The Bait an Oscar community waited axciously for ended up being hours for the Oscar nominatinos, and much to our surprise, there were a ton of HUGE surprises this month. So here at I! we thought we'd give our view on this month's nominations with a few predictions as well.
Best Adapted Screenplay
La Bella y La Bestia
Cry to Heaven
**The Film Club**
Sands of Mars
Sweetest Girl
This month, I think the actual Big 8 nomination count will influence how the Academy voted. In the cast here, The Film Club recieved the highest amount of Big 8 Oscar nominations (5) and I think it is the clear frontrunner here regardless of nominations. However, in this month full of surprises, I wouldn't be extremely shocked if La Bella y La Bestia took home this award. Traditionally, Adapted Screenplay has had a clear frontrunner, yet another bait comes along and wins.
Winner: The Film Club
Spoiler Alert: La Bella y La Bestia
Best Original Screenplay
American Hollow
Blackbirds
**Chateau Marmont**
Cloverleaf
The Drifter
A strong category this month with 2 close competitors duking it out for the win. My guess is the Cloverleaf and Drifter are long shots here, and that Blackbirds remains in the race because this is probably the Big 8 category it has the biggest chance in. American Hollow will probably lose to Chateau Marmont here, in a somewhat surprisings upset. By the way, where is Trick?
Winner: Chateau Marmont
Spoiler Alert: American Hollow
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, Cloverleaf
**Marie-Josee Croze, Chateau Marmont**
Anna Faris, No One Knew Her Name
Janeane Garofalo, The Film Club
Natalie Portman, Sands of Mars
First off, WHERE IS EMILY BLUNT? I'd argue one of the biggest snubs of the year considering that she won the Golden Globe and was nominated at the SAG's. However, without her I think Croze will take the gold for her double SAG award winning performance in the masterpiece Chateau Marmont. Don't count out Garofalo though, if The Film Club ends up on a losing streak at the Oscars, look for her to win the category. I also wouldn't completely count out Portman who shines in Sands of Mars, the vote could split between the two titans baits (Croze and Garofalo) and she could sneak in.
Winner: Marie-Josee Croze, Chateau Marmont
Spoiler Alert: Janeane Garofalo, The Film Club
Bset Supporting Actor
Warren Beatty, Cloverleaf
Robert Duvall, American Hollow
Peter Facinelli, Cry to Heaven
**Paul Schneider, American Hollow**
Anton Yelchin, The Film Club
A tough category this month, seeing as American Hollow could easily rule the category, or split their vote allowing Yelchin to sneak in and win. I'm going to bet however that Schneider wins the Oscar this month, and Yelchin comes in a not so distant second. Plus, WHERE THE DEVIL IS TIMOTHY HUTTON?! He slowly moved his way up to frontrunner status and then completely was skipped over for a nomination. Even funnier, a multitude of Oscar voters have said that 1. they put him on their ballot and 2. They had marked him down as the winner of the category. Bait an Oscar conspiracy...
Winner: Paul Scheider, American Hollow
Spoiler Alert: Anton Yelchin, The Film Club
Best Actress
Blythe Danner, No One Knew Her Name
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chateau Marmont
**Mary Steenburgen, The Drifter**
Julia Stiles, Trick
Tang Wei, Losing Xiang
Danner may be considered the frontrunner here now that Regura was amazingly snubbed, but I'm putting my money on Steenburgen to take the Oscar this month in a truely great performance, and this will probably be the only place that The Drifter wins an Oscar this month.
Winner: Mary Steenburgen, The Drifter
Spoiler Alert: Blythe Danner, No One Knew Her Name
Best Actor
Hank Azaria, The Film Club
Javier Bardem, La Bella y La Bestia
Leonardo DiCaprio, Blackbirds
Tommy Lee Jones, The Drifter
**Nick Stahl, American Hollow**
My personal pick for Best Actor is somehow missing this list, which to me is unbelieveable considering Gaspard was brilliant in Chateau, but we're left with this list and I really believe that this will be as expected and Nick Stahl will pick up a much deserved Oscar for his performance in American Hollow. Azaria will probably remain a distant second for his role in The Film Club.
Winner: Nick Stahl, American Hollow
Spoiler Alert: Hank Azaria, The Film Club
Best Director
Peter Bogdonavich, The Drifter
Francis Ford Coppola, American Hollow
Cameron Crowe, The Film Club
**Guillermo Del Toro, La Bella y La Bestia**
Christopher Nolan, Blackbirds
In one of the bigger Best Director races in Bait an Oscar history, many are predicting a two horse race for the statue, the two horses being Coppola and Crowe. While in that race I'd probably give the edge to Crowe, something tells me that there vote will split and the artistic vision of Guillermo del Toro will lead him to the podium at the ceremony.
Winner: Guillermo del Toro, La Bella y La Bestia
Spoiler Alert: Cameron Crowe, The Film Club
Best Picture
American Hollow
La Bella y La Bestia
Chateau Marmont
The Drifter
**The Film Club**
This is undoubtably one of the hardest Best Picture races to predict within recent memory and will go down as one of the most historic wins in Bait an Oscar history. I almost immeadialy elimiate Bestia and Drifter from the list, because the three titans that will likely rule the Oscar this month, dominate the category. Each have multiple things going for it, American Hollow has the biggest number of nominations, Film Club has the reviews and the awards success (see the Festival and the Golden Globes, and Chateau has the reviews and some awards success. My pick to win ends up being The Film Club, which will be Brian's first BOTM win in a very very long time. However, I'm going to guess that Chateau will probably come in second and the possible spoiler is American Hollow.
Winner: The Film Club
Spoiler Alert: American Hollow
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
I!'s 2nd Annual Top 100 Baits of All Time (#90-81)
Announcer: For over two years, Bait an Oscar has awed, enlightened and entertained audience and authors alike. The concept was simple: create your dream Oscar winning movie. What it became, however, is something for the history books. Ranging from the ensemble dramas to witty satires to whimsical fantasies, the stories written by these authors will surely be the audience and critical darlings they are meant to be. These are truly ‘the greatest films never made”. So without further ado, we bring you I’s Second Annual Top 100 Baits of All Time Tribute Ceremony!
(Montage segment)
Announcer: Once again, please welcome the one, the only, the nerdy: Zgamer.
(Zgamer walks through one of the doorways of the Hall of Baiting and faces the camera)
Zgamer: Geez, we really need a map here. Ok, tonight we have the continuation of our ceremony celebrating the Top 100 Baits ever written. We have received the votes, scoured the forums and compiled together the following section.
Before we start, I want to thank you for your continued patience and I especially want to thank my partner Bryce and this section’s comment volunteers (and BOTM winners) Alex S. and Harry. So here are your choices for the 90th to 81st best baits ever.
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#90
Alex S.- Even if Michael's musicals are seen now with a little resentment, “Into the Woods” is one of the best executed adaptations from stage, dealing with a complicated story difficult to translate to movie terms, “Into the Woods” was a humble and uplifting musical that never pretended to be something it wasn't and that was its greatness.
Announcer: Released back in December 2007, this acclaimed Stephen Sondheim musical shines a new light on the lives of such classic fairy tale characters like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. Finally getting a big screen adaptation, Michael took the Tony winning musical and added a top-notch cast and crew to the mix.
Harry- I had loads of fun reading “Into the Woods”. It is a musical, but also a nice tribute to fairy tales with references to the little red Riding Hood and Rapunzel among others. My favorite part of the bait is some of the casting, particularly Amy Adams as the princess with very long hair. Her voice and talents would shine in this role. Rob Marshall, while being a little safe, would truly work. In “Chicago”, he proved that he could be an actor’s director with the musical genre. I don’t see why he couldn’t continue showing this with this project. As a whole, “Into the Woods” is a fun bait with a nice plot structure.
Announcer: Though it took a while, “Into the Woods” became one of the month’s hits thanks to its cast and entertaining subject matter. After a good precursor run, the bait became a surprise Oscar darling by nabbing the #8 spot and a win for Adapted Screenplay. Most people still consider this Michael’s best musical adaptation so far.
Zgamer- Musicals are particularly hard to do in Bait an Oscar and Michael took a risk by doing one of the most unbaity musicals ever. Thankfully, it just so happens to be one of the best musicals ever and Michael did his very best to do justice to the material. I love his casting choices and after seeing the musical on stage, I’m sure I’d be very entertained seeing it in the theaters.
(#90-INTO THE WOODS, WRITTEN BY MICHAEL)
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#89
Zgamer: Batman? You’d think that would be a sign for failure. But oh boy, how wrong we were when we all read Tony’s “Scars of Tomorrow”. Not only is it one of the most entertaining baits ever written, but it has an inspired cast, crew and story that give the bait that distinct Tony feel to it. Thank goodness “Batman Begins” came out before this, because it just makes the bait that much better.
