Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Jon Stewart
This documentary film provides an in-depth look at "The New York Times" crossword puzzle, its editor Will Shortz and the wonderfully unique and loyal fan base Shortz has built and nurtured during his ...( read more
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DVD Release Date: November 7, 2006
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Stats: 955 reviews
Flixster Reviews (955)
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March 19, 2009Documentaries can take on various forms: There are those that are about a topic of interest so you watch. There are those that are hyped so you watch. Then there are those that take on a subject that seems dry and you pause, "Am I really going to be interested in this subject mat...( read more)
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November 19, 2007Mandatory viewing for any crossword puzzle avicionado. Recommended for non-puzzleheads as well.
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April 12, 2007Amazing how suspenseful a crossword puzzle tournament can be, but that's not the best part of this doco. What had me was the sheer genius of the people who create them. Fascinating.
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December 6, 2006Most of this documentary was pretty uninteresting in my opinion. I didn't really care about the mundane lives of all these random people that we speak with for minutes and minutes.
The Stewart and Clinton moments were mildly entertaining, but they only last for a total of abo...( read more) -
July 3, 2006An interesting look into the New York Times crossword puzzle, its enthusiastic players and the Nation Crossword Tournament. A great view if you're into crosswords and intellectual stimulation.
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August 23, 2009interesting even for someone who doesn't have the patience for solving puzzles... enjoy the enthusiasm of those who do...
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August 14, 2009Funny insight into the obsessive puzzlers that would absolutely destroy you in a competition. They make fun of USA Today and think that Will Shortz is the second coming of Jeebus.
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July 8, 2009Not the most exciting topic, but the final 15 minutes, where 3 nerds (I consider myself one) fight for the crossword championship, are tense. I have a newfound respect for crossword compilers.
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April 27, 2009glue is confidence
Spritual brothers and sister?
Cover up and say goodnight -
Critic Reviews
November 24, 2006
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
October 7, 2006
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
Even though these puzzles are mapped out with utmost precision -- and even though logic is an extremely useful tool for solving them -- they're still, somehow, objects of intrigue and mystery. full review
June 23, 2006
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
What's an eight-letter word for a non-fiction feature that is witty, wise and wonderful? full review
June 23, 2006
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Wordplay captures the exhilaration that comes from navigating the ins and outs of complex puzzles. It also celebrates the English language in a way that is stimulating and immensely entertaining. full review
June 23, 2006
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
An exhilarating celebration of a national pastime. full review
June 23, 2006
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The film is made with a lot of style and visual ingenuity. full review
June 22, 2006
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Though it doesn't delve deep into the personalities of the amiably nerdy players, the nimbly edited film manages to eke some tension out of a three-way championship match. full review
June 15, 2006
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com
What is an eight letter word for a totally engrossing and entertaining documentary about crossword puzzles, those who create them and those who obsessively solve them? full review
June 12, 2006
David Edelstein, New York Magazine
Niceness... takes the edge off Patrick Creadon's otherwise revitalizing documentary. full review
Comments
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July 9, 2006Loved it! Ok maybe i'm a crossword nerd, but so is John Stewart (and he's AWESOME in this movie!)
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