Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters

A NintendoAge.com presentation from the Reclusion Films production. Produced by Adam Cornelius, Vince Clemente, Robin Mihara. Executive producers, Dain Anderson, Nathan Graybeal, Leah McGlynn, Trey Harrison. Directed, edited by Adam Cornelius.With: Harry Hong, Jonas Neubauer, Robin Mihara, Dana Wilcox, Ben Mullen, Jesse Kelkar, Thor Aackerlund, Trey Harrison, Matt Buco, Alex Kerr.Relentless building-block puzzle Tetris, possibly the most used videogame ever created, can get "King of Kong"-style treatment in "Ecstasy of Order." Missing that earlier film's more colorful personality clashes and much more effective narrative tension, Adam Cornelius' amiable docu of a La tournament from a couple of from the world's best players looks vulnerable to access fans via smallscreen formats rather than theatrical release. Robin Mihara can be a Tigard, Ore., resident whose reliance on the pastime is cleverly outlined by animation of "the Tetris Effect" (a genuine condition where players see Tetris forms inside their dreams or possibly in mild waking hallucinations). Pic offers background in regards to the game's roots (created by a Russian computer investigator in 1984) and describes the recommendations, nonetheless its primary focus is on people top scorers whom Mihara invites for the L.A. tourney. A number of these are regular folks -- self-confessed brainiacs that are good-natured rivals (and definately not poor nonwinners). A modicum of suspense evolves over whether elusive game legend Thor Aackerlund -- mentioned to own made the "impossible" leap for the game's 30th level -- will surface freely after a period of family difficulty and hard feelings toward Producers. When participants finally meet, rooting rates of interest are possibly stolen by Dana Wilcox, an easygoing, platinum-haired lesbian from Concord, Calif., who's formerly carried out such isolation she would never know about some rudimentary maneuvers until Mihara paid out a visit. (Nonetheless, her scores are sky-high.) However everyone here's affable enough, and having less much drama is increased since the climactic showdown (onstage inside a small auditorium) doesn't raise a pulse. Pic might have confused just a little by sinking to the extended good status for legal wrangles Tetris engendered once it started being commercial marketed, or briefly chronicling past competitions all over the world. Nonetheless, "Ecstasy of Order" will delight fans in the highly addictive game, and offer mild amusement for some individuals. Soundtrack of deliberately tacky videogame-style original electronic music can be a plus.Camera (color, HD), Daniel Billips music, Chris Pickolick, Chilly Willy, Pulse Emitter appear, Daniel Rodriguez. Examined away Area Docfest, March. 23, 2011. Running time: 92 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com