Announcer: Released in July 2007, “Batman: Scars of Tomorrow” brings another reinvention to the Batman mythos. However, Tony skips the origin story to go straight to the action, following Batman attempt to combat villains Two-Face and the Black Mask. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and with such stars as Billy Crudup, Ralph Fiennes and Benicio Del Toro, this had all the potential for a blockbuster hit.
Alex S.- Through his career Tony is known for always pushing the envelope in terms of storytelling and his first attempt with a familiar story was no different. With brilliant casting and kick**s villains, this Batman actually prepared us for this summer, without fears Tony gave us a gripping story.
Announcer- Hot off of good Festival buzz, Batman found great support from the readers. Many pointed out the all-star cast, compelling storyline and distinct style as sources of its success. However, the most praised aspects were the casting of the villains, with Fiennes as the tormented Two-Face and Del Toro as the insidious Black Mask. While it was never considered an Oscar vehicle (and still really isn’t), it found the right support to place #7 in the month and easily nab a Box-Office Success award.
Harry- This bait has two of my favorite supporting performances ever. It’s curious since both Ralph Fiennes and Benicio Del Toro play villains. “Batman: Scars of Tomorrow” is Tony’s masterpiece that chronicles Batman’s adventures and how Black Mask and Two-Face, the two previously mentioned villains, came to be. The bait’s character development is extraordinary and psychological. Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a fascinating director choice considering his film “The City of Lost Children” and Billy Crudup is also great casting. Tony proved that a superhero film could be taken seriously at the contest.
(#89- BATMAN: SCARS OF TOMORROW, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#88
Harry- Cinema is seen as art by some and as an industry by others. “Buzzed”, Zgamer and Chris P.’s fresh parody, is bashing the industry. This bait’s accomplishment is to achieve its goal by being symbolic rather than manipulative. Patrick Layton, the bait’s principal character, isn’t making a film for himself. All he wants is that his film wins an Oscar. To achieve this goal, the studio’s head decides to hire a film critic to write fake reviews in the Internet and assure the film’s Oscar buzz. While the bait’s story is lots of fun, if you look closer, the bait is defending cinema as an art and attacking cinema as an industry. Jason Reitman is a solid directing choice and the bait’s ensemble is simply perfect. All of this reminds us why “Buzzed” is the only team bait to ever win BOTM.
Announcer: Released in November 2007, “Buzzed” was the combined brainchild of Chris P. and Zgamer. The story centered on a satirization of the Oscar season, where a director and studio construct an elaborate plot to push their movie to an Oscar win. Directed by rising comedy director Jason Reitman and led star Jason Bateman, Andy Griffith and J.K. Simmons, “Buzzed” was poised to sink its fangs into corporate Hollywood.
Zgamer- To this day, I still attribute the success of this bait to Chris. He came up with the idea, he got most of the cast and he was the one who helped promote its success. I feel like I was just along for the ride. The BOTM win was pretty much his. But I’m glad that it all worked out in the end and I’m especially glad I was able to help Chris along his way to becoming the author he is today.
Announcer: Though it got off to a shaky start, “Buzzed” slowly worked its way into the hearts of its readers. Many found the bait to be quite funny thanks to its sharp writing and SAG winning cast, with stars Griffith, Simmons and Cloris Leechman earning the most praise. Come Oscar time, Buzzed surprised everyone by leaping into the BOTM spot while also winning awards for its Online Campaign and Original Screenplay. To this day, “Buzzed” remains the only team bait to win the big prize and one of the best satires in the competition.
Alex S.- Movies spoofing Hollywood are common, movies that do it right are rare. With a fantastic cast and a hilarious and quirky storyline, “Buzzed” is one of the best comedies released in the contest. Aiming for natural laughs instead of artificial humor, this is a great accomplishment.
(#88-BUZZED, WRITTEN BY CHRIS P. AND ZGAMER)
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#87
Zgamer- I remember reading “Steamboat Disney” for the first time back in August and thinking to myself “Why hasn’t this been made already?” Well, Daniel showed how it should be done. With an expert crew, great writing and a stellar casting of David Strathairn, this remains one of my favorite biopics of the competition.
Announcer: Released in August 2006, “Steamboat Disney” took a look into the life of animation pioneer Walt Disney. From his service in the war to his early success in animation to the opening of Disneyland, the legend’s life is fully realized thanks to the dedicated direction of a certain George Clooney.
Harry- Daniel’s storytelling is simple, yet emotionally profound. “Steamboat Disney” is one of the most heartfelt biopics I have ever read in the contest. During the inauguration of the Walt Disney Resort, Disney begins to remember moments of his life. This is one of the most intimate biopics, as it tells the story from its main character’s viewpoint, making it have more depth. Now, I don’t think I need to talk about the perfection of David Strathairn’s casting as Walt. Daniel then picks George Clooney to direct him like in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Daniel can achieve such greatness with such ease, portraying depth from the simplest things.
Announcer: “Steamboat Disney” met with great praise in a month full of great baits. Serving as a companion piece to his other biopic “I, Bergman”, the bait thrived thanks to the help of Clooney and lead star Strathairn in what is considered one of the best performances of the competition. Then it came with one of the most shocking omissions ever as Strathairn missed the shortlist. Fortunately, the bait still succeeded enough to place #6 in the month and helping Daniel get his first Author win. One of the first biopics to stand out in Bait an Oscar, it remains one of the best too.
Alex S.- One of the best biopics in past years, the amazing story of Walt Disney was perfectly told by its helmer George Clooney and in a second collaboration Disney is flawlessly portrayed by David Strathairn. Dan Futterman's words are able to capture our attention and hearts in the telling of a story that changed the world forever.
(#87- STEAMBOAT DISNEY, WRITTEN BY DANIEL CROOKE)
-----------------------------------
#86
Zgamer- Josh P.’s career has been one of ups and downs. While I can’t say I consider this his greatest ever, “Paradise Lost” is definitely one of the most ambitious baits ever attempted. With an epic scope and a competent director choice, this could prove to be an interesting film if made. Sure, some may say its not perfect, but I give him props for being the only one to actually give it a shot. Plus, how often do you see a bait tackle religion in such a unique way?
Announcer- Released in April 2008, “John Milton’s Paradise Lost” details a complex story depicting the literal confrontation between God and Satan for the control of man’s destiny. Helmed by director Ang Lee and with such stars as Eric Bana and Jeremy Irons, “Paradise Lost” hoped to end Josh’s prolific career with a bang.
Harry- It is a shame Josh P. left. His casting, crew choices and storytelling were all impeccable. “Paradise Lost” is no difference; it is a religious epic that, if made as a film, would certainly be a grand spectacle with amazing visuals and solid acting. Ang Lee is the perfect directing choice and the crew is extremely impressive. “John Milton’s Paradise Lost” was the final great bait of a great author.
Announcer- “Paradise Lost” opened to a mixed reception. While many tried to point out flaws in the writing and the overblown cast, there were many who praised the bait for its epic story, Lee’s directing and Irons tour de force performance as the Almighty. Come Oscar time, “Paradise Lost” found good success, tying for #7 of the month and earning a prize for its Box-Office Potential. Though Josh is no longer active, we at least have baits like this to remember how great an author he really was.
(#86-PARADISE LOST, WRITTEN BY JOSH P.)
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#85
Harry- There have been amazing stories in Bait an Oscar. Brian’s “Ashes of Elmwood” can be included among those stories. It is the story of Suzanne Elmwood, a woman who gets kidnapped while being with her boyfriend Sean, and how her mysterious return affects the lives of the people around her. I saw images in my head as I read the synopsis, dark images that portrayed humans and their psychological shocks. The cast is a dream with Björk being one of the most original casting choices Bait an Oscar has ever had. Sidney Lumet is the perfect director. This bait will surprise with its many unexpected twists, and an unrevealed ending.
Announcer- Released in May 2008, Brian’s deep drama on psychological scars centers on a cop’s investigation of a child abduction and how it ties many in his life to the scene. Directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet and led by Don Cheadle, Ellen Burstyn and singer Bjork, this was a story with a point to make.
Alex S.- With it's complex story and excellently defined characters, this story holds your attention from beginning to end and distinguishes itself as one of the best baits of that month with an amazing performance by Bjork.
Announcer- While May was not geneally considered a competitive month, Ashes found a way to stand over the crowd. While it received praise for many things, it is universally acknowledged that Bjork’s Oscar winning performance that garnered its #3 of the month and Original Bait win and sealed its fate as a classic. Easily another great bait Brian can add to his illustrious profile.
Zgamer- Funny that it has been two months since this bait’s release because I still vividly remember Bjork’s performance. She was pretty much the reason why I loved this bait so much, as it was one of the most inspired casting choices I’ve seen. Add to that the fact the bait was really well written and you have pure Brian.
(#85- ASHES OF ELMWOOD, WRITTEN BY BRIAN ERICKSON)
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#84
Alex S.- This remake of “Day of the Jackal” succeeds in taking us back to the amazing 70's when this kind of movies were more than just action movies but also gives us a feel of the renovated genre by movies like “Casino Royale” or “The Bourne Ultimatum”. A very concise storytelling and a brilliantly assembled cast & crew make this filck something more.
