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Movies / On DVD / The King Of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
The King Of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

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The King Of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

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Reviews Counted:93

Fresh:90

Rotten:3

Average Rating:8.1/10

Consensus: The King of Kong is funny and compelling with more than a few poignant insights into human behavior. Director Seth Gordon presents the dueling King Kong players in all their obsessive complexity and with perfectly al dente observations.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for a brief sexual reference.

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Education/General Interest

Theatrical Release:Aug 17, 2007 Limited

Box Office: $519,005

Synopsis: There's more drama in this small documentary than in most serious Oscar contenders. A marriage is on the line, integrity is tested, and friendships falter--all in the name of a video game called... There's more drama in this small documentary than in most serious Oscar contenders. A marriage is on the line, integrity is tested, and friendships falter--all in the name of a video game called DONKEY KONG. THE KING OF KONG may inspire both tears and frustrated sighs, but it's most remarkable for its humor. In the same vein as WORDPLAY and SPELLBOUND, this is a hilarious documentary that enlightens as it entertains. Billy Mitchell is a towering figure in the world of classic video games such as DONKEY KONG and PAC-MAN. He has held records in several games, and his high score in DONKEY KONG (considered the toughest of the old titans) has been unbeaten for decades. But newcomer Steve Wiebe finds purpose in the game after losing his job, and discovers his natural aptitude at the game. The amiable Steve is just as likely to win the "nice guy of the year" award as he is to best Billy's record, and this film casts him as a classic hero that viewers love to root for. While Steve is an audience favorite, Billy is a Machiavellian mastermind that rivals any villain from a narrative film. Even though some might argue that the Super Bowl or NCAA tournament is more important, the competition in THE KING OF KONG rivals the most exciting in sports. Thanks to the film's wonderful characters, it's easy to get involved in the drama. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and the people who populate THE KING OF KONG are as fascinating as any screenwriter's creation. [More]

Director: Seth Gordon

Director: Seth Gordon
Producer: Ed Cunningham
Composer: Craig Richey
Studio: Picturehouse

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Release:

Jan 29, 2008

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Reviews for The King Of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

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every bit as exciting as any sports %uFB01lm, while also shedding light on how obsessions can combine with corrupt power structures to drive otherwise normal people to ridiculous ends.

Full Review Source: Paste Magazine | comment Comment
07/30/08
Sean Gandert
Sean Gandert
Paste Magazine

It's clear that director Seth Gordon is rooting for Wiebe - but it is not just a trick of the editing that means within 30 minutes of the political machinations of Kong beginning, you will be too.

Full Review Source: Eye for Film | comment Comment
06/13/08
Amber Wilkinson
Amber Wilkinson
Eye for Film

A great little documentary, full of laughs, drama and tension. It's like Rocky, but with a joystick. And an opponent who isn't actually seen stepping into the ring.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
06/06/08
Daniel Etherington
Daniel Etherington
Channel 4 Film

You could hardly call it a paragon of impartial filmmaking, but this is still a compelling and immersive glance into the nature of competitiveness and the corrupting aspects of fame.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/05/08
David Jenkins
David Jenkins
Time Out

An engrossing story that plucks at the heartstrings just as hard as it pummels the fire buttons.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
06/05/08
James Dyer
James Dyer
Empire Magazine

Gordon invites us to snicker at his cast of hardcore gamers, for whom 'Donkey Kong' tournaments are as vital as Super Bowls and as divisive as the war on abortion. But once embedded in their strange world, he finds a compelling story to tell.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
04/10/08
Rossiter Drake
Rossiter Drake
San Francisco Examiner

If it weren't for swirling currents of humanity, the film would bore me Gongless. But it turns out to be character thriller with a big finish.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
02/22/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Unquestionably the most engaging and flat-out entertaining documentary since Murderball...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
01/31/08
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

an oddly entertaining and exciting documentary that at times looks like a mockumentary

Full Review Source: sbs.is | comment Comment
01/07/08
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
sbs.is

You could say it's sort of like Murderball, only these guys' disabilities are of the social variety. At any rate, it's a great film

Full Review Source: Manhattan Movie Magazine | comment Comment
12/18/07
Marlow Stern
Marlow Stern
Manhattan Movie Magazine

"When We Were Kings" for dorks.

Full Review Source: Film Snobs | comment Comment
12/11/07
Stephen Himes
Stephen Himes
Film Snobs

As tremendous an act in empathy as anything Werner Herzog has ever committed to the documentary screen.

Full Review Source: Projection Booth | comment Comment
12/08/07
Rob Humanick
Rob Humanick
Projection Booth

Benefits immeasurably from a cast of colorful supporting players, as well as a taut narrative that builds to a surprisingly tense climax.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
12/07/07
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

Is there anything more tiresome than watching people play video games? Seth Gordon's documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters answers that question with a decisive yes: watching a movie about people playing video games.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment 8 Comments
12/07/07
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The King of Kong is as winning, sweet, and occasionally disturbing a documentary about people for whom time has stopped somewhere around 1982 as you'd ever want to see.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
12/07/07
Marc Savlov
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle

A terrifically entertaining documentary about an unlikely subject.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
12/07/07
Liam Lacey
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Hilarious and eye-popping.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
12/07/07
Peter Howell
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's very earnest. And funny. And endearing.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
12/07/07
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

I can't remember a more compelling film this year.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
12/04/07
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

The film paints a strange portrait of a subculture that I found to be a drag.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment 3 Comments
11/19/07
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
 
 
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Latest News for The King Of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

November 28, 2008: UK Critics Consensus: Local Critics Warm To Changeling; De Niro Delights But What Just Happened Doesn't
It's Friday, there's a new raft of movies in the UK cinemas this week, but are any of them any good? This week the UK film hacks give us their opinions on Clint Eastwood's... More...

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"King of Kong" director Seth Gordon has moved into the big time with "Four Christmases" -- but, as he tells Collider, he isn't done with "Kong" just yet. More...

August 07, 2008: Further Reading: Celebrating the Brilliance of The King of Kong
One documentary from the US last year spoke to avid videogamers more than any other, and in the process told a brilliantly human story about good, evil and Donkey Kong. In this... More...

January 28, 2008: RT on DVD: King of Kong, The Invasion Top Week's New Releases
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