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There was a time when the coolest place on earth was a Computer Arcade. If you didn't live near one, then the films and TV of the time beamed this fact into your tiny impressionable consciousness. Sure they then, very quickly became the place of nerds and drop outs, but even then they were still ace.
Arcade machines became a phenomenon around the late 70's and early 80's, and the games were crude by today's standards having very simple graphics. However you can't help know their most popular titles - they are legendary: PacMan, Donkey Kong, Pong, Galaxian, Space invaders, Asteroids, Zelda, Prince of Persia, Q-bert. These games abounded, and were both infuriatingly simple and just as infuriatingly difficult.
If any of these names or memories mean anything to you - and to whom do they not? - you will love the film / documentary "King of Kong". The film charts the rise of arcade games and the people who played them. It follows a modern day Donkey Kong player - Steve Wiebe - who beats the world record. The documentary charts his mammoth battle to get his record breaking skills recognized.
The film is wonderful because it not only brings you right into the middle of cherished memories of the time, but it also shows you what the people who were the starts and celebrities of that era have become. It is a very funny film, but also gripping as you follow humble family man Steve Wiebe, hoping that he will finally gain the world record title he deserves.
King of Kong is nostalgic, dramatic, poignant and very funny. And you can become an expert at Donkey Kong over night! Sure it will be 20 years after it mattered to you, but late is better than never!
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