Just an excuse to bump one of our evergreens, chess in the movies and pop culture. The new Denzel Washington film "The Book of Eli" has a very brief chess appearance, with a slight twist. The bad guy, Gary Oldman, is shown playing chess with his girlfriend and he announces his move to her because she is blind. And you can tell the movie takes place in a really horrible, dystopian future because he says it in descriptive notation.
Anyone seen the 2009 "Joueuse"? Not sure about the market for chess romance films, with or without Kevin Kline, but hey, you never know. Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen had one of the all-time great sexy chess scenes in the original "Thomas Crown Affair."
The Book of Eli is already only 7th at the box office and will probably be lower Monday. I like the remake of Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo.
See also the larger compilation by Chessvibes, or rather Youtube user FightLuX:
http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/chess-in-films-the-ultimate-collection/
"In Hollywood the connotation of chess seems to be that of the lonely, disturbed man, seeking pastime and consolation in the royal game." (this was from Peter Doggers)
In the deservedly forgotten Mel Brooks' "comedy" "The 12 Chairs" (1970) the tables and sets of an entire chess club appear, bought from the jewels stashed away in one of the chairs.
In the deservedly forgotten Mel Brooks' "comedy" "The 12 Chairs," the tables and sets of an entire chess club appear, purchased by the jewels stashed away in one of the chairs.
In the deservedly forgotten Mel Brooks' "comedy" "The 12 Chairs," the tables and sets of an entire chess club appear, purchased by the jewels stashed away in one of the chairs.
In the deservedly forgotten Mel Brooks' "comedy" "The 12 Chairs," the tables and sets of an entire chess club appear, purchased by the jewels stashed away in one of the chairs.
In the deservedly forgotten Mel Brooks' "comedy" "The 12 Chairs," (1970) the tables and sets of an entire chess club appear, purchased by the jewels stashed away in one of the chairs.
In the deservedly forgotten Mel Brooks' "comedy" "The 12 Chairs," the tables and sets of an entire chess club appear, purchased by the jewels stashed away in one of the chairs.
Those were great, Thomas, thanks!
That Columbo episode brought back memories...
How does one delete a comment? I have no idea what happened here. Sorry!
Happens now and again, some bug. Happened me when it seemed the comment was not entered properly. Trying to refresh the page or re-enter the comment when the page seems not to load might be the cause, though I suspect not always.
Thanks. I'm sure that's the cause, but I'd like to delete all those extra comments. Is there no way?
I'm pretty sure there isn't, but if anyone knows better feel free to correct me.
I was snoozing in my living room chair last week while the wife was watching one of those brainless 'cute guy' detective shows. I was shocked to consciousness when apparently one character was contemplating a chess board and someone says, 'Byrne-Fischer 1956. Fischer sacrifices his queen on move 17.' I am usually amazed when they get the white square in the right corner, but to have an actual coherent reference to a real game! Alas, they did not give a good enough view of the board to see if the position was correct. Anyways, one of the more remarkable chess references I have seen, especially on a run of the mill US TV show.
En el merecidamente olvidado Mel Brooks comedia "El 12 sillas," las mesas y grupos de un club de ajedrez de todo aparece, adquiridos por las joyas guardadas en una de las sillas.
Dondo, what was the show?
An early episode of The Mentalist had a semi-coherent reference to the French Advance variation, with an actual French position on the board. He got Nimzovich's name a little wrong, is all.
show is white collar.
I saw "Joueuse".
It's not a bad movie though it's not gonna win any big awards either. It's realistic though it also has some parts that sort of only happen in the movies. Then again; it's a movie after all. ;) It never descends into lame sentimentalism, something you see a lot in Hollywood. It's definitely a very European movie, the kind Hollywood is incapable of making.
The chess part was a lot better than I feared, fairly realistic, especially as movies go. Kevin Cline was good, considering he's speaking French throughout. :)
If you've never seen a European movie; don't bother. If you have; it's kinda slow, nothing too spectacular, but not bad either.
I doubt many people will ever get the chance to see this one, at least legally. It's a French movie btw, so download something with subtitles if you don't speak French. ;)
SPOILER to follow! The only real quibble about the chess would be that the heroine goes from a total newbie to winning the local chess club tournament in a matter of a few months (or weeks, I don't remember, it wasn't really clear I think.) Again; it's a movie, I can live with that.
Re SPOILER:
It depends on the local chess club (and, naturally, the talent of the heroine).
I do not consider it impossible, if it was months and not weeks.
But, as you so rightly say, it's a movie, so who cares?