Even if you've never so much as eaten a single ghost in a game of Ms. Pac-Man, King of Kong is still a remarkable (and remarkably hilarious) film.
CommentJun 9, 2010
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The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)
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Reviews Counted:94
Fresh:91
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.
Theatrical Release: Aug 17, 2007 Wide
Box Office: $0.5M
Synopsis: Diehard video game fans compete to break World Records on classic arcade games. [More]
Starring: Billy Mitchell, Doris Self, Steve Wiebe, Nicole Wiebe
Director: Seth Gordon
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REVIEWS FOR THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS
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.
Jul 30, 2008
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.
Jun 13, 2008
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.
Jun 6, 2008
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.
Jun 5, 2008
An engrossing story that plucks at the heartstrings just as hard as it pummels the fire buttons.
Jun 5, 2008
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.
Apr 10, 2008
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.
Feb 22, 2008
Unquestionably the most engaging and flat-out entertaining documentary since Murderball...
Jan 31, 2008
an oddly entertaining and exciting documentary that at times looks like a mockumentary
Jan 7, 2008
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
Dec 18, 2007
"When We Were Kings" for dorks.
Dec 11, 2007
As tremendous an act in empathy as anything Werner Herzog has ever committed to the documentary screen.
Dec 8, 2007
Benefits immeasurably from a cast of colorful supporting players, as well as a taut narrative that builds to a surprisingly tense climax.
Dec 7, 2007
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.
Dec 7, 2007
Top CriticThe 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.
Dec 7, 2007
A terrifically entertaining documentary about an unlikely subject.
Dec 7, 2007
Top CriticHilarious and eye-popping.
Dec 7, 2007
Top CriticIt's very earnest. And funny. And endearing.
Dec 7, 2007
I can't remember a more compelling film this year.
Dec 4, 2007
LATEST NEWS FOR THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS
May 3, 2010:
Seth Gordon Gives an Update on King of Kong
It's been awhile since we've heard any news about the non-documentary remake of the "The King of Kong," but according to Seth Gordon, the project is still very much alive.
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November 17, 2008:
Seth Gordon Talks King of Kong Remake
"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.
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August 7, 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 week's Further Reading,...
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January 28, 2008:
RT on DVD: King of Kong, The Invasion Top Week's New Releases
There's a veritable buffet of new releases for the discerning cinematic connoisseur this week, ranging from a highly acclaimed battle for joystick supremacy (The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters)...
More...
December 19, 2007:
No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood Top Critics' Lists in Toronto, San Diego, Austin
The parade of critics' year-end best-of lists continued yesterday, with panels in Toronto, San Diego, and Austin weighing in on their favorite films of 2007.
More...
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| 67% | Shutter Island |
| 28% | Dear John |
| 51% | Alice in Wonderland |
| 47% | The Book of Eli |
| 19% | Cop Out |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 29% | Clash of the Titans |
| 22% | Repo Men |
| 93% | Vincere |
| 91% | La Graine et le Mulet (The Secret of the Grain) (Couscous) |
| 85% | The Art Of The Steal |