Announcer- Released in December 2007, “Day of the Jackal” reinvents the Frederick Forsyth novel and previous film to tell a thrilling story of an attempt to foil a presidential assassination. Directed by Martin Campbell and led by new James Bond Daniel Craig, this thriller hoped to bring old school action back to the Oscar stage.
Zgamer- Ok, I don’t agree with some of the details of this bait, but you have to admit that this was a pretty thrilling story. I mean really, after “Casino Royale”, I’m positive that Campbell and Craig would do a great job keeping the audience at the edge of your seats.
Announcer- “Day of the Jackal” opened to stellar reviews from the get go, with many praising the compelling story and Campbell’s directing the most. After a good precursor run, “Day of the Jackal” proved to be an Oscar darling when it earned the #2 of the month, along with wins for Box-Office Potential and director Campbell. In a world where remakes usually are not good, Adam proved they can work.
(#84- DAY OF THE JACKAL, WRITTEN BY ADAM)
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#83
Zgamer- Whether you love or hate Pat as an author, you have to admit he does write some great baits. I personally feel “Border Man” is one of Pat’s purest hits because it succeeds with what it doesn’t tell us. It sets the stage, gives us the characters and gives us the motives. All it asks of us is to figure it all out. Luckily, he employed a great cast to carry the weight of the bait.
Announcer- Released in July 2007, “Border Man” delves into a story of interracial relationships as a border patrol cop gets involved with the girlfriend of a notorious drug lord. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu and led by Tom Berenger and Maribel Verdu, “Border Man” brought a needed amount of romantic tension to the Oscar race.
Alex S.- “Border Man” was interesting approach to a familiar theme. Though some aspects of the overall story were less than stellar, the bait achieved to tell a human story with two fantastic characters, Maribel Verdu won her Oscar deservedly and Tom Berenger had a memorable comeback.
Announcer- “Border Man” opened to great praise from the public thanks to its simple but effective storytelling and a great cast of lesser known and former stars. After a great precursor run, “Border Man” became an Oscar hit by ranking #3 of the month and picking up a prize for Verdu’s supporting turn as the drug lord’s girlfriend. Pat’s reputation may be slightly tarnished in the eyes of many authors, but his work still speaks for itself.
(#83- BORDER MAN, WRITTEN BY PAT)
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#82
Alex S.- A story filled with so much symbolism, “Tabula Rasa” is one of the best epics and one of the most original baits I’ve ever read. Taking the theme of the anti-Christ has never been this exciting and more interesting. A visually arresting and breathtaking picture that never ceases to amaze you with every frame.
Announcer- Released back in October 2007, “Tabula Rasa” is Tony’s unique tale detailing a priest’s decent into madness and his new crusade to be the anti-Christ on Earth. With inspired directing and cast choices, “Tabula Rasa” was bound to cock some eyebrows.
Harry- I will first begin with the poster. It left me speechless. It is such an artistic achievement, with such a breathtaking style. Now, I move into the story. “His awakening chose his path. His war will choose his legacy”. This is a dark, gritty story about a priest who, after beginning to feel hate through a surreal hallucinatory sequence, begins to make bad actions including war. Randall Wallace is the screenwriter and Zack Snyder is the director. Both of these chose work incredibly well as a team. Jude Law is perfect casting. The writing is poetry, entering into the reader’s mind, penetrating disturbing yet beautiful images. This is one of the grand achievements of Bait an Oscar and another masterpiece in Tony’s incredible career.
Announcer- Upon release, “Tabula Rasa” was embraced by the public for being an epic and daring bait. Readers loved its superb story, excellent poster and Jude Law’s lead performance. A critical and precursor darling, “Tabula Rasa” went on to pick up the #7 on the month spot and win prizes for Best Poster and Original Screenplay. To this day, this remains among some of Tony’s most acclaimed work, which is saying a lot considering his profile.
Zgamer- Pretty much, I was sold when I saw that poster. In that simple yet detailed square, you saw everything that this bait had to offer. Style, professionalism, mood, maybe even some controversial stuff. It’s exactly the stuff Tony built his acclaim with and it all served the bait well.
(#82- TABULA RASA, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#81
Harry- Recently, there has been an author with a passionate talent writing baits that go into the reader’s emotions. His breakthrough bait “Revenant Dreams” is easily among the finest baits this contest has ever had. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” is another profound summation to Jeffrey’s fascinating career. It is tells the true story of a Japanese teenage girl who gets kidnapped by Korean spies and then becomes one of them herself. The synopsis takes its time developing itself. It never lets you go until the bait’s strong climatic finale. The press section is a wonder as it perfectly depicts how these real events would be handled on screen. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” is emotional.
Announcer- Released in April 2008, “Owner of a Lonely Heart” was Jeffrey’s successful follow-up to his breakthrough hit Revenant Dreams. This true story, told as a foreign film, follows the life of a young Japanese girl kidnapped by North Koreans and her struggles growing up in that environment. Headed by an all Japanese cast and crew, it’s easy to believe that many may have been warded off by such a foreign bait.
Alex S- A marvelous story, constructed with perfection and brilliantly acted, this is one of the best foreign movies in the past years. With a story that translates in essence to every part of the world, “Owner of a Lonely Heart” excels in creating a true human story we all loved to witness.
Announcer- “Owner of a Lonely Heart” opened to great reviews from the community. Though some criticized certain flaws within the story, most everyone enjoyed the baits emotional storytelling and the fact it was a truly compelling foreign film. As Oscar time approached, its following was convinced it would become the big winner of the month. While that claim did not hold true, the bait did place #6 of the month, along with earning deserved prizes for Best Original Character and Awards Campaign. This was, and still is, one of the best examples of foreign filmmaking the contest has to offer.
Zgamer- I admit, I never heard of a single person in this bait. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised upon reading it, because it was actually really good. I didn’t like the ending so much, but it was still an emotional rollercoaster and really made me connect with Japanese filmmaking. Plus, how often do you see an excellent foreign bait in the competition?
(#81- OWNER OF A LONELY HEART, WRITTEN BY JEFFREY)
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Zgamer: Thus we conclude this section of the ceremony. We are still hard at work keeping the ceremony on its feet and promise to keep bringing you the baits that made it over the next weeks. I also wish to thank my volunteers again for all their help. So until next time, we wish you a good night and the best of luck to this and future baiting.
Recap of tonight’s winners:
::#90. INTO THE WOODS, WRITTEN BY MICHAEL::
::#89 BATMAN: SCARS OF TOMORROW, WRITTEN BY TONY::
::#88 BUZZED, WRITTEN BY CHRIS P. AND ZGAMER::
::#87 STEAMBOAT DISNEY, WRITTEN BY DANIEL CROOKE::
::#86 JOHN MILTON’S PARADISE LOST, WRITTEN BY JOSH P.::
::#85 ASHES OF ELMWOOD, WRITTEN BY BRIAN ERICKSON::
::#84 DAY OF THE JACKAL, WRITTEN BY ADAM::
::#83 BORDER MAN, WRITTEN BY PAT::
::#82 TABULA RASA, WRITTEN BY TONY::
::#81 OWNER OF A LONELY HEART, WRITTEN BY JEFFREY::
(Montage segment)
Announcer: Once again, please welcome the one, the only, the nerdy: Zgamer.
(Zgamer walks through one of the doorways of the Hall of Baiting and faces the camera)
Zgamer: Geez, we really need a map here. Ok, tonight we have the continuation of our ceremony celebrating the Top 100 Baits ever written. We have received the votes, scoured the forums and compiled together the following section.
Before we start, I want to thank you for your continued patience and I especially want to thank my partner Bryce and this section’s comment volunteers (and BOTM winners) Alex S. and Harry. So here are your choices for the 90th to 81st best baits ever.
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#90
Alex S.- Even if Michael's musicals are seen now with a little resentment, “Into the Woods” is one of the best executed adaptations from stage, dealing with a complicated story difficult to translate to movie terms, “Into the Woods” was a humble and uplifting musical that never pretended to be something it wasn't and that was its greatness.
Announcer: Released back in December 2007, this acclaimed Stephen Sondheim musical shines a new light on the lives of such classic fairy tale characters like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. Finally getting a big screen adaptation, Michael took the Tony winning musical and added a top-notch cast and crew to the mix.
Harry- I had loads of fun reading “Into the Woods”. It is a musical, but also a nice tribute to fairy tales with references to the little red Riding Hood and Rapunzel among others. My favorite part of the bait is some of the casting, particularly Amy Adams as the princess with very long hair. Her voice and talents would shine in this role. Rob Marshall, while being a little safe, would truly work. In “Chicago”, he proved that he could be an actor’s director with the musical genre. I don’t see why he couldn’t continue showing this with this project. As a whole, “Into the Woods” is a fun bait with a nice plot structure.
