Looking for Oscar Gold: After the Precursor Nominations...

Now that all of the precursors have announced their nominatinons it's time to reevaluate the candidates in the best picture race...

Booth- The ensemble nomination at the SAG's boosts it a lot which is really helpful because it was needing something big and I think that may be big enough to boost it into the Top 5.

Day of the Jackal- No ensemble nomination hurts the bait extremely, but still it's pretty much the Daniel Craig show, so it's not really surprising it didn't get in. However, if Daniel Craig is upset, it can kiss it's chances goodbye.

The Devil in Austria- No nomination for Daniel Craig kind of surprises me, but I think this one is completely out of the race.

The Gift of Life- The ensemble nomination helps it a lot and a win would be fantastic, but I think it will come up empty handed. Still, it has a lot of authors behind it, they just aren't BOTM winners.

Into the Woods- The ensemble nomination helps it a great deal and puts it in a category with 4 other top baits, but something tells me that a Best Picture nomination or any win at the SAG's won't happen.

The Killer Eagles- Getting a nomination in every category is something that hardly any bait has accomplished which only boosts the powerhouse. It is by far the safest bet, and the official frontrunner too.

Norjak- 3 nominations isn't bad including the much needed Ensemble nomination. It's still not in the spotlight, but I think an major upset at the Globes or the SAG's will happen and it will slide into the Top 5.

The Playground Factory- No ensemble nomination kind of surprises me, but it will need to win both it's categories to stay in the race, and I don't think it will happen.

Reminiscence- The ensemble nomination surprises me and the amount of nominations it recieved surprises me too. If it sweeps the SAG's expect it to recieve a Best Picture nomination and a possible upset win over The Killer Eagles.

My Predicted Top 5
Booth
Day of the Jackal
The Killer Eagles
Norjak
Reminiscence
Spoiler Alert: The Gift of Life

My Predictions for the Oscar Big 8 Winners (As of Today)

Best Picture
The Killer Eagles- The only thing hurting it is the hesitation of crowning Pat for the 3rd time.

Best Director
Todd Field, The Gift of Life- I think this is the category where voters will reward the bait

Best Actor
Daniel Craig, Day of the Jackal- The not so secure front-runner in a very strong category.

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, The Killer Eagles- She is kind of shaky, there are many contenders right behind her.

Best Supporting Actor
Djimon Hounsou, The Playground Factory- This is were the bait will be rewarded.

Best Supporting Actress
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, The Killer Eagles- This could change at any moment.

Best Original Screenplay
Reminiscene- A strong bait will be rewarded in this category.

Best Adapted Screenplay
Aida- Upsets this category with a surprise win.

My December 2007 SAG Predictions

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams for Into the Woods
Lorraine Bracco for The Playground Factory
Taraji P. Henson for Silent Running
Virginie Ledoyen for Reminiscence
***Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio for The Killer Eagles***

Will Win: Mary Elizabeth Mastranio for The Killer Eagles
Should Win: Elizabeth Mastranio for The Killer Eagles
Spoiler Alert: Lorraine Bracco for The Playground Factory

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Paul Bettany for Reminiscence
Jeff Bridges for The Killer Eagles
George Clooney for Norjak
***Djimon Hounsou for The Playground Factory***
Hugh Jackman for Into the Woods

Will Win: Djimon Hounson for The Playground Factory
Should Win: Jeff Bridges for The Killer Eagles
Spoiler Alert: Jeff Bridges for The Killer Eagles

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
***Cate Blanchett for The Killer Eagles***
Sharon Leal for Aida
Susan Sarandon for The Gift of Life
Meryl Streep for Through the Monsoon
Lisa Tucker for The Coldest Winter Ever

Will Win: Cate Blanchett for The Killer Eagles
Should Win: Cate Blanchett for The Killer Eagles
Spoiler Alert: Sharon Leal for Aida or Susan Sarandon for The Gift of Life

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Paddy Considine for Reminiscence
***Daniel Craig for Day of the Jackal***
Clint Eastwood for The Killer Eagles
Ben Foster for Booth
Nick Nolte for Norjak

Will Win: Daniel Craig for Day of the Jackal
Should Win: Daniel Craig for Day of the Jackal
Spoiler Alert: Ben Foster for Booth

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY THE CAST OF A MOTION PICTURE
Booth
Into the Woods
***The Killer Eagles***
Norjak
Reminiscence

Will Win: The Cast of The Killer Eagles
Should Win: The Cast of The Killer Eagles
Spoiler Alert: The Cast of Norjak

Best Picture update coming soon!

My December 2007 Golden Globes Predictions

The nominations for the Golden Globes this month came with a few surprises, and I think the winners will come with a few surprises too.

(Not including Into the Woods, my bait)

Best Screenplay
Booth
***Day of the Jackal***
The Gift of Life
The Killer Eagles
Norjak
Reminiscence

Will Win: Day of the Jackal
Should Win: The Killer Eagles
Spoiler Alert: The Killer Eagles

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Into the Woods
Lorraine Bracco, The Playground Factory
Taraji O. Henson, Silent Running
Virginie Ledoyen, Reminiscence
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, The Killer Eagles
***Patricia Neal, Norjak***
Hilary Swank, The Gift of Life

Will Win: Patricia Neal, Norjak
Should Win: Hilary Swank, The Gift of Life
Spoiler Alert: Hilary Swank, The Gift of Life

Best Supporting Actor
Kevin Bacon, The Killer Eagles
Paul Bettany, Reminiscence
***Jeff Bridges, The Killer Eagles***
George Clooney, Norjak
Djimon Hounsou, The Playground Factory
Hugh Jackman, Into the Woods

Will Win: Jeff Bridges, The Killer Eagles
Should Win: Paul Bettany, Reminiscence
Spolier Alert: Djimon Hounsou, The Playground Factory

Best Director
Martin Campbell, Day of the Jackal
***Clint Eastwood, The Killer Eagles***
Todd Field, The Gift of Life
Mel Gibson, Reminiscence
Rob Marshall, Into the Woods
Bryan Singer, Norjak

Will Win: Clint Eastwood, The Killer Eagles
Should Win: Martin Campbell, Day of the Jackal
Spoiler Alert: Todd Field, The Gift of Life

Best Actress (Comedy/Musical)
***Sharon Leal, Aida***
Patti Lupone, Songs for a New World
Michelle Pfeiffer, Follies
Meryl Streep, Follies
Renee Zellweger, Into the Woods

Will Win: Sharon Leal, Aida
Should Win: Sharon Leal, Aida
Spolier Alert: Michelle Pfefiffer, Follies

Best Actor Comedy/Musical
Alec Baldwin, Silent Running
Matthew Broderick, Into the Woods
***Victor Garber, Follies***
Johnathan Rhys Meyers, Aida
Kevin Spacey, Follies

Will Win: Victor Garber, Follies
Should Win: Victor Garber, Follies
Spoiler Alert: Alec Baldwin, Silent Running

Best Actress Drama
Amy Adams, Through the Monsoon
***Cate Blanchett, The Killer Eagles***
Lisa Tucker, The Coldest Winter Ever
Susan Sarandon, The Gift of Life
Meryl Streep, Through the Monsoon

Will Win: Cate Blanchett, The Killer Eagles
Should Win: Cate Blanchett, The Killer Eagles
Spolier Alert: Susan Sarandon, The Gift of Life

Best Actor Drama
***Daniel Craig, Day of the Jackal***
Clint Eastwood, The Killer Eagles
Ben Foster, Booth
Nick Nolte, Norjak
Stellan Skarsgard, The Playground Factory

Will Win: Daniel Craig, Day of the Jackal
Should Win: Daniel Craig, Day of the Jackal
Spolier Alert: Ben Foster, Booth

Best Picture Comedy/Musical
***Aida***
Follies
Into the Woods
Silent Running
Songs of a New World

Will Win: Aida
Should Win: Follies
Spoiler Alert: Silent Running

(Making a Bold Prediction Here)

Best Picture Drama
Day of the Jackal
The Gift of Life
The Killer Eagles
***Norjak***
Reminiscence

Will Win: Norjak
Should Win: The Killer Eagles
Spolier Alert: Day of the Jackal or Reminiscene

Feel Free to Comment

My Thoughts: 2007's Final Oscars

As of now, it looks like there are about 8 conteders up for the big prize, and most will likely fall out of the race with the upcoming precursor nomination announcements.



Booth- Recieved fantastic reviews with it's debut and I think the precursor that will matter the most to it's sucess will be the Golden Globes. If Ben Foster upsets Craig however, it could gain a heavy amount of buzz. However, I think the lack of a Best Picture nomination hurts it enough to keep it out of the race. Still, it has a good chance of making the top five.

Day of the Jackal- After it's minor success with the Golden Globe nominations, this could easily make the Top 5, but I think voters may be hesitant because it is a remake. Daniel Craig is one of the things that makes this bait great, but will him also being in the hot contender bait The Devil in Austria hurt this baits chances. Personally, I don't think so, still it needs to sweep the Globes to recieve the boost to secure it's spot in the race.

The Devil in Austria- This bait had a lot going for it, but it's poor nomination count at the Globes hurts it's chances a lot. The only way this bait gains back it's lost momentum, scoring a plethera of nominations at the SAG's which I don't think will happen. Although, the name James Somerton does a lot for voters, so don't count it out of the top 5.

The Gift of Life- Ryan's bait has kind of come out of nowhere to really surprise everyone with the amount of support it has. It kicked Booth on it's butt and stool it's Best Picture Drama nomination from it and is a serious threat come Oscar time. Still, it needs a lot of SAG support to boost it into the Top 5.

Into the Woods- Michael's musical adaptation of the month has gotten some great reviews from forum members, but the academy voters have been a little hesitant. Still, it recieved 6 Golden Globe nominations and that helps it a great deal. I think the main thing stopping it, is it's genre which has failed to score big in the Big 8. If it gets the SAG support though, expect it to have a major shot at a Best Picture nomination.

The Killer Eagles- Once again, another fantastic western has been released in the contest and this time Pat has really outdone himself. The nomination count at the Globes only increases that off the charts buzz that it has gotten and winning both big awards at the new Academy voter Chris Perkins' awards doesn't hurt either. Some of the reviews have been less that stellar from Academy members, but it's still a safe bet.

Norjak- Tieing with Into the Woods with the second most nominations at the Golden Globe, this bait has a big shot at Best Picture that I think people are ignoring. It got good reviews, but something else needs to happen to get this bait a little more in the spotlight. While, I don't think it will sweep the Globes, having that happen definately wouldn't hurt, but I think it's success will come with a few surprise SAG wins that will push it up a few more spots in the rankings.

The Playground Factory- Just like Norjak I think this is a bait that people are forgetting about, proven because it's less that amazing success with the Golden Globe nominations, but I think a sweep of the SAG's will get people watching out for this one. I also think Bryce's past record will help people really find the charm the bait has and want to reward him for past work.

Reminiscence- It scored the 4 Golden Globe nominations it needed to really help boost it's buzz, and I think the forum is underestimating the power the bait has to upset The Killer Eagles for Best Picture. Even if it wins one of the categories, it helps this bait a lot more because unfortunately I think it may end up being forgotten. A lot of SAG love is what this bait and a lot of other baits need to keep their hopes alive.

