Tony's "To Dwell in Evil"

Hot of the success of "The Winter Sun", Tony crafts a bait of biblical proportions, literally, in "To Dwell in Evil". This new bait is the story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve, who grow apart and vengeance spawns resulting in the very first murder.

Directed by Ridley Scott and penned by Ronald Harwood, the film stars Ben Foster and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt as Cain and Abel, respectively. Maria Bello plays Eve and Guy Pearce is Adam with Christopher Lee as the voice of God.

The bait, undoubtedly, raises many questions because of its religious nature and the fact that it is more a parable than a story. The entire time I was reading it, I couldn't help but wish Tony had taken the story of Cain and Abel and adapted it to a different time period, but I assume he wanted to stay true to the original. This effort succeeds where so many have failed in that it is able to contain its plot in two paragraphs that are simple and well-written. I really don't have any problems with it.

The awards section is extremely in depth and puts across what it trying to say very effectively. It's one of the best in a while. This bait could show up in the BP shortlist but I say that reluctantly because the story is somewhat restrictive. Ben Foster is the bait's best shot at success as the vengeful Cain, a role that provides a range of emotions that would be perfect for this underrated young actor. I don't entirely agree with any of the casting in the bait but I can't really see it any other way that wouldn't use unknowns, which doesn't really work in this contest.

Grade: B+

Awards Contender:

Best Picture

Best Director-Ridley Scott

Best Adapted Screenplay

Best Actor-Ben Foster

Best Plot/Synopsis

Best Awards Campaign

Best Poster

Most Likely to Become a Cult Film

Most Like to Become a Box-Office Success

Best Title

Best Tagline

Michael's "Newport"

The tale of Peter Pan and Captain Hook is being told again in Michael's bait "Newport", which first surfaced during the August Bait Tournament. It tells the story of how the classic enemies came to Never Never Land and how Hook became what most of the world knows him as. Consider it a prequel to the Disney classic.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn ("Stardust") and written by Rob Thomas (not the singer, the creator of "Veronica Mars"), "Newport" stars James Marsden as the title character, Stanley Tucci as Smee, Q'Orianka Kilcher as Tiger Lilly, and Ridge Canipe as Peten Pan.

The bait may have been too well-though out for its own good. The synopsis is brief and drifts away from what one believes the story is really about. Assuming by the title that the bait will mostly be about Captain Hook's life before Peter Pan, it becomes a story about how Peter Pan became the self-proclaimed leader of the Lost Boys. I was disappointed by this because I was hoping the bait would be about Hook and Hook alone, with Pan making a cameo appearance at the end. The plot could also detail more of the cast list and go more in depth into Hook's emotions.

The use of Rob Thomas as a screenwriter is a bit strange for me. "Veronica Mars" is edgy and cool, "Newport" is trying to be classic and magical. I can sort of understand the choice because Thomas is able to handle teen issues with maturity and "Newport" is taking an adult look at the story, but it still seems out of place.

Marsden and Tucci are the bait's only good chances at Big 8 awards, although Marsden could suffer category confusion but that didn't stop Oldman from winning in July. Tucci plays a role that everybody's knows and it is very showy, something that is usual Oscar bait. Unfortunately, the bait is just not good enough to sustain any other major awards.

Grade: C

Awards Contender:

Most Likely to Become a Box-Office Success

Best Casting Choice-Q'Orianka Kilcher

Best Actor-James Marsden

Best Supporting Actor-Stanley Tucci

Alfredo's "Grosse Pointe"

Acclaimed baiter Alfredo delves into the mysterious arena of comedy with his new bait, "Grosse Pointe", based upon the short-lived TV show by the same name.

Directed by David Frankel ("The Devil Wears Prada") and written by Darren Starr (TV's "Sex and the City"), "Grosse Pointe" stars some veterans from the original series (Al Santos & Kyle Howard) as well as a bevel of newcomers (Amy Adams, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, Alec Baldwin, Amy Sedaris, and Bill Hader).

This bait, while well-written, probably won't be extremely successful because of its comedic nature and obvious television background. By the end of the synopsis, you say, "This should be a TV show" and then you realize that it was. This fact makes the bait less believable as a film, which is the same problem that other TV translations face in the contest and in the actual world. The reason they are TV shows is because the storylines are too complicated to be summed up in 120 minutes.

"Grosse Pointe" will probably see success at the Golden Globes where it will most likely be nominated for Best Picture-Musical/Comedy, although I could see Amy Adams remaining strong until the final awards. Her role is quirky and has a major conflict that should provide emotional range, similar to her Oscar-nominated performance in "Junebug". Kyle Howard could also get some surprise buzz as a stoner/free loader who causes laughs wherever he goes. Amy Sedaris plays a producer who wants the attractive guys on the show to take off their clothes in every scene, an idea that is so creepy that is so funny with Sedaris behind it. And finally, Bill Hader, best known for his spot-on impressions on "Saturday Night Live" and in the summer hit "Superbad", who is constantly underminded by Sedaris.

The bait lacks the emotional power to win the Oscar but could turn up some surprise acting nominations and even win.

