The King of Kong - A Fistful of Quarters details
| Format: | PG DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Walter Day, Derek Wiebe, Adam Wood, Billy Mitchell, Mark Alpiger, Steve Wiebe, Greg Bond |
| Director: | Seth Gordon |
| Genre: | Documentary - Sport |
| Studio: | REVOLVER ENTERTAINMENT |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
The King of Kong - A Fistful of Quarters |
PG Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 23 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 16 Jun 2008 |
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
Only 1 Winner
By Carsey (89 reviews) from Wisbech , 29 Aug 2008[Highly rated reviewer]
I never usually sit watching TV shouting at the screen and telling certain individuals to F@*K OFF (unless watching the mighty Arsenal) but with this film i found myself doing exactly that.
It starts off with facts and figures of certain classic computer games and 80's gamers doing 80's gamers stuff and unless you are one of these people, you do find you actually have nothing in common with them.
Apart from the sexy prom queen from high school the next person any geeky gamer wants carnal relations with is BILLY MITCHELL, the gaming champion of the world, completeing Pac-Man without losing a life and racking up a 874,000 score on Donkey Kong, this man has it all! apart from a hair-cut and any real personality, he thinks he is god and to some he is, but to 99.99% of the universe..... HE IS A COCK!!!
So what a breath of fresh air when a regular, married with 2 kids bloke challenges BILLY MITCHELL to a Donkey Kong Off at the Funspot in Florida.
I could go on but there is only one person you will be routing for and half way through the film it ends up not being about Donkey Kong scores anymore but self image, pride, respect and courage. The film turns a stupid subject matter on its head and ends up making the viewer as emotionally invovled in the story as you actually bargained for.
Brilliant film, a must see, and you don't need to be a hard core gamer to appreciate it.- Was this review helpful to you?
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(77)May the Kong be with you.
By orangeboy (56 reviews) from Cardiff , 09 Sep 2012This is addictive viewing. Weird and wonderful characters abound in this battle for slightly geeky supremacy.
There are some frustrating moments when we see how focussed some of these people are. I won't say any more but the scenes I am referring to will become obvious.
Anyone born after 1990 will probably not understand what all the fuss is about. It is impossible to watch this without deciding who you are rooting for which makes it all the more enjoyable.
A better then average documentary (on a par with the likes of Spellbound) into a lesser known world of obsessive competitiveness where men just sometimes fail to grow up.
Have fun nerdlingers - I did.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Fascinating documentary starring some very odd characters!
By MrStrange (46 reviews) from Isle Of Wight , 01 Jun 2012A classic documentary that transcends its subject matter and can entertain anyone, even the missus enjoyed it!
The stars of the show are undoubtedly the roster of eccentric uber-nerds who game 24/7 and take it all very seriously. It's like taking a trip into the world of underground cage fighting or something, except these guys play Asteroids, Pac Man and Donkey Kong.
The 'human' aspect of the film comes from a very likable, down to earth everyman who enters into the world of hardcore gaming as an outsider and is not treated well by the clicky gang of super nerds who make up the 'inner-circle'
Touching, funny and very entertaining!- Was this review helpful to you?
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Rocky for the gamers or old. Complete with training montage.
By Melthane (1 review) from Leeds , 01 Apr 2012Absolutely riveting! I actually applauded with no one around. Twice.
Amazingly well structured documentary that really sells the underdog story. At points you could be forgiven for mistaking this as a piece of gripping indie fiction; all the narrative beats hit the right marks and there's a strong cast of slightly oddball archetypes.
Seth Gordon really gets under the veil of a community of competitive gamers, exposing a turgid underbelly of idolatry and manipulation that almost engulfs newcomer Steve Wiebe.
The one flaw in the whole film, in my opinion at least, is the presentation of Steve Wiebe and arch-rival Billy Mitchell. The two are positioned to operate as the polar axis of good and evil, seemingly naturally. But in underplaying Steve's obviously flawed relationship with his family and Billy's other commitments, has Gordon himself manipulated our view of the situation to sensationalise the drama?
Nevertheless, a truly involving experience. You'll soon find yourself rooting for the lowly contender as he strives for moral victory against a pantomime villain you won't mind boo-ing out loud. There's even a perfect moment for the good old 'he's behind you'!- Was this review helpful to you?
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Entertaining yet slightly depressing
By Bassman71 (617 reviews) from Didsbury, England , 26 Mar 2012Man sets World Record High-Score on Donkey Kong video game back in 1982, another man beats it, sends in tape to adjudicators, not convinced, goes to live event to prove them wrong.
Entertaining yet slightly depressing documentary about a man’s ambition to become World Champion against the cliques in the video game judging panel and a thoroughly despicable mulleted title holder.
You do feel sorry for Steve Wiebe during the film but also it’s a bit sad that he’s always been a nearly man and puts all his effort into doing this to get recognition.
I do feel a lot of it though was done for the film with certain events not quite sitting right and feeling set-up in some parts to maintain the drama.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Nerds play dirty too!
By Copey007 (33 reviews) from Wolverhampton , 09 Feb 2012Interesting doc about what made be classed as a bunch of nerds, but nonetheless world leaders in what they do. Probably would be heroes to the X Box generation if they had better PR!
And, as with any competition, there is a fair bit of politicking and machiavellian goings on which basically makes the film...as do the cringe worthy haircuts, clothes and butt kissing!!- Was this review helpful to you?
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