HOW I THINK THE SAG'S WILL GO
Booth- 1 nomination (Actor)
Day of the Jackel- 2 nominations (Ensemble, Actor)
The Devil in Austria- 1 nomination (Actor)
The Gift of Life- 2 nominations (Ensemble, Actress)
Into the Woods- 3 nominations (Ensemble, Actress, Supt. Actor)
The Killer Eagles- 5 nominations (Ensemble, Actor, Actress, Supt. Actor, Supt. Actress)
Norjak- 3 nominations (Ensemble, Actor, Supt. Actor)
The Playground Factory- 4 nominations (Ensemble, Actor, Supt. Actor, Supt. Actress)
Reminiscence- 1 nomination (Supt. Actor)

THE BEST PICTURE NOMINEES
Day of the Jackel
Into the Woods
The Killer Eagles
Norjak
The Plaground Factory

Note: This is just a prediction and there were no biases on how my bait will be recieved. Please do not think that, it would be unprofessional and unethical to create fake buzz.

Baiting and Oscars in the time of Santa...

December baiting season is about to start, and how does it look?

Well judging by the amount of baits entered in the festival, and how many is listed so far in the "bait genre" topic I would say December will be: "Scarce". The real question, therefore, is, Will This December have the fewest baits ever published for a month? Last December didn't have that many baits either, but from the looks of things this year's decmeber might have less than 20 baits! That might not seem like a big deal for some, but November had near 50 baits, and even in April and May we had at least 30 (those were months we could only submit one bait). Obviously it's because of the season. Not only is Christmas/Hannukah time a busy time for almost all, but Oscar season is officially here with the latest precusor awards, so all us Oscar nuts may be getting pre-occupied with that. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the December awards, (and even more interesting to see the outcome of the Bait of the Year awards)

However, just because December is on it's way to having the fewest bait, I can safely say that it still stacks up as a great follow up month to November (which I think was our best month, ranking up there with July). If you have seen the festival nods, then you already have seen the effect Pat's "The Killer Eagles" had on our panelist. It's one bait to watch for in December, and stacks up as one of the greatest westerns written, alongside "Recoil" and "Bandito Express". There are a lot others that were really good too at the Festival, and I'm certain December will deliver, despite the chance of it having the fewest baits.

Good luck to everyone in December, stay tuned tommorow for the festival winners.

The 7 Best... Best Picture Winners

Alrighty, first up is Z's #7...

The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson- Along with its baity subject and excellent lead role, the bait's greatest strength was endurance. Even when people began predicting other winners at the time, this bait pushed its way through to become a winner. It also gets recognition for helping August 2007 become a worthy successor to July 2007, which stands as one of the greatest months for baits in the contest's history.

My number 7 is...

The World's Longest Suicide- While it may not be my favorite bait ever, this once again is what the contest is about. It is the best way to do a biopic and came at a time when D.W. really deserved Best Picture and this bait is his crowning achievement. The casting is great and like I said before is a film waiting to be made. This was really one of the first months in the contest that I remember it being the clear frontrunner that went on to win.

Next up on Z's list...

Bootleg- This bait gets recognition for being that little film that could, just like a Reitman movie should be. Adding to that its baity subject and spot-on cast, this was one of the Igloo's most welcome surprise victories. Plus, it really paved the way for more satirical baits that would follow in its footsteps.

And on mine...

A New Agenda- This win was a complete surprise to me because I was sure that an author would not win 2 Best Picture's until the Academy crowned some overdue authors, but none the less Daniel pulled off the win and it was completely deserved. One of the best comedies to ever be submitted in the contest and really a huge achievement for Daniel. Daniel, you should be very proud.

Coming in at number 5 on Zgamer's Top 7...

La Ventana- Never had I ever rooted for a bait to win best picture like this one. Everything about it just screamed BOTM material to me when I read it, from the terrific casting to the fact it was a foreign film, which at the time it was rare to find a good foreign bait. So it places on the list because it was such a change of pace from the usual BOTM winners as of then.

Going over to my list I have..

The Wall- What a way to cap off the best one-two punch ever in the contest. While, I still think Silence was the better bait, I was not surprised at all that The Wall won. It got more nominations than any other bait (that month) and it had tremedous buzz. This to this day remains one of the best baits ever and I still think that it would have won Best Picture had it been released in any other month, which is not true for most winners.

Grabbing the number 4 spot on our lists are...

Zgamer
Sandstorm- What better way could there be to start a new year off than to have such a well written bait win best picture? This bait could have easily just been a bait due to its deep characters, intriguing style and baity material. However, this bait earns its win because it set the bar for what the next year would turn out to be. So far, it has proven to be a great one.

Michael
Rivalry at 6 PM- This is one of my favorite baits of all-time because it is such a great idea that I would really enjoy if it were turned into a film. It's such a classic set-up and executed in such a classy way. The roles are all acting vehicles and perfect for the Oscars in my mind. I couldn't have been more surprised by this bait and I was SO happy that it won, because I was afraid it wasn't going to.

As for the 3rd place, Zgamer gives it to...

The World's Longest Suicide- This was the bait that came out of obscurity to sneak past the frontrunners and win the top prize. That could easily earn it any spot on the list, but the main reason it places so high is because of the innovations in the bait. D.W.'s bold casting, unique plot structure and excellent use of source material really made an impact on the contest and continues to do so to this day. One of the most well deserved wins yet.

I am giving it to...

Jackrabbit- Talk about perfect timing for Zgamer. This came at the perfect time and was well written and baity. It was right at the time when people were starting to say, "Hey he should win Best Picture" and he turned out one of the greatest baits of all-time. This is really that way people should be baiting and it's uniquiness helped it a ton.

Zgamer is giving number 2 to...

The Wall- This bait easily earns its spot on the list because of James Somerton. Not only did he write two of the site's most popular baits, but he was able to push them both to success in the same month. The win for The Wall was the Igloo's way of showing their appreciation for him pulling off such a feat. However you look at it though, it is one of the site's greatest best picture victories of all time.

I think this bait is #2...

Ironic Nonfiction- This was one of the first months that I really began to follow the contest and when I read the baits I absolutely fell in love with Daniel's comedy. I couldn't even put in words how funny it was and the synopsis was so well written that I was engaged the whole time. To this day I think of comedies and see if it would ever compare to this masterpiece and how perfect this really is. One of the best comedies ever written.

Here is Zgamer's Best Best Picture Winner of All-Time...

A New Agenda- Why do I consider this the greatest picture win of all time? Because this was the bait I think people enjoyed seeing win best picture the most. The bait itself was such a great read because of its sentimental value and quality, but what really made it noticeable is how well everything worked out. The cast was spot on, the director choice was perfect and the bait was just great on every level. Perhaps its greatest accomplishment though was how it rejuvenated the contest after a three month dry spell of outstanding baits. This was my personal favorite of its month and it is perhaps one of the best baits (particularly among comedy) the contest has ever had.

My Best Best Picture of All-Time is...

Fosse- This is probably a big surprise to you guys, but this is one of my favorite baits ever. It is a fantastic cast and the reason it comes in at #1 is because it was a complete surprise to me that it won. I was not expecting it to win at all and it comes out of one of my favorites months in the contest's history. This bait has grown on me a ton since it was first released and I think it's just a really class act.

Here comes the Festival!!!

Hey, just a quick little post for a quick little reminder. The festival deadline to submit your bait is in 6 days! (I'll make it 8 if I don't get enough baits). The festival buzz is pretty good for a bait, just look at Cartel and it's BP nomination! Anyway, make sure to get your bait submitted in time.

Good Luck to all!!!

A Few Announcments...

Alrighty, well let's get right down to it, this is kind of a random announcements posting, but still it's nice to have some new life on our blog so here it goes...

1. The I! blog will be conducting an official April and May of 2006 Big 8 that Johnny has approved of. We hope that we will have enough votes and verification for this event to be successful. More details will be released in the coming days.

2. Our first topic in the 7 Best Series will be the 7 Best Best Pictures of the contests history. This should also arrive in the next couple of days.

3. There are a few other things roaming around in our minds and if there are any other developments in the previous 2 we will let you know.

4. Oh, and before I forget, I rarely write about anything other than the contest on the blog, but this is a rare occasion where I will. If you haven't already you MUST go see Enchanted. It is one of the best films of the year and is very charming, I personally enjoyed it because there were a lot of little Disney inside jokes that you'll get if you are a huge fan of Disney's classic animation, so I urge everyone to go out and see it, because it and Hairspray are my two favorite movies of the year. (James Marsden has had a good year!)

Wow...

I really didn't know what to call this post, so I'll just call it WOW because I love that word and there's a lot I have to say. First off, I am so happy with the reaction that our Top 100 list has received and even though most is mixed, that is exactly because if we choose to do this again next year, then people will take the time to make sure we get it right and let's face it the AFI list brought some negative reviews when it first came out and so is ours. I also would like to announce a few things about the blog and my baits, so here are a few bullet points because I personally enjoy them...

• On the blog this month I am hoping to start a series called The 7 Best (ripped off lovingly from Brian's Oscar blog Oscar Obsession (oscarobession.blogspot.com)) where I will take 7 best things in the contest and rank them depending on how much I like them. For instance, I would pick the genre Musicals and decide my 7 favorite and rank them. I think it's going to be a lot of fun and I hope everyone has a great time with it.
• I also want to start a few other things, but check back on the blog later for a possible addendum , where I will announce these things.
• As far as my baits go, I am hoping to release the following baits, Green Grow the Lilacs based off the play by Lynn Riggs which was later turned into the musical "Oklahoma" the cast is still being worked on. I also want to release a bait called Out West which is about a young Cherokee boy who is sent off to an ivy league school to become a laywer and help better his nation, but upon his return from college he is informed that he must move out west with the rest of his tribe. My last bait of the month is based of the short story The Scarlet Ibis, which is about the relationship of a young boy and his younger brother. I hope everyone enjoys them.

So that's all I have for now, check back at the blog for more updates!

I's Top 10 Baits of All Time!!!

I’s Top 10 Baits of All Time

Zgamer: Well, look where we are now. After many months of naming baits and dealing with delays, it’s finally time for the Top 10 baits of all time. We will recap the other baits at the end when we finish with the Top 10 (which we will have for the official awards page later). However, now it’s time for tonight’s section. Intro please!

Narrator: You voted for them. You’ve anticipated for them. You’ve spent months waiting for them. Now we will unveil the Top 10 Baits of All Time.

(Sweeping score tied in with clips from various baits on the list including “A Faith of One”, “iLife”, “Sandstorm”, “Once a Hero”, “Fresh Heir Vol. III”, “Luck Clover”, “Recoil”, “Fosse”, “Dominion”, “Balton Productions”, “Brain Damage”, “Gray Daze”, “Pygmalion”, “Glass”, “Rehab!: A Contemporary Musical”, “Negatives”, “E.L.”, “Sweet Black and Blue”, “Dragontown”, “Steamboat Disney”, “Freakshow”, “The Vampire Lestat” and “River City Blue”)

Narrator: And here’s your guide for the night, Zgamer.