Announcer: Though it took a while, “Into the Woods” became one of the month’s hits thanks to its cast and entertaining subject matter. After a good precursor run, the bait became a surprise Oscar darling by nabbing the #8 spot and a win for Adapted Screenplay. Most people still consider this Michael’s best musical adaptation so far.
Zgamer- Musicals are particularly hard to do in Bait an Oscar and Michael took a risk by doing one of the most unbaity musicals ever. Thankfully, it just so happens to be one of the best musicals ever and Michael did his very best to do justice to the material. I love his casting choices and after seeing the musical on stage, I’m sure I’d be very entertained seeing it in the theaters.
(#90-INTO THE WOODS, WRITTEN BY MICHAEL)
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#89
Zgamer: Batman? You’d think that would be a sign for failure. But oh boy, how wrong we were when we all read Tony’s “Scars of Tomorrow”. Not only is it one of the most entertaining baits ever written, but it has an inspired cast, crew and story that give the bait that distinct Tony feel to it. Thank goodness “Batman Begins” came out before this, because it just makes the bait that much better.
Announcer: Released in July 2007, “Batman: Scars of Tomorrow” brings another reinvention to the Batman mythos. However, Tony skips the origin story to go straight to the action, following Batman attempt to combat villains Two-Face and the Black Mask. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and with such stars as Billy Crudup, Ralph Fiennes and Benicio Del Toro, this had all the potential for a blockbuster hit.
Alex S.- Through his career Tony is known for always pushing the envelope in terms of storytelling and his first attempt with a familiar story was no different. With brilliant casting and kick**s villains, this Batman actually prepared us for this summer, without fears Tony gave us a gripping story.
Announcer- Hot off of good Festival buzz, Batman found great support from the readers. Many pointed out the all-star cast, compelling storyline and distinct style as sources of its success. However, the most praised aspects were the casting of the villains, with Fiennes as the tormented Two-Face and Del Toro as the insidious Black Mask. While it was never considered an Oscar vehicle (and still really isn’t), it found the right support to place #7 in the month and easily nab a Box-Office Success award.
Harry- This bait has two of my favorite supporting performances ever. It’s curious since both Ralph Fiennes and Benicio Del Toro play villains. “Batman: Scars of Tomorrow” is Tony’s masterpiece that chronicles Batman’s adventures and how Black Mask and Two-Face, the two previously mentioned villains, came to be. The bait’s character development is extraordinary and psychological. Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a fascinating director choice considering his film “The City of Lost Children” and Billy Crudup is also great casting. Tony proved that a superhero film could be taken seriously at the contest.
(#89- BATMAN: SCARS OF TOMORROW, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#88
Harry- Cinema is seen as art by some and as an industry by others. “Buzzed”, Zgamer and Chris P.’s fresh parody, is bashing the industry. This bait’s accomplishment is to achieve its goal by being symbolic rather than manipulative. Patrick Layton, the bait’s principal character, isn’t making a film for himself. All he wants is that his film wins an Oscar. To achieve this goal, the studio’s head decides to hire a film critic to write fake reviews in the Internet and assure the film’s Oscar buzz. While the bait’s story is lots of fun, if you look closer, the bait is defending cinema as an art and attacking cinema as an industry. Jason Reitman is a solid directing choice and the bait’s ensemble is simply perfect. All of this reminds us why “Buzzed” is the only team bait to ever win BOTM.
Announcer: Released in November 2007, “Buzzed” was the combined brainchild of Chris P. and Zgamer. The story centered on a satirization of the Oscar season, where a director and studio construct an elaborate plot to push their movie to an Oscar win. Directed by rising comedy director Jason Reitman and led star Jason Bateman, Andy Griffith and J.K. Simmons, “Buzzed” was poised to sink its fangs into corporate Hollywood.
Zgamer- To this day, I still attribute the success of this bait to Chris. He came up with the idea, he got most of the cast and he was the one who helped promote its success. I feel like I was just along for the ride. The BOTM win was pretty much his. But I’m glad that it all worked out in the end and I’m especially glad I was able to help Chris along his way to becoming the author he is today.
Announcer: Though it got off to a shaky start, “Buzzed” slowly worked its way into the hearts of its readers. Many found the bait to be quite funny thanks to its sharp writing and SAG winning cast, with stars Griffith, Simmons and Cloris Leechman earning the most praise. Come Oscar time, Buzzed surprised everyone by leaping into the BOTM spot while also winning awards for its Online Campaign and Original Screenplay. To this day, “Buzzed” remains the only team bait to win the big prize and one of the best satires in the competition.
Alex S.- Movies spoofing Hollywood are common, movies that do it right are rare. With a fantastic cast and a hilarious and quirky storyline, “Buzzed” is one of the best comedies released in the contest. Aiming for natural laughs instead of artificial humor, this is a great accomplishment.
(#88-BUZZED, WRITTEN BY CHRIS P. AND ZGAMER)
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#87
Zgamer- I remember reading “Steamboat Disney” for the first time back in August and thinking to myself “Why hasn’t this been made already?” Well, Daniel showed how it should be done. With an expert crew, great writing and a stellar casting of David Strathairn, this remains one of my favorite biopics of the competition.
Announcer: Released in August 2006, “Steamboat Disney” took a look into the life of animation pioneer Walt Disney. From his service in the war to his early success in animation to the opening of Disneyland, the legend’s life is fully realized thanks to the dedicated direction of a certain George Clooney.
Harry- Daniel’s storytelling is simple, yet emotionally profound. “Steamboat Disney” is one of the most heartfelt biopics I have ever read in the contest. During the inauguration of the Walt Disney Resort, Disney begins to remember moments of his life. This is one of the most intimate biopics, as it tells the story from its main character’s viewpoint, making it have more depth. Now, I don’t think I need to talk about the perfection of David Strathairn’s casting as Walt. Daniel then picks George Clooney to direct him like in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Daniel can achieve such greatness with such ease, portraying depth from the simplest things.
Announcer: “Steamboat Disney” met with great praise in a month full of great baits. Serving as a companion piece to his other biopic “I, Bergman”, the bait thrived thanks to the help of Clooney and lead star Strathairn in what is considered one of the best performances of the competition. Then it came with one of the most shocking omissions ever as Strathairn missed the shortlist. Fortunately, the bait still succeeded enough to place #6 in the month and helping Daniel get his first Author win. One of the first biopics to stand out in Bait an Oscar, it remains one of the best too.
Alex S.- One of the best biopics in past years, the amazing story of Walt Disney was perfectly told by its helmer George Clooney and in a second collaboration Disney is flawlessly portrayed by David Strathairn. Dan Futterman's words are able to capture our attention and hearts in the telling of a story that changed the world forever.
(#87- STEAMBOAT DISNEY, WRITTEN BY DANIEL CROOKE)
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#86
Zgamer- Josh P.’s career has been one of ups and downs. While I can’t say I consider this his greatest ever, “Paradise Lost” is definitely one of the most ambitious baits ever attempted. With an epic scope and a competent director choice, this could prove to be an interesting film if made. Sure, some may say its not perfect, but I give him props for being the only one to actually give it a shot. Plus, how often do you see a bait tackle religion in such a unique way?
Announcer- Released in April 2008, “John Milton’s Paradise Lost” details a complex story depicting the literal confrontation between God and Satan for the control of man’s destiny. Helmed by director Ang Lee and with such stars as Eric Bana and Jeremy Irons, “Paradise Lost” hoped to end Josh’s prolific career with a bang.
Harry- It is a shame Josh P. left. His casting, crew choices and storytelling were all impeccable. “Paradise Lost” is no difference; it is a religious epic that, if made as a film, would certainly be a grand spectacle with amazing visuals and solid acting. Ang Lee is the perfect directing choice and the crew is extremely impressive. “John Milton’s Paradise Lost” was the final great bait of a great author.
Announcer- “Paradise Lost” opened to a mixed reception. While many tried to point out flaws in the writing and the overblown cast, there were many who praised the bait for its epic story, Lee’s directing and Irons tour de force performance as the Almighty. Come Oscar time, “Paradise Lost” found good success, tying for #7 of the month and earning a prize for its Box-Office Potential. Though Josh is no longer active, we at least have baits like this to remember how great an author he really was.
(#86-PARADISE LOST, WRITTEN BY JOSH P.)
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#85
Harry- There have been amazing stories in Bait an Oscar. Brian’s “Ashes of Elmwood” can be included among those stories. It is the story of Suzanne Elmwood, a woman who gets kidnapped while being with her boyfriend Sean, and how her mysterious return affects the lives of the people around her. I saw images in my head as I read the synopsis, dark images that portrayed humans and their psychological shocks. The cast is a dream with Björk being one of the most original casting choices Bait an Oscar has ever had. Sidney Lumet is the perfect director. This bait will surprise with its many unexpected twists, and an unrevealed ending.
Announcer- Released in May 2008, Brian’s deep drama on psychological scars centers on a cop’s investigation of a child abduction and how it ties many in his life to the scene. Directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet and led by Don Cheadle, Ellen Burstyn and singer Bjork, this was a story with a point to make.
