Computer Chess

Writer-director Andrew Bujalski's oddball faux documentary achieves quite a technical feat, utilizing 1970s technology—most notably, a clunky, tube-based Sony analog-video camera, capable only of black-and-white resolution—to convey the way way back vintage era before MS/DOS (not to mention Apple). The setting is a motel, which is hosting an annual weekend convention and tournament between early “micro-computer” developers, with teams from Caltech and MIT lugging in bulky machines to play chess against each other. Wiley Wiggins and Patrick Riester are among the Altmanesque ensemble cast members in this weird film that features a post-hippie "encounter group" also booked at the inn; a big-name IT engineer in debt to drug dealers, who wanders delusional through the common areas and rooms of perfect strangers; a mousy lone female programmer, who is condescended to by all of the males; and what might be the accidental birth of artificial intelligence. Although the outcome (veering into science fiction) is enigmatic, the film has a perfect Carter administration institutional-type atmosphere, and with its no-name cast could capture a cult following like Richard Linklater's Slacker, especially among nostalgic technophiles. One thing is obvious: this was definitely cheaper to make than Jobs. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include two audio commentaries (one by Deep Blue programmer Murray Campbell; the other by “an enthusiastic stoner”), four computer chess reference games (20 min.), a “1969 Sony AVC-3260 Video Camera Tutorial” by cinematographer Matthias Grunsky (5 min.), a “Crowdfunding Plea Video” (3 min.), a Sundance Film Festival promo (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an interesting indie film.] (C. Cassady)