(Zgamer walks up to the camera, where he is in the Hall of Baiting)

Zgamer: It’s finally here. We’ve gone through many baits this month, from the compellingly realistic to the genuinely surreal. From baits about political intrigue to baits on forms of mental issues. From biopics to comedies, we’ve covered so many baits on our list. Now we are at the final ten baits of all time, as voted by the baiting community. First off though, I would like to introduce the fellow authors who will comment on the baits on the list. More accurately, they will introduce themselves. These commenters range from previous BOTM winners to other acclaimed authors who have made an impact on the site. So, if you guys would be so kind:

Brian: I'm Brian Erickson. I've been on the site since April of 2006, and, like all of you, I am a movie fanatic. In addition to that, I am an aspiring screenwriter, avid tennis player and am interested in theater. But, let's get to the important thing: the baits. A sample of some of the baits I've written are iLife, Contemporary Comedy, The Road, Devil in the White City and Glitz.

Sergio: (His comments will be subtitled for his convenience so he may better express himself in his native language) My name is Sergio and I'm from Spain. I’ve been in this contest since October 2006 and my first bait was Spirit of Guitar. I found this contest by chance and I'm very happy to be a part of it. I'm an architect and cinema is one of my biggest interests too. I enjoy writing stories, viewing art and designing posters for the contest a lot, I won the best picture award in June 2007 and it was a great surprise for me. I never imagined it would ever happen and it made me very happy. This also gave me strength to improve with my English to write better baits in the future.

Bryce: My name is Bryce. I am the author of such baits as The Guy Who Owned The Store, Watts, Project Sin, The Courtroom, and the recent Field of Desire. I am also an assistant on the GG awards and currently heading the Bait Festival for November. I love writing baits, and I like experimenting with ideas, but when I do go the safe route I will write a story that I love. In simple terms, I like to write baits that I would be glad to write as a screenplay. I think if I wrote a bait I wouldn't like to make a screenplay of, then that bait just doesn't have the passion that is needed to be successful.

Maia: My name is Maia, probably the only woman in the contest right now, and I’m honored to have my baits A Child of Shame and Bootleg included on the Top 100 Baits of All Time countdown. I have been a part of the Bait an Oscar contest for more than a year. During that period I have learned many new things about writing and filmmaking (two of my biggest passions) from my fellow baiters, and I can only hope some of them have learned something from my baits.

D.W.: My name is D.W. Dillon, writer of the World's Longest Suicide, The Bang-Bang Club, Recoil, and Sweet Black & Blue. I'm originally from Chicago where I attended Columbia College of Chicago as a film major, until I moved to Las Vegas where I'm studying Political Science, and in my spare time I continue to write treatments and screenplays, most of which are based off of my well known baits.

---

Zgamer: We’ve got a big profile group of commenters tonight and I can hardly contain my joy and gratitude for their participation. Enough stalling though, let’s get on to the main event. I will turn over the time to Michael right now to introduce our first bait.

Michael: Beginning our Top 10 we have one of the most raved about comedies of all-time. Written in July of 2007, Daniel came out of a long streak of writer’s block to release a classic. Ever since it’s debut in the festival, it was easily the favorite to win Best Picture going into the Oscars. However, everyone kept asking themselves, could Daniel win Best Picture twice? That was the big question that night and it proved to be true as A New Agenda came out on top.

Sergio: (Subtitled) This bait got the biggest prize little by little, without being heavily favorited from the beginning, but it was a bait that everybody liked. That is something very difficult to do and it's admirable. Without any doubt this is one of the best comedies in the contest.

Brian: Daniel's simple yet heartwarming dramadey took July of 2007 by storm. It is by far the baitiest comedy the site has ever had, and it very well may be the best. When I first heard the synopsis, I thought that this would be that one bait every month that I love, but no one else does. And now it's being honored as one of the 10 best baits ever written. And oh-so deservedly so.

Narrator: Opening to absolute rave reviews, A New Agenda easily won over the Academy and the Forums. There was always something the baiters found to comment about the bait, from its endearing and emotional synopsis to its witty awards to its well picked director choice. However, most everyone agreed that the bait’s cast was its strongest aspect, filled with great casting choices across the board.

D.W.: This is one of those baits where you could tell the author paid serious attention to, wanting to create a beautiful story. Full of lovable characters, wacky situations and a heartwarming theme. All the elements of a comedic best picture.

Maia: Daniel is the most successful writer in the contest and this James L Brooks comedy proves why. Only a writer with his level of sensibility, heart and technique could bring a trip-movie into this top 10!

Narrator: Starting out its ride with 7 Festival nominations, it would go on to win 4 of the awards, but did not win Best Picture. It received 5 Golden Globe nominations and would win 3, including Best Picture Musical/Comedy. It also earned 3 SAG nominations and a win Best Ensemble. At the end of July it received an enormous 12 Oscar nominations and would win 6 including Best Plot/Synopsis, Best Original Screenplay and BOTM (also including Daniel’s win for Best Author). One of the best dramadeies the contest will ever have.

Bryce: A very touching story, that is equally able to deliver the dramatic plot points and the comedic moments. The cast is beyond brilliant and the crew is just as good. It's the sort of bait that really inspires its readers.

Zgamer: I thought Daniel was going to go under after doing E.L., but all those negative thoughts were dashed once I read A New Agenda. Perhaps without intending to, Daniel has written one of the best and friendliest stories (on both Oscar and audience levels) that the Oscar Igloo has ever seen. It’s the ultimate James L, Brooks film, with the perfect story, cast and characters that would give him plenty more Oscars on his resume. Plus, his style of writing perfectly balanced the mixture of humor and drama that Brooks usually does so well. Now if only Brooks could just stop making stuff like Spanglish and make a movie like this.

Title Card: The #10 bait is…

A NEW AGENDA!

---

Zgamer: Biopics are well known for being very powerful Oscar vehicles. Probably because their stories have more impact since they are real events. And as the next bait proved, sometimes the least known stories can be some of the most powerful. If you would Michael.

Michael: Written back in October 2006, D.W. proved how adept he can be when writing biopics with this thrilling bait. Based on the real life stories of the group its named for, this bait showed how powerful the media can be in affecting other but at the same time showed how their own ambitions can be self-destructing as well. With a powerful cast and crew backing it up, The Bang-Bang Club remains one of the site’s best and most underrated biopics of all time.

D.W.: Never have I written a bait before where I was so assured that I wanted to see it as a film. I'm very proud of the casting because it took tremendous research and thought, because I envisioned it in my head of how I wanted to see it and who I wanted to see in it. I'm honored that a bait of mine that was ranked 3rd of the month made the Top Ten.

Zgamer: Wow. I remember reading this back when it was released and not really thinking about it much at first. Then suddenly, I re-read it and I started imagining what the trailer for the bait would look like. That was the sign I needed to realize this was one of the best baits I ever read.

Narrator: The Bang-Bang Club was able to make a good impression despite being up against baits like iLife, Live From New York and Dali. Many praised its great subject, its quality writing and great crew. However, its cast was the most praised aspect, particularly lead star Keifer Sutherland and supporting star Daniel Day-Lewis as real life journalists Kevin Carter and James Nachtwey respectively.

Brian: If you were to discuss all of the baits with true substance, The Bang-Bang Club would probably be #1 on the list. I fail to see how anyone could read the bait and not think that D.W. had put a liberal amount of effort into making a truly unique, and very baity, story. Also, this is one of the only baits that I wholeheartedly believe was based entirely on fact. And to connect fact to storytelling is a crowning achievement on D.W.'s behalf.

Maia: I think this intriguing story needs to become a real film with top Hollywood talent soon. Its emotional and exciting, the way the best stories should be. D.W. at his finest!

Narrator: The Bang-Bang Club enjoyed a pretty good run with awards. While it wasn’t the awards juggernaut some of its other competitors were, it got continual praise for its cast. It garnered an SAG win for Day-Lewis and two GG nominations at the GG’s for him and Sutherland. At the Oscars, it earned 5 Oscar nominations, with a win for Day-Lewis. It also ranked #3 for the month.

Bryce: A brilliant cast, and inspiring directing choice, along with a touching story that is sure to hit some sort of nerve with readers. The author is able to create a realistic atmosphere to help give the readers a great sense of what the bait is all about.

Sergio: (Subtitled) Without a doubt this is a great bait that that really grew better over time. The topic is mature and coherent like its plot, with many great performances from its amazing cast. One of the baits I have seen in my mind as a real film.

Title Card: The #9 bait is…

THE BANG-BANG CLUB!

---

Zgamer: Religion. It’s a very controversial topic, yet ironically it can make for some of the most compelling stories. And as Michael will explain, some of our authors can really utilize this subject very well.

Michael: James Somerton is by far one of the most acclaimed authors on the site, which justifies why he has two other baits left in the countdown, but this one is definitely deserving of coming in at 8th place. Starring Kate Winslet and Robin Williams, Midnight Mass was one of James’ first widely loved baits.

Sergio: (Subtitled) I never thought that this bait could be so high in the list, beating out other bait of the month winners, but I think that "almost bait of the month winners" have a lot of sympathy with the voters. This was one of the first baits that I read and I loved it, so I'm happy with its recognition.

D.W.: Often the best writers are the most vulnerable. They put all their feelings out on the table to be judged. They don't discriminate towards their emotions, which is why their art is often the most inspiring. James Somerton is one of these authors and Midnight Mass is a perfect example of an author letting go of the mere thought of criticism.

Narrator: Telling the story of the priest/rapist (Williams) and Winslet as a worried mother everyone fell in love with the captivating story.

Brian- When James began advertising the bait, I was expecting a rip-off of "Doubt." Boy, was I wrong. James took an extremely difficult subject and made an original, compelling and ultimately provocative bait. But what I liked most about the bait was the casting of Robin Williams as the twisted Father MacCaurthy. Very few people would resort to casting a usually comedic actor, but when you really think about it, he is the best choice for the role. Simply an excellent bait.

Maia: I think this is the best bait to tackle religion, immigration and abuse as serious, adult conflicts. It feels human and very powerful; it needs to be made a movie soon!

Narrator: Midnight Mass enjoyed a good amount of awards praise during its release. It garnered three GG wins for best picture, best director and for lead actress Kate Winslet. It also won an SAG award for Winslet. At the Oscars, it earned seven nominations and won two for its poster and for lead actor Robin Williams. It is James Somerton’s first most successful attempt at serious baiting and one his best.

Zgamer: It could have been just a lame remake of Doubt, but James Somerton really gave depth to this bait. The cast is first rate, the crew is spot on and everything has so much quality in it. It took me two reads at first, but this was easily one of my favorite baits of September 06.

Bryce: A brilliant cast, and inspiring directing choice, along with a touching story that is sure to hit some sort of nerve with readers.The author is able to create a realistic atmosphere to help give the readers a great sense of what the bait is all about.

Zgamer: It could have been just a lame remake of Doubt, but James Somerton really gave depth to this bait. The cast is first rate, the crew is spot on and everything has so much quality in it. It took me two reads at first, but this was easily one of my favorite baits of September 06.

Title Card: The #8 bait is…

MIDNIGHT MASS!

---

Zgamer: Terrorism. It’s that thing no one likes to talk about, yet we really want to hear about it. However, what really inspires this heinous act? Well, let’s have Michael describe it. Michael!

Michael: In August of 2006 many very acclaimed baits were released that really showcased what amazing work could be done in the contest. So it is a very big accomplishment to have a bait from that month remembered as highly as Maia’s The Arabic Café was. With its incredibly baity story and great cast, it’s a true winner.

Bryce: It is very unique in style and structure, and has a story that could of been taken with much controversy but instead comes off with a great theme and amazing characters. The bait also has a great crew and a great leading role.