Grade: B

Awards Contender:

Best Awards Campaign

Most Likely to Become a Cult Film

Best Cast

Best Casting Choice-Amy Adams

Best Tagline

Best Actress-Amy Adams

Best Supporting Actor-Kyle Howard

Best Supporting Actress-Amy Sedaris

Best Adapted Screenplay

Ian's "Tapestry"

Following the same formula as the 2001 masterpiece "Moulin Rouge!", Ian crafts a new musical in "Tapestry" using well-known songs to get the emotion out of his characters.

Written and Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the film stars Ellen Page and Michael Angarano (pictured) as love-struck teens who are torn apart by the draft during the Vietnam War. The story is told through various song-and-dance numbers using such radio hits as "So Far Away" and "I Feel The Earth Move".

This bait does something that no other musical bait has done before. Ian integrates the songs into the actual synopsis, putting them in the places where they would be found in the film's story. This new method allows for greater understandibility and emotional impact, but doesn't help the baits numerous flaws.

First, the casting of Ellen Page, while appropriate, seems uninspired considering the amount of baits she is used in. The same can be said about Evan Rachel Wood, they are not the only two young actresses out there! My second issue with the bait is it's likeness to the Julie Taymor film "Across the Universe", which uses Beatles songs to tell the story of college lovers during the anti-war movements of the '60s and '70s. A great deal of appreciation for the bait is destroyed by the mere fact that the latter film is actually being released. It would be as if somebody made a mob bait about a snitch that stars Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio. Another problem, one which I am known for despising, is the bait's length. The synopsis is nearly a full page on word and gives away too much of the story, hampering a chance at the reader's imaginative thinking. And the fourth and final flaw is the choice of songs found throughout the bait. I felt as if it were some strange spin-off of "High School Musical" with all the songs used. For instance, "I Feel The Earth Move" is used when the two lead first fall in love while Ellen Page sings "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" so after. They seem rather out of place in a bait that is supposed to be romantic and dramatic, but songs like "You're My Best Friend" make it seem bubbly and ultra-commerical. Also the use of Chrstina Aguilera's "Beautiful" is placed in a completely cliche scene that drains the true beauty that is found in the song. Overall, Ian's bait is a well-planned out musical epic that has major shortcomings that will hurt it in the final awards. But expect it to show up at the Golden Globes, where low-rated musicals usually get their chance to shine.

Grade: C

Awards Contender:

Most Likely to Become a Cult Film

Best Title

Shameless Oscar Vehicle

Pat's September Baits

As I have been saying for the past month, one of my September baits will be "The Second Coming". It stars Matt Damon, Maribel Verdu, Adrien Brody, Patricia Clarkson, Colm Meaney, and Anthony Hopkins and is directed by Ridley Scott. The bait is about a theologist's struggle to find the truth when the world believes that Jesus has returned and will end the world.

The second bait was a spontaneous story I came up with this morning and am submitting it after much trouble with choosing my second. It is called "Extradition", an Edward Zwick directed political drama about a man who is sent to China by the US after he is accused of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Uma Thurman, Harrison Ford, Michelle Yeoh, Bradley Whitford, and Mark Ruffalo as the accused man. Thurman plays his wife who, along with Wahlberg, travels to China to save him but encounter a dark trail of lies and money.

Hope ya like 'em.

A Baiter's Ensemble

Many film directors have certain actors that they like to use in their film. Quetin Tarantino frequently uses Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson. P.T. Anderson casts William H. Macy and Julianne Moore. Judd Apatow has Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd in his movies.

I just thought it would be interesting, seeing that I am really bored right now, to list my filmographic ensemble.

Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Other World", "Captain Fantastic"-nominated for Best Actor, "Photograph"-won Best Actor, "Endless Summer", "The Assassination Of The President", "Backseat")

Mark Wahlberg ("Extradition"-Coming Soon, "From Here To There", "The Moon and the Rain"-nominated for Best Supporting Actor, "The Home"-nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

Bruce Willis ("Everyday", "Two Towers", "Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit of Wealth")

Matt Dillon ("Run"-Coming Soon, "Battle Cries", "Dimension of Imagination", "Photograph")

Lucas Black ("Same Olde Lang Syne", "Beaumont", "The Captured", "Endless Summer")

Heath Ledger ("Captain Fantastic", "Beaumont", "Mercury")

Emma Thompson ("Captain Fantastic", "Tavistock Place", "Terri"-Best Actress winner)

Virginia Madsen ("Everyday"-nominated for Best Actress, "Sang Olde Lang Syne", "Two Towers")

There are many more but I've wasted too much time doing this.

