to be one of those 'freak show' documentaries where its hard to tell if the fimmakers are putting a subculture on display for everyone to gawk at, or if they genuinely care about these people and exploring their passion.  

The film reminded me a lot of 'Trekkies'--most likely because it was a similar demographic being explored, but I actually felt that the filmmakers of Wordplay did a much better job of attempting to 'normalize' Crossword puzzle enthusiasts by showing their normal home lives, and using cameo's by a few celebrities who normally wouldn't be thought of as 'the crossword puzzle type'. 

Trekkies, on the other hand, seemed to exclusively point out how strange and bizarre the Star Trek obsessed fans are, setting up viewers to laugh at them and marvel at their oddities, instead of being intrigued by their enthusiasm.  I came away wanting to do crossword puzzles.  Very well done!

Me too! Maybe we should get some crossword puzzles in the office.

Re:September 17th - Wordplay (2005)

I'll admit, it--the film rekindled my love for Scrabble and Sequence.  I've been playing both non-stop since.

csprague:

seely:

I really enjoyed the documentary.  I was afraid it was going to be one of those 'freak show' documentaries where its hard to tell if the fimmakers are putting a subculture on display for everyone to gawk at, or if they genuinely care about these people and exploring their passion.  

The film reminded me a lot of 'Trekkies'--most likely because it was a similar demographic being explored, but I actually felt that the filmmakers of Wordplay did a much better job of attempting to 'normalize' Crossword puzzle enthusiasts by showing their normal home lives, and using cameo's by a few celebrities who normally wouldn't be thought of as 'the crossword puzzle type'. 

Trekkies, on the other hand, seemed to exclusively point out how strange and bizarre the Star Trek obsessed fans are, setting up viewers to laugh at them and marvel at their oddities, instead of being intrigued by their enthusiasm.  I came away wanting to do crossword puzzles.  Very well done!

Me too! Maybe we should get some crossword puzzles in the office.