Originally published in GameRoom Magazine, May 2005



HOLY TOLEDO! IT'S MY PINBALL WEEKEND! DVD

Hosted by Chris Bucci, 44 mins, Available through GameRoom, see ad pg 19

Review by Tim Ferrante



Today's digital world is way too entertaining as evidenced by this adventuresome DVD produced by pinball collector, Chris Bucci. The interesting thing is that Bucci didn't set out to produce a DVD when he toted around his Digital 8 video camera during his wall-to-wall pinball weekend. Originally, his plan was to bring a digital still camera along to grab some shots for his website. Then the idea of packing the digi-camcorder hit and the resulting abundance of footage became the vid's unintended fodder.

Tough to swallow because you'd never believe it wasn't a planned program because it is serious silverball viewing enjoyment. Aside from the fact that Bucci is a dedicated enthusiast, he's also a video production professional. So when faced with video tonnage, his natural inclination was to cut something viewable.

First stop on his weekend jaunt is a McDonald's restaurant for a near-15 minute wait at the drive-thru window...for a cup of orange juice! Fast food, yes. Fast drinks, no.

With O.J. in hand, Bucci and his girlfriend, Jamie, are off to Maumee, Ohio and the grand opening celebration of Dr. Scott's Pinball Store. It's a very special event thanks to an appearance by venerated designer Pat Lawlor who graciously chats pinball and autographs countless pinball things for the crowds. But the most alarming visual is the quantity and quality of the games inside Dr. Scott's. The residents of Maumee are a blessed people! Bucci's camera grabs all the action while us viewers sit and drool ourselves into dehydration. Worth seeing.

Next stop is Eric A's Michigan Pinball League party held at his Dearborn Heights home. A long bank of classic pins, a gathering of pinheads and you can imagine the rest. Bucci doesn't linger too long here as available light sometimes obscures the finer points of the goings on. Nevertheless, it's a fun peek at hobbyists and players enjoying the daylights out of Eric's immaculate games.

Back home, our intrepid filmmaker sets about installing his Lawlor signed backglasses, playfield toys and other bits onto his machines. His collection is, as you might expect, made up of shining examples of games like Earthshaker, Funhouse, Pinbot, The Addams Family, Medieval Madness and...well, see for yourself at www.buccisarcade.com.

There's still more to be found on this DVD, namely the "on location" studies of pinball machines that were encountered in malls, hotels and other locations. What you'll see is not for the weak of heart. These are machines owned by operators who have no respect for their equipment and even lesser respect for the people who are supposed to be their customers. It's tragic, cringe in your chair kind of stuff.

Frankly, you could spend $5 on food and drink, but we all know what happens to the food and drink in a day or so. Personally, I'd rather spend it on something fun, unique and lasting. It just so happens that Holy Toledo! It's My Pinball Weekend! DVD is precisely all that. See page 19 about how to get one.