MovieChat Forums > Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade (2007) Discussion > What was up with that final burn on Walt...

What was up with that final burn on Walter Day?

posted 14 years ago by Inky-2
12 replies | jump to latest

It was sometimes hard to tell what the ultimate tone of this documentary was. There were many scenes that were edited in a way to make their subjects look silly, with reaction shots or cuts to something that immediately subverts what the person just said- but then there are really sweet moments, like the gathering at the end of the film.

But then, right before the credits roll, rather than end on that nice, nostalgic note they sneak in that jab about the museum that makes Walter sound like an idiot. It seemed really mean-spirited and kind of spoiled the film for me. Walter Day is definitely a dreamer, but he's completely well-meaning and harmless. Why did they have to go there?

[–] jbhutt0 14 years ago

Yeah, this documentary was sort of schizophrenic as far as the editing and tone was concerned. I thought that, overall, it was made to capture what that moment in time was like, but that they also wanted stress the absurdity of certain things that already stuck out anyway without the editing cues. Which, like you said, some of it didn't really come off as funny but mean-spirited and not really in line with the rest of the film.

Which I believe I watched a screener copy that wasn't necessarily the final version of the movie so maybe they changed it a bit.

[–] jockey-1 10 years ago

I agree with the OP and your comment, jbhutt0, they're great posts. This film was spoiled by the editing -- there was just no need to make such mean fun of the sweet Walter Day.

[–] forchatting 13 years ago

maybe a burn... but how about instead a call for attention. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has many collections or exhibits on different facets of American culture- why not this topic. We are talking about a movement that even if for only a few years very much influenced American life. It deserves to be recorded and maintained for future generations.

I was never a gamer or repeat player. (I was/am the type to give up instead of re-playing). However, I do appreciate all aspects of American history and for one would visit an exhibit on this- it was a part of my life and my culture growing up.

Maybe some of these guys in this movie are actually working on or petitioning inclusion in the Smithsonian museums. Or maybe some other people will.

[–] Ripley741 13 years ago

Not a burn at all... I think it proved Walter's resilience. In the same way that he was the only one pushing to start a list of international arcade game high scores back in the day, the movie ended with him pushing to start a video game section at the Smithsonian.

Whether he was cognizant of the video game section not existing was never established, but the man is clearly a dreamer. I mean... a music career!!? You heard his singing, right?

[–] Welz82 12 years ago

Gotta agree with Ripley741, I felt it was just showing 'Typical Walter' and his quirkyness, wasnt nasty for me.

[–] Ripley741 12 years ago

I got to meet him at the Twin Galaxies Video Game Festival in November 2011.

I can whole-heartedly, and with confidence, confirm his quirkyness.

Still an amazing guy, and incredible what he's done for the community.

[–] wolverineland 12 years ago

Walter Day is a weirdo and a jerk. I believed it after seeing this but was convinced after seeing how he and Billy Mitchell treated Steve Wiebe in "King of Kong". Walter Day and Steve Sanders are nothing more than Billy Mitchell disciples who make up that clique of middle aged balding nerds who still live at home and still try to mack women with forgotten video game scores. Oh and by the way, Walter, Foot Locker 1985 called and they want their uniform back.

[–] Ripley741 12 years ago

WALTER Day? Why do you keep calling him Roger?

Also, he apologized to Steve in King of Kong towards the end of the movie.

[–] DropGems 12 years ago

The ending was the best scene of the entire film. I took it that Walter knew there was no video game section of the Smithsonian and that was the whole point of the ending. He wasn't trying to start one either. He/the filmmakers were making a statement about life... We're all trying to give meaning and purpose to our lives. Walter and the video game era depicted in this film is just another microcosm of life...

If they didn't put that final line in there about the Smithsonian having no video game section then the scene wouldn't have had any real impact.

Great ending.

[–] Symarip 11 years ago

Except that they don't live with their parents, have a wife (and kids), and aren't balding (well, Walter is).

I'm the grim reaper, lardass, and you're my next customer.

[–] toddh-3 11 years ago

To be fair it's kind of hard not to laugh at some of this stuff. Like Walter's musical aspirations

[–] Evangelisti 11 years ago

I also didn't understand why the movie was edited this way, you're making a documentary about these guys and its a great story, no need to mock them for it.

Worth killing for, worth dying for, worth goin to hell for.