August Predictions

Best Plot/Synopsis
Bee-Bee's Funhouse
Deep Secret
The Legend of Zelda: The End of Forever
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Quiet Room
The Winter Sun

Will Win: The Winter Sun
Should Win: Deep Secret
Possible Upset: Quiet Room


Best Awards Campaign
Everyday
Fallout
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Rabbit Hole
The Witching Hour
The Winter Sun

Will Win: The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Should Win: Fallout
Possible Upset: The Winter Sun


Best Online Awards Campaign
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Rabbit Hole
Six Days in 67
The Winter Sun
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Will Win: The Winter Sun
Should Win: Six Days In 67
Possible Upset: You're A Good Man Charlie Brown


Best Title
Cartoon Wars!
Diary of an Adopted Child
Foggy London Nights
No More Smiles
Off to Rome
The Truth Lies Within

Will Win: Foggy London Nights
Should Win: Foggy London Nights
Possible Upset: Off To Rome


Best Box-Office Potential
The Courtroom
Fallout
The Legend of Zelda: The End of Forever
Shipwreck'd
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Will Win: The Legend of Zelda: The End of Forever
Should Win: Fallout
Possible Upset: The Courtroom


Most Likely To Become A Cult Film
Bat Out of Hell
Blackwater Park
House of a Shattered Soul
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
The Munsters with Yvonne DeCarlo

Will Win: Blackwater Park
Should Win: House of a Shattered Soul
Possible Upset: Bat Out of Hell

Most Original Bait
Blackwater Park
Bee-Bee's Funhouse
The Final Days
No More Smiles
Quiet Room
The Winter Sun

Will Win: The Winter Sun
Should Win: Quiet Room
Possible Upset: No More Smiles


Most Original Character
Daniel Etim (Clive Owen) in Blackwater Park
Eileen Kwiasniewski (Grace Zabriskie) in Cocker Spanchovy
Johnny Ringers (Daniel Radcliffe) in Foggy London Nights
Alice (Jennifer Connelly) in Quiet Room
Malcolm Vaughn (Ryan Reynolds) in The Truth Lies Within
Jack Hanson (Tom Hanks) in The Winter Sun

Will Win: Johnny Ringers (Daniel Radcliffe) in Foggy London Nights
Should Win: Eileen Kwiasniewski (Grace Zabriskie) in Cocker Spanchovy
Possible Upset: Jack Hanson (Tom Hanks) in The Winter Sun


Best Cast
Bee-Bee's Funhouse
The Courtroom
Deep Secret
Grey Gardens
Six Days in 67

Will Win: Six Days In 67
Should Win: Six Days In 67
Possible Upset: Grey Gardens


Best Casting Choice
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Ike in Fallout
Eddie Jemison as Martin Ziggle in The Lonely Life of Martin Ziggle
Julian McMahon as Rock Hudson in The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Catherine Zeta Jones as Yvonne DeCarlo in The Munsters with Yvonne DeCarlo
Kelsey Grammer as Bob Hope in My Life in Jokes
Chiwetel Ejiofor as LeRoi Jones in Six Days in 67

Will Win: Julian McMahon as Rock Hudson in The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Should Win: Eddie Jemison as Martin Ziggle in The Lonely Life of Martin Ziggle
Possible Upset: Catherine Zeta Jones as Yvonne DeCarlo in The Munsters with Yvonne DeCarlo


Best Crew
Friendly Enemies
Foggy London Nights
Indigo
Picture of Dorian Gray
Six Days in 67

Will Win: Foggy London Nights
Should Win: Six Days In 67
Possible Upset: Picture of Dorian Gray


Best Tagline
"In a State Run by Man, She Fought for Change"Equality
"Death is something you cry about. Tragedy is what makes you scream"Everyday
"Home is wherever you make it, and London is just the place to start it all"Foggy London Nights
"Time Isn't Always Going To Be There"The Legend of Zelda: The End of Forever
"There is no truth without belief"The Truth Lies Within
"The sun is the soul as sorrow is the heart"The Winter Sun

Will Win: The Legend of Zelda: The End of Forever
Should Win: Equality
Possible Upset: The Winter Sun


Funniest Bait
Cocker Spanchovy
The Munsters with Yvonne DeCarlo
No More Smiles
My Life in Jokes
Off to Rome
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Will Win: Off to Rome
Should Win: Off to Rome
Possible Upset: The Munsters with Yvonne DeCarlo


Best Poster
Blackwater Park
My Life in Jokes
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Quiet Room
The Truth Lies Within
The Winter Sun

Will Win: Blackwater Park
Should Win: Blackwater Park
Possible Upset: The Winter Sun


Best Author
Brian (Bee-Bee's Funhouse)
Josh P. (The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson & Foggy London Nights)
Pat (Everyday & Bat Out of Hell)
Sergio (Quiet Room)
Tony (The Winter Sun & Blackwater Park)
Zgamer (Fallout & Indigo Prophecy)

Will Win: Josh P.
Should Win: Josh P.
Possible Upset: Tony


Best Director
Jonathan Demme, Bee-Bee's Funhouse
Ang Lee, The Winter Sun
David Lynch, Quiet Room
Anthony Minghella, Deep Secret
Bryan Singer, The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson

Will Win: Ang Lee
Should Win: Anthony Minghella
Possible Upset: Bryan Singer


Best Actor
Jeff Bridges, Bee-Bee's Funhouse
Brian Cox, Deep Secret
Tom Hanks, The Winter Sun
Michael Imperioli, The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Thomas Kretschmann, In Between
Will Smith, The Courtroom

Will Win: Michael Imperioli
Should Win: Thomas Kretschmann
Possible Upset: Will Smith


Best Actress
Jennifer Connelly, Quiet Room
Virginia Madsen, Everyday
Kerry Washington, Six Days in 67
Sigourney Weaver, Equality
Catherine Zeta Jones, The Munsters with Yvonne DeCarlo

