Steve Wiebe Reclaims Donkey Kong Title From Billy Mitchell

From slashfilm, Many of you probably have seen the 2007 documentary The King of Kong (and if you haven’t, Netflix it now!). The movie follows the battle between Steve Wiebe and noted Donkey Kong/vintage video game champion Billy Mitchell, over the world record for Donkey Kong. Since the release of the film, it has been fun tracking the back and fourth battle between Wiebe and Mitchell for the world record (we’ve even covered it on the site in the past).

We have a bit of good news to report, Steve Wiebe has officially reclaimed the Donkey Kong World Record from Billy Mitchell!

Billy Mitchell again became the world record holder in Donkey Kong on August 7th 2010, scoring 1,062,800 — 1,100 points more than the previous record score, before he reportedly quit his Donkey Kong game (still in progress). Asked why, Mitchell said: “Some say I’m being cocky. Some say I’m being lazy. I say, I’m being Billy Mitchell.” But that’s not all, in the spur of the moment, Mitchell decided to go after the Donkey Kong Jr. record as well, scoring 1,270,900 to also take the crown.

This week Twin Galaxies has now confirmed that Steve Wiebe has reclaimed the Donkey Kong World Record with a score of 1,064,500 points. Weibe recorded his championship game on August 30th 2010 for submission to Twin Galaxies, who verified and announced the score on Monday, September 20th 2010 as the new World Record. Wiebe last held the Donkey Kong record in spring of 2007.

We have a Donkey Kong arcade machine set-up in /Film HQ and I have been playing for seven months now and have only recently crossed the 100,000 point mark. I can’t even imagine how someone could get to 1,000,000 points.

/Film would like to congratulate Wiebe on his achievement.

But as much as we love Wiebe and are glad he has regained the record, I can’t wait for the day that Mitchell takes back the title before saying something awesomely dicky. To me, Mitchell has become much akin to the evil pro wrestler who you love to hate.

Randy Quaid and his wife are officially nuts

From cnn, Actor Randy Quaid and his wife, Evi, have run into legal trouble once again – the couple was arrested Saturday after police were called to a Montecito, California residence to investigate a report of squatters.

According to a press release from the Santa Barbara Sheriff's department, a representative for the owner of the property came by the house to check the security alarm because it had gone off earlier that day, and then discovered that someone had been resting their head in the property’s guest house.

The Quaids weren’t around at the time, but upon their return later that evening the couple told the police that they have “owned the property since the 1990’s." According to the statement, the owners had documentation that someone had purchased the property from the Quaids several years earlier.

A contractor who worked on the residence believes the couple caused more than $5,000 in damages in the guest house, and the Quaids were taken into custody for residential burglary. Bail is set at $50,000 a piece.

Hellraiser: Revelations

From bloodydisgusting [excerpt], We've been doing some hard digging over the past week and finally got exclusive confirmation that Stephan Smith Collins (pictured below - he looks pretty badass) will star as your new Pinhead in Victor Garcia's Hellraiser: Revelations.

FX specialist Gary J. Tunnicliffe penned the screenplay that follows two friends who unleash Pinhead, who becomes their master of pain. Apparently, one of the friends has a change of heart. He backs out on his oath hoping to swap himself out with one of his friend's family members.

In addition, we learned that Nick Eversman (Vampires Suck) has been cast as "Steven" and Jay Gillespie will star as "Nico / Pseudo-Pinhead".

Th character "Steve" is the son of Sarah (possibly Devon Sorvari) and Ross (Steven Brand). His character kicks off the mayhem while on a backpacking trip in Mexico with his friend Nico (Gillespie). On their trip the duo are presented with a choice to "experience a reality beyond current existence"thanks to the infamous puzzle box. Pinhead becomes his master.

The story continues as Nico realizes that he's commitment to Pinhead forever, and thus attempts a daring switch plan to release himself from the puzzle box. But apparently things go wrong as he's also said to be starring as "Pseudo-Pinhead". This Pseudo-Pinhead is such a devoted servant of Pinhead, he mimics his appearance as closely as possible and revels in the pain that leads to his pleasure. There may also be a stunt actor playing this role.

