it's an awesome movie. i'm really tying to track down chase the ghost (sp?) and bang the machine now, but no joy.spadgy wrote:Well - this doc's getting a June DVD release in the UK. I blagged an early copy and did really enjoy it. I think when it's authenticity/balance did come into slight question was at the point when they simultaneously realised they could play up the comedy side, and that they were there as the story was happening.
They obviously played up Billy Mitchell as some kind of oddball (which he really does seem) and Wiebe as a real wholesome good guy (which I also felt was true), but the doc didn't take itself too seriously as it developed so I felt it got away with a slight un-centered balance in favour of humour and a little drama.
They also got some magic moments, (like the TG founder whispering into Wiebe's ear about 'Mr Awesome' turning up, and the same guy doing his 'music'). Some of the talking heads were great too.
What really struck me is how much like an oddball cult Mitchell and his gang at TG are. Like that terrifying little self-proclaimed 'prodigy' slimeball and Mitchell's demeanor as some heaven-sent messiah. Creepy, but I loved watching it.
I particularly loved the guy who wore a glove and played marble madness with his feet. I'd be his friend!
Mainly though, it struck me how into 'America as the whole world' they were. too wondered what they'd make of Hey arcade, and if they'd ever seen a proper shmup. Are they right that Donkey Kong is 'the hardest game there possibly is'? Surely not? I admire TG's enthusiasm and dedication alot, but they seem pretty introverted.
Are they that respected by any of you?
this is my sig on cave-stg: (walter day)
I wanted to be a hero. I wanted to be the center of attention. I wanted the glory. I wanted the fame. I wanted the pretty girls to come up to me and say 'Hi... I see that you're good at Centipede'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Q3JgNQARs
fucking legendary quote. and trackball dude (pegger) is plain hilarious. here's him talking about crystal caaastles (full version; dvd edited it down a bit):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3zQtURu4pY
christ, i'd forgotten about "Mr. Awesome"
as for the whole "world record" thing, as there isn't a single organisation that deals with every country, it should just be referred to as TG Record (or North American Record), and Arcadia Record (or asian record), etc. i respect them for what they did during the eighties though. their mistake has been trying to move with the times (and failing).
while the movie ends on a good note, billy beat steve's score by about 1k before the guiness book of world records came out. 1,050,xxx i think.
it doesn't mention though that steve DID beat billy's dk junior score (at the same time that he first overtook billy's score on DK- which was "disqualified" or whatever). that's why you see steve playing on a dk junior cab right near the start. go steve!
oh, and the clip with billy in the supermarket is well funny too. that dude is just a quote factory.
and regarding the difficulty, they say it's *one* of the hardest games ever made. specifically, that the average credit on DK lasts less then 2 minutes
& Yes jpj he IS 40 !