Will Win: Jennifer Connolly
Should Win: Jennifer Connolly
Possible Upset: Catherine Zeta-Jones


Best Supporting Actor
James Gandolfini, The Winter Sun
Mandy Patinkin, Bee-Bee's Funhouse
Ron Pearlman, Fallout
Daniel Radcliffe, Foggy London Nights
Justin Theroux, Quiet Room

Will Win: James Gandolfini
Should Win: Justin Theroux
Possible Upset: Daniel Radcliffe


Best Supporting Actress
Kathy Bates, Rabbit Hole
Jill Clayburgh, Grey Gardens
Julie Christie, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Edie Falco, Everyday
Sara Ramirez, No More Smiles

Will Win: Edie Falco (although saying this probably curses my chances)
Should Win: Edie Falco
Possible Upset: Jill Clayburgh


Best Original Screenplay
Bee-Bee's Funhouse
The Courtroom
Deep Secret
Quiet Room
Six Days in 67
The Winter Sun

Will Win: The Winter Sun
Should Win: Quiet Room
Possible Upset: Deep Secret


Best Adapted Screenplay
Equality
Grey Gardens
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Rabbit Hole
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Will Win: The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Should Win: The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Possible Upset: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown


Best Picture
Bee-Bee's Funhouse
Deep Secret
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Quiet Room
The Winter Sun

Will Win: The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Should Win: Deep Secret
Possible Upset: The Winter Sun

Predictions for August Awards

Best Adapted Screenplay:
**Deep Secret**
Fallout
The Picture Of Dorian Gray
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Deep Secret, Fallout, and The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson are locks because they are probably going to be nominated for Best Picture. Dorian Gray seems like a logical choice because the book is so well-known and the bait is getting a lot of praise. This is the only category that I think the bait will breakthrough in the Big 8. Charlie Brown is my really out-there choice and could easily be replaced by Grey Gardens or Indigo Prophecy, but I think voters will only go for one VG adaptation. Expect Deep Secret to take it with Rock Hudson as a spoiler.


Best Original Screenplay:
Foggy London Nights
In Between
Six Days In '67
Quiet Room
**The Winter Sun**

Six Days is in on the BP slot. Quiet Room and The Winter Sun will mostly get in because they were nominated at the GGs and have a large fanbase. In Between is a historical drama with romance, although it could be replaced by something more popular like The Courtroom. Foggy London Nights has somewhat of a cult following that usually shows up in the screenplay categories. Winter Sun will win because it is creative and I feel it won't get recognized elsewhere.


Best Supporting Actress:
Kathy Bates-Rabbit Hole
Jill Clayburgh-Grey Gardens
Edie Falco-Everyday
**Robin Wright Penn-Quiet Room**
Emma Thompson-The Final Days

Kathy Bates will get in because her role is very likeable and there aren't that many worthy candidates this month. Jill Clayburgh will get the Grey Gardens spot. Robin Wright Penn will most likely win because the bait she is in is very well liked and I doubt I'll win the same category two months in a row (even though it would be nice). And Edie Falco appears to have a strong following. Emma Thompson is my surprise nominee because her role is very baity and she has at least one vote. Don't be shocked if someone else from Grey Gardens makes it in or Jennifer Hudson from Bat Out of Hell.


Best Supporting Actor:
**James Gandolfini-The Winter Sun**
Ewan McGregor-Deep Secret
Julian McMahon-The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Daniel Radcliffe-Foggy London Nights
Justin Theroux-Quiet Room

Gandolfini has a lot of support from lovers of the bait and Tony Soprano. Theroux is in the strongest ensemble of the month. Radcliffe has a well-liked role. McGregor is in a probable BP. That leaves Julian McMahon, who will get in because people will want to recognize the bait all over the board. Although, Hinds or McAvoy from Six Days in '67 could make it in or Greg Kinnear from Rabbit Hole.


Best Actress:
Christina Applegate-No More Smiles
**Jennifer Connolly-Quiet Room**
Christine Ebersole-Grey Gardens
Kerry Washington-Six Days In '67
Catherine Zeta-Jones-The Munsters With Yvonne De Carlo

Zeta-Jones pulled off two huge surprises at the GGs and SAGs. Kerry Washington and Jennifer Connolly were nommed for both. Ebersole is playing probably the baitiest of all the women but she is the most likely not to get in. Applegate will get nommed because the category is limited and musical actresses usually slide in. Don't be surprised if Brittany Murphy or Sigourney Weaver make the list. Connolly wins because Zeta-Jones doesn't have enough support amongst Academy voters.


Best Actor:
Jeff Bridges-Bee-Bee's Funhouse
Brian Cox-Deep Secret
**Chiwetel Ejiofor-Six Days In '67**
Joseph Gordon-Leavitt- Fallout
Michael Imperioli-The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson

Imperioli and Cox are no brainers. Ejiofor is a very well written character in a very well written bait. Bridges has some minor support. Gordon-Leavitt will get in on love for Zgamer's bait. I wouldn't doubt Billy Crudup taking his place. And I'm gonna go out on a long shot and call Ejiofor the winner because I think the voters will tire of Imperioli's domination.

