Understudy.net/org Ok you have made it this far. You obviously must be bored and have nothing better to do with your life.

[Previous entry: "Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Thunderf00t and company put up a DMCA abuse video. Creationist cower in the corner."]

01/01/2009 Archived Entry: "My not so guilty pleasure. Documentaries."

If IFC and Sundance aired nothing but documentaries 24/7 I might never leave my house. While they do air a very good number of them. They are also air a few films that don't always interest me. However I was reading a thread on Fark and someone had thrown in a comment thread some little blurb about a film called Word Wars.

Now to run off on a tangent. A good documentary besides being informative tends to be able to pull you in and absorb your attention to something you would probably would not otherwise show any interest in. Word War does just that.

Word War is about the tournament level playing of Scrabble. Now I like Scrabble but I haven't played in ten years just because I have other things that take up my time and have more interest for me. However I respect those who play it and play it well. One thing I note about documentaries is that in certain cases you are looking at people or persons who have almost a sole purpose. And the passion they have toward that sole purpose. As a general rule if you do one thing you can probably do it pretty well. Thus the reason I am not some person of standing in a specific niche. I like to do to many things sometimes at once.

Word War follows four individuals of which most have no life or close to no life outside of playing scrabble and the lead up to a national tournament. The film draws you in to mental behaviors these people exude on a regular basis that most of us do not. And while it makes them good at Scrabble it also means most of them would be condemned to living in their mother's basement for the rest of their lives. While that is derogatory understand their skill levels when it comes to playing Scrabble could leave you broke. Because in some cases these guys play for money. And while none are millionaires. Some are close to homeless. Usually because their winnings go to buying new reference material. You will end broke and embarrassed because they will beat you senseless in if you play them in Scrabble. You are on the Lion's turf and you are the gazelle with a limp.

This ability for them to excel in this arena allows you to overlook their flaws and cheer them on as the movie progresses. However with any real documentary you don't get shielded from disappointment. When playing games like this there are people who lose. You don't get Hollywood fluff. If you enjoy crossword puzzles, anagrams, or perhaps even Scrabble. You may want to give this film a look. Pick up a copy of the DVD if you can find one.

And yes I know this is a way older documentary that took place a few years ago. However it is such a good film you really won't care.