Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade (2007)

1982's Video Game World Champions share their philosophies on joysticks, groupies and life.

Director:

Lincoln Ruchti

Stars:

Walter Day, Ben Gold, Steve Sanders

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Walter Day	...	Himself
Ben Gold	...	Himself
Steve Sanders	...	Himself
Kent Farries	...	Himself
Darren Olsen	...	Himself
Billy Mitchell	...	Himself
Ronald Bailey	...	Himself
Sam Blackburn	...	Himself
Mark Robichek	...	Himself
Todd Rogers	...	Himself
Robert Mruczek	...	Himself
Joel West	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Leo Daniels	...	Himself

Storyline

1982's Video Game World Champions share their philosophies on joysticks, groupies and life.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 January 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Охота на призраков

Company Credits

Production Co:

Men at Work Pictures LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eric Ginner, the player from the center of the LIFE Magazine photo, refused to take part in the film. Ginner's gaming accomplishments were featured in 100s of early 80s media outlets, and he won the 1981 Centipede World Championships.

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Alternate Versions

A more complete Screener-version leaked out on the web. It has copyrighted songs instead of the specially made synth-tunes of the retail-version. It also has an extra scene with Rob's "art" collection.

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Connections

Features Frogger (1981)

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Soundtracks

The Museum of Your Heart
Performed by Walter Day
Written by Walter Day
Recorded for Chasing Ghosts 2006

User Reviews

Nerd Exploitation, Mildly Entertaining, King of Kong kills this Doc

I decided to watch this movie since I totally dug King of Kong, but was ultimately let down by the way it was directed. The reason why King of Kong worked was because it was a documentary with a story. There was a hero, a villain and his minions, a showdown at the end the didn't take place but still some action happening.

This movie is a straight documentary that just shows us some old footage and photos, takes a peek into the current lives of these high scorers and shows us a lot of the Twin Galaxies guy who looks a lot like Ezra Cobb from the old 1970's Deranged movie.

My main problem is the direction of this documentary. It seems that the director thought that it'd entertaining just to exploit these video game nerds. He lets the camera linger while they laugh like nerds, shows us how most still live with their parents, one has hundreds of pet spiders and lizards, one has a mail order Mexican girlfriend. I think this all has been done before in Revenge of the Nerds but better. Here in Chasing Ghosts it isn't funny, it is disturbing and sad. It is really telling that there is not one normal guy here except for the old Berzerk / Ham Radio guy who is about 20 years older than all the other guys who were teens in the early 80's.

They really build up the suspense when they first show Billy Mitchell, the villain from King of Kong. Showing shots of his jeans, belt and hair before showing his face. He looks like more of a loser here, not as menacing as he did in the other movie although he does brag about how his restaurant was the first to bring hot wings to Florida.

Bottom line: the movie is watchable and a little interesting but more than likely you'll just come away depressed from watching how sad these people turned out. I'm sure the director thought that it'd be funny to show how nerdy these guys are and how most still live with their parents but in the end it is just sad and depressing.