The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

When i was a kid i played a lot of computer games, but sometimes i went to the arcades. I played a lot of Street Fighter II, 1942, and later Virtua Fighter II. I was never much good at it, partly because i never had much money to feed the machines. But there was always one of those masters who were really good at one particular game. they were usually scrawny, pimply kids who looked like their sole purpose in life was get the high score, and beat all-comers who dared to challenge them.

Which made me really like this movie called ‘The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters’. It’s probably one of the best movies of 2007, but not many people have heard of it because it’s an indie movie on limited release.

It has nothing to do with King Kong, it’s a documentary done in the style of Michael Moore about 2 guys who trying to break the world record for the classic arcade game Donkey Kong.

Yes, Donkey Kong. As simple and childish as it may sound, it is one of the hardest games to beat, with 80 levels in total, and there this whole cult of grown men who devote their lives playing it along with other classics like Centipede, Pong, etc.

The film centers on Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe. The former is the world record holder, and his record has stood over 20 years, while the latter is the challenger who tries (and succeeds) to break his record.

Mitchell is portrayed as the arrogant, devious mastermind that manipulates the system to keep his record, and also refuses to play in public in response to Wiebe’s challenge. In contrast, Wiebe is portrayed as the nice family guy, who’s talented, athletic, charming, and valiant. Along the way, there is a host of characters like the spineless hangers-on, the cowardly protege to the champion, the creepy judges, and worried wife.

You might think a guerilla style movie about a bunch of geeky grown-ups playing a kid’s game sounds pretty lame, but this film is awesome. There is no Rocky-style big victory at the end, it’s a lot more about the passion and emotion of the main characters, and the extent people go to to be the champion.

And now let me see if i can find a download of those classic games on the Net…

In The Newspapers On Chinese New Year

Nobody reads the newspapers on the first day of Chinese New Year, they’re too busy eating and gambling.

But here’s a few things that’ll appear in it…

- A picture of a happy (multi-racial) family enjoying CNY on the front page, smiling like they’re in a toothpaste ad.

- A feng shui expert telling us what to expect in the Year of the Rat.

- Photo of happy couple and newly born baby at the delivery ward with the caption of “First baby of the new year”. They do this EVERY year.

- Some politician wishing Happy New Year and saying that it is for all Malaysians to celebrate.

- Update on the death and accident toll of Ops Sikap.

- Interview with various local stars about how they spend CNY (“Oh, I LOOOVE my mom’s cooking! But i have watch my weight for my next movie…”)

- An article relating the Year of the Rat to the KL rat problem, rise in families keeping white mice as pets, Mickey Mouse, etc.

- List of open houses in the second or third page. Some more this year election year.

- In the sports page, report about how our badminton players lost in the preliminary rounds of another big tournament. Actually this one happens every week, not just CNY.

Eleven more days of exercising to go i am going to pig out on CNY goodies…

Heath Ledger: Only the Beautiful Die Young

It’s like River Phoenix all over again. We can only wait for The Dark Knight. R.I.P.

Technorati Tags: Heath Ledger

Ask Me Something lah

What is your blogging name?
simontalks. Or just simon.

When did you start blogging, exact date?
25 January 2005. It’s coming to 3 years, then…

What was your first title?
“Like That Also Can Ah?!!”

Which posting you feel is the best post so far?
From 600 over posts?! Probably one of the earlier ones, la.

Who promote/source of inspiration for you to blog?
From observing human character.

When dya usually post entries?
These days late at night.

Where would you prefer to be when you are blogging?
At home, quiet, when all the other work is done.

Have you met other bloggers? Who?
A lot of them. But not as many as i want to, given that i’m supposed to be anonymous…!

How many entries you made in a month?
About once a week, nowadays. The peak was close to 3 times a week.

Would you reveal your face or your family in your blog? Why?
Nope. I’m paranoid.

Would you promote your friends to blog? Why?
Only my closest friends know about it.

Would you feel restless/guilty conscious/incomplete if you didn’t blog for a month?
Haven’t gone that long without blogging, but i’d probably feel inadequate, yeah.

Define blogging.
Narcissism.

Tagged by 2ann.

And I’m going to tag Giddytiger, rinnah and rosalind.

Snotty Kid versus Spoilt Brat

Snotty Kid #1 – Hah, my dad makes more money than your dad.

Spoilt Brat #2 – So what? My dad drives a SUV with only 40mpg that’s BIGGER than YOUR dad’s car!

Snotty Kid #1 – Oh yeah? I have 485 friends on Facebook, you only have 372! *snigger *

Spoilt Brat #2 – I have a Nintendo Wii AND Xbox 360, you’re still playing a (censored) PS3! Hah!

Snotty Kid #1 – I can kick you’re a$$ at Call of Duty anytime, loser.

Spoilt Brat #2 – Only kids play Call of Duty, freak. I can beat you up anytime, my mom sends me to jujitsu classes.

Snotty Kid #1 – So what? I don’t NEED jujitsu, I can send my classmates at my International School to beat you up, loser. They’ve got diplomatic immunity, you know that? *snort *.

Spoilt Brat #2 – Bring it on la, my brother’s friend is a datuk’s son, la. Not afraid of you or the police la, come on la.

Snotty Kid #1 – Don’t action la, go home and cry to mommy la.

Spoilt Brat #2 – You watch out la, my father knows someone who knows V.K. Lingam, la.

Snotty Kid #1 – So what? My uncle knows someone who knows the PJ DVD taikor, la.

Spoilt Brat #2 – Loser.

Snotty Kid #1 – Freak.

Spoilt Brat #2 – (censored obscenity)

Snotty Kid #1 – (censored obscenity)

Spoilt Brat #2 – (censored obscenity)

Snotty Kid #1 – (censored obscenity)

… ad infintum.

(Wholly fictional.The only famous person MY kid knows is Lilian…)

Secret Diary of YB Datuk DVD Scandal

(excerpt of secret diary, purportedly of that infamous YB Datuk Seri Dr. embroiled in the DVD sex scandal… or not…)

(translated from Chinese, may not be entirely correct.)

Dec 26
Massive Christmas hangover. Damn the CWC boys and their endless rounds of yam seng! Must find my missing socks and Bally shoes, should still be somewhere in the Crazy Horse KTV.

Dec 27
Wife still nagging about coming back late after the Christmas party. What a nag.

Dec 28
Okay, i’m finally made my new year resolutions (subject to double confirmation):

1. Give up Absolut Vodka. Damn the devilish CWC boys.
2. Must start living healthier and cut down on the char siew and siew yoke. Considering my job is… never mind.
3. Try to stay awake during Parliament sittings.
4. Be nice to my driver
5. Stop fooling around with that floozy and be a better husband and father

Dec 29
Screw it. My wife is a nag (still on about the Christmas binge). I scratching off New Year resolution no.5. I’m replacing it with “Make sure i don’t kena tangkap basah while with my floozy.” Can’t be too careful these days. Don’t want to do a Bill Clinton, hahaha.

Speaking of floozies, just got a e-mail today, didn’t have time to open it yet. Something about a sex DVD. Woo-hoo! Should be a good one about China girls…

Dec 30
Long meeting with OKT. Damn pissed. Says AAB won’t bail me out.

Dec 31
Emergency press conference tomorrow. Must remember to cancel my massage appointment.