The Weekly Four
Lasting impressions provided by arcade duels, dancing comedians in Oscar week

By Pamela Hoffmann and Luke Tatge

Mirror Staff Writer and Editor
February 29, 2008

(1) The King of Kong DVD

Mere words could not truly capture the  raw power of competitive classic arcade gaming.  Director Seth Gordon takes it a step further with his 2007 documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.

The film sets the scene for a world that the average non-geek would never know about:  middle-aged men scurrying about an arcade playing Donkey Kong and Q*Bert.

At the center is a core group of Kong afficianados:  Billy Mitchell (the reigning champ since the 1980s), Steve Wiebe (the rising star and challenger) and Twin Galaxies (the organization responsible for keeping tabs on gaming records).

It’s impossible not to cheer for the likeable family man and middle school teacher Wiebe over the sleazy steak sauce peddler Mitchell.  Their journey and rivalry is epically portrayed, like something out of a Roman coliseum.

The men clash at the mother of all arcades, Funspot, in New Hampshire, to prove their prowess live rather than on a video tape.

Revealing the result of their ultimate clash would spoil the excitement of the climax, so I will simply say the peak moments of the film are well worth the rent.

If you’re a true gaming fan or simply a fan of intrigue, get  Kong-ed.  (LT)

(2) “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna

She’s a good girl gone bad.  That’s the title of her album, at least, and with her fourth single from it, Rihanna pleads with us to not stop the music – and we don’t want to. 

The 19-year-old Barbados native hits us with another song that upon hearing it, you just can’t sit still.  “Don’t Stop the Music” is a huge departure from recent single “Hate That I Love You” and past hits such as “Pon de Replay” and “Unfaithful.”

Think of it as a mix of the sassiness in “Shut Up and Drive” and the beat from “Umbrella,” only it’s a lot faster and a lot more fun.  And if it were to feature someone else it would be Sean Paul, not Jay-Z.  Sorry, Jigga. 

She says she wants to “take you away” and “escape into the music,” and you are more than willing to go with her. 

The music is a sample of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Starting Somethin’.”  Full of MJ’s signature “Hee-hees” in the back of the verses and “Mama say mama sa mama coo sas” behind the chorus, “Don’t Stop the Music” just plain rocks.  And, bonus, there are hand claps.

Rihanna continues to solidify her place in the music world, and as she sings, “I just can’t refuse it/Like the way you do this/Keep on rockin’ to it,” we’re the ones left begging her to “Please don’t stop the, please don’t stop the music.”  (PH)

(3) The Ellen DeGeneres Show

You’d be foolish to think The Ellen DeGeneres Show is just another daytime talk show.  It’s more like an experience.  The show, now in its fifth season, has made quite a name for itself, thanks to its hostess with the mostest. 

DeGeneres just celebrated her 50th birthday in January, though with her energy and charisma you’d never know it.  Her unique brand of comedy shines through when responding to her audience with a “Ka-ka!” or “Holla!” and in segments like “Bad Photos You Paid For.”

What makes the show stand apart from the other daytime talk shows is its ability to create that “getaway” feeling. 

Audience participation is key in making the show work, whether it’s them dancing along with DeGeneres at the opening of the show or playing games like ‘Thru the Wall or Take a Fall’, which involves forming your body to fit through a cutout in a foam wall that’s coming at you, there’s never a dull moment.

Her celebrity guests are always excited to be there – and it’s not just because they get free Ellen underwear in their gift baskets. 

Whether it’s cooking a meal in under two minutes with Jake Gyllenhaal or Daughtry doing a rendition of their hit “Home” on kazoo, tambourine and triangle, guests expect the unexpected – which is exactly why you watch.  Or maybe it’s all the dancing.  (PH)

(4) The 80th Academy Awards

Anyone who lives and breathes film at least caught a few minutes of the 80th Annual Academy Awards last Sunday.  Those of you who sat through the entire show were blessed with some priceless moments that are definitely worth reliving.

Following a heart-wrenching performance of “Falling Slowly” from the hit independent film Once, singer-songwriters Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova graciously accepted the Oscar for Best Original Song.  Unfortunately a meek Irglova was cut off by the typically abrupt pit orchestra.  In an act of sheer genius, host Jon Stewart brought Irglova back on stage to finish her acceptance speech.

And then there was the refreshingly hilarious speech from surprise winner Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) for Best Supporting Actress.  Anyone who reminisces over George Clooney’s nipple-ridden batsuit in Batman & Robin and the similarities of Oscar’s posterior to her agent’s is a true winner indeed.

Littered with other memorable moments such as Stewart’s gag award for the pregnant women in the audience and delightful glimpses of a genial Laura Linney every five minutes, the show is worth revisiting.  An awards show in which the speeches are watchable is a feat not often achieved. 

Check your online streaming video provider of choice and enjoy. (LT)