About the Thread Nat Posted About Me.....

I have no comment.

Let's Have Some Fun in the Tub!

I think I should post something. I feel we need something exciting here. So, here's one of the funniest Eddie Murphy SNL skits ever IMO!



Ah, I miss the days when Eddie Murphy was funny. Makes me wish Norbit and Meet Dave could go away.

One Last FYC ad

I was gonna use the pic to make a FYC Best Actor poster but decided to use it to say something else.

Video Game Bait = Our Comic Book Movies?

Has anyone else notice that in a world where there seems to be numerous comic book films coming out in theaters, at the Bait an Oscar contest there are so few? As a matter of fact, I think the only ones have been published are Tony's famous Batman trilogy, and D.W.'s underrated Mad Love(07) (Which was an adaptation of a Batman story) As a matter of fact, it appears that it seems like our version of comic book films for the contest are video game baits, and just like with real life comic book films, there has been some great attempts at successfully baiting a video game adaption (like Fallout, Criminal Origins, etc.) We even have our more cult video game hits (like Legend of Zelda: End of Forever) that can compare to the different breed of comic book films that are coming out (Like 300, The Spirit).

So what makes baiters compelled to stay away from comic book adaptations rather than video game adaptions? One might argue it's because Hollywood is taking all the good heroes, but that didn't stop Tony from giving us one of the best BAITS (superhero or not) in the contest, even though there were already 5 batman movies prior to when he released the bait.

Could it be because people think video game baits have baitier stories than comic book stories? Well if history tells us anything it's quite the opposite, since there is not even ONE really good video game movie out there (I can't even think of one that comes close), while there are at least several good comic book movies I can name right now (The Dark Knight, Iron Man, X2, Sin City, Spiderman-2)

Maybe it's because a comic book bait wouldn't have the same appeal, unless it's batman? I believe if your willing to do what Tony did, and give a whole new and unique take on a comic book character than you can deliver a great bait. Everyone in Metropolis is fine and dandy with what Superman does in most of his movies, but why not bait a superman movie where he is ridiculed and hated by society? Something like a Dr. Manhattan type storyline (He's from Watchmen) Hell, why not a Wonder Women bait that also focuses on exploring her view of Men, maybe even adding in some subtle lesbian undertones.

I really have no idea why more comic book baits haven't been baited in the past. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, or that I'm annoyed by it. It just seems weird that with all the comic book movie hype that has gone on in the last few years we only have a handful of comic book baits. Maybe the answer is simple. Maybe we just don't have a zGamer for comic books in the contest yet. But until zComicbookfan submits his first bait to the contest, I guess video games will remain the ideal of the two.

Thoughts?

Games of 2008..Part 1

I know it's been awhile, but I thought this be the perfect place to post some of my most anticipated games this year, and which ones might actually have some bait appeal to them.

FALLOUT 3
The game I'm looking forward to the most. The setting, which I'm thrilled about playing in, takes place in a post-apocalyptic United States. You play a member of Vault 101, a fallout shelter and you live with your father (voiced by Liam Neeson...yay!). Suddenly, your father mysteriously leaves the vault and has gone deep into the wasteland. The vault overseer becomes suspicious, thinking that you have something to do with your father's disappearance, and eventually you decide to go out into the Capital Wasteland in search of him. Along the way, tyou will encounter organizations such as the Brotherhood of Steel, a group of technology-coveting survivors, and the Enclave, the elitist and genocidal remnant of the U.S. government.

The Gameplay is at core a rpg, but you can either play it as an rpg (shooting in specific areas for strategy reasons..with reminiscence of turn based combat) or as a first person shooter. The one feature that looked absolutely awesome was that you can make your own guns. I saw this one video where the guy made a teddy bear gun and literally blew off a guys body with a teddy bear. Beyond awesome. Also the guys that made Elder Scrolls Oblivion are making this game, and ES:O is in my top five of best games of all time, and the company, just like Bioware, knows how to tell a good story, and offer loads of gameplay. Plus...this game has been said to have near 50 different endings!! There goes my fall schedule.

Bait Appeal: Already made into a bait by zGamer, and IMO one of the best video game adaptation on the site. It was even nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Ron Pearlman....whose very hard to bait) and, IMO, snubbed for Best Director, Jack Bender, who gained many precusor love from nearly all the precursor. There's a conspiracy for ya.



FABLE 2
I'm a huge fan of the first Fable, but there was obviously some problems in the game. For one, it wasn't as long as many other rpgs, and a lot of the features promised where taken out. But Fable 2 seems to be shaping up to be pretty promising and more satisfying than it's predecessor. Not much is known about Fable 2's story, but I guess I can share the first one's story.

As a child your village, was raided and destroyed by bandits, during which your father is killed and your mother and sister are kidnapped. Your as of yet known mentor named Maze arrives, rescues you, and convinces you to join the Heroes' Guild to be trained to become a Hero; despite the Guildmaster's opinion, Maze sees great potential in you. After being trained you embarks on a journey to discover the reason behind your village's destruction, discovering your destiny, and the true fate of your family along the way.

The story is actually more interesting than what has been written about it, but it ends questionably, and a bit ambiguous. Fable 2 is set centuries later so I'm really interested in where they have taken the story. The coolest features about Fable are still in Fable 2, like your character physically changing depending on your actions (Bad decisions get you horns, hooves, etc....Good decisions get you a halo, and ladies, and etc.) The addition of co-op play also wets my appetite. I can't way to play in my friends world, and utterly destroy all he's worked hard for lol.

Bait appeal: Fable would be a very visual bait. Meaning you would have to rely on being able to describe such a visual world in your synopsis and press section, which can always prove to be a challenge. Regardless, this has Guillermo Del Toro written all over it. The style and atmosphere of the game is identical to Hellboy, and Pan's Labyrinth (only being a bit lighter than those, which are quite dark) But I don't see it getting much awards attention, outside of a best director nod.


More games later. Feel free to leave comments on some of your most anticipated games as well.

Top 10 of July 2008

It's been a while, but here's a new post.

Top 10 of July 2008
1. In the Land of Eden
2. Baked Alaska
3. The Monster of Florence
4. Tuskegee
5. The Violinist
6. Aftermath
7. Sacred
8. After the Fall
9. Architechs of Fear
10. Conviction

Zgamer's April 2008 Baits

Ok, I officially suck at updating my blog. Sorry about that.

Right now, I will do a little plug for my newest baits. I am optioning them for preview if anyone is interested too.

"Lord of the Flies"
A Marc Forster Film
Starring Freddie Highmore and Lewis McGibbon

William Golding's classic story of a group of british boys whose plane is shot down over an island. The survivors attempt to gather themselves together and get rescued. However, as time progresses, the absence of adults causes a collapse in their society and the boys begin to devolve into a savage like state.

"System Shock" (Team bait with Ryan)
A Danny Boyle Film
Starring Lee Pace and Donna Murphy

Adaptation of the iconic horror video game. Set 100 years in the future, humanity has just sent their first faster-than-light ship on its maiden voyage. However, mid-way into the flight, the ship is hijacked by an unknown alien force. In middle of the attack, a technician is awaken from cryogenic sleep by one of the surviving scientists who orders him to send an S.O.S.. A thrilling film filled with mystery, intensity and twists.