Zgamer: This is my absolute favorite bait of all time. Why? Well, when you think about it, it’s the perfect vehicle. The cast is flawless, as they have the balance of star power the bait needs to be considered realistic. The story is compelling and baity, which will give it big points at the Oscars. And simply put, I would pay to watch this if it was made. That’s how good it is and that’s why it is my personal favorite bait of all time.

Narrator: Being released to absolute rave reviews, The Arabic Café was one of the highest acclaimed baits of all-time. Everybody praised its great crew, compelling synopsis (especially given it is only a couple lines long) and all-star cast.

Maia: When I wrote this bait, I was hesitant to share a very personal story I had already written as an original screenplay a long time ago but I had to test it. I needed to see if others were able to understand the bait and relate to the inner conflicts of my main characters. I knew this bait was something special but I never expected the accolades it received. I thank everybody who voted for this bait and hopefully the next Best of All Time segment will feature your bait on the Top 10 as well! Keep on writing!

Brian: Maia truly proves that less is more in this groundbreaking bait. With only two sentences in the synopsis, she creates easily the most powerful story the site has ever had. In addition, the bait featured the spot-on casting of Jamie Bell and Naveen Andrews, as well as a unique and very likable feel that many baiters struggle to achieve.

Narrator: The Arabic Café proved to be a good success in the contest’s first precursor: The GG’s. It earned five nominations there and won an award for director Mike Nichols. As Oscar time came, it earned eight nominations, eventually winning awards for its awards campaign, supporting actor Ben Kingsley and a widely predicted win for director Nichols. This remains one of Maia’s best baits and is one of the most compelling stories on a controversial topic ever baited.

Sergio: (Subtitled) It has become one of the most commented and beloved baits of all time. It has a special touch joined to a concise and short synopsis. This bait has stolen the hearts of every contestant because it's clear and direct, without unnecessary adornments. Simply put, it’s just a great and baity story. This bait shows that, sometimes, to win is not the most important thing in this contest.

D.W.: This bait embodies everything a Press Section should be and should accomplish. Well-written, thorough, and introducing characters not even mentioned in the plot which is now considered a negative thing, but works here and works perfectly.

Title Card: The #7 bait is…

THE ARABIC CAFÉ

---

Zgamer: I’ve seen a lot of baits on this list and it has been a joy commenting for them. However, I am really excited to have this bait be the next for commenting on this list. Michael, take it away.

Michael: February 2007 was probably the best month of the first half of the year of 2007 and part of this accomplishment is because of the release of Zgamer’s Jackrabbit. Starring Ryan Gosling as the infamous John Dillinger, it’s unique style of writing and fantastic casting led to this bait’s tremendous success.

D.W.: Zgamer pulls no punches with this epic biopic on the life and times of 20s bankrobber John Dillinger. From the carefully constructed plot to the admired casting choices, was a bait destined to be reckoned with, and like the many that tried to challenge fell short in just about every category.

Sergio: (Subtitled) A well thought out bait. With a very interesting plot and a unique atmosphere, Zgamer has elevated this story to the highest. He has shown everyone that he can do great baits, becoming one of the best writers of this site. This is a solid bait with the special touch from a great baiter.

Narrator: Jackrabbit opened to great reviews from the get-go in February. While some found its plot style a little strange, everyone had great things to say about its uniqueness and quality writing. It also earned a lot of acclaim for director Peter Weir and lead star Ryan Gosling, which is surprising given he was in many baits that month.

Brian: In February, I remember being on the festival panel and reading Jackrabbit. And immediately afterwards, I thought "why not just do this month's awards over the phone?" There is no reasonable way to question that this is, indeed, a baity story. It is also a captivating one. The bait came out amidst the "Ryan Gosling can do anything" phase, and yet he received virtually no criticism for being cast as notorious gangster John Dillinger, simply because he was the best choice. Zgamer knew exactly what buttons to push in order to earn his way to a BOTM win. And, in the process, he made an absolutely sensational bait.

Bryce: One of the perfect baits of 2007, zGamer was able to tell a story in an entirely different way. The story's set up keeps readers interesting and gives the story much more layers, but the story itself is very entertaining and once you start you are sucked into this amazing story, and care for the characters and what happens to them.

Narrator: Jackrabbit was the clear favorite to sweep the Oscars in the month of February and it showed as the precursors came around. Jackrabbit started its rise to power with a sweep of the Bait Festival’s top prizes, including best picture. Then it followed it with three GG wins for best picture, director and actor for Gosling. After an SAG win for supporting actor Alec Baldwin, Jackrabbit emerged from the Oscars with nine nominations and eventually won four for Best Plot/Synopsis, Best Tagline, Best Director and BOTM. One of the most unique biopics to be released on the site.

Zgamer: This was a very tricky bait to write. I went through several drafts to make it work and the version I finally picked went through a couple head arrangements to find the right way to distort the timeline. However, this was probably the bait I feel the most satisfied with. I put a lot of effort into it, I spent a long time debating the casting choices and I put a lot of thought into the director pick. And you know what, I am happy with it all.

Maia: I consider it the most groundbreaking bio-bait in the contest and the most accomplished story told by Zgamer, yet.

Title Card: The #6 bait is…

JACKRABBIT!

---

Zgamer: We now move from one widely acclaimed biopic to another. This one, however, covers territory that the Academy may feel move at home with. Michael, if you please.

Michael: We now enter the Top 5 baits of all-time and in a normal month of the competition this would be considered the Best Picture category. So let me introduce our number 5 bait of all-time. December 2006 was the month that was destined to prove if the next year of the contest would be as successful as the first. When the baits finally were released, one stood among the crowd to silence any doubts. With its compelling topic, all star cast and unique plot structure, The World’s Longest Suicide remains a pinnacle for the contest’s biopics and one of D.W.’s best to date.

Maia: I love this bait, Its baity and everything this contest should represent!

Bryce: One of the best lead casting choice to come out of the contest, along with a great cast and an inspiring crew. The story is able to have a heart and soul, which is can be hard to do for biopics, and the press section creates a great visual for the bait's overall tone.

Narrator: Being hailed by some as the best biopic of all-time, no one could have expected the raves that the bait drew. It opened to unanimous praise from the readers. Whether it was for its intriguing plot, great director or inspired casting of relatively unknown actor Julian McMahon as legendary actor Montgomery Clift, there was always something to praise.

Brian: The World's Longest Suicide is to biopics as The Wizard of Oz is to children's movies. There is simply no way to beat it, so instead people just attempt to recreate it. However, without D.W.'s mind behind it, it's almost not worth trying. Casting like Julian McMahon as Montgomery Clift and such a concise, vivid synopsis is almost impossible to conceive. And yet, D.W. caught lightning in a bottle (as he has so many other times) with this superior bait.

Sergio: (Subtitled) D.W. is one of the best synopsis writers in the contest and this is probably the best plot because it's new, original and great. I enjoy reading all his baits because everyone has something unique and special within. This is a very complex bait and a great adaptation and it is worthy of being among the best.

Narrator: The World’s Longest Suicide proved to be D.W.’s most successful bait, though it had a rough start. While it did win a GG for lead McMahon, the bait struggled against stiff competition from rivals Ralph’s Food and Drug and The Golden Boys. However, the Oscars were much friendlier to the bait, as it earned eight nominations and went on to win for Best Plot/Synopsis, Best Casting Choice for McMahon, another win for McMahon for Best Actor and BOTM. It will go down in history as one of the site’s best biopics.

D.W. I felt while writing this bait that it had to be as creative and well-written as possible. Being a biopic with a story already in place, I felt the need to dazzle the readers and this is one bait that went through many drafts, until I was completely satisfied with what was written.

Zgamer: People comment Jackrabbit as being the bait that changed how the contest works, but I think that praise should go to this amazing bait. Heck, it was this bait that inspired me to write Jackrabbit, so that’s how influential it is. Simply put, it’s one of the best-written, best-casted and most compelling biopics ever written. Plus, it introduced the baiting world to Julian McMahon, which should give the bait even more credibility.

Title Card: The #5 bait is…

THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUICIDE!

---

Zgamer: Where would the Oscars be without controversy? And where would some baits be without a good fan base? Michael will explain this.

Michael: In November of 2006, one author emerged from the crowd to become one of the most acclaimed authors the site’s ever had with one of the best months ever for a single author. With the release of his two baits for that month, James Somerton followed up the success of Midnight Mass with two of the most acclaimed baits ever written. Described by some as the most emotional bait to ever see daylight in the contest, James Somerton really hit a home run with the release of Silence, a story based off of his life. Released in the same month as Somerton’s other hit, The Wall, Silence was a bit overshadowed by the dramatic love story, but Silence has gone down in history as one of the best stories ever told in the contest.

Brian: Silence opened to lukewarm reviews, and over time it has finally gained the respect it deserves, shadowing "Citizen Kane". When I read the synopsis, I was left speechless. There was no doubt in my mind that this would make a highly acclaimed, Oscar-winning and brilliant film. James has often talked about his hopes to become a filmmaker, and if he makes "Silence", he'll become the next Spielberg.

D.W.: First of all, the poster is pretty much a masterpiece of teaseriffic proportions. The synopsis as well is very well constructed and beautifully written, setting the background that paints a picture in your mind. Not only that but it doesn't give everything away and leaves you wondering. The press section fills the holes that the reader is desperately anxious for.

Narrator: Premiering to absolute raves, Silence was one of the first baits that the entire forum seemed to be behind. Although, some were not prepared for its subject matter and thus brought Silence a little under the radar. However, over time the bait has emerged to receive a lot of critical praise from the readers, including some of its detractors. Most everyone agreed its synopsis helped with the success, while others also praised its stellar casting.

Sergio: (Subtitled) The greatest thing that could happen to a bait is to get such a group of loyal and dedicated fans. This story has got a lot of praises and honors and it's great to see people recognize it this way. It's a good story, difficult to forget. The plot is simple but its approach is complex, with a lot of moral exposition.

Zgamer: Definitely one of the best autobiographical baits of all time. James really pulled the wool over our eyes by writing two of the best baits of all time in one month. However, this bait is still able to succeed on its own terms just for its emotional value and its inclusion of one of the best posters of all time.

Narrator: Silence wasn’t a huge awards winner, as it had stiff competition that month, but it did enjoy good success. It earned three nominations at the GG’s, winning all of them for supporting star Kevin Kline, best screenplay and best picture. It also earned two nods at the SAG’s, earning Kline another win. While it only earned one Oscar nomination, it bested other baits by winning the award for Best Plot/Synopsis and placing #9 for the month. It also helped James Somerton win Best Author of the month. This will remain James Somerton’s best fan hit.

Maia: Jamie Summers' story is quite intense but to me, the real power in this bait comes from its fantastic awards section.

Bryce: You can feel how personal the bait is, and that is what makes the bait so great. It has soul, passion, and life behind it and in it's atmosphere and story, and it is probably the best bait on the site to stir up the emotions of it's readers no matter what sexual orientation they may be.


Title Card: The #4 bait is…

SILENCE!

---

Zgamer: Humor has never really been a big favorite at the Oscars, but it always appreciates it when people express the serious lives of those behind the humor. Michael will now explain that.