Alex S.- With it's complex story and excellently defined characters, this story holds your attention from beginning to end and distinguishes itself as one of the best baits of that month with an amazing performance by Bjork.
Announcer- While May was not geneally considered a competitive month, Ashes found a way to stand over the crowd. While it received praise for many things, it is universally acknowledged that Bjork’s Oscar winning performance that garnered its #3 of the month and Original Bait win and sealed its fate as a classic. Easily another great bait Brian can add to his illustrious profile.
Zgamer- Funny that it has been two months since this bait’s release because I still vividly remember Bjork’s performance. She was pretty much the reason why I loved this bait so much, as it was one of the most inspired casting choices I’ve seen. Add to that the fact the bait was really well written and you have pure Brian.
(#85- ASHES OF ELMWOOD, WRITTEN BY BRIAN ERICKSON)
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#84
Alex S.- This remake of “Day of the Jackal” succeeds in taking us back to the amazing 70's when this kind of movies were more than just action movies but also gives us a feel of the renovated genre by movies like “Casino Royale” or “The Bourne Ultimatum”. A very concise storytelling and a brilliantly assembled cast & crew make this filck something more.
Announcer- Released in December 2007, “Day of the Jackal” reinvents the Frederick Forsyth novel and previous film to tell a thrilling story of an attempt to foil a presidential assassination. Directed by Martin Campbell and led by new James Bond Daniel Craig, this thriller hoped to bring old school action back to the Oscar stage.
Zgamer- Ok, I don’t agree with some of the details of this bait, but you have to admit that this was a pretty thrilling story. I mean really, after “Casino Royale”, I’m positive that Campbell and Craig would do a great job keeping the audience at the edge of your seats.
Announcer- “Day of the Jackal” opened to stellar reviews from the get go, with many praising the compelling story and Campbell’s directing the most. After a good precursor run, “Day of the Jackal” proved to be an Oscar darling when it earned the #2 of the month, along with wins for Box-Office Potential and director Campbell. In a world where remakes usually are not good, Adam proved they can work.
(#84- DAY OF THE JACKAL, WRITTEN BY ADAM)
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#83
Zgamer- Whether you love or hate Pat as an author, you have to admit he does write some great baits. I personally feel “Border Man” is one of Pat’s purest hits because it succeeds with what it doesn’t tell us. It sets the stage, gives us the characters and gives us the motives. All it asks of us is to figure it all out. Luckily, he employed a great cast to carry the weight of the bait.
Announcer- Released in July 2007, “Border Man” delves into a story of interracial relationships as a border patrol cop gets involved with the girlfriend of a notorious drug lord. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu and led by Tom Berenger and Maribel Verdu, “Border Man” brought a needed amount of romantic tension to the Oscar race.
Alex S.- “Border Man” was interesting approach to a familiar theme. Though some aspects of the overall story were less than stellar, the bait achieved to tell a human story with two fantastic characters, Maribel Verdu won her Oscar deservedly and Tom Berenger had a memorable comeback.
Announcer- “Border Man” opened to great praise from the public thanks to its simple but effective storytelling and a great cast of lesser known and former stars. After a great precursor run, “Border Man” became an Oscar hit by ranking #3 of the month and picking up a prize for Verdu’s supporting turn as the drug lord’s girlfriend. Pat’s reputation may be slightly tarnished in the eyes of many authors, but his work still speaks for itself.
(#83- BORDER MAN, WRITTEN BY PAT)
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#82
Alex S.- A story filled with so much symbolism, “Tabula Rasa” is one of the best epics and one of the most original baits I’ve ever read. Taking the theme of the anti-Christ has never been this exciting and more interesting. A visually arresting and breathtaking picture that never ceases to amaze you with every frame.
Announcer- Released back in October 2007, “Tabula Rasa” is Tony’s unique tale detailing a priest’s decent into madness and his new crusade to be the anti-Christ on Earth. With inspired directing and cast choices, “Tabula Rasa” was bound to cock some eyebrows.
Harry- I will first begin with the poster. It left me speechless. It is such an artistic achievement, with such a breathtaking style. Now, I move into the story. “His awakening chose his path. His war will choose his legacy”. This is a dark, gritty story about a priest who, after beginning to feel hate through a surreal hallucinatory sequence, begins to make bad actions including war. Randall Wallace is the screenwriter and Zack Snyder is the director. Both of these chose work incredibly well as a team. Jude Law is perfect casting. The writing is poetry, entering into the reader’s mind, penetrating disturbing yet beautiful images. This is one of the grand achievements of Bait an Oscar and another masterpiece in Tony’s incredible career.
Announcer- Upon release, “Tabula Rasa” was embraced by the public for being an epic and daring bait. Readers loved its superb story, excellent poster and Jude Law’s lead performance. A critical and precursor darling, “Tabula Rasa” went on to pick up the #7 on the month spot and win prizes for Best Poster and Original Screenplay. To this day, this remains among some of Tony’s most acclaimed work, which is saying a lot considering his profile.
Zgamer- Pretty much, I was sold when I saw that poster. In that simple yet detailed square, you saw everything that this bait had to offer. Style, professionalism, mood, maybe even some controversial stuff. It’s exactly the stuff Tony built his acclaim with and it all served the bait well.
(#82- TABULA RASA, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#81
Harry- Recently, there has been an author with a passionate talent writing baits that go into the reader’s emotions. His breakthrough bait “Revenant Dreams” is easily among the finest baits this contest has ever had. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” is another profound summation to Jeffrey’s fascinating career. It is tells the true story of a Japanese teenage girl who gets kidnapped by Korean spies and then becomes one of them herself. The synopsis takes its time developing itself. It never lets you go until the bait’s strong climatic finale. The press section is a wonder as it perfectly depicts how these real events would be handled on screen. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” is emotional.
Announcer- Released in April 2008, “Owner of a Lonely Heart” was Jeffrey’s successful follow-up to his breakthrough hit Revenant Dreams. This true story, told as a foreign film, follows the life of a young Japanese girl kidnapped by North Koreans and her struggles growing up in that environment. Headed by an all Japanese cast and crew, it’s easy to believe that many may have been warded off by such a foreign bait.
Alex S- A marvelous story, constructed with perfection and brilliantly acted, this is one of the best foreign movies in the past years. With a story that translates in essence to every part of the world, “Owner of a Lonely Heart” excels in creating a true human story we all loved to witness.
Announcer- “Owner of a Lonely Heart” opened to great reviews from the community. Though some criticized certain flaws within the story, most everyone enjoyed the baits emotional storytelling and the fact it was a truly compelling foreign film. As Oscar time approached, its following was convinced it would become the big winner of the month. While that claim did not hold true, the bait did place #6 of the month, along with earning deserved prizes for Best Original Character and Awards Campaign. This was, and still is, one of the best examples of foreign filmmaking the contest has to offer.
Zgamer- I admit, I never heard of a single person in this bait. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised upon reading it, because it was actually really good. I didn’t like the ending so much, but it was still an emotional rollercoaster and really made me connect with Japanese filmmaking. Plus, how often do you see an excellent foreign bait in the competition?
(#81- OWNER OF A LONELY HEART, WRITTEN BY JEFFREY)
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Zgamer: Thus we conclude this section of the ceremony. We are still hard at work keeping the ceremony on its feet and promise to keep bringing you the baits that made it over the next weeks. I also wish to thank my volunteers again for all their help. So until next time, we wish you a good night and the best of luck to this and future baiting.
Recap of tonight’s winners:
::#90. INTO THE WOODS, WRITTEN BY MICHAEL::
::#89 BATMAN: SCARS OF TOMORROW, WRITTEN BY TONY::
::#88 BUZZED, WRITTEN BY CHRIS P. AND ZGAMER::
::#87 STEAMBOAT DISNEY, WRITTEN BY DANIEL CROOKE::
::#86 JOHN MILTON’S PARADISE LOST, WRITTEN BY JOSH P.::
::#85 ASHES OF ELMWOOD, WRITTEN BY BRIAN ERICKSON::
::#84 DAY OF THE JACKAL, WRITTEN BY ADAM::
::#83 BORDER MAN, WRITTEN BY PAT::
::#82 TABULA RASA, WRITTEN BY TONY::
::#81 OWNER OF A LONELY HEART, WRITTEN BY JEFFREY::
Friday, August 15, 2008
I!'s 2nd Annual Top 100 Baits of All Time (#100-91)
Announcer: For over two years, Bait an Oscar has awed, enlightened and entertained audience and authors alike. The concept was simple: create your dream Oscar winning movie. What it became, however, is something for the history books. Ranging from the ensemble dramas to witty satires to whimsical fantasies, the stories written by these authors will surely be the audience and critical darlings they are meant to be. These are truly ‘the greatest films never made”. So without further ado, we bring you I’s Second Annual Top 100 Baits of All Time Tribute Ceremony!
