Mega64

I read a lot of great things about this series, so I checked it out. Honestly, there is a lot of potential here, but it just falls flat on it's face.

One big weakness was the acting. The worst of them was the main one (Rocco). He was on screen probably 75% of the time, and he was hands down the most un-funny person on the whole cast. I actually van't think of an more un-funny person in the history of film. I'm not just saying that to be mean or as hyperbole, but seriously... Even Rob Schnider manages to be funny now and again in his movies. He reminded me of those nerdy high school drama students who thinks of themselves too highly. His facial expressions and voice inflection was way too overexaggerated which was distracting. I just wanted to punch him every time he said something. He only had one moment that I thought was funny, and that was the Metal Gear mission briefing. That was the only time it didn't seem like he was reading a cue card.

The other main character (the one who played Horatio and the other beta-tester) was only slightly funnier. He suffered from the same over-acting as Rocco did. I felt like they were trying to go for a unscripted/spontaneous type feel for the film, but most of the sketches and gags were OBVIOUSLY scripted to the point where they were clearly reading lines.

For instance that part in the beginning where one of them was just standing there eating pudding in front of the camera for 2 minutes. You could clearly tell he was acting, it didn't seem at all like it was natural or unscripted. The unscripted schpeel works for most small budget stuff like Jackass when it's actually unscripted, not fake like this.

I did like the skinny white guy though. I thought he was the only character who portrayed any personality. His gags seems genuinely funny throughout. The absolute best part was the puppet. That damn puppet had me in stitches just about every scene he was in. If they do a sequel, they need to feature more of this guy and the puppet.

The sketches were in my opinion the weakest part of the whole thing. Why the hell would I want to watch a bunch of high-schoolers throw dodgeballs at each other? Or a fat teenager run around asking people "Do you know who killed my father?" over and over again? Most of the sketches came off as poorly done Tom Green ripoffs. At least Tom Green played off bystanders' reactions to make it actually funny. Acting like a dumb ass in public does not automatically make it funny.

Also, I must say the editing, music, costume, and sets were all well done, especially for a small budget film like this one. The three guys who wrote this should be proud of themselves. Its just too bad the actors had to ruin it.

I first discovered Mega 64 when I came upon a link to it on a message-board I have yet to recall. Upon viewing a number of their videos that they had posted on their website, I was instantly hooked: the concept of acting games out in public was something that appealed to me, perhaps because I am both a video game fan and because I had never seen this attempted before. It was that moment that had me decide to buy it. Soon, the big day came, and the DVD arrived. I laughed practically from start to finish at the antics of the characters Dr. Poque, Rocko, Derek, Sean, Horatio, and Marcus. The show itself consists of dialogue that presents shots between a camera displaying the Mega 64 and a camera into Poque's apartment. When a game is being "played," however, the camera showcases this dynamically, occasionally with very fun effects. To be blunt, I would recommend this to virtually anybody; even those who have no concept of video games. (Although it helps to have a vague sense of video games at least.) It is a great way to let two or so hours go by, and well worth the money I paid for it: I still laugh when I watch it.

Ticket to the show: $7. Popcorn, soda and candy: 12 bucks. Seeing "Mega64": Priceless. A tale of dreams found and lost, of family and of the brutality inside and outside the video game world. A madman out for revenge, a group of friends in a battle for survival and a puppet who could save them all. American film-making legend Rocco takes us from hell through purgatory and into paradise, each represented by modern conflicts in what is billed as a complex and profound work of art. Watch and learn how to draw crappy mustaches, you can't go wrong.

"In the not too distant future, a former video game programmer and mad scientist Dr. Poque grows weary of the world's games. Shunned from society, he invents the most powerful video game console ever created- The Mega64; A machine powerful enough to download old video games into users' brains, making them embarrassingly real. To prove himself to the reluctant public, he captures ordinary teenagers to beta test the machine 24/7 and document their progress within his secret compound... beneath his apartment building. Lead by the brave duo of Rocko and Derek, this kidnapped crew must endure the digital insanity and learn why video games and the real world should never mix."

I can't believe this hasn't been done before!

The concept is a mad scientist develops a console called the Mega 64. It is able to tap into people minds and act out the games. He hires Rocco Botte and Dereck Acosta to test the MEga 64.

The Presentation of the series is amazing. The DVD Art is well suited, and the Menus are classical (literally). Considering they don't have that much of a budget, you'd be surprised by the quality of what they've pulled off, and the way they've been able to develop the characters.

The music is a great mix of ORIGINAL compositions by Ian Lucky, who has amazing talent and has really helped the feel of the show. And also classic tracks from The Aquabats. Both of these mix together in a fluid musical sensation that you will not forget. (The soundtrack is available on the site Mega64.com)

I suggest if you like video games, BUY this! And if you don't like video games but want to get ideas for low budget film making, AGAIN get this!

Dereck, Rocco, Shawn, Marcus will be stars of tomorrow!

This is an amateur TV series that works well considering what the filmmakers had to work with. The series has a lot of potential but some of the skits and candid camera stunts fall flat and are not quite laugh out loud funny. Many of the previews on their website gave away the funniest parts. Specifically those parts are "Shenmue," "Metal Gear Solid," and "River City Ransom" ("BARF!") and even these parts are only funny if you're familiar with the source material. The skits with Rocco and Derrick just running around as Mario and Luigi or Kid Iccarus were pointless and not really worth watching. Nevertheless, it is worth a buy if you can tolerate the amount of time it takes for Awful-Video to ship it to you.