Michael: When I say Best Cast of All-Time, what bait seems to come to mind. You guessed it! This classic bait is definitely one of Pat’s greatest. Pat had the daunting task of adapting a book on the most beloved TV sketch comedy of all time: Saturday Night Live. However, Pat proved in October of 2006 that he is one of the site’s best, as he gave it all the right ingredients needed to be a winning film. With a great directing choice, great writing and one of the best casts ever assembled for a bait, everyone knew Live From New York would become a classic ever since it first came out.

D.W.: Probably the most ambitious comedy to ever bait an Oscar. Vulnerable to a cast and crew that would be held up to tight scrutiny by any SNL fan, this is a bait that is unapologetic, confident and stands on it's own. A a real life soap opera amidst the laughs of the funniest comedians ever.

Zgamer: I am a huge fan of SNL, so it makes me excited when somebody does them justice in the way Pat did. With an inspired directing choice and one of the best casts ever assembled in a bait, this was really the first bait that made Pat one of my favorites on the site.

Narrator: Live From New York became one of October 2006’s most popular baits among the readers, earning praise everywhere it went. While it did get a lot of acclaim for its inspired directing choice and quality writing, the absolutely flawless cast Pat assembled will remain the reason why Live From New York was a hit.

Maia: Its Pat's masterpiece and one of the forum's darlings, deserves to be on this Top 10!

Sergio: (Subtitled) An interesting bait about a TV program that I didn't know about. A big surprise in the list, in my opinion, because this bait hasn't had the buzz like the other inductees. Maybe it was underrated a long time ago, and maybe it's living a second life now. A great adaptation with an amazing cast.

Narrator: Though loved by the readers, Live From New York unfortunately did not make a huge impression on the precursors. It managed to earn five GG and three SAG nominations, but did not win any. However, it proved more successful at the Oscars. With six nominations, Live From New York eventually earned wins for Best Awards Campaign, Best Cast and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also tied for #7 of the month with Zgamer’s Listening. This is easily one of Pat’s most loved baits and a truly underrated classic.

Bryce: A great and inspiring cast, with a perfect directing choice. This is one of those baits that just gets better with every read.

Brian: Live From New York is easily Pat's best bait. Though it is usually acclaimed just for its cast, it is refreshing to see that baiters have remembered that in between the greatest ensemble ever seen in a bait, there was the potential for a fantastic film. There is virtually no way that this bait could be improved upon. And it doesn't need to be improved on whatsoever.

Title Card: The #3 bait is…

LIVE FROM NEW YORK!

---

Zgamer: We are now down to our final two baits. Before we name them, I want to thank everybody who made this list possible. There’s Michael, who thought of this contest; Daniel, for his great comments for each of the contest’s section; Johnny Alba, for his support of the list; and mostly, I want to thank the baiting community for their comments and support of the list. Ok I’m done. Let’s continue. Since I said too much already, I will let Michael introduce this bait.

Michael: Steven Spielberg is one of the hardest directors to bait for in the contest, and many previous baits have proven why. However, one writer changed all of that with this classic bait. In November of 2006, James recreated the contest in November when he pulled off the best 1, 2 punch ever to occur in the contest. While Silence helped a lot with this, it is this next bait that was the main reason why. With a realistic choice of Spielberg as the director, an extremely baity topic and a great cast, James Somerton finally wrote the Spielberg vehicle so many tried to do before. This is The Wall.

Brian: November of 2006 was a huge month for James; having written both Silence and The Wall in the same month. I really don't know what to say about The Wall. It's all there on the page. It is clear as day that it would not only make a great movie, but it would also become the highest grossing film of all time and sweep up at the Oscars. Certainly the best love story the site has ever had.

D.W.: This is a bait that succeeded through a thorough press section and a perfect crew. The story is Oscar at it's baitiest, successfully combining politics and love, not to mention a period piece in an era that offers up much intrigue.

Narrator: The Wall emerged as the most unanimously praised bait of November, with hardly any bad grades to detract it. While some criticized some of the cast, everyone agreed that this was the ideal Spielberg vehicle, with the right topic and the quality writing needed to make it work.

Zgamer: James could have easily just sat on the laurels created by Silence in November, but he one-upped that by writing one of the baitiest baits of all time. It made it so much better that it would totally be a project Spielberg would want to do. And that’s saying a lot given the less successful attempts at Spielberg baits (including my own). Easily James best bait yet.

Maia: The Wall is the best Spielberg bait in the contest and that makes it even greater. Its also one of the very few romantic baits in the contest but still, probably the most memorable of all. It's James Somerton's classic and a deserving Top 10.

Narrator: Though it wasn’t a huge success at the precursors, it still gained a lot of attention from them. While it earned no nods at the SAG’s, it did get five from the GG’s with one win for director Spielberg. The Oscars were much more friendly to it, as it earned an astonishing eleven nominations plus an aided nomination for James Somerton for best author. It went on to win two for BOTM and for James Somerton’s absolutely mesmerizing poster. It also helped win James that Best Author award. It will most likely remain for a long time as one of the best baits on the site and James Somerton’s greatest work.

Bryce: The directing choice is brilliant, the same goes for the cast. The story is touching and daring, and is able to show it's theme in a very effective way. The characters are interesting enough to care for, and the bait is beautifully written.

Sergio: (Subtitled) Without a doubt this bait defined the spirit of this contest. It was a great month for a baiter as great as James Somerton is, and now he gets his official recognition. Conceived from the beginning as a winner, it matches all the necessary elements to be a favorite: love story, political/social plot and a popular director with a well-known career. It makes a great base to raise this bait to the highest place in every poll.

Title Card: The #2 bait is…

THE WALL!

---

Zgamer: I don’t think I can properly say what I should about this bait. So I think I should let Michael do so.

Michael: I think everyone has one word they are thinking and it has to be one of my favorite words of all-time, Wackos. Written by fairly new author Zgamer back in August of 2006, this bait surprised everyone with its great director choice, intriguing characters and cast and its very unique plot. This is considered Zgamer’s best baits and understandably so.

Maia: Its not only the funniest smart-comedy in the contest ever but it also has a lovely tagline to go along with: Help is a 4 letter word for therapy. That’s were the fun begins…

Sergio: I read it a while after it was released in August 2006. I wasn't in the contest yet and I read it because everybody talked about this bait in the forum. I have to admit that this bait has something special to it and I loved the characters.

Narrator: Wackos opened to great reviews at the beginning of the month. People had a lot to say about this quirky Noah Baumbach comedy, with praise going to its quality writing and especially to its stellar cast, particularly lead star Jeff Daniels and supporting star Amy Adams.

Brian: Since the second I read it, Wackos has been my favorite bait of all time. I have never in nearly 16 months fallen in love with characters in a bait as much as I did with this one. Truly Zgamer's masterpiece, and a story that withholds the test of time, and will continue to do so forever. Why? Because of its fascinating characters. A masterpiece in every sense of the word.

D.W.: I love this bait because it doesn't try to be funny. It doesn't try to go for laughs. You know the humor is there and where it will come inside this story that centers around a shrink who's life is finally challenged and changed by a string of unique patients. A spot on formula for a Baumbach project.

Narrator: Wackos became the contest’s first big winner at the GG’s. With six nominations, the bait went on to win four for lead actor Jeff Daniels, supporting actress Amy Adams, Best Screenplay and Best Picture. The Oscar proved to be on its side too, as it earned nine Oscar nominations including for best picture. It also holds the recognition of being one of the few baits to have two nominations for Most Original Character. It eventually won four awards for Most Original Character (for Jeff Daniels’s character), Best Tagline, Funniest Bait and Best Supporting Actress for Adams. One of the best comedy baits ever written on the site’s and one of Zgamer’s best.

Bryce: A story that fits it's director and has a great cast. The story itself promises laughs, and is also able to tell a very interesting story. It's one of those baits that a lot of people will flock to the theaters to go see.

Zgamer: I am surprised at how much people loved Wackos. Honestly, I think it was one of the baits I spent the least amount of time actually writing it. Of course, I had the idea brewing in my head for about two weeks before my speed write. While Jackrabbit is definitely the bait I feel most satisfied with for its plot, Wackos is the one where I simply love my characters the most. I’m just glad I was able to draw inspiration for this from one of my parent’s friends who has to deal with people like this at his own job (with a few exceptions).

Title Card: The #1 bait of all time is…

WACKOS!

---

Michael: Well, I hope you have enjoyed the list we have put together and now back to regular programming on I! I would like to thank a few people…

-Zgamer- For being a fantastic partner on this project
-Daniel- For commenting on almost every section, it was lovely.
-All of our Panelists- Couldn’t have done it without you.

And last and not least

-Johnny- For creating the contest and letting us have so much fun with it.

Michael: And now, a final thought from the man himself: Johnny Alba.

Johnny Alba: "From #100 to #1, these are all the stories that make Bait an Oscar one of the most entertaining features of The Oscar Igloo; I can only express my greatest admiration for each one of our authors. Do not forget that you make this contest and you are the only ones who can keep the fun going! Congratulations to everyone who made this countdown and congratulations to Wackos for giving us a story that, if you follow your dream, we will eventually see on the big screen"

Zgamer: Well, we look forward to next years list. It will be interesting to see how the list changes. And now, here are the Top 100 Baits of All Time as voted by the baiting community (with descriptions on them so you know what they are):

1 Wackos- Zgamer’s quirky story of a psychologist dealing with very peculiar patients

2 The Wall- James Somerton’s emotional tale of two lovers separated by the Berlin Wall

3 Live From New York- Pat’s brilliant adaptation of the same named book detailing the lives of the early Saturday Night Live cast

4 Silence- James Somerton’s emotional autobiography of a tragic beating of a young boy

5 The World’s Longest Suicide- D.W.’s riveting biopic on the life of actor Montgomery Clift

6 Jackrabbit- Zgamer’s unique biopic on the life of gangster John Dillinger

7 The Arabic Café- Maia’s thrilling tale of two people who try to use terrorism for their advantage

8 Midnight Mass- James Somerton’s emotional story of a mother trying to expose a priest as a child molester

9 The Bang-Bang Club- D.W.’s take on the notorious Bang-Bang Club and the influence of the photos on the wars in Africa

10. A New Agenda- Daniel’s touching story of a group of people trying to fulfill a list compiled by a man and his recently deceased wife

11. Dali- Daniel’s unique biopic on surreal artist Salvador Dali

12. The Banality of Evil- Alex S.’s adaptation of “Eichmann in Jerusalem”, dealing with the trial of a Nazi officer

13. River City Blue- Ross’s intelligent thriller dealing with the crime crisis in Memphis, Tennessee

14. Bootleg- Maia’s compelling tale of the bootleg movie crisis

15. iLife- Brian’s witty satire on the influence of technology in the future

16. La Ventana- Brett’s moving story of a dying man observing the lives of others through his window

17. Cielo Drive- Brett and Dpac’s thrilling story of the Manson Family murders

18. Rivalry at 6 PM- Patrick D’s character driven drama of rival radio hosts

19. Sandstorm- Al’s engrossing story of soldiers in the Iraq War

20. Scartennow Juction- Pat’s unique Wes Anderson film on a family dealing with the sudden death of their father

21. Destiny- Harry’s emotional personal account of a boy dealing with suicidal demons

22. Ralph’s Food and Drug- Alex’s story of a controversy over a store managers decision to not carry a pill for abortions

