Wordplay (2005) Reviews
- Starring:
- Will Shortz, Merl Reagle, (more)
- Director(s):
- Patrick Creadon
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Category:
- Documentary, Independent Films
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful I found myself smiling the whole time I watched this movie. It amused me to observe people thinking out loud, talking to themselves, while they solved a puzzle. (I found myself watching to see who ... Read More I found myself smiling the whole time I watched this movie. It amused me to observe people thinking out loud, talking to themselves, while they solved a puzzle. (I found myself watching to see who uses a pen and who uses a pencil.) This isn't an exciting, blockbuster movie, but it's a pleasant one for those of us who enjoy crossword puzzles. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful Being a crossword puzzle fanatic, I totally enjoyed learning about the lives of Will Shortz and the other crossword constructors. How their minds work was fascinating to me. I could have done ... Read More Being a crossword puzzle fanatic, I totally enjoyed learning about the lives of Will Shortz and the other crossword constructors. How their minds work was fascinating to me. I could have done without the "reality show" part of the movie. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful Wordplay was just ok. It wasn't Fog of War or even Spellbound. Those Documentaries placed their faith in their subjects who turned out to be interesting and even odd. That is however what makes ... Read More Wordplay was just ok. It wasn't Fog of War or even Spellbound. Those Documentaries placed their faith in their subjects who turned out to be interesting and even odd. That is however what makes "Docs" work. Wordplay never really examined, with any depth, the lives of its subjects. It followed a typical meet the characters as they prepare for the big event, the big event, the winner. It is difficult to sustain interest in a film's outcome when little was done to mine the interest of its characters. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful A very good documentary about the New York Times Crossword puzzle: how it's made, people's obsessions, a yearly tournament, and it's contestants. If you love doing crossword puzzles everyday you ... Read More A very good documentary about the New York Times Crossword puzzle: how it's made, people's obsessions, a yearly tournament, and it's contestants. If you love doing crossword puzzles everyday you must rent this movie. If you like to do them, even if only occasionally, you will enjoy this movie as well. For those of you who aren't interested in crossword puzzles I would guess about 10% of you will still like this film, the rest of you won't enjoy this movie at all. I personally do them on occasion and gave it 3 stars. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Normally I wouldn't go for a documentary on a Crossword Puzzle Tournament - but? It was enjoyable - really got to care about those competing, and it had a very exciting ending that couldn't have been ... Read More Normally I wouldn't go for a documentary on a Crossword Puzzle Tournament - but? It was enjoyable - really got to care about those competing, and it had a very exciting ending that couldn't have been scripted any better than it actually happened in real life. Cleverly filmed and directed and for a movie about crossword puzzles? It had a really great soundtrack - surprising really all the way around. PS - I seldom do a crossword puzzle - when I do it's NEVER with pen and if I can't make it work the way it's supposed to I make up my own answers so it DOES work (cuz I' not brilliant like these folks -but I'm a clever girl - yup) Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Intriguing, surprising and stimulating, Wordplay is much more than a documentary about a crossword tournament. Its such a nail biter and more intense then any of your suspense thriller movies of the ... Read More Intriguing, surprising and stimulating, Wordplay is much more than a documentary about a crossword tournament. Its such a nail biter and more intense then any of your suspense thriller movies of the year! What a crowd-Pleaser! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful I thoroughly enjoyed this simple movie about crossword puzzles, and the people obsessed with them. The movie cleverly builds toward an intense, yet harmless, Championship puzzle contest - with a surprising, dramatic ending. I should remark that I am indifferent about crossword puzzles- having started several, but never finishing any. I still liked the movie,WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful I enjoyed the movie and it was entertaining, but I wasn't as emotionally connected to the characters as I was in Spellbound. One great thing, however, were some of the cameo appearances (Jon Stewart, ... Read More I enjoyed the movie and it was entertaining, but I wasn't as emotionally connected to the characters as I was in Spellbound. One great thing, however, were some of the cameo appearances (Jon Stewart, The Indigo Girls, Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Mike Mussina). You also got a great inside look at the crossword puzzles and the people who do them. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful I believe "Word Play", while less exciting than "Spellbound" or "Mad Hot Ballroom" (because kids are just hilarious to watch), gave what it promised: a neat peek into the mind of Will Shortz and the ... Read More I believe "Word Play", while less exciting than "Spellbound" or "Mad Hot Ballroom" (because kids are just hilarious to watch), gave what it promised: a neat peek into the mind of Will Shortz and the incomprehensible crossword craze (I'm more of a logic puzzle guy, myself). I must admit, right after the credits rolled, I was on the NY Times website trying (in vain) to do my first NY Times crossword puzzle! It was so cool to see how one of their puzzle-makers works through making a puzzle, too. Add to that cameos by the Indigo Girls and Jon Stewart and some amazing songs on the soundtrack (did I hear "They Might Be Giants"? I wish had checked the credits...), and you've got a nice little documentary. My issue: I felt they had taken the platform to sneak in an inappropriate (and blatantly staged) message. I would just recommend to parents that they watch first before letting their kids view this movie. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Extremely boring. The tournament scene is the only redeeming part of the documentary and it only lasted a short moment. Also, the previews should've made this a PG13 movie as it contained a ... Read More Extremely boring. The tournament scene is the only redeeming part of the documentary and it only lasted a short moment. Also, the previews should've made this a PG13 movie as it contained a multitude of profanity including a part f--- word. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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