Wordplay
starring: Will Shortz, Merl Reagle, Tyler Hinman, Norman Payne, Al Sanders
directed by: Patrick Creadon
directed by: Patrick Creadon
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Product Description:
An in-depth look at the new york times long-time crossword puzzle editor will shortz and his loyal fan base.Studio: Genius Products IncRelease Date: 05/08/2007Run time: 85 minutesRating: Pg
Amazon.com:
The linguistic ballet of the crossword puzzle and the obsessive minds that wrestle with them are a source of delight in the charming documentary Wordplay. Though there's no story, the movie has a definite hero:Will Shortz, the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle, universally acknowledged as the pinnacle of crosswords. Shortz comes across as clever but modest; though he's at the top of his particular world, he retains a bemused perspective on that world's limitations. Though speckled with celebrities from former President Bill Clinton to the Indigo Girls, the most engaging interviews are with puzzle creator Merl Reagle (who gives a fascinating on-screen demonstration of how he starts making a puzzle) and the witty and garrulous commentary by the former public editor for the Times, Daniel Okrent. Like many recent documentaries, Wordplay is built around a competition: The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, an annual event started by Shortz and embraced by people who have devoted an alarming amount of their brain space to filling squares with letters. Though the movie is not as emotionally involving as Spellbound--still the ne plus ultra of nerdy documentaries--Wordplay's window into its particular subculture will be enjoyable to non-crossword fans as well as committed puzzleheads.--Bret Fetzer
An in-depth look at the new york times long-time crossword puzzle editor will shortz and his loyal fan base.Studio: Genius Products IncRelease Date: 05/08/2007Run time: 85 minutesRating: Pg
Amazon.com:
The linguistic ballet of the crossword puzzle and the obsessive minds that wrestle with them are a source of delight in the charming documentary Wordplay. Though there's no story, the movie has a definite hero:Will Shortz, the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle, universally acknowledged as the pinnacle of crosswords. Shortz comes across as clever but modest; though he's at the top of his particular world, he retains a bemused perspective on that world's limitations. Though speckled with celebrities from former President Bill Clinton to the Indigo Girls, the most engaging interviews are with puzzle creator Merl Reagle (who gives a fascinating on-screen demonstration of how he starts making a puzzle) and the witty and garrulous commentary by the former public editor for the Times, Daniel Okrent. Like many recent documentaries, Wordplay is built around a competition: The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, an annual event started by Shortz and embraced by people who have devoted an alarming amount of their brain space to filling squares with letters. Though the movie is not as emotionally involving as Spellbound--still the ne plus ultra of nerdy documentaries--Wordplay's window into its particular subculture will be enjoyable to non-crossword fans as well as committed puzzleheads.--Bret Fetzer
Related Items:
- Wordplay: The Official Companion Book
- Spellbound
- The New York Times Will Shortz's Funniest Crossword Puzzles: From the Pages of The New York Times
- How to Conquer the New York Times Crossword Puzzle: Tips, Tricks and Techniques to Master America's Favorite Puzzle
- Word Wars - Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Game Circuit
- see more
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Very Interesting
In 1978, Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle, started the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament traditionally held every year (until this year) in Stamford, Connecticut. "Wordplay" is not only about Shortz and fellow puzzle makers like Mel Reagle, but about contestants in the tournament as well as famous crossword puzzle fans such as Bill Clinton, the Indigo Girls, Jon Stewart, Mike Mussina and Ken Burns.
"Wordplay" is an interesting documentary about the ... Read More
Rating: - Wonderful Film!
I first saw this film on the big screen with my friend Jared Feldman in Washington, DC.We loved the movie and would often quote the film.
I recently re-watched the film, and found it as wonderful the second time.For a word dork like myself, it was a pleasure to watch.
-Jeremy Paul Gallagher
Rating: 
- Entertaining film on an unfilmable subject . . .
This is probably a film for crossword fans, though anyone who has ever wondered about people who seem hooked on crosswords will find this documentary a bit of a revelation, too. There are surprising moments in the film - first about things you take for granted. Where did crosswords come from and what are the underlying "rules" of creating crosswords? How does someone create a crossword? Who is responsible for the daily NY Times crosswords, and how did that get to be a real job? Then there are curious ... Read More
Rating: - Wordplay
Anyone who is a crossword "nut" will appreciate this humorous and interesting documentary. I had no idea that there were actually over 100 crossword constructors that worked on each New York Times Crossword.I guess I felt that most of it was done by computers.Loved it.
Rating: - Wordplay
For anyone who likes working crosswords or who wonders how crosswords are created, this movie is a must.The people featured in the film are fascinating--all are word freaks who are students of the written word and who use their knowledge to work and/or create crosswords.
- Very InterestingIn 1978, Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle, started the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament traditionally held every year (until this year) in Stamford, Connecticut. "Wordplay" is not only about Shortz and fellow puzzle makers like Mel Reagle, but about contestants in the tournament as well as famous crossword puzzle fans such as Bill Clinton, the Indigo Girls, Jon Stewart, Mike Mussina and Ken Burns.
"Wordplay" is an interesting documentary about the ... Read More
- Wonderful Film!I first saw this film on the big screen with my friend Jared Feldman in Washington, DC.We loved the movie and would often quote the film.
I recently re-watched the film, and found it as wonderful the second time.For a word dork like myself, it was a pleasure to watch.
-Jeremy Paul Gallagher
- Entertaining film on an unfilmable subject . . .This is probably a film for crossword fans, though anyone who has ever wondered about people who seem hooked on crosswords will find this documentary a bit of a revelation, too. There are surprising moments in the film - first about things you take for granted. Where did crosswords come from and what are the underlying "rules" of creating crosswords? How does someone create a crossword? Who is responsible for the daily NY Times crosswords, and how did that get to be a real job? Then there are curious ... Read More
- WordplayAnyone who is a crossword "nut" will appreciate this humorous and interesting documentary. I had no idea that there were actually over 100 crossword constructors that worked on each New York Times Crossword.I guess I felt that most of it was done by computers.Loved it.
- WordplayFor anyone who likes working crosswords or who wonders how crosswords are created, this movie is a must.The people featured in the film are fascinating--all are word freaks who are students of the written word and who use their knowledge to work and/or create crosswords.