23. Border Man- Pat’s exciting tale of border regulations and interracial relationships

24. Once a Hero- Matthew LaRusso’s biopic of the late Christopher and Dana Reeves

25. Lucky Clover– Sergio’s winning story of the terrorists attacks committed in Ireland

26. Recoil- D.W.’s dramatic tale of a man hunting down a criminal in the Old West

27. Dear, Mr. President- James Somerton’s poignant view on a woman protesting the policy of the War on Terror

28. Fresh Heir Vol. III- Part 3 of Brian’s wildly original political tale

29. Sex in the Oval Office- Brett’s humorous jab at a White House sexual scandal

30. Fosse- Alex’s compelling biopic on Broadway legend Bob Fosse

31. Little Miss Murder- Matt’s thought provoking tale of John Mark Karr’s trial

32. A Faith of One- Zgamer’s emotional drama on the religious conflicts within a small town

33. Ironic Nonfiction- Daniel’s humorous story of a man dealing with his unfortunately circumstances

34. Dominion- Tony’s riveting tale of a young man tormented by a disturbing voice

35. The Awakening- Gabby’s adaptation of the popular book on a woman’s emotional and sexual reawakening

36. Faded Red- Brian Erickson’s compelling biopic on the life of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin

37. Photograph- Pat’s riveting tale on the twisted business of the paparazzi

38. No Way to Treat a First Lady- Al’s humorous look at a First Lady accused of killing the president

39. The Vampire Lestat- James Somerton’s adaptation of the classic book about the “Brat Prince” vampire Lestat

40. Flashes- Tony’s tale of a troubled artist losing touch with reality

41. Rush- Ross’s tale of a photojournalist trapped in a nuclear power conspiracy

42. Freakshow- Tony’s bizarre tale of quirky characters on a reality TV show

43. I Am a Patsy- D.W.’s unique take on the life of Lee Harvey Oswald

44. Doubt- Brian (of Minneapolis)’s adaptation of the Broadway play on the molestation of a Catholic school boy by a priest

45. The Great Fitzgerald- Tom Houseman’s tale on the life of author F. Scott Fitzgerald

46. The Breadwinner- Connor Campbell’s story of a girl trying to survive in a Taliban controlled environment

47. The Valley of Ashes- Zgamer’s artistic tale of a man’s struggle to survive during the Vietnam War

48. Carter- Jordan’s biopic on the life of president Jimmy Carter

49. Imagine- Harry’s emotional biopic on the life of former Beatle John Lennon

50. I, Bergman- Daniel’s biopic on the life of actress Ingrid Bergman

51. Wildflower- Douglass Reese’s story of two troubled girls from different time periods

52. Wicked (March ‘07)- Al’s adaptation of the Musical on the Wicked Witch of the West

53. Steamboat Disney- Daniel’s classic biopic on the life of entertainment giant Walt Disney

54. The Rainbow Album- Jason’s story of a man aspiring to be an entertainer but struggling with AIDS

55. Bruised Boys- Douglass Reese’s controversial tale of two young homosexual boys

56. Jersey Boys- Pat’s adaptation of the musical highlighting the story of the music group Four Seasons

57. Dragontown- James’s intriguing Anime story on a Tokyo crime boss’s attempt to bring demons into the real world

58. Devil in the White City- Brian Erickson’s adaptation of the book dealing with a mysterious city

59. Record Man- Sergio’s humorous tale of a man trying to make it into the world record book

60. Sweet Black and Blue- D.W.’s surreal tale of a bizarre death in Las Vegas

61. The It Girl- D.W.’s biopic on the life of Clara Bow

62. The Iniquity Beyond- Tony’s eerie tale of a family with a dark secret

63. Between Elephants and Mice- Harry’s Woody Allen story about the troubled live of people in Manhattan

64. Internet Connection- Matt’s character drama on people drawn together through the Internet

65. Parvana’s Journey- Connor Campbell’s sequel to the Breadwinner, continuing the tale of Parvana’s attempts of survival

66. The Guy Who Owned the Store- Bryce’s tale of a town under control of the mob

67. E.L.- Daniel’s wonderful story on a woman author dealing with a sudden aphasia deleting her ability to read or write

68. Fresh Heir Vol. I- Part 1 of Brian’s wildly original political tale

69. I Do Solemnly Swear- Jamie Madden’s hilarious tale on a man’s complicated love life

70. A Child of Shame- Maia’s emotional tale on the lives of people surviving the Lebensborn project

71. Negatives- Ben’s hilarious satire dealing with a producer trying to get movie rights on a dying woman

72. Rehab!: A Contemporary Musical- Zgamer and Ryan’s witty musical satire on the celebrity rehab craze

73. The Road- Brian Erickson’s adaptation of the popular book detailing America after a nuclear war

74. Buster- Todd’s account on the life of comedian Buster Keaton

75. Glass- Marcus Dennis’s moving character drama surrounding the death of a homeless man

76. Dinah Was…- Brian (of Minneapolis)’s adaptation of the musical on singer Dinah Washington

77. Pygmalion- Michael’s adaptation of the classic play about the cultivation of an uncultured woman

78. Cigarette Burns- Ben’s quirky satire on an actress succeeding through her attempts to fail

79. Dear Andrea- Matt’s tale of the disturbed Andrea Yates

80. Flowers for Algernon- Connor Campbell’s adaptation of the classic book on a retarded man whose intelligence is tripled surgically

81. Gray Daze- Josh P.’s character tale of a man’s struggle with methamphetamines

82. The 27th Victim- Patrick D’s unique story on a detective tracking down a bizarre serial killer

83. Fresh Heir Vol. II- Part 2 of Brian’s wildly original political tale

84. The Wilder Side of Life- Corey’s biopic on director Billy Wilder

85. The Justices- Alex’s tale of a conspiracy against the Supreme Court Justices

86. Brian Damage- Tom Houseman’s quirky Charlie Kaufman story on a man with part of a woman’s brain in his

87. Standardized Test- Connor Campbell’s comedy on a school trying to cheat the school board for more funding

88. Fred & Ethel- Connor Campbell’s story of the lives of the actors on “I Love Lucy”

89. Glitz- Brian’s quirky satire on the bizarre lives of celebrities

90. Marilyn- Steven’s biopic on the life of Marilyn Monroe

91. Terri- Pat’s account on the Terri Schiavo story

92. The Curious Case of Phineas Gage- D.W.’s wacky tale about a man with a railroad spike through his head

93. Listening- Zgamer’s unique account of the lives of students at a Idaho high school

94. Balton Productions- Brian’s lovable original musical on rival Broadway Producers

95. Wicked (July ’06)- James Somerton’s adaptation of the compelling book on the
Wicked Witch of the West

96. All Alone- Josh P.’s tale of a young homosexual dealing with bigotry

97. A Work of Fiction- Douglass’s quirky tale on a man who claims to Jesus Christ

98. Green River- Ryne’s tale of the Green River Killer

99. Watts- Bryce’s account on the Watts Riot in Los Angeles

100. Tavistock Place- Pat’s character drama on a bombing of a bus in London

I's 100 Post, 100 Baits #20-11

Narrator: It’s almost here. We have counted 80 different baits on out list and we are finally on the second to last section of the ceremony. So get ready, because here’s I’s Top 100 #20-11. And here’s your host for tonight, Zgamer!

(Zgamer walks to center of stage)

Zgamer: Hello and welcome to this latest segment for I’s Top 100 Baits of All Time. Before I begin my little intro, I will make a little announcement. Since we are approaching the last spots on our list, we have decided to make the last segment big event. To start it off, we have allowed fellow author Harry to be a guest commentator for this segment. When this is over, we will allow any person who has won Bait of the Month to be a guest commentator on the segment. We’ve had several volunteers and we are excited. Now everyone else who hasn’t volunteered needs to do so. When you do, sign you name and e-mail on the thread “Attention BOTM winners” and we will send you a list of the Top 10 baits of all time (which will not be in their ranking) and have you send back your comments on them. Your comments must be personalized. We don’t want a mini-summary; we want your personal (and positive) opinion on the bait’s success and when you first read it. Ok I’m done.

(Starts walking)

Zgamer: I am honored to be hosting this for the last time before Michael does the final segment. I’m also excited because we now unveil some of the most acclaimed baits of all time onto our list.

(Walks to Hall of Baiting)

Zgamer: I’m very sure this is the last time we will go into the Hall of Baiting for now, since we will probably have a special spot for the top ten. But let’s start this celebration on a high note. Our first bait on this list. Written back in April of 2007, this little bait helped Pat keep his acclaim afloat before the release of Border Man a few months later. With a quirky idea and well picked cast and crew, this was a hidden gem and a surprise hit that month. So let us enter Scarttenow Junction.

Michael: I really enjoyed this bait. It really felt like a movie that would be released and had a Little Miss Sunshine feel to it, which I loved.

Narrator: Scarttenow Junction opened to great reviews, especially considering the fact many thought it was a weak month. Most of the praise went to the film’s quirky feel and top notch cast, as well as it’s welcome familiarity to previous Anderson hits like The Royal Tennebaums.

Harry It was a very touching road movie. I thought it was funny and it’s certainly one of the best baits of April.

Narrator: Scarttenow enjoyed a very good precursor run, with Festival wins for its screenplay and future best picture c/m to complement its three GG wins for picture, actor and screenplay. Scarttenow missed out on winning best picture, but it did make an impact for winning funniest bait and a #4 place in the month. This is one of Pat’s biggest hits.

Daniel: In my top 5 of all time, "Scartennow Junction" is one of the best comedies, and most original, in Bait an Oscar history. This is the ultimate Wes Anderson project and Pat does a brilliant job of illustrating that in his bait. One of the best baits ever.

Title Card: The #20 bait is…

SCARTTENOW JUNCTION

Zgamer: This next bait was the one that helped start off 2007’s successful run. Written by Al in January of 2007, this is considered one of the last great ensemble driven baits of the contest. With a baity subject and an ideal cast and crew, this gave people hope that 2007 could beat 2006’s run. Let us now walk into the Sandstorm.

Harry: Sandstorm manages to omnisciently look at the War of Iraq with unique real stories. This is one of the most unique ensembles dramas in the contest so far. The press section is extremely well-written and describes the tone of the film very well.

Narrator: After a bit of hype, Sandstorm opened to the best reviews of January. While there were other great baits in the month, most readers were drawn into Sandstorm thanks to its subject, well picked cast and quality writing.

Daniel: It's one of the all time great ensemble pieces. All of the characters are original and all worthy of Oscar nominations. This would not only be a large Oscar contender if it were released but also a large Box Office success. It's a fantastic achievement.

Narrator: Sandstorm’s precursor run was a triumph, earning GG wins for best picture, director and a win for supporting actor Cillian Murphy. The Oscars were just as good to the bait, as it not only walked away with the coveted Best Picture and Best Director prize (a rare feat for any bait), but it also helped Al to a best author win. It will go down in history as one of the best ensemble baits of all time and a pinnacle for War in Iraq stories.

Michael: I have to say, when I first read it I was a bit uneasy about it, but after re-reading it, I fell in love with it. Soderburgh and Murphy are perfect choices.

Title Card: The #19 bait is…

SANDSTORM

Zgamer: Take a deep breath and let’s continue on with the next bait on our list. Now, this bait has been considered controversial for its win for BOTM back in May of 2007. In a competitive race against heavy hitters like Dominion and Rush, some felt it shouldn’t have beat Tony for his first win. However, I’m sure most everyone can agree that this was a very well written and baity character piece. Along with its unique idea and quality writing, it also sported one of the most unique and balanced casts I’ve seen. This is Rivalry at 6 P.M.