Best Director:
Jack Bender-Fallout
**Antoine Fuqua-Six Days In '67**
Ang Lee-The Winter Sun
David Lynch-Quiet Room
Robert Zemeckis-The Legend Of Zelda: The End of Forever

Lee and Fuqua are in. Lynch, while overrated, is definite. Bender is a default nominee. Zemeckis is a surprise nominee, although anybody else could get nominated. Fuqua will win because Lee peaked too late in the month.

Best Picture:
Deep Secret
Fallout
**The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson**
Quiet Room
Six Days In '67

Deep Secret, Fallout, The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson, and Six Days In '67 seem like locks, although I feel any could be knocked out for a surprise. Quiet Room is getting a lot of praise that I think will carry it to a nom. Bee-Bee's Funhouse is a possible spoiler. Rock Hudson is a biopic, a great story, and written by a LOOOOOOOONG overdue author. It will win

Golden Globes Winners Announced!

The Golden Globe winners were announced today and I just wanted to say thank everyone who voted for Edie Falco (Best Supporting Actress winner) and "Bat Out Of Hell" (Best Picture-Musical/Comedy). I am truly surprised by both wins. And congratulations to everybody else who won awards.

As soon as the SAG winners are announced, I will post my predictions for the final awards, which the nominees will be announced on Sunday.

I also wanted to ask a question to the baiting community about my next two baits for September. My first is definately going to be Ridley Scott's "The Second Coming" starring Matt Damon, Maribel Verdu, Adrien Brody, Patricia Clarkson, Colm Meaney, and Anthony Hopkins and it is about the quest for truth when the world believes Jesus has returned.

I'm having trouble deciding the other bait I should submit. I'm going to list some possible baits/casts/mini-plots and I ask you, the readers, to comment on which you think I should submit.

"Run" Directed by Curtis Hanson. Stars Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Russell Crowe, Matt Dillon, Natalie Portman, and Robert Downey Jr. It is about a young New York enforcer in the 1920s who escapes to Chicago only to get caught up in a mafia plot again. (Drama)

"The Lucky Long Island Sisters" Directed by Nancy Meyers. Stars Scarlett Johanssen, Mary-Louise Parker, Kate Walsh, and Jack Nicholson. It is about three sisters who compete for their dead mother's fortune during a vacation at their father's home in the Hamptons. (Comedy)

"Made In America" Directed by Paul Greengrass. Stars Hugh Jackman, Jamie Foxx, Kate Hudson, and Kurt Russell. Two FBI agents try to capture a serial killer who gives all the information about the time and place of a murder but never fails to make the kill. (Thriller)

"Finding Louis" Directed by Joel Coen. Stars Frances McDormand, Edie Falco, Steve Buscemi, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. A dying woman tries to reconnect with her estranged husband with the help of her eccentric half-sister and bumbling private detective. (Comedy)

"The Killer Eagles" Directed by Clint Eastwood. Stars Cate Blanchett, Clint Eastwood, Kevin Bacon, and Jeff Bridges. A single mother in 1874 California encounters her father after he left her as a child and learns that he is being hunted by a band of gunslinging thieves, who he stole from. (Western)

"San Pietro" Directed by Martin Scorsese. Stars John Cusack, David Strathairn, Jeff Goldblum, and Roberto Benigni. John Huston makes a documentary about young soldiers in a unit that is fighting the Italian Army in a small city called San Pietro during WWII. (War)

"Black Gold" Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Stars Matt Damon, Pierce Brosnan, Sharon Warren, Djimon Hounsou, and Peter Sarsgaard. Two representatives from global oil companies vie for the last large oil field on the land of a stubborn African heiress while government officials hope to kill the African women and take the oil for their own. (Drama)

"Campaign" Directed by John Fortenberry. Stars Jeremy Piven, Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin James, Kiefer Sutherland, and Julianne Moore. An inexperienced bar owner awaits for the results in his election against the incumbant while his wife wants a divorce, his brother has a heart attack, his campaign manager files a sexual harassment suit against him, and the local sheriff tries to rig the election. (Comedy)

Tony's Back

...well, at least in the Bait an Oscar contest. It must be because "The Sopranos", one of the best TV shows of all-time, just ended, but it seems that the authors (myself included) can't part from the actors who've been on the tubes for nine wonderful years.

Tony himself, James Gandolfini, was baited by the other Tony in "The Winter Sun" and managed to garner a Supporting Actor nomination at the Golden Globes. And Michael Imperoli was also nommed for his role in "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson". He, of course, played the fated role of Tony's right hand man Christopher Moltisanti. And then if those two weren't enough to fill the void left by "The Sopranos" end, Edie Falco pops up again at the Golden Globes for her Supporting performance in my bait, "Everyday".

Thanks to everyone who voted for Falco and my three other nominations for "Bat Out Of Hell". The Best Picture (Musical/Comedy) nomination marks my 4th in that category and Jared Leto's is my 5th for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy). Unfortunately, I don't think I'll win either. Andrew Simpson or Billy Crudup will probably take Best Actor and "No More Smiles" should just take the statue now.

