Rent Computer Chess (2013)
3.1 of 5 from 94 ratings
1h 32min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
A boldly intelligent ensemble comedy with a feel and atmosphere that surpass easy comparison, 'Computer Chess' takes place in the early-1980s over the course of a weekend conference where a group of obsessive software programmers have convened to pit their latest refinements in machine-chess and the still-developing field of artificial intelligence (AI) against an assembly of human chess masters. 'Computer Chess' is a portrait not only of the crazy and surreal relationships that come to pass between the abundance of characters who participate in the weekend event (and among whose ranks include Wiley Wiggins, the revered indie-game developer and star of Richard Linklater's classic Dazed and Confused), but of the very era of early computing itself - and of the first, rudimentary video games - and (if that weren't enough) of the hopes and insecurities that persisted through the film's "retro" digital age into the present-day - that semi-virtual, hyper-social, maybe-kind-of-dehumanised landscape that, let's face it, is our very own era. - Actors:
- Kriss Schludermann, Tom Fletcher, Wiley Wiggins, Patrick Riester, Kevin Bewersdorf, Gene Williams, Jim Lewis, Cole Noppenberg, Myles Paige, Gerald Peary, James Curry, Bob Sabiston, S. Kirk Walsh, Daniel Metz, Stephen Wheeler, Mark Blumberg, Eric Newton, Robin Schwartz, Kevin Welch, Brandon Thomas
- Directors:
- Andrew Bujalski
- Producers:
- Houston King, Alex Lipschultz
- Writers:
- Andrew Bujalski
- Others:
- Andrew Bujalski
- Studio:
- Eureka
- Genres:
- Comedy
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 20/01/2014
- Run Time:
- 92 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
- Colour:
- Colour and B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Two feature-length audio commentaries: one by Deep Blue programmer Murray Campbell; the other by an enthusiastic stoner
- Three exclusive video conversations with Andrew Bujalski, Wtiley Wiggins, and producer Alex Lipschultz
- A promotional archive featuring the Kickstarter funding video, the Sundance promo, Bujalski's London Film Festival introduction, narrated animations of eight historic computer chess games, Hot Old Personal Computer Internet spots, and a video guide to the Sony AVC-3260 camera used in production
- Three Trailers for the Film
- Andrew Bujalski's Short 2013 Film 'Analog Goose'
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Reviews (1) of Computer Chess
Thoughtful, very subtle comedy with a dark side - Computer Chess review by BW
Computer Chess is an odd film for sure. The premise is simple enough: this is a mockumentary focused upon a computer chess conference set in the mid-eighties. This is computer chess as in AI - the machines compete. The film effortlessly portrays and parodies the idea of ‘geek’ computer programmers from the eighties era. Everything down to the bland hotel (shared here with a couples counselling convention) is spot on. The acting is first rate. The characters are hilarious and very different - paranoid, shy, autistic, cocky. And when it wants to be Computer Chess is very funny but, despite the set-up, the film is not really played for laughs. The sinister menace of AI (a more contemporary concern) takes over the film more and more (the film shares much in common, at least thematically, with Charlie Brooker’s later ‘Bandersnatch’ episode of Black Mirror). Shot almost entirely in black-and-white and archly conveying a lo-fi aesthetic, this is a uniquely original and technically accomplished feature.
It’s a movie for fans of intelligent, thoughtful film-making. While Computer Chess is a witty comedy the humour is very subtle and I anticipate a few reviews of the ‘I was mystified and bored’ persuasion. Good, though.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.