Harry: “This was Patrick D’s breakthrough bait and an unexpected bait of the month winner. It’s one of the best of May”

Narrator: Rivalry at 6 P.M, opened to mostly favorable reviews back in May. Though it did have strong competition from Dominion supporters, it also had a lot of people backing it up, most notably BOTM winners. Most people praised its strong cast and crew.

Michael: My favorite bait in May. I love everything about it and I think it will go down in history as one of the greatest baits.

Narrator: Rivalry was one of the first baits to ever have a huge boost in buzz thanks to the newly organized Festival, earning many of its top prizes. It also won supporting star Ethan Hawke awards at the SAG and GG and won awards for Winstone in the GG and the ensemble for SAG. In the end, it’s biggest win was at the Oscars, as it won BOTM, best plot and best original screenplay. A great breakthrough for Patrick.

Daniel: The casting in this bait is near flawless. The bait is quite suspenseful. It's a great bait.

Title Card: The #18 bait is…

RIVALRY AT 6 P.M.

Zgamer: Next up is one of the veteran baits by veteran authors. Written back in September of 2006, this was one of the first successful team baits, written by Brett and Dpac. With a compelling story and foreboding atmosphere, this is one of those classic baits that can live past any flaws of age. We now walk down Cielo Drive.

Daniel: This is one of the best ensembles ever in a bait. I remember when this came out I admired it for that same reason. It's a great bait and the casting is pitch perfect.

Narrator: Cielo Drive opened to some of the best reviews of the month. However, the bait had a lot of competition from films like The Breadwinner and Ironic Nonfiction. It rose above them in most fields though, as it was consistently praised for its story and beloved cast.

Harry: “The atmosphere is the best trick of this bait. You never expect what will happen next. This is one of my favorites, if not my favorite team bait of all time. The press section is pure genius and the director choice is simply perfect.”

Narrator: Cielo Drive had a modest precursor run, tying Little Miss Murder for the SAG Ensemble award. Unfortunately, this didn’t improve its Oscar chances. It only walked away with a best crew win, though it did also place #3 for the month. However, the bait lived on through word of mouth and popularity. A great example of both atmospheric writing and team bait success.

Michael: The opening line of the synopsis for me, puts me in the mood for this classic team bait. Simply put, it's really great.

Title Card: The #17 bait is…

CIELO DRIVE

Zgamer: Foreign film. Where would the Oscars be without them? Well, only a bit less popular than it is now, given they don’t award many. However, one foreign film caught the eyes of many when it was released in March of 2007. Written by Brett, this was his comeback bait after many months of hiatus. With a great cast and crew, a great plot and a compelling story, this was an ideal foreign film vehicle. Now repeat after me: the window=”La Ventana”.

Harry: With one of the greatest and most powerful stories of all time, La Ventana excellently explored psychological and philosophical content in a very unique way. The atmosphere introduction in the synopsis is one of the most inspiring factors in the contest today. I’m enraged because this bait should be a lot higher in the list.

Narrator: La Ventana opened to a plethora of raves when it released. In a month where many veterans were flaunting their stuff, Brett was able to garner good word of mouth with his unconventional comeback. People consistently raved over its great lead actors and well written story.

Daniel: I really like "La Ventana" for a number of reasons. I think that a "Rear Window" update in a different country is a very bold idea that has to be nailed perfectly in order for it to work...and it is nailed perfectly. The casting and the crew are right on in this bait making it one of the best baits ever written.

Narrator: Surprisingly, La Ventana had no real precursor support on its way to success, with its nominations beaten by more popular choices like Wicked and Imagine. However, it came out strong at the Oscars, winning BOTM and the coveted best plot/synopsis. One of the greatest foreign films ever made for the site.

Michael: The best foreign bait ever. The story is well crafted and I can see myself enjoying it a ton. Pure Oscar Bait.

Title Card: The #16 bait is…

LA VENTANA

Zgamer: Age usually kills many of the great baits of old. Whether its because of changed views on casting or writing style, some baits just can’t survive by our revised standards. This one is a great exception. Written by Brian of Arizona back in October of 2006, this bait remains one of the most original stories ever done and one of, if not the, best baits Brian has written. This is iLife.

Michael: One of the best ensemble baits ever. The casting is great, the story is great, everything about it is fantastic. One of my favorites of the month.

Narrator: What more can be said. iLife opened to stellar reviews across the board and was the pinnacle of Brian’s biggest run of successes. Most everyone loved its quirky and original story, along with its inspired casting and director choice.

Harry: While the execution needed to be more concise, this is another extremely original idea. Brian wanted to make a parody of technology and he ended up writing one of the most original baits of all time next to “Bootleg”, “Quiet Room” and “Mail Order-Bliss”.

Narrator: iLife started a little weak at the precursors, only snagging a screenplay win at the GG’s. However, it got a lot more love at the Oscars. Along with a #2 rank for the month, iLife won awards for most original bait and best original screenplay, a rare feat for many films. Still one of the most original stories on the site after a year since its release.

Daniel: "iLife" is one of the most original, best casted, best written, and one of the funniest baits ever to be written. With a brilliant director choice of Terry Gilliam, Brian (AZ) creates the perfect atmosphere. The bait is a classic and rightfully so.

Title Card: The #15 bait is…

iLIFE

Zgamer: Many had doubts that the contest could keep itself afloat after so many successful hits in the early months of 2007. However, when April rolled around, a little bait from Maia began a rise in power. With an original and very baity concept, an ideal cast and crew and likable characters, this emerged as 2007’s semi-equivalent to iLife. This is Bootleg.

Harry: “While I’m not a fan of the execution, I simply don’t understand where Maia got that idea. This is one of the most original, unique and creative ideas I have seen in the contest so far. The characters are also well-developed and unique. Drea de Matteo as a journalist is one of the best supporting roles in the contest too”

Narrator: Bootleg opened to good reviews when it released in April. While it was sometimes overshadowed by other baits like River City Blue, The Vampire Lestat and Faded Red, Bootleg garnered a huge fan base thanks to Maia’s promotional posters, good word of mouth and the bait’s great writing and cast.

Daniel: "Bootleg" is my second favorite bait of all time, second only to "The World's Longest Suicide". The bait has fantastic mix of comedy and drama and that mix works unbelievably well. The characters are fantastic and the casting for these characters is just as great. This is Maia's best bait to date and the best of 2007 so far.

Narrator: Bootleg struggled in its precursor run due to genre confusion, incorrectly being placed as a drama in the GG’s and barely winning an ensemble prize at the SAG’s. Then the Oscars came and changed its luck. Along with the BOTM prize, Bootleg also walked away with wins for most original bait, best cast and best original screenplay. One of Maia’s best just for being so true on its subject matter.

Michael: When I first read this bait I was worried that people wouldn't warm up to it, but I still loved it. However, everyone adored it and may I say Aaron Eckhart is perfectly choosen and my favorite Actor candidate of the month.

Title Card: The #14 bait is…

BOOTLEG

Zgamer: Do you love stories so complex and intriguing that you’ll be scratching your head as well as applauding its greatness? Well this next bait is mostly like that. Written back in April of 2007, Ross scored big with this compelling, well casted and well written thriller. We now look into the streets of River City Blue.

Michael: Gaghan is a great choice as well as Clooney. The story is very well crafted and it's complete Oscar bait.

Narrator: River City Blue opened to great reviews upon its release. Most everyone enjoyed its plot and stellar cast highlighted by star George Clooney.

Daniel: One of the best baits ever written. When it was released, I liked it but I've reread it several times since then and it has elevated, to me, as one of the best ever written. The casting is fantastic and the director choice is inspired. It is also written extremely well which is one of the bait's strengths.

Narrator: River City Blue enjoyed a good precursor run, winning best picture at the GG’s and also earning supporting star Forrest Whitaker a GG and SAG win. Oscar time was just as fortunate for the bait. Placing #2 for the month, River City Blue also earned awards for director Stephen Gaghan and another win for Whitaker, which marked probably the only time all four Oscar winning actors pulled a trifecta (Geoffrey Rush, Patti LuPone and Rachael Weitz all won the Oscar, GG and SAG for their baits). Ross’s best bait to date.

Harry: The tension of the story and the atmosphere are its unique factors. I also adored the director choice and the casting and crew choices. This is one of the smartest baits of the contest.

Title Card: The #13 bait is…

RIVER CITY BLUE

Zgamer: Alex S. has been on the site for a while now. However, he wasn’t recognized as much until this bait came out in July of 2007. With its baity story and strong supporting cast, Alex was able to live past the fact he had no press section in the bait. This is The Banality of Evil.

Daniel: Gary Oldman's character in this bait is one of the all time Best Supporting Actors. I admire this bait for the dynamite story and also how it is written.

Narrator: The Banality of Evil opened to good reviews considering it was in one of the most competitive months of all time. Though some bickered over its lack of press section, most praised its unique idea and great supporting cast, particularly Gary Oldman.

Harry: This is one of the most complex human studies that I have ever read. The premise is also extremely baity and the press section is groundbreaking. Alex S. is definitely one of the biggest rises in the contest and this was his breakthrough bait and one of my favorites of all time as well.

Narrator: Banality’s precursor run was not so hot, only winning an SAG for supporting actor Gary Oldman. However, the Oscars were much friendlier to the film. Along with a surprise #2 rank for the month, Banality won for its online campaign, adapted screenplay and another award for Oldman. It will go down as the bait that skyrocketed Alex S.’s career and for just being so darn baity.

Michael: This is definately one of my favorite baits of 2007. Hayden was a risky choice, but it totally worked for me and I fell in LOVE with this bait.

Title Card: The #12 bait is…

THE BANALITY OF EVIL

Zgamer: We are down to the last bait of this section. Be ready, because our next section will reveal the Top 10 baits of all time as voted by the public. So now we unveil our #11 bait of all time. Written by Daniel back in October of 2006, Daniel reached the pinnacle of his biopic stride with one of the most unique and best written biopics of all time. With a compelling topic, spot on director choice and strong lead, Daniel pumped out yet another Oscar hit. You saw it coming two lines ago, because it’s that Salvador Dali biopic we all love: Dali.

Michael: Can I say, best director choice of 2006. Ugg, I'm so jealous. Definatley one of my favorite biopics ever.

Narrator: Dali opened to raves when it released. Everyone praised its inspired director choice along with its great cast and baity subject matter.

Harry: Despite some typos, I really liked the way Daniel mixed the life of one of the best painters of all time with a surrealist style. The descriptions of Tim Burton’s directing are unique and I loved the surrealism of the bait. This is one of the first best biopics in the site.

Narrator: Dali’s precursor run was a little weak due to the fact all the attention was focused on director Tim Burton, who won the GG. Come Oscar time, it was kind of the same story. Along with the expected director win, Dali also placed #5 for the month. However, it will go down in history for having one of the best director picks for a bait ever.

Daniel: "Dali" was a lot of fun for me to make. I had wanted to tackle Salvador Dali for a while so I put a lot of work into this. I think Tim Burton is the only director who could pull this off and I've very proud of this bait for the director, casting, and also the dream sequences that I mentioned.

Title Card: The #11 bait is…

DALI

Zgamer: That’s our show for tonight. Remember, if you want to be a part of the commenting for the next section, post it on the “Attention BOTM Winners” thread. This is also my last time hosting the ceremony, so I wish Michael the best of luck when writing the last section. Congrats to everyone so far and I look forward to seeing everyone at the next section.