How to tell if a Multi-Camera Sitcom is good or bad

Although not as popular as they once were, traditional multi-camera sitcoms still define a great part of television history. Think about the funniest comedies of all-time and what do you get? "Everybody Loves Raymond", "Friends", "Seinfeld", "Frasier", "Cheers", "Taxi", "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "I Love Lucy", and "Bewitched" all come to mind. But for everyone of those hysterical shows comes a bevel of others that are so much worse.

Just look at a TV guide now and you can see all the bad shows that exist through this medium. "Til Death", "The War At Home", "The Class", and anything on The CW. Here are a couple of warning signs to tell if the multi-camera sitcom you are watching is of good or poor quality:

1. If a great deal of the comedy is based upon the popularity of the lead, run away! My favorite example of this is "8 Simple Rules", the fated series starring the late John Ritter, because there was one episode from the first season that featured Ritter returning to the set of his breakout hit "Three's Company". In the episode, Ritter and the rest of the cast make fun of the '70s hit and it ends with Ritter in bed with Don Knotts (who was also in "Three's Company"). The episode is only designed to make fans of the older show feel happy that Ritter hasn't moved on. If you never watched "Three's Company" then you won't laugh. "Til Death" is the same way in that the producers assume that people will watch because Brad Garrett is playing a role similar to his Emmy-winning performance as Robert Barone.

2. If a person sings while nothing else is going on, also run away! A comedy TV show is a TV show, not a music video. I have to use "8 Simple Rules" as another example. In a Christmas episode, Katey Segal sings a carol at a church service and that is all we see, someone singing. Ricky Gervais' good sitcom "Extras" parodies this rule and others in it's second season when Gervais' character gets a role on a very bad sitcom. In one episode of the show within the show, Chris Martin shows up in a completely inplausible circumstance and spontaneously sings "Fix You". The only reason the shows are giving musical performances is because they have run out of ideas for the episode or are promoting musical artists to get money because nobody is watching the show anyway.

3. Potty humor should stay where it belongs. If a sitcom featuring adults and adult situations ever makes a joke about farting or pooping, then it must be confused about it's audience. I can't really think any examples for this one but I'm sure there are many.


And now I will explain about the picture that goes with this post. "How I Met Your Mother" is probably the best multi-camera sitcom on the airwaves that gets no attention. "The King Of Queens" used to hold this title because it was always in the shadow of "Everybody Loves Raymond", a show that I think paled in comparison to Kevin James' 30-minute laugh fest. "How I Met Your Mother" suffers the same plague except with hit-or-miss show "Two-and-a-Half Men". The acting is great, the writing is sharp and witty, and the directing is some of the best in multi-cam history. If you don't believe me, then I suggest you watch the first season episode "The Pineapple Incident". That is what a good sitcom is and it wouldn't surprise me if "How I Met Your Mother" becomes the next great TV sitcom. "Seinfeld" started off poorly in the ratings and at the Emmys in its first two seasons but then took off in its third, which it won Best Comedy Series for. "How I Met Your Mother" enters its 3rd season this fall, so hopefully it will follow in the footsteps of other hit multi-camera comedies.

Hopefully this article will help you realize what is worth watching, unless you fall into the demographic that a bad show aims for. "That '70s Show" went for stoners and retro-lovers. "The War At Home" went for vulgar Republicans. "The Bill Engvall Show" went for people who liked the "Blue Collar Comedy Tour". So if you smoke like a chimney, love Bill O'Reilly, or live with hicks then bad comedy must be for you!

"Superbad" is super awesome

I wish I could be as cool and brave as McLovin.

Funnier than "Knocked Up". Not as good as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" but pretty damn close. Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, and and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (pictured) were all very good and hilarious in the their roles and are the best ensemble I've seen all year long. I can't wait for the other Judd Apatow-graced jewels of film comedy that will grace the silver screen over the next year: "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" with John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, and Kristin Wiig, "The Pineapple Express" starring Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, and James Franco, "Drillbit Taylor" featuring Owen Wilson, Josh Peck, Leslie Mann, and Alex Frost, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" with Jason Segel, Kristin Bell, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, and Paul Rudd, and finally "You Don't Mess With Zohad" starring Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider.

Thoughts on the August Contest

I seem to be getting more and more aggravated lately and that would be the reason as to why I am writing this post. Several factors in the contest over the past two weeks have seriously caused me to consider leaving the contest.

When I read the baits this morning, I had a hard time getting into the baits because of poor grammar. I don't know if I'm just noticing it more than before or what, but everyone should've taken time and checked their baits from grammatical mistakes. It's very annoying when you're trying to read a story and a sentence is so messed up that you can't even figure out what it's trying to say.

And I say this month after month, and it seems to have no impact but I will continue to profess it, the baits are drifting away from what the contest is really about: creating a movie idea that would actually win Oscars. Movies about gruesome murders or supernatural beings would not win Oscars. "Silence of the Lambs" was an exception because it was so well executed and acted and that year was bad for other movies. "The Sixth Sense" had the amazing twist with a classic, heartbreaking ending. Those two films were just two scary movies over the past 20 years that have been recognized. Horror baits are what the tournament is for. But I will agree that there are a few exceptions, Zgamer's "Fallout" comes to mind because it was very well written and the plot wasn't extremely outlandish.