(A montage segment highlights clips from dozens of classic baits)
Announcer: To start us off tonight, we bring you the man in charge. Author of such classics as Jackrabbit and last year’s #1 bait Wackos, it’s Zgamer.
(Zgamer walks through one of the doorways of the Hall of Baiting and faces the camera)
Zgamer: Hello again fellow readers and authors. You know, it’s been a while since we walked down these halls. The memories we shared, the baits we read and the cheers we gave made last year’s event a time to remember.
(The camera zooms out slowly, to reveal a hall filled with blank spots)
Zgamer: But now another year has passed and a new wing has been built. All we need now is to fill it up with more baits. For over three weeks, the Bait an Oscar community sent in ballots with their picks for the greatest baits, actor and directors to ever grace the contest. For now, we’ll start with the traditional Top 100 Baits.
(Points to another hall)
Zgamer: But the actors and directors will have their time come shortly. Now let’s take a seat and welcome the first ten inductees to the new Hall of Baiting Top 100 Baits. Remember, these were voted by the community, so every ranking is final.
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#100
Chris P: July 2007 still remains the best month ever for the contest and when I think about the great batch of baits that month, “Under Fire” definitely is one that comes to mind. It's still probably the best war bait since "Sandstorm" and Ryne did a terrific job gathering together a great all-star cast with standouts like Michelle Williams and Ludacris.
Announcer: Released July 2007, Ryne's sensational war drama, centered around the lives of soldiers in Afghanistan, witnesses the horrors and trauma each person faces fighting the War on Terror and how it affects them and those they love.
Ryne (the bait’s author): I love “Under Fire” because of its simple story about a "Forgotten War" as I make no secret in the bait about how I view it that way. The casting is my personal favorite part of it. I love Colin Hanks in that role along with Chris Bridges, who I feel is an underrated actor. I am honored to have it be in the Top 100.
Announcer: “Under Fire” received a great amount of praise when it released, making most of the Top 10 lists. In addition to placing #5 of the month, it won a well deserved best crew Oscar, along with a good amount of nominations at the SAG awards, and is also hailed as one of the contest's best war dramas.
Bryce: A lot of war movies in real life tend to try and focus on an anti-war/war is useless theme in their movies, and some of the past war baits in the contest have tried implementing this into their bait, but it comes off distracting and a bit preachy. “Under Fire” does not suffer from this, as it actually delivers this theme, and it's own, in a very effective manner that made the bait very memorable.
(#100- UNDER FIRE, WRITTEN BY RYNE)
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#99
Chris P: December 2007 wasn't really a terrific month for baits but “Reminiscence” was one that stood out that month. I think mainly because the story is baity, Mel Gibson's direction was superb, and the leading performance by Paddy Considine was great.
Announcer: Released in December 2007, Tony surprised everyone with this haunting first person account of a man who is captured by the British and condemned to a Indonesian prison. We then experience the man’s attempt to survive while experiencing horrors like he hasn’t seen before.
Ryne: “Reminiscence” reads just like actually memoir entries of the main character which in Bait an Oscar's case doesn't offer enough to make a film, but Tony does a fantastic job with the press section at offering glimpses into what happens outside the cell walls. The press section paints the real picture of what “Reminiscence” would look like on screen and that is something rarely found in this contest.
Announcer: “Reminiscence” met with great praise from the forum, with people pointing out director Gibson’s handling and the stellar cast in particular. Oscar time was particularly kind to the film, awarding it #3 Bait of the Month and awards for Original Screenplay and Original Bait. Add the film’s great precursor run to the mix and you have one of Tony’s most harrowing and acclaimed baits ever.
Bryce: First person point of view is used a lot these days, and this bait is a great example of how it should be used. By putting us in the shoes of the main character, Tony was able to make the audience relate to the character's problem, motive, and emotions; while delivering a very intriguing and engrossing story.
(#98- REMINISCENCE, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#98
Chris P: I remember I first learned about the contest in March of 2007 and “Wicked” was one of the most buzzed about baits of that month. Choosing Menzel and Chenoweth as the two lead witches would definitely be approved by major fans of the musical and the rest of the cast were pretty interesting choices as well. Cuaron, though not the conventional director choice, seemed to fit with the epic and adventurous landscape of Oz.
Announcer: Based on the popular theater musical of the same name, “Wicked” (March 07), written by Al, was based in the world we all saw in “The Wizard of Oz”, but showed everyone there much more going on in Oz than we could of guessed. While “Wicked” had been done before in 2006, Al decided to adapt the stage version rather than go through the original book to give a new experience to the bait.
Ryne: I haven't seen the play so Al did a terrific job at painting the picture at what happened before Dorothy dropped in. Alfonso Cuaron is the perfect choice of director for this film
Announcer: Released in March 2007, the bait was met with huge praise from fans and newcomers alike, coming in at # 2 of the month. The bait won four Oscars for its Awards Campaign, Box Office Potential, Adapted Screenplay and Chenoweth’s electric performance. This remains to this day one of the most acclaimed musicals in Bait an Oscar history.
Bryce: Everything that was great about the source material, and the musical was in this bait. Al was successfully able to capture the brilliance of “Wicked”, and make us escape into a world we knew, yet knew nothing about.
(#98- WICKED (March 07), WRITTEN BY AL)
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#97
Chris P: “The Great Fitzgerald” is the definition of baity. By 2006's standards, most casts were filled with big named stars so that's pretty understandable and the story, ensemble, and crew are some things that would guarantee real Academy Awards.
Announcer: Released in July 2006, “The Great Fitzgerald” brought a scrutinizing eye to the life of “The Great Gatsby” writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. The man’s personal problems, rocky love life and various roadblocks were all brought to life through the talents of the late Anthony Minghella and his all star cast.
Ryne: “The Great Fitzgerald” is the original ensemble piece in Bait an Oscar. In terms of the contest now, the cast might seem "bloated" but I love every aspect of it. Tom delves into F. Scott Fitzgerald's life and shows the difficulty in the way he lived. The Press Section is one for the ages, expanding on the synopsis while successfully baiting his actors. In my mind, the title is what really stands out. It is the perfect title if this movie would ever be made. Tom truly deserved to win Bait of the Month for this and I can only imagine what he would do in today's contest.
Announcer: “The Great Fitzgerald” managed to stand out amongst a crowded month, receiving its share of love and support from many of today’s biggest authors. The bait came somewhat as a surprise at Oscar time, winning Bait of the Month and Awards Campaign amongst heavy competition. Though the ensemble drama has lost some of its power nowadays, this remains one of the best.
Bryce: In a time when almost all of today's expert authors were total noobs and wrote baits that had many writing problems, “The Great Fitzgerald” stood out like a sore thumb. The writing can be compared to the writings of today, and became an instant classic
(#97- THE GREAT FITZGERALD, WRITTEN BY TOM HOUSEMAN)
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#96
Ryne: The thing that makes “Little Miss Murder” so good is its ability to make its audience feel a specific way. We feel sad when we are supposed to and we feel confused when we are supposed to. Its like we are characters in the baits itself.
Announcer: Released in September 2006, “Little Miss Murder” followed the lives of the infamous Ramsey family and the trial against John Mark Kerr for the death of one of their own. Many still find this bait a powerful read, thanks to support from “Capote’s” Bennett Miller and his stellar cast.
Chris P. A story like this would really be hard to tell but I think performances from someone like Susan Sarandon and direction by Bennett Miller would elevate something like this to Academy Award level work.
Announcer: Matt's bait soon became a huge forum favorite, winning a best ensemble at the SAG awards and garnering continued love for stars Cillian Murphy and Elle Fanning. However, many were stunned that both were omitted from the Oscar shortlists. Nevertheless, the bait found success with a win for Murphy’s Casting Choice and a spot at #8 of the month.
Bryce: Bait an Oscar has a lot of baits that tackle very controversial topics, and most, depending on how controversial, are met with negative reviews. This, however, did not apply with “Little Miss Murder”, which was handled its topic in a very appropriate manner to make it a great bait.
(#96- LITTLE MISS MURDER, WRITTEN BY MATT)
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#95
Ryne: The cool thing about “iLife” is the message it sends warning about how technology is slowly taking over daily life. It is one of the few baits in the contest to actually send a message to its readers while still being entertaining enough to not roll your eyes. The characters created are superb and it would make a great movie if actually made.
Announcer: Released in October 2006, Brian Erickson’s futuristic ensemble comedy pokes fun at the tale of various individuals and how technology has influenced their lives. Whether it’s the family whose mother tries to encourage time without it or quirky characters who thrive on its potential, the scenarios here are priceless.
Chris P: This was released during the time ensemble casts were the rage but I think that's really not an issue. The story and crew is really what stands out. Just a really fun idea.
Anouncer: “iLife” was met with great success from the get-go, earning unanimous praise for its originality and director choice. After a great precursor run, the bait became an Oscar favorite. Though narrowly beaten out for BOTM, it still ranked #2 of the month and earned awards for Most Original Bait and Original Screenplay. Among the baits from Brian’s first winning streak, this stands as the pinnacle.