Recap Time

#20 Scarttenow Junction
#19 Sandstorm
#18 Rivalry At 6 P.M.
#17 Cielo Drive
#16 La Ventana
#15 iLife
#14 Bootleg
#13 River City Blue
#12 The Banality of Evil
#11 Dali

I!'s 100 Posts, 100 Baits: The List 30-21

Michael: Good evening and welcome to our 8th installment of I’s 100 Posts, 100 baits. As we near our 100th post on the blog, we get closer to finding out what bait will snag the #1 spot in our countdown. But, before we can get there we have to find out all of the other places in our countdown so lets get right to it! A year ago, Alex released a bait that would go on to win BOTM and earn him the respect to become one of the greatest authors of all-time. Fosse featured an all-star cast and a baity subject quickly making it a big winner in the eyes of the baiting community.

Daniel: "Fosse" is the best cast for a biopic that has ever been assembled. I remember when Alex was running the cast through me before he submitted it and I remember thinking to myself, "This is probably the best cast I've ever heard." Everything about this bait is admirable from its aforementioned cast to its perfect crew and writing style.

Narrator: Featuring such cast members as Toni Collette, Woody Harrelson, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Fosse was received very well by the critics. It would end up receiving 3 SAG nominations, winning 2of them, it also picked up 2 Golden Globes, out of 4 nominations. Come Oscar time it garnered 6 nominations and won 2 of them, Best Picture and Best Actor for Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Bob Fosse.

Zgamer: It’s been a while and some things didn’t age so well, but Fosse is still a fun and lively biopic on one of the most unique individuals of all Broadway. The casting of Harrelson and Collette are still great and the bait would probably succeed very well as a film.

Title Card: Coming in at 30th place…

Title Card: Alex’s Fosse

Michael: As we begin in the 20’s we have one of the first comedies to be come a hit in the contest. Released in July of 2006, Sex in the Oval Office quickly became the bait that everyone thought would be a fantastic indie film.

Narrator: Although there were no precursors in the beginnings of the contest, it didn’t stop Sex in the Oval Office from gaining serious buzz. Premiering to great reviews, it was quickly loved by many authors. It received a small 4 Oscar nominations, and only 1 Big 8 nomination, it went on to win the Funniest bait award.

Zgamer: Hilarious, raunchy, quirky and fun. Everything you need for a winning comedy. I remember reading this back when it was released and while it took me a while to warm up to it, I eventually saw what was so funny.

Daniel: This is, without a doubt, one of the best baits ever to be sent into the contest...and also probably the funniest. When I first saw this title back in 2006, I scoffed and thought that it would be a bad Bill Clinton biopic. I read it, reluctantly, and instantly fell in love with it. I still read it frequently and I think that all of the casting is done unbelievably well.

Title Card: And 29th place goes to…

Title Card: Brett’s Sex in the Oval Office

Michael: We come from a successful July 2006 bait to a very successful August 2006. Written by BOTM winner Brian, Fresh Heir Vol. III ended the most successful trilogy that the contest has ever seen.

Zgamer: A great conclusion to the Oscar Igloo’s equivalent to LOTR. I remember eagerly anticipating its release back in August 06 and I still haven’t forgotten it. The bait was just so much fun.

Narrator: Fresh Heir Vol. III was by far the most successful installment of the unforgettable trilogy. Even though it didn’t receive any Golden Globe nominations, it didn’t stop it from gaining 5 Oscar nominations including Best Picture. It would end up stealing the Best Actress award in one of the most competitive races ever featuring Dakota Fanning, Jena Malone, Parker Posey, and Naomi Watts.

Daniel: "Volume III" is surely the best in the "Fresh Heir" series. Natalie Portman won a surprise...but completely well deserved and obvious...Best Actress win. This brought the series to a fantastic and majestic conclusion. This is how a trilogy should be done, guys. Take notes.

Title Card: Winding up in 28th place…

Title Card: Brian (AZ)’s Fresh Heir Volume III

Michael: July 2007 was easily the most anticipated month ever in the contest and one of the most competitive months ever. So it was a surprise when the low anticipated James Somerton bait, Dear Mr. President became one of the biggest contenders for Best Picture.

Daniel: This is one of the best written plots that the contest has seen in a while. The casting of Susan Sarandon is completely golden.

Narrator: Dear, Mr. President was the sleeper hit of July 2007. Starring Susan Sarandon and written in the form of a letter James was able to convey emotion and compassion in very little words. The bait received 4 Golden Globe nominations, 1 SAG nomination and won Best Actress for Susan Sarandon at both. It would go on to receive 4 Oscar nominations including a Shameless Oscar Vehicle.

Zgamer: James kind of surprised me with this one. I didn’t expect much from it at first, but this was actually a great bait. I can totally see Stone and Sarandon working on this film.

Title Card: Nabbing 27th place…

Title Card: James Somerton’s Dear, Mr. President

Michael: Westerns have never been an easily accomplished genre in the Bait an Oscar contest, but some how D.W. was able to create a bait that we all fell in love with. Starring Billy Bob Thornton and Directed by Robert Redford, Recoil was able to shine brightly in February of 2007.

Narrator: Set in 1860 in San Jose, California Recoil told the story of Buck Redding in early California. It received rave reviews and quickly became the bait that all the forums were cheering for. It would go on to win an Oscar for its award campaign, but unfortunately it wouldn’t win any other major precursors.

Zgamer: One of my biggest competitors back in February, it still remains one of my favorite baits of all time. I cannot think of a better person to star in the lead than Billy Bob Thornton and the story was very intriguing on its own.

Daniel: While writing "Bandito Express", I must admit that this bait was not only one of my main inspirations but also what I was trying to better (to challenge myself while writing). While probably the most praised aspect of the bait, "Recoil"'s awards campaign is just as good as the synopsis...which is saying a lot. I admire this bait for so many reasons because it truly delivered the perfect Western.

Title Card: Coming in at 26th place…

Title Card: D.W.’s Recoil

Michael: When June 2007 rolled around and lot of authors were losing faith in the contest some claiming that the stories were getting boring and the excitement that we once had was dying out. However Sergio made a statement with a bait that put the hope back in ours hearts.

Daniel: I love this bait. The story is so fresh and the synopsis is written fantastically. Sergio's masterpiece really hit the right chord with me. It's one of the best baits of all time and very deserving of the place of 25th.

Narrator: Lucky Clover starred Emma Thompson and Jaime Bell and opened to rave reviews, most notably from Pat. In what most considered to be a weak month, this bait gained much praise and was nominated for 5 Golden Globes and would go on to be nominated for 9 Oscars and won 4, but won no Golden Globes.

Zgamer: In a weak month, this bait really shone. With a unique story, a great cast and a wonderful poster, Sergio finally convinced me that he could do more than pretty art.

Title Card: Breaking the Top 25…

Title Card: Sergio’s Lucky Clover

Michael: Back in the beginning of the contest, a biopic of Christopher Reeve was released and even though it was in April and there isn’t much in the forums to base reviews off of, we can be sure that audiences loved the heartwarming story.

Zgamer: Probably my favorite oldie bait of all time. I like this so much not only because the casting is impeccable or the directing choice perfect, but because it hasn't lost as much with age as some of the others. A great tribute to a missed couple.

Narrator: Although there aren’t many reviews to talk about, we can infer that everyone loved it because of it’s success at the Oscars. Receiving 4 nominations it received more than any other bait and went on to win 2nd place, right behind the infamous Carter.

Daniel: I've always thought about how this bait is six sentences long and how it still delivers the powerful punch that it does. I love this bait. The casting is spot on; Brendan Fraser and Maria Bello are Oscar gold.

Title Card: Coming in 24th…

Title Card: Matthew’s Once a Hero

Michael: As we get closer to our Top 20 we have 3 more baits to talk about. This one comes from July of 2007 and Pat finally made his “comeback” as most people called it with the release of Border Man.

Daniel: This bait is a wonder. Written in one strong and concise paragraph, "Border Man" is an extremely powerful bait. From the casting...the crew...the way it is written...it's fantastic.

Zgamer: Pat finally came out of his funk and wrote a great story with this. I remember reading this and thinking Did Pat write this? Well then, it’s definitely one of my favorite bait’s of the month?

Narrator: Telling the story of border patrol officer told to weed out illegals, the bait struck a cord with the forums. It was a huge success from the beginning nominated for 7 Igloo awards, 5 Golden Globes, and 3 SAG’s, it won a combined 2 out of the nominations. The widely acclaimed bait went on to be nominated for 8 Oscars and would win 1 for Best Supporting Actress, it would also claim 3rd place in the highly competitive month.

Title Card: The 23rd best bait is…

Title Card: Pat’s Border Man

Michael: As 2006 came to a close, many baits came out that changed the contest forever. Christopher Plummer starred as Ralph Morgan in groundbreaking bait written by Alex.

Daniel: Now this is a bait. If this were actually made into a film, it would sweep the Academy Awards. Repeat, this WOULD, not might, WOULD sweep the Academy Awards. It is one of the best written and best cast baits of all time (which isn't a surprise considering who the author is). To be honest, I'm disappointed in the place this bait has received...it deserves to be in at least the Top Ten.

Narrator: Ralph’s Food and Drug was immediately embraced by the baiting community. It received an astounding 7 Golden Globe nominations and won 3 including Best Picture Drama. As the buzz grew even more it scored an amazing 11 Oscar nominations. It would go on to win only 1, for Rod Lurie’s directing.

Zgamer: This bait was a little under the radar at first, but I really liked it. While I obviously liked World’s Longest Suicide more, this was my definite second favorite just because it had a unique story and a very good cast.

Title Card: Achieving 22nd place in our countdown…

Title Card: Alex’s Ralph’s Food and Drug

Michael: As we wind down this section we close it with a bait I consider to be one of my favorites, and it really struck a cord with me when I read it and I know it did the same with many other readers.

Zgamer: I didn’t like Harry’s writing very much before he came out with this. Once he did release it though, I began to see the talent he had not been using. Took me a while to warm up to, but once I finally read it a second time I fell in love with it. It’s just so draining that I couldn’t stop re-reading certain lines over and over again.

Narrator: Starring mainly unknowns, Destiny became Harry’s biggest hit. Scoring fantastic reviews and 3 Golden Globe nominations, it would go on to obtain 3 Oscar nominations as well and would win the coveted Best Plot/Synopsis. Even though it didn’t get a ton of attention back in January, it would go on to be loved by the entire community.

Daniel: This remains to be Harry's greatest work. It cannot be denied, even by Harry himself, that there are numerous baits in his catalog that don't deliver at all. This bait more than makes up for it as it is the most emotional bait this contest has ever seen. Harry wrote one of the best baits of all time. I am still furious that this did not win Bait of the Month and like "Ralph's Food and Drug", this deserves a higher place.

Title Card: Coming in 21st place...

Title Card: Harry's Destiny

Michael: Well, that ends this segment of I’s Top 100 and for all of you who skipped the ceremony, here is the list…

21. Destiny
22. Ralph’s Food and Drug
23. Border Man
24. Once a Hero
25. Lucky Clover
26. Recoil
27. Dear, Mr. President
28. Fresh Heir Vol. III
29. Sex in the Oval Office
30. Fosse