I guess I'm not really going to speak much further on this topic because almost everyone seems to be on the other side and I've never had success in this venture before, so what makes me think that this month will be any different? James Somerton and his Twisted Thoghts (idk if you meant to spell it wrong or what) should just come out and say that his articles are mostly about my complaining but I feel that my opinions are justified and that the baiters with James' are trying to hijack the contest from Johnny by changing his original vision to make it something easier for everyone else.

So if this post causes me to lose voters, then fuck you, because this is my blog and I can say whatever the fuck I want.

Pat's August Big 8 Awards

Best Picture
**Deep Secret**
Fallout
In Between
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Six Days In '67

Best Director
Jack Bender-Fallout
Alfonso Cuaron-Like Beauty
**Antoine Fuqua-Six Days In '67**
Anthony Minghella-Deep Secret
Billy Ray-In Between

Best Actor
Brian Cox-Deep Secret
Chiwetel Ejiofor-Six Days In '67
Michael Imperioli-The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Thomas Kretschmann-In Between
**Al Pacino-Shipwreck'd**

Best Actress
Jennifer Connolly-Quiet Room
**Chloe Sevigny-Deep Secret**
Kerry Washington-Six Days In '67
Naomi Watts-The Final Days
Grace Zabriskie-Cocker Spanchovy

Best Supporting Actor
Norbert Leo Butz-No More Smiles
Hugh Grant-The Final Days
Ciaran Hinds-Six Days In '67
Ewan McGregor-Deep Secret
**Tim Roth-In Between**

Best Supporting Actress
Kate Beckinsale-In Between
Jill Clayburgh-Grey Gardens
Claire Danes-Grey Gardens
Sara Ramirez-No More Smiles
**Emma Thompson-The Final Days**

Best Adapted Screenplay
Grey Gardens
Fallout
**Like Beauty**
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson
Shipwreck'd

Best Original Screenplay
**Deep Secret**
The Final Days
In Between
No More Smiles
Six Days In '67

August Bait Reviews

El Baile Amor- C-
Bee-Bee's Funhouse- C+
Blackwater Park- C+
Cartoon Wars- B
Cocker Spanchovy- B-
The Courtroom- B-
Deep Secret- A-
Diary of an Adopted Child- D+
Equality- B-
Fahrenheit 451- B-
The Final Days- B
Foggy London Nights- B-
Fallout- B+
Grey Gardens- B
Hard Candy: The Last Stand- C-
House of a Shattered Soul- C
In Between- A-
Indigo Prophecy- B-
The Legend Of Zelda: The End of Forever- C(nice effort and the poem really was very good, but when I want to read a synopsis, a poem is not what I want)
My Life In Jokes- D
Like Beauty- B-
The Lonely Life of Martin Ziggle- C+
The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson- B+
The Munsters With Yvonne De Carlo- C-
No More Smiles- B
Off To Rome- B-
The Picture of Dorian Gray- B-
Quiet Room- B
Rabbit Hole- C
Reset- C-
Shipwreck'd- B
Six Days In '67- B+
The Truth Lies Within- C-
The Winter Sun- C+
The Witching Hour- D+
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown- B-
Friendly Enemies- D+

Zgamer's "Fallout"

Zgamer's newest bait, "Fallout", which is based upon the 1997 video game of the same name, could be one of the best video game adaptations this contest has seen and is one Zgamer's best. It tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world where the Cold War actually transpired into worldwide destruction and the only people that survived were those who escaped into bomb shelters or "vaults". The vaults remain in communication 30 years later until someone who wants to rule the world starts taking out the vaults one by one, forcing a group of survivors to fight against the oncoming oppressor.

"Fallout" is directed by acclaimed director Ridley Scott ("Gladiator") and written by Joss Whedon ("Buffy The Vampire Slayer"). Scott is, in my opinion, the only flaw in the bait. I could not see him directing this even though he did "Blade Runner". It seems he's moved past sci-fi. I think somebody from "Lost" or Danny Boyle should have done it. Although, Boyle would get criticized because of comparisons to "28 Days Later".

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Ike in the only role that is likely to get attention. Even though Ron Perlman and John Hurt have roles that could garner some attention, I feel that the bait's strengths lie in it's technical aspects and story.

Zgamer did a very good job writing this one, combining narrative power with fear and paranoia, which should be enough to secure at least a Best Author nomination. Again, I want to state that this is the best video game adaptation Zgamer has ever done and is probably the best the contest has ever seen.

Grade: B+

Awards Contender:

Best Picture

Best Director-Ridley Scott

Best Adapted Screenplay

Best Actor-Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Best Plot/Synopsis

Best Awards Campaign

Most Likely to Become a Box-Office Success

Most Likely to Become a Cult Film

Best Author

Matt's "Deep Secret"

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Alex's "Rabbit Hole"

Based upon the award-winning play of the same name, Alex's "Rabbit Hole" is the story about a married couple who try to cope with the tragic death of their young son at the hands of a 17-year-old boy who made a mistake while driving. Becca and Howie also encounter numerous strange relatives and acquiantences who help them deal with their grief.

"Shakespeare In Love" director John Madden directs the script from the original playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire, in his second attempt at stage-to-screen translation (coming after 2005's "Proof").

