A woefully small five hours of sleep are all that comes between last night and this morning. Saturday has historically been the big day at MAGFest, which is part of why yesterday was such a pleasent surprise. Our judging of the “Name that Tune ” contest, run by Zeiram and Tim Ekkebus, lasted just about until when Nth Mile started. Fittingly, after a heated effort, Shael Riley (along with Devon, one of the men responsible for the film’s music) took home the win as World Champion of Name-that-Tune, dethroning last year’s champ Rory O’Boyle.
After conducting a podcast earlier in the day about Nth Mile, my expectations were running high. The film, it turns out, does a really good job at sucking you in to a world governed by outrageous costumes, drug-addled babes, and raptastic skillz. In addition to simultaneously mirroring the plots of both 8 Mile and P. Rappa the Rappa, Nth Mile manages to contain all of the excitement of smoking weed spiked with heroin - that is to say, the most ballsy sequences are surrounded by an acid-chic aesthetic. Music and effects are highlights, as is Weed Weed the Chicken, which I’m afraid I still can’t quite put my finger on.
Predictions for today? Good things could come out of Empire Arcadia’s Gamer’s Summit panel, which will be a key event assuming that people actually bother to put their money where their XBOX is. Robert Aldrich’s panel will probably speak to his most recent projects, and he will likely do everything in his power to make sure you’ve considered his book. Of course, the concert will be the make or break the weekend. Hopefully the ballroom is big enough to accommodate everyone. Sleeper hit of the day/night? Screening of JOYSTICKS, a little seen video game movie stary Joe Don Baker.
For now, I go to a wedding (congrats Keith!) and miss the bulk of the day’s events. I’ll be back before midnight
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