Bryce: An ensemble with a great cast and crew, that was oozing with originality and was greatly written. It's one of the contest’s best ensembles that is hard to forget.
(#94- ILIFE, WRITTEN BY BRIAN ERICKSON)
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#94
Bryce For a long while, “Freak Show” was my absolute favorite bait of all time. I just love the uniqueness and originality of the bait. The story was so awkward but brilliantly delivered, and Tony was able to just hammer in how this bait would appear as a movie in your mind with his great writing and great press section. The characters were not only interesting, but just characters you really couldn't find anywhere else on the big screen. The crew was pitch perfect, and the cast was equal amount perfect. Reading this bait back in 2006, you knew Tony was going to be a force to reckon with in the future.
Announcer: Released in November 2006, Tony's classic followed a group of quirky and unusual characters in an effort to find the PERFECT clown. Helmed by mockumentary giant Christopher Guest, he extracts a bevy of laughs from powerful and unique ensemble.
Chris P: A very funny and hilarious ensemble comedy that was creative, fun, and really well written. I loved the fact that Tony used Christopher Guest and didn't use his usual stars (Catherine O' Hara, Eugene Levy, etc.) and used actors who really fit their parts.
Announcer: The bait became a huge hit thanks to its SAG winning ensemble, with such names as Hugh Laurie and Wayne Brady garnering the most acclaim, and is known as innovative author Tony's breakthrough bait. It went on to become the #4 bait of November 2006 and won an Oscar for its quirky Original Screenplay.
Ryne: “Freakshow” is a true Christopher Guest comedy, which is hard to pull off in this contest. Tony has the ability to show us the characters and let ourselves play out the moments in our head, which is difficult to do.
(#94- FREAK SHOW, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#93
Chris P: “Cigarette Burns” has the same spirit of something like "Bootleg" or "Buzzed". It's a funny bait set in the movie business and its very well cast. Mary Louise Parker delivered one hell of a performance and it's a shame she wasn't nominated at the Oscars. It was just the beginning of the greatest comedy trilogy ever and Ben really set the standards of how Hollywood satires and comedies should be written.
Announcer: The first installment in Ben's famous "Hollywood Sucks" Trilogy, “Cigarette Burns” followed a mis-understood actress trying to get out of the film business by screwing up the films she has to be involved with. Directed by Paul Weitz and featuring a star performance by Mary-Louise Parker, this bait was chucked full of laughs throughout.
Bryce: A Bait with a great concept, and paved the way for one of my favorite trilogies of all time. The bait had an inspiring crew, and likeable cast. It’s really one of the contest’s comedy gems.
Announcer: Released in December 2006, this bait kick-started what became one of the best trilogies of the contest, and ended up becoming a forum hit. After a successful precursor run that nabbed Parker a Golden Globe, the film placed #7 of the month and won Oscars for Original Character and Tagline.
Ryne: Cigarette Burns was the perfect way for Ben Miller to begin his Hollywood Sucks trilogy. Its a quirky comedy with some of the best characters of 2006. Mary-Louise Parker is near perfect casting and truly one of the best performances of the contest. Personally, my favorite part is Ian McShane's role as the director. I love Deadwood and think he would be great in that comedic turn.
(#93-CIGARETTE BURNS, WRITTEN BY BEN MILLER)
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#92
Chris P: I really liked “The Last Page”. The cast is great and the story is very spooky and imaginative, Glenn Close was sensational in her part, and I can see why she won the Oscar that month.
Announcer: When an author's book changes to become the point of view of her dead daughter's, the author embarks on a supernatural journey to find answers about her daughter's life.
Ryne: “The Last Page” is definitely my guilty pleasure bait. Its weird and quirky and great in my eyes. Its one of the only baits that actually left me in a state of suspense for the entire bait. I only wish Maia would tell me the ending cause I'm dying to know
Announcer: Released in June 2007, Maia's bait was one of the month’s sleeper hits, with good praise and word of mouth helping it become #14 of the month. However, it was Close’s Oscar winning performance that gave it the push it needed to be a lasting favorite.
Bryce: Maia took a risk with this bait and it paid off. She was able to give us one of the most successful supernatural dramas of the contest, with a bait that had a great crew, and a compelling story.
(#92- THE LAST PAGE, WRITTEN BY MAIA)
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#91
Ryne: “Rush” truly shows us what a great author Ross could have been had he stayed in the contest. With a great original story line, and an outstanding performance by Heath Ledger, I feel it far surpassed any bait that month. The casting is great and the choice of Michael Mann is one of my favorite directing choices of the contest.
Announcer: Released in May 2007, “Rush” follows a photojournalist who travels to India only to be caught up in a natural disaster, where the nuclear reactor leaks causing a city to go through some tragic times. However, when he goes missing, his editor hires a mercenary to venture in and recover him.
Bryce: One of the best Michael Mann baits ever written, Ross is able to keep the audience guessing to what is in store for the main character, and provide for us a story that is very intriguing and entertaining.
Announcer: Upon release, “Rush” became one of the most talked about bait's of the month. Thrilling audiences with its intelligent plot, fast pace and terrific cast led by Russell Crowe and the late Heath Ledger, the bait easily earned #3 of the month while also winning Oscars for its cast and Michael Mann.
Chris P: Man, when I think about this bait it just makes me know how great Heath Ledger would have been in a role like this. His performance is really what stood out for me and the story was very baity and intriguing as well.
(#91- RUSH, WRITTEN BY ROSS)
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Zgamer: And thus that concludes tonight’s ceremony. Don’t worry, our staff at I! is working double-time to make sure the next installment is up and running ASAP. We will make sure to inform you all about it when the time comes. So until next time, we leave you with a recap of the night’s inductees:
::100. Under Fire, written by Ryne::
::99. Reminiscence, written by Tony::
::98. Wicked (March 07), written by Al::
::97. The Great Fitzgerald, written by Tom Houseman::
::96. Little Miss Murder, written by Matt::
::95. iLife, written by Brian Erickson::
::94. Freakshow, written by Tony::
::93. Cigarette Burns, written by Ben Miller::
::92. The Last Page, written by Maia::
::91. Rush, written by Ross::
(A montage segment highlights clips from dozens of classic baits)
Announcer: To start us off tonight, we bring you the man in charge. Author of such classics as Jackrabbit and last year’s #1 bait Wackos, it’s Zgamer.
(Zgamer walks through one of the doorways of the Hall of Baiting and faces the camera)
Zgamer: Hello again fellow readers and authors. You know, it’s been a while since we walked down these halls. The memories we shared, the baits we read and the cheers we gave made last year’s event a time to remember.
(The camera zooms out slowly, to reveal a hall filled with blank spots)
Zgamer: But now another year has passed and a new wing has been built. All we need now is to fill it up with more baits. For over three weeks, the Bait an Oscar community sent in ballots with their picks for the greatest baits, actor and directors to ever grace the contest. For now, we’ll start with the traditional Top 100 Baits.
(Points to another hall)
Zgamer: But the actors and directors will have their time come shortly. Now let’s take a seat and welcome the first ten inductees to the new Hall of Baiting Top 100 Baits. Remember, these were voted by the community, so every ranking is final.
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#100
Chris P: July 2007 still remains the best month ever for the contest and when I think about the great batch of baits that month, “Under Fire” definitely is one that comes to mind. It's still probably the best war bait since "Sandstorm" and Ryne did a terrific job gathering together a great all-star cast with standouts like Michelle Williams and Ludacris.
Announcer: Released July 2007, Ryne's sensational war drama, centered around the lives of soldiers in Afghanistan, witnesses the horrors and trauma each person faces fighting the War on Terror and how it affects them and those they love.
Ryne (the bait’s author): I love “Under Fire” because of its simple story about a "Forgotten War" as I make no secret in the bait about how I view it that way. The casting is my personal favorite part of it. I love Colin Hanks in that role along with Chris Bridges, who I feel is an underrated actor. I am honored to have it be in the Top 100.
Announcer: “Under Fire” received a great amount of praise when it released, making most of the Top 10 lists. In addition to placing #5 of the month, it won a well deserved best crew Oscar, along with a good amount of nominations at the SAG awards, and is also hailed as one of the contest's best war dramas.
Bryce: A lot of war movies in real life tend to try and focus on an anti-war/war is useless theme in their movies, and some of the past war baits in the contest have tried implementing this into their bait, but it comes off distracting and a bit preachy. “Under Fire” does not suffer from this, as it actually delivers this theme, and it's own, in a very effective manner that made the bait very memorable.
(#100- UNDER FIRE, WRITTEN BY RYNE)
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#99
Chris P: December 2007 wasn't really a terrific month for baits but “Reminiscence” was one that stood out that month. I think mainly because the story is baity, Mel Gibson's direction was superb, and the leading performance by Paddy Considine was great.
