‘Computer Chess’ 10th Anniversary Blu-Ray Review – Andrew Bujalski Makes The Mundane Surreal

Kino Lorber is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the artificially intelligent comedy COMPUTER CHESS with this Blu-ray Special Edition. Directed by Andrew Bujalski (Support the Girls, Mutual Appreciation, Funny Ha Ha) and the Winner of the Sloan Feature Film Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, COMPUTER CHESS is an off-kilter comedy set during a weekend tournament for chess software programmers in the early 1980s. Shot on vintage video equipment, it transports viewers to a moment when the contest between technology and the human spirit seemed a little more up for grabs. We get to know the eccentric geniuses possessed of the vision to teach a CPU to defeat man at his own game, laying the groundwork for artificial intelligence as we know it.

For thoughts on Computer Chess, please check out our discussions on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/XVdHVOn5xZ0?si=8L-HPl_xyHbjh3wd&t=2539]

Video Quality

Computer Chess is presented on Blu-Ray with its original 1.33:1 pillarbox presentation which looks about as strong as you could hope. As the filmmakers discuss and you see in the supplemental features, this film was shot using a vintage video camera to replicate the style of the time period the film takes place in as accurately as possible. Anyone who has seen any 1080i programming will be familiar with the deficits that occur when trying to present in high definition. Content shot on video has a ceiling for how much detail you are going to be able to squeeze out, and there are plenty of minor digital errors that you cannot avoid. 

While there may be a certain expectation for how a film should look in HD, having this movie presented on Blu-Ray does allow it to exist in its most satisfying state. This is a very consistent transfer that eliminates most of the unintended deficits while maintaining the original look. The track does show off a whisper of detail in the clothing of the individuals and in the hotel production design. Both the grayscale and colors present as vivid as the original format will allow. There do not appear to be any issues with compression artifacts, but some of the shadowy segments and fast panning moments reveal some macroblocking and pixelation. This presentation is the most accurate to what audiences would have seen in theaters. This material is incapable of looking super crisp and pristine, but the upgrade is welcome nonetheless. 

Audio Quality

The new Blu-Ray is presented with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track which holds stronger than the video side of the equation. There are a couple of sound issues due to the source material, but for the most part, the track achieves everything it sets out to do. The exchanges come through quite well in relation to the competing sounds, although things can become a bit nebulous in more crowded or cross-talking moments. The solo material holds up with less distortion than the material with all of the groups together and with less stability. This one sounds as good as it possibly can on Blu-Ray. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for those who desire them.

Special Features

• Audio Commentaries: There are two very different commentary tracks provided here – one from an actual computer programmer sharing his thoughts on how the film depicts things and one faux commentary track with a person getting very high and unloading various thoughts. 

• • Audio Commentary #1: Deep Blue Programmer Murray Campbell

• • Audio Commentary #2: An Enthusiastic Stoner (Ken Osborne of the Ken Osborne Corporation) 

• 1969 Sony AVC-3260 Video Camera Tutorial: A nearly five-minute look at how the look of this film was achieved with a vintage camera. 

• Austin Film Society Q&A (2019): A 24-minute Q&A is provided here with director Andrew Bujalski and six members of the cast discussing the history and development of the project, how this project bonded them together, amusing memories from the production, how they handled the computer programming aspect of the feature, and much more that is very enlightening. 

• Computer Chess Reference Games: A 45-minute piece that takes you through eight chess games from history. 

• Crowdfunding Plea Video: An amusing three-minute video is provided here that was used to raise funds to embark on the production. 

• Hot Old Personal Computers: A nearly six-minute showcase of vintage personal computers. 

• Interviews: Three interviews are provided from The Masters of Cinema Series in which these creatives discuss their history with the project, the layers of the narrative, the challenges of crafting the movie, the film’s legacy, and more. 

• • Andrew Bujalski (28:28)

• • Alex Lipschultz (21:16)

• • Wiley Wiggins (21:32)

• Sundance Film Festival Promo: A two-and-a-half-minute promo video is provided in which Bujalski discusses the film at the behest of an unknown voice. 

• Trailers

• • Theatrical Trailer (1:56)

• • Alternate Trailer (2:17)

• • Alternate Alternate Trailer (1:45)

• • Trailer For An Upcoming Sequel Written and Directed By AI (2:03)

Final Thoughts

Computer Chess is a strange little film that takes a niche subject and builds a rich community of characters around it. The movie is partly funny, partly awkward and unsettling, and even a bit surreal at times. Andrew Bujalski creates a distinct world that has a rough idea of where it wants to go, but it allows space for the performers to find distinct facets with the moments that lend it authenticity. The movie will not be for all tastes, but those who like scrappy, weird indie cinema will have a good time with it. Kino Lorber has released a Blu-Ray that sports a solid enough A/V presentation and an assortment of special features that greatly enhance the experience. Fans of the director will love this release. Recommended 

Computer Chess is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.