Comments on: King of Kong Star Scores Cameo in Seth Gordon’s Four Christmases http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/ Blog and Podcast Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:14:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Goon http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/comment-page-1/#comment-335577 Goon Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:16:32 +0000 http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/#comment-335577 to be fair, Billy comes across a tad better in the special features of the documentary where people vouch for his charities, and especially the way he specifically treats the elderly woman who plays Q-Bert. to be fair, Billy comes across a tad better in the special features of the documentary where people vouch for his charities, and especially the way he specifically treats the elderly woman who plays Q-Bert.

]]> By: Henrik http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/comment-page-1/#comment-335539 Henrik Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:31:44 +0000 http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/#comment-335539 I think Billy Mitchell is taking the brunt of all this, because everybody knows a childish asshole like that, who can't for the life of him be honest or upright about anything - and yet doesn't realize that everybody else sees right through him. It's a very widely spread condition, but that doesn't make it more despicable. The way the film uses him is ingenious, and it really is one of the most remarkable characters in a documentary I have ever seen, and there is nothing appealing about him. No redemption, just a continuation of being an asshole towards everything. The only thing that redeems Billy Mitchell is the sappy way that his competitor is presented. As being some sort of crybaby whos had a rough time, but he's got his loving wife crying right alongside him when he doesn't get his world record, and there is no doubt where the sympathy is supposed to lie. That took away from the feeling of authenticity that is important to have in documentaries for me. But there are other things to enjoy about the film - especially Robert Mruczek who seems like one of the most respectable, genuine people you could ever meet. A pillar of integrity, insight and friendliness - and he's got a great accent too. I think Billy Mitchell is taking the brunt of all this, because everybody knows a childish asshole like that, who can’t for the life of him be honest or upright about anything – and yet doesn’t realize that everybody else sees right through him. It’s a very widely spread condition, but that doesn’t make it more despicable. The way the film uses him is ingenious, and it really is one of the most remarkable characters in a documentary I have ever seen, and there is nothing appealing about him. No redemption, just a continuation of being an asshole towards everything.

The only thing that redeems Billy Mitchell is the sappy way that his competitor is presented. As being some sort of crybaby whos had a rough time, but he’s got his loving wife crying right alongside him when he doesn’t get his world record, and there is no doubt where the sympathy is supposed to lie. That took away from the feeling of authenticity that is important to have in documentaries for me. But there are other things to enjoy about the film – especially Robert Mruczek who seems like one of the most respectable, genuine people you could ever meet. A pillar of integrity, insight and friendliness – and he’s got a great accent too.

]]> By: Rian http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/comment-page-1/#comment-335525 Rian Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:56:28 +0000 http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/#comment-335525 I haven't seen The King of Kong yet, but having heard and read several reviews on various websites and podcasts, all of which talk about what a good "villain" Billy Mitchell makes, I wonder how the guy feels about being compared to thieves, murderers, and criminals all the time now. I haven’t seen The King of Kong yet, but having heard and read several reviews on various websites and podcasts, all of which talk about what a good “villain” Billy Mitchell makes, I wonder how the guy feels about being compared to thieves, murderers, and criminals all the time now.

]]> By: Marina http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/comment-page-1/#comment-335156 Marina Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:29:44 +0000 http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/02/06/king-of-kong-star-scores-cameo-in-seth-gordons-four-christmases/#comment-335156 "just imagine Billy Mitchell starring as the next James Bond baddie, with a nefarious plot to sabotage all the arcade games in the world" <== YES! OK. So maybe it's a bit over the top but it's certainly a nice gesture by Gordon. “just imagine Billy Mitchell starring as the next James Bond baddie, with a nefarious plot to sabotage all the arcade games in the world” <== YES!

OK. So maybe it’s a bit over the top but it’s certainly a nice gesture by Gordon.

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