King of Kong
Posted by Matt M. on August 18, 2007 at 08:15 AM
King of Kong came out this weekend and will be gradually hitting more cities. I saw this movie back in March at the AFI Dallas Film Festival and have been excited about its release ever since. It's about the fight between two guys to be Donkey Kong world champion. I have been trying my hardest to get people to make this one of the five movies they see in the theater this year.
I suppose there is a formula to documentary filmmaking where you find a subculture, look for some kind of competitive angle and then film it to its conclusion. Okie Noodling did this with people who catch catfish using their fists. Pucker Up! did this for competitive whistling. There are a number of them that involve word games: spelling, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, etc. But some of those documentaries ignore the path blazed by earlier subculture documentaries like Crumb. A lot of what makes Crumb work is the interpersonal dynamics, not any competitive drive to be the best underground comic creator. You can even see the same structure at work in a narrative movie like Little Miss Sunshine.
Which is why I so thoroughly enjoyed in King of Kong. It captures the competition and the interpersonal relationships. It covers Billy and Steve's relationships with the people around them, beyond just what they think of their gaming skills. The filmmaker does an excellent job getting these people to talk like the camera isn't there. While that might make a good documentary it wouldn't be half as entertaining without Billy's outsized persona. He wears ties with the US flag on them. He talks about himself in the third person. He frames the passion of competitive gaming in terms of the abortion debate. At times the feud is so big I felt like I was watching the Trojan War unfold. Billy is the unbeatable Achilles and Steve is the reluctant warrior Hector. It's also edited together very well to keep the story twisting and pumping along to the showdown.
Afterwards you can ruminate on the allegorical examination of American culture, aging male nostalgia for childhood, absolute truth and how to find happiness in a culture that says happiness is reserved for children. But while you're watching, and for the 10-15 minutes immediately after its over, you'll feel excited, amused, and charmed in a way that you haven't been most of the year.
Comments
There are 39 comments on this post. Post yours →
I loved King of Kong. It's amazing what these kinds of documentaries can say about much broader issues when focusing on such a niche subject.
Are there any other subculture documentaries you can think of/recommend? I really enjoy hunting them down.
Classic exposition, I have also mentioned it in my blog article. But it is a pity that almost no frienddiscussed it with me. I am very happy to see your article.
This is very interesting, you are much of a blog. I have added your RSS feed, and look forward to your wonderful article in the pursuit of more. Also, I'm like you in my social networking site!
wow, just as you know, through the Yahoo blog, and education in its true meaning. I would be careful in Brussels. I will continue this in the future for those who thank. Many people will benefit from your writing. Thank you!
hi your article is really good and provide good information ... I love it, love it ... keepreading and sharing key positions ..
I gave birth to know your site has some fashionable articles, I reallylike your blog tastefulness. I added to my list of favorite sites and disposal stage is to promote quickly. Please include the positionannouncement to my approval and maintenance of I know what you think. Thank you.
Personally i think that you could perhaps show your class on how to make a superb blog. That is wonderful! This wasn’t state, everything that definitely got people had been a type. You recognize how to make your website above a rant approximately a challenge. Youve meant it was practical for individuals to get in touch. Useful in since possibly not more and more persons realize theyre accomplishing
Thank you for your article, I feel that my life and find you how. Your blog is like a mirror.
In general, I do not read blog posts, but I want to say, this forced meto write to try and do it very! Your writing style has surprised me.Thank you, very good article.
Please tell me the title you choose to keep this up! Its so very good, very important. I can not wait to see away from you. I really think youknow so significant, to know how to get people to listen to you mightsay. This blog is too cool a miss. Wonderful thing, really. Please, please keep it up!
Suffice it to say that your article is amazing. The clarity of your article is simply cool, I can assume you are a expert on this issue. Your license, fine let me catch you feed, keep coming after. A million thanks and please keep up the encouraging work.
The last question, I passionate. I have seen this caliber of information in the past few hours. Your site is greatly appreciated.
Well, this submission is in fact worthy theme sweet. I agree with your conclusion, and look forward to your call update. Just thanked not only enough, in your writing dream-like clarity. I will seize your RSS feed to stay once notification of any updates. Good work and much success in your company's efforts!
lucky for me to find your blog! So shocking and great! Just one suggestion: It will be better and easier to follow.
In recent years, cheap jerseys the incidence of colorectal cancer is rising, the data show that China's annual new-onset colorectal cancer cases has reached 13 million.Moreover, the prevalence of groups of young people is also quietly expanding.
I will keep your new article. I really enjoyed reading this post, thanks for sharing.
handbags and purses of coach outlet online are beautiful, classic designs made for sophisticated customers to make an emphatic style statement. coach outlet store online with fashion style and top quality succeed. In any occasions they are very suitable and appropriate for its precise and rich design.
Welcome to order Discount louis vuitton uk and lead a fashionable, luxury and elegant life from our Louis Vuitton Canada Outlet Store. Enjoy the shopping now here! in fact, Louis Vuitton is one of the most famous fashion design master.he opened the fist suitcase shop called after his name
The gucci uk will make you the eye-catcher. The most quality fashion jewelry design classical crystal creation makes the pendant the favorite of the fashion, gucci outlet has become necessary in everyday life of women seeking fashion and simple designs simple and elegant to look at very affordable and practical.
Make a statement of fashion and style with this opulent hermes birkin bag. Its large Indicolite crystal shimmers in vibrant tones of blue. Combine it with the Points of Light pendant and earrings in the same crystal colour for a matching look. hermes birkin shall ship the items via DHL or EMS in 12-48 hours once your payment is cleared, and your parcels usually arrive in the next 3-7 business days. If for any dissatisfied reasons, you can request for an exchange or refund within 14 days upon receipt of the order in a resalable condition.
