Religulous v. The King of Kong

So, tonight I watched two documentaries, because I love documentaries and because I needed a recharge, and I find watching a good non-fiction film inspirational.

At their essence, the movies are surprisingly similar. ("Surprisingly" because Religulous is Bill Maher's rail against religion and its worst extremes; The King of Kong is about two guys battling for the world record in Donkey Kong.) Both are thoughtful, sometimes painful, sometimes funny, classic tales of good and evil, right and wrong. I enjoyed them both.

But as far as our work and what we do for a living -- The King of Kong demonstrates every facet of good journalism. It's really close to perfect. Bill Maher spends a lot of time telling us what we're supposed to be thinking -- he doesn't trust us to get that the people who visit Holy Land in Florida or the Creation Museum are a bunch of tongue-speaking freaks. Seth Gordon, who directed The King of Kong -- through his interviewing, his editing, his pacing, even his choice of songs -- paints a much fuller portrait of his subjects, more satisfying, more entertaining, more involving. It's what we should all be after when we sit down to write: It's a great story.

A buddy I watched it with said that it wasn't just his favorite documentary of all time. He said it might go down as his favorite movie of all time.

All to say, if you're feeling in a slump or in need of a creative boost or just want to watch a good movie -- a really, really good movie -- watch The King of Kong.

Even better, watch it after Religulous. It'll help cheer you up after you come to understand that 84 percent of people are going to destroy even the 16 percent of us who don't believe in fairytales.

 

King of Kong is tremendous.

Haven't seen Religulous.

 

I'm not putting a cent into Maher's pocket, but I will check out the other one on your recommendation. Sounds pretty cool.

 

King of Kong added bonus: Zack Hample's in it. (Hi, BYH!)

 

Wait, is he really?

 

Yes, barely, one scene he is just barely on screen for a glimpse, but in another I think he has a line.

 

Isn't he on Leno tonight? [cross-thread]

 

Hmmm, missed him... Although he does fit in that world -- obsessives who pursue greatness in obscure fields of endeavour. I'm a sucker for that.

 

SOMEONE TEXT BYH! HE'S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! (Must be off watching Leno.)

 

:-\

 

Oh.

He's here.

 

No fan of elitism, Meat?