New French horror 'High Lane'

From bloodydisgusting, HIGH LANE: "Towering heights and beautiful vistas turn into a haunting mindtrip in Abel Ferry’s gripping French scarefest that will definitely make you think twice about your next mountain climbing trip. In the film, a group of friends on vacation in Eastern Europe embark on an ambitious mountain expedition along a trail that they discover – way too late – is closed for repair. The thrill of this foolish challenge quickly turns sour as it becomes clear that not only is the path a lot more dangerous than they thought, but also that they are not alone. Fear exposes old traumas and brings up hidden emotions to the surface, and soon, everyone is fighting tooth-and-nail for their survival."

Must have

From geekology, Ever make-believe you were Boba Fett? Who hasn't? Well now you can stop taping empty coffee cans to your back thanks to ThinkGeek's $50 Boba Fett Plush Rocket Backpack. PSSSSHOOOOOOOOW!! (That was me blasting around my bedroom)

Looking as cool as Boba Fett is just the beginning. The Boba Fett Plush Rocket Backpack is loaded with room to store all your Mandalorian loot. A big main pocket, a flatter secondary pocket, and two pockets in the Jet tubes (we like calling them fuel tanks, because we store cans of soda in ours) all equal one very useful pack.

*Straps are great for kids, but also big enough for adults to use.

* Main Pocket - zippered - approx. 14" deep x 9" wide
* Secondary Pocket - hook and loop - approx. 11" deep x 8" wide
* 2 Jet Pockets - zippered - each able to hold 2 (12oz) cans of soda or rocket fuel.

What, no mention of the giant chrome space dildo on top? That thing practically sells the backpack itself! For Sale: Boba Fett Backpack, complete with giant chrome space dil-- SOLD, I'LL TAKE TEN!

Anniephobic

I passed by a poster for a Walnut Creek production of Annie this morning and I was struck with the following thought: whenever I see someone new dressed up like Annie I get all creeped out. There’s something about the wig and the stupid red dress fills my soul with dread.






Anyway just thought I'd share. Carry on.

I got vertigo just watching this - helmet-cam captures climb to 1700 feet.

"It all starts with an elevator ride to about 1600 feet," which I would never be able to complete without a panic attack and a clean pair of skivvies. Watch video here.

Looks Bulky: Star Destroyer Umbrella Concept

From geekology, It's not the dumbest thing I've ever seen. As a matter of fact, if there's any truth to this aerodynamic umbrella, it might actually be a feasible concept (you'll just have to carry it backwards). Sure the communication tower is gonna get torn off at the first sign of a windstorm, but who needs deflector shield generator domes anyways? That was a trick question, you gotta have those deflector shield generator domes or you're a sitting duck. And not Donald or Daffy either, I'm talking a really hideous one. You know that story about the ugly duckling that turns into a swan? Like 4X as fug. Plus -- PLUS -- you're not turning into a swan, just a REALLY ugly adult duck. Kids will ball up their bread and try to hit you.

Now that's more like it!

During a recent trip top Target I snapped the above picture as employees were readying the aisles for Halloween. I was finally able to make it back to Target this weekend and snapped the below (after)shot.



Nothing makes my heart swell more than seeing an aisle brimming with scary possibilities. Sure most of the stuff is utter crap but I don’t mind. It’s the VIBE I’m talking about here! There’s something about all that orange and yellow that gets my adrenaline going. Horrorthon begins in 11 days…

Well, I'm out of the contest. But here's the baddest goddamn thing you'll see all week.

It's true, I got beat in the second round of head-to-head by the "digital camera," as Stan so aptly put it. I think I missed votes because of a lack of greeble and lack of "in the SW universe" vibe. But I don't care, I love the ship and I'm going to keep it around and make it cooler.

Meanwhile, here's a T-Rex on a chopper. Beat that.

Pre-Halloween Adventure

We're so excited for the season to hit we just couldn't help but go on an adventure. Here are some shots from the Spider Gates Cemetery in Leicester, MA.

Tony trying to figure out why there is a green P in a circle on the pillar.

Some local folklore can be read here for those of you who have never heard of it.

The hanging tree

It was a little difficult to find since it is not on a main road. We had to park in a little alcove and walk down a dirt road into the woods. We weren't sure we were heading the right way, luckily 2 local ghost hunters arrived right after us and showed us where to go.

We found it to be quaint and serene. There were signs of rituals having been performed, lots of burned rocks and ashes as well as busted glass candle jars. Although I'm not sure what sort of demon they were trying to invoke with a tropical fruit candle from Walmart.

An old stain on the wall at the entrance. Blood! Anyone missing a goat?

We looked for the second "hidden" cemetery but no such luck. Still, it was a cool place and certainly helped to get us in the mood for spookier days to come. Horrorthon!