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There is a technical error in Searching also.
In the end they ask Why is he not moving? The clock is pressed the wrong way and it is black’s turn. Thats why he is not moving.
Susan–
You Hungarian judges are so tough! I give Knights of the South Bronx 9.875…
I saw Dave MacEnulty speak in Houston last week. A lot of dramatic license was taken — if you can even call it dramatic license. The real story didn’t happen in year’s time but over 8 years. As MacEnulty put it “the facts are wrong, but the truth was told”.
I think the producers/writers did a very good job in packaging an exciting chess story for general audiences.
It’s my hope the film spurs greater interest in chess among kids from all backgrounds. It will be interesting to see how things pan out.
I give this a 6. I give In Search for Bobby Fischer an 8.
This is a good movie but not that great chessdad64. I think your opinion was skewed because you met the author. I agree with Susan. 7 or 7.5 is correct.
Dave
I can’t wait to see it! With all the moronic garbage in the movies these days, an inspirational true-to-life documentary is just what I need this holiday season!
7.5 is about right. Good but not exceptional movie.
I, too, would give it about 7.
The ninjas at the end reminded me somehow of the ending in the book “Of Mice and Men” with the giant bunny rabbit talking to Lenny… I would have left both out 🙂
A Not-so-Anonymous Blogger,
Seth Homa
Good movie. I’d say 7 also. I’m not a fan of vulgarity.
7 for me too. Good but not exceptional.
Maca
I liked the story, but its presentation was cheesy. I guess its just hard to make Chess look exciting on Television. “Check,” *pause* “Check,” *pause* “Check” is not my experience at the board. If “Check” is even announced it is done in a barely audible whisper. The two players seldom look each other in the eye much less stare each other down.
I don’t want to criticise that part too much though, because I enjoyed the movie and it brought back alot of memories for me about Scholastic Chess and how much it meant to me.
As a movie I’d give it a 7. But as a vehicle to promote chess I give it a 8.5.
And as means to let people know abut David MacEnulty’s achievments I give it a 9.
I didn’t really have problems with the technical things except maybe the contrived ending with the opponent going Check check check check and then the kid responds to a check with checkmate. I’d love to see the position where you move your rook to block a check and then checkmate your opponent at the same time. Also why would DM knock down all the pieces of the people he beat in the park?
My real problem is that I probably can’t let my daughter see it unitl she’s in her teens since I’d give the movie a pg13 rating for violence and language.
IN any event it is the best movie since “Searching for BF” and before “Breaking Through” 😉
I thought he was knocking down the pieces so he doesn’t confuse himself with a game he already completed.
Also, couldn’t the last move be a disc checkmate? I know it’s improbable but still possible right? Say the King was behind an h or a pawn, the Rook covers the g file and a Bishop or Queen checkmates the King.
I had a hard time with the fact that everyone in the park was either checkmated, or there was a forced mate, in the same move. Is this common in a simul?
Overall I think the movie was good as far as made-for-TV movies go. I think it served its purpose of promoting chess and getting kids interested in chess. I, in particular liked the frequent references to scholarships.
If you want snappy movies about chess (Lutzhin’s defense was a great one but not for kids) then you need a type of CSI format (push the button on the clock and the camera jumps inside travelling along the wires etc.) or even better you get someone like Spielberg to make a movie about Alekhine or Capablanca – both tragic figures.
On chess movie ratings – just a thought. Why not use pawns? I would say this movie was 4.5 to 5 pawns (out of 8). 🙂
>>My real problem is that I probably can’t let my daughter see it unitl she’s in her teens since I’d give the movie a pg13 rating for violence and language.
I live in Chicago and the public schools are just like that here! My 12 year old told me that sometimes the police are at her school and we are in a good neighborhood. I guess the rating depends on your perception.
Overall I liked the movie a few continuity errors. Anyone notice that Michelle did not have his Kt shirt on in Dallas and the next shot he did? But as a promo movie I think it will work.