Diane Lane plays Becca, the part that won Cythnia Nixon her Tony during the show's initial Broadway run, and Alex does a very good job at showing the range an emotion that comes with her role. Expect her to become a contender for Lead Actress. But other than that, unfortunately, I believe this bait will have a hard time breaking into any other categories, save for Adapted Screenplay, which is always so limited that even unworthy contenders get recognition.

The plot details what the play is about and where it goes up until the end of the story when the introduction of the 17-year-old boy spawns the bait's title. At that point it becomes irrelevant and downright confusing to the reader, who is unsure whether to feel happiness because the issue is resolved or continued sadness. The Awards Campaign is lengthy and spends too much makes references to times when it's actors should've won Oscars. Overall, the bait seemed to be lacking in the "umph factor" (yes, I just came up with that) that previous BOTM winners have had.

Grade: C

Awards Contender:

Best Adapted Screenplay

Best Actress-Diane Lane

Best Casting Choice-Kathy Bates

Alfredo's "Six Days In '67"

Alfredo's newest bait for the August contest, titled "Six Days In '67", follows six individuals living within the city of Newark, New Jersey, during one of the country's numerous racially charged riots of the 20th Century. Sparked by the unwarranted police beating of a black truck driver, the riots caused six days of violence, looting, and heartbreak.

Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") directs the film from a script by Robert Rodat ("The Patriot") and both seem to be very good choices. A perfect mix of historical knowledge and street-smart tactics is guaranteed in this bait.

The cast isn't anything too flashy, which is a very good thing with an ensemble drama because too many big names in one bait will cause an uproar if handled incorrectly. Kerry Washington plays a nurse trying to protect her kids. Chiwetel Ejiofor (pictured) plays an activist bent on toppling the oppression in what is destined to be one of the best roles of the month. Michael Imperioli plays a racist cop who has a hard time understanding what caused the riots. James McAvoy and unknown Columbus Short play a journalist and a college student, respectively. But the character that stands out the most with such few words is Ilya Abramov, played by Ciaran Hinds. Abramov is a shop owner who is desperate to protect his hard earned business. Hinds has a very good chance at getting recognized in the Supporting Actor category.

Overall, this bait is very, very well written and is able to show emotion from its story in a small amount of space. Alfredo deserves credit for obtaining what some authors in the contest have been unable to comprehend. Although, I don't really like the title; it's too obvious.

Grade: B+

Awards Contender:

Best Picture

Best Director

Best Original Screenplay

Best Actor-Chiwetel Ejiofor

Best Supporting Actor-Ciaran Hinds

Best Supporting Actor-Michael Imperioli

Best Plot/Synopsis

Best Awards Campaign

Best Author

Best Cast

Best Crew

Best Casting Choice-Chiwetel Ejiofor

Shameless Oscar Vehicle

Awards Profile: The Bourne Ultimatum

Definately the best in the series. One of the best spy movies ever. It could even be one of the greatest action thrillers. Paul Greengrass' new installment in the "Bourne" trilogy is so fast-paced and action-packed that by the time the credits began rolling, everyone in the theatre was like, "Ah, I want more." There really is nothing bad that I can say about this movie because everything was exceptional. Well, there was a new version of Moby's Extreme Ways at the end and I didn't like that.

Greengrass follows up his Oscar nom with another potential contender. He is just so good at making movies that it is hard to believe he hasn't already won. I know it's not often that an action movie gets recognized by the Academy but I think this one really has a shot. It is that good. The editing and cinematography deserve some recognition for making the chase scenes so chaotic and shaky that you feel as if you're actually in it. My heart was racing during the Tangiers foot race. The acting, like in the previous two, was very good. Matt Damon is always good in whatever he does. Joan Allen returned to give her role justice. David Strathairn was expectedly sinister as the CIA man trying to kill Bourne for personal reasons. Albert Finney had a good cameo, which was very revealing of Bourne's past. But the standout in this film was Julia Stiles, reprising her role of Nikki Parsons from the first and second films. A big character reveal really reflects her abilities as an actress. And one of my favorite parts of the film is when she changes her hair color and she ends up looking like Marie (Bourne's past flame played by Franka Potente).

Probably the best action movie of the year and I hope that there are more movies like this in the future. Good directors making genre movies. It pleases the audience and the Academy. It's a win-win situation, I don't know why more filmmakers don't do it.

Next: "Superbad" or "Halloween" or "3:10 At Yuma" (whatever seems to be relevant will happen, but definately the last one)

The Winners Are Up

Congradulations to everyone who won something. Thanks for voting Maribel Verdu, even though it should have gone to Kristin Chenoweth. I'm not really going to comment on anything else, it just seems pointless now.

July is over and August is here as I write this. Thankfully, the festival is underway and hopefully it will show that this month will be just as promising as the last one. If anyone wants me to do a review of their bait I will do it with some reservations. I will only post a review of a bait that I feel will succeed in the contest (or one that I believe will but I don't think should). It is a waste of my time to write articles about baits other people will trash anyway.

And if anybody wants to read or review my baits for their blogs or just for the hell of it, e-mail me at smartboy242006@aol.com. My baits for August are "Bat Out Of Hell" (not a Meat Loaf biopic) and "Everyday" (my BOTM possibility of the two).