Review of Computer Chess (2013) by Alex W — 07 May 2014

The genius of this film is in its smart-ass recreation of a weird period in American history, the very early 1980s when a new breed of computer nerds was programming now-archaic machines to challenge grandmasters (and each other) at chess.

Director Andrew Bujalski has lovingly used period videography (in black and white) to capture the period outfits (bad!), characters (not just nerds but swingers and members of an encounter group) and shabby hotel environs at this low-rent conference/chess match.

I think this is the first "mumblecore" film I've seen (I had to google the term) and if you aren't ready for it, the non-acting, hapless and fragmented dialogue, amateurish production values, and relatively absent plot just might trick you into thinking you are watching the real thing.

Judging by the IMdB, this isn't too everyone's taste - but personally I love absurdity.