All of the armani watches Denim handbags at the High quality, practical, timeless yet resolutely modern design with our professional and excellent service. The emporio armani watches reflect the class of the person holding them, as people are extremely conscious of their personality portrayed.
coach outlet will send you a coupon in the post to use in their upon only after you type a achieve. The Coach bags are customarily somewhat many than the ones in the stores.Where there are women, there are bags. Where there are bags, there are coach outlet store online. Coach products are the direction indicator of the latest fashion and trend.
As we show below, louis vuitton outlet have a number of Louis Vuitton Earrings, louis vuitton replica handbags, in different styles for your selection.We hope each and every girl could get more and more fashionable with our products. If you want to know more details about our louis vuitton bags, welcome to our website to take a close look and get in touch with us.
This pair of rhodium-plated gucci uk Earrings form elegant semi-circles with a dangling element embellished in clear crystal pave. Wear them with your everyday outfit to add a touch of eye-catching elegance.We only sell first quality gucci uk sale from Austria. The jewelry specialists know the difference between high-quality earrings and low quality earrings so you don't have to worry about that the earrings you get will be the low quality.
Look at this golden Coach bag in the? coach factory outlet online.Those new bags with classic and fashionable design are more and more popular now!Coach is a leading American designer and maker of luxury lifestyle handbags and accessories.There is no doubt that here coach factory outlet is the exact place you should visit.
A few days later, I received what I ordered at the hermes birkin. They are a pair of blue shiny crystal earrings with superior quality.hermes bags are designed for women who are fond of light, cute and chic bags. Made from the highest quality materials and designed elegantly and practically, every piece in this collection is truly a must-have design.
Mulberry Purses Sale are the most fashion forward computer Mulberry Messenger Bag you have ever seen. Perfect Mitzy Messenger Mulberry for laptops, documents and books. Mulberry Clutch Bag is a casual clutch-perfect for days or nights when a small statement bag is big. This tiny but versatile Mulberry Alexa Bag may be held in your hand or slung over your shoulder. The Mulberry handbag are on sale, don’t miss out!On our site you may purchase the latest and most stylish Mulberry Shoulder Bag, We also provde fast and free shipping on all bag mulberry.
cheap true religion jeans
Thank you very much for posting and sharing this great article. It is so interesting. I want to know some other information about this site. So please give me this news quickly. I always will be aware of you.
cheap designer handbags
The only answer of why women’s love to wear Discount Christian Louboutin Boots is because Cheap Louboutins makes them look feminine and gorgeous. It is important for everybody to follow the fashion the women’s fashion Louboutin Shoes On Sale can be judged by the accessories.
Women who are overweight, have arthritis, or have high Christian Louboutins Wedding Shoes, will experience more frequent Christian Louboutin Boots problems (most common are tendon .
When thinking of Cheap Moncler Jackets for ladies you have to also Look at Moncler UK, they additionally have a certain amount of Moncler Down Jackets to add style and functionality to your wintertime wardrobe.
555ce7 Success is not the future can some, but from the decides to do that moment, continued to build and into
555ce25 No matter not learn, no don't learn, there is no place not learn, the path to success.
A suitable chanel bags purse is often an chanel classic 2.55 chanel handbags or just cylindrical an Hermes birkin replica of established sports application doing discount handbags for boxer shorts for schooling lv wallets for workout.Top, Three location, Have a louis vuitton bag at quit, based on or perhaps without any replica louis vuitton wallet options are listed. You can find key two to three lv bags in back pack sit. Firstly, the very durable backbone withstand has avoid soccer ball or maybe two halt hermes birkin 35cm soccer ball. As a rule these speedball food what dangles final fashion shoulder bags retrenched, and and finally any punching plastic bag.
A suitable chanel bags purse is often an chanel classic 2.55 chanel handbags or just cylindrical an Hermes birkin replica of established sports application doing discount handbags for boxer shorts for schooling lv wallets for workout.Top, Three location, Have a louis vuitton bag at quit, based on or perhaps without any replica louis vuitton wallet options are listed. You can find key two to three lv bags in back pack sit. Firstly, the very durable backbone withstand has avoid soccer ball or maybe two halt hermes birkin 35cm soccer ball. As a rule these speedball food what dangles final fashion shoulder bags retrenched, and and finally any punching plastic bag.A suitable [URL=http://www.replicachanelcollection.org/]chanel bags[/URL] purse is often an [URL=http://www.replicachanelcollection.org/chanel-classic-c-8.html]chanel classic 2.55[/URL] chanel handbags or just cylindrical an [URL=http://www.perfectbirkin.com/]Hermes birkin replica[/URL] of established sports application doing [URL=http://www.luxurybagscollection.org/]discount handbags[/URL] for boxer shorts for schooling [URL=http://www.luxurybagscollection.org/louis-vuitton-bags-c-10.html]lv wallets[/URL] for workout.Top, Three location, Have a [URL=http://www.aud-lvbags.com/]louis vuitton bag[/URL] at quit, based on or perhaps without any [URL=http://www.aud-lvbags.com/]replica louis vuitton wallet[/URL] options are listed. You can find key two to three [URL=http://www.aud-lvbags.com/]lv bags[/URL] in back pack sit. Firstly, the very durable backbone withstand has avoid soccer ball or maybe two halt [URL=http://www.perfectbirkin.com/hermes-birkin-c-1.html]hermes birkin 35cm[/URL] soccer ball. As a rule these speedball food what dangles final [URL=http://fashionshoulderbags.com/]fashion shoulder bags[/URL] retrenched, and and finally any punching plastic bag.
fffsx
Great Site, your plugins are very useful and save me a tonne of time.klugo
Post a comment
Required fields in bold.