Announcer: Released in December 2007, Tony surprised everyone with this haunting first person account of a man who is captured by the British and condemned to a Indonesian prison. We then experience the man’s attempt to survive while experiencing horrors like he hasn’t seen before.
Ryne: “Reminiscence” reads just like actually memoir entries of the main character which in Bait an Oscar's case doesn't offer enough to make a film, but Tony does a fantastic job with the press section at offering glimpses into what happens outside the cell walls. The press section paints the real picture of what “Reminiscence” would look like on screen and that is something rarely found in this contest.
Announcer: “Reminiscence” met with great praise from the forum, with people pointing out director Gibson’s handling and the stellar cast in particular. Oscar time was particularly kind to the film, awarding it #3 Bait of the Month and awards for Original Screenplay and Original Bait. Add the film’s great precursor run to the mix and you have one of Tony’s most harrowing and acclaimed baits ever.
Bryce: First person point of view is used a lot these days, and this bait is a great example of how it should be used. By putting us in the shoes of the main character, Tony was able to make the audience relate to the character's problem, motive, and emotions; while delivering a very intriguing and engrossing story.
(#98- REMINISCENCE, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#98
Chris P: I remember I first learned about the contest in March of 2007 and “Wicked” was one of the most buzzed about baits of that month. Choosing Menzel and Chenoweth as the two lead witches would definitely be approved by major fans of the musical and the rest of the cast were pretty interesting choices as well. Cuaron, though not the conventional director choice, seemed to fit with the epic and adventurous landscape of Oz.
Announcer: Based on the popular theater musical of the same name, “Wicked” (March 07), written by Al, was based in the world we all saw in “The Wizard of Oz”, but showed everyone there much more going on in Oz than we could of guessed. While “Wicked” had been done before in 2006, Al decided to adapt the stage version rather than go through the original book to give a new experience to the bait.
Ryne: I haven't seen the play so Al did a terrific job at painting the picture at what happened before Dorothy dropped in. Alfonso Cuaron is the perfect choice of director for this film
Announcer: Released in March 2007, the bait was met with huge praise from fans and newcomers alike, coming in at # 2 of the month. The bait won four Oscars for its Awards Campaign, Box Office Potential, Adapted Screenplay and Chenoweth’s electric performance. This remains to this day one of the most acclaimed musicals in Bait an Oscar history.
Bryce: Everything that was great about the source material, and the musical was in this bait. Al was successfully able to capture the brilliance of “Wicked”, and make us escape into a world we knew, yet knew nothing about.
(#98- WICKED (March 07), WRITTEN BY AL)
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#97
Chris P: “The Great Fitzgerald” is the definition of baity. By 2006's standards, most casts were filled with big named stars so that's pretty understandable and the story, ensemble, and crew are some things that would guarantee real Academy Awards.
Announcer: Released in July 2006, “The Great Fitzgerald” brought a scrutinizing eye to the life of “The Great Gatsby” writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. The man’s personal problems, rocky love life and various roadblocks were all brought to life through the talents of the late Anthony Minghella and his all star cast.
Ryne: “The Great Fitzgerald” is the original ensemble piece in Bait an Oscar. In terms of the contest now, the cast might seem "bloated" but I love every aspect of it. Tom delves into F. Scott Fitzgerald's life and shows the difficulty in the way he lived. The Press Section is one for the ages, expanding on the synopsis while successfully baiting his actors. In my mind, the title is what really stands out. It is the perfect title if this movie would ever be made. Tom truly deserved to win Bait of the Month for this and I can only imagine what he would do in today's contest.
Announcer: “The Great Fitzgerald” managed to stand out amongst a crowded month, receiving its share of love and support from many of today’s biggest authors. The bait came somewhat as a surprise at Oscar time, winning Bait of the Month and Awards Campaign amongst heavy competition. Though the ensemble drama has lost some of its power nowadays, this remains one of the best.
Bryce: In a time when almost all of today's expert authors were total noobs and wrote baits that had many writing problems, “The Great Fitzgerald” stood out like a sore thumb. The writing can be compared to the writings of today, and became an instant classic
(#97- THE GREAT FITZGERALD, WRITTEN BY TOM HOUSEMAN)
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#96
Ryne: The thing that makes “Little Miss Murder” so good is its ability to make its audience feel a specific way. We feel sad when we are supposed to and we feel confused when we are supposed to. Its like we are characters in the baits itself.
Announcer: Released in September 2006, “Little Miss Murder” followed the lives of the infamous Ramsey family and the trial against John Mark Kerr for the death of one of their own. Many still find this bait a powerful read, thanks to support from “Capote’s” Bennett Miller and his stellar cast.
Chris P. A story like this would really be hard to tell but I think performances from someone like Susan Sarandon and direction by Bennett Miller would elevate something like this to Academy Award level work.
Announcer: Matt's bait soon became a huge forum favorite, winning a best ensemble at the SAG awards and garnering continued love for stars Cillian Murphy and Elle Fanning. However, many were stunned that both were omitted from the Oscar shortlists. Nevertheless, the bait found success with a win for Murphy’s Casting Choice and a spot at #8 of the month.
Bryce: Bait an Oscar has a lot of baits that tackle very controversial topics, and most, depending on how controversial, are met with negative reviews. This, however, did not apply with “Little Miss Murder”, which was handled its topic in a very appropriate manner to make it a great bait.
(#96- LITTLE MISS MURDER, WRITTEN BY MATT)
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#95
Ryne: The cool thing about “iLife” is the message it sends warning about how technology is slowly taking over daily life. It is one of the few baits in the contest to actually send a message to its readers while still being entertaining enough to not roll your eyes. The characters created are superb and it would make a great movie if actually made.
Announcer: Released in October 2006, Brian Erickson’s futuristic ensemble comedy pokes fun at the tale of various individuals and how technology has influenced their lives. Whether it’s the family whose mother tries to encourage time without it or quirky characters who thrive on its potential, the scenarios here are priceless.
Chris P: This was released during the time ensemble casts were the rage but I think that's really not an issue. The story and crew is really what stands out. Just a really fun idea.
Anouncer: “iLife” was met with great success from the get-go, earning unanimous praise for its originality and director choice. After a great precursor run, the bait became an Oscar favorite. Though narrowly beaten out for BOTM, it still ranked #2 of the month and earned awards for Most Original Bait and Original Screenplay. Among the baits from Brian’s first winning streak, this stands as the pinnacle.
Bryce: An ensemble with a great cast and crew, that was oozing with originality and was greatly written. It's one of the contest’s best ensembles that is hard to forget.
(#94- ILIFE, WRITTEN BY BRIAN ERICKSON)
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#94
Bryce For a long while, “Freak Show” was my absolute favorite bait of all time. I just love the uniqueness and originality of the bait. The story was so awkward but brilliantly delivered, and Tony was able to just hammer in how this bait would appear as a movie in your mind with his great writing and great press section. The characters were not only interesting, but just characters you really couldn't find anywhere else on the big screen. The crew was pitch perfect, and the cast was equal amount perfect. Reading this bait back in 2006, you knew Tony was going to be a force to reckon with in the future.
Announcer: Released in November 2006, Tony's classic followed a group of quirky and unusual characters in an effort to find the PERFECT clown. Helmed by mockumentary giant Christopher Guest, he extracts a bevy of laughs from powerful and unique ensemble.
Chris P: A very funny and hilarious ensemble comedy that was creative, fun, and really well written. I loved the fact that Tony used Christopher Guest and didn't use his usual stars (Catherine O' Hara, Eugene Levy, etc.) and used actors who really fit their parts.
Announcer: The bait became a huge hit thanks to its SAG winning ensemble, with such names as Hugh Laurie and Wayne Brady garnering the most acclaim, and is known as innovative author Tony's breakthrough bait. It went on to become the #4 bait of November 2006 and won an Oscar for its quirky Original Screenplay.
Ryne: “Freakshow” is a true Christopher Guest comedy, which is hard to pull off in this contest. Tony has the ability to show us the characters and let ourselves play out the moments in our head, which is difficult to do.
(#94- FREAK SHOW, WRITTEN BY TONY)
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#93
Chris P: “Cigarette Burns” has the same spirit of something like "Bootleg" or "Buzzed". It's a funny bait set in the movie business and its very well cast. Mary Louise Parker delivered one hell of a performance and it's a shame she wasn't nominated at the Oscars. It was just the beginning of the greatest comedy trilogy ever and Ben really set the standards of how Hollywood satires and comedies should be written.
Announcer: The first installment in Ben's famous "Hollywood Sucks" Trilogy, “Cigarette Burns” followed a mis-understood actress trying to get out of the film business by screwing up the films she has to be involved with. Directed by Paul Weitz and featuring a star performance by Mary-Louise Parker, this bait was chucked full of laughs throughout.
Bryce: A Bait with a great concept, and paved the way for one of my favorite trilogies of all time. The bait had an inspiring crew, and likeable cast. It’s really one of the contest’s comedy gems.
Announcer: Released in December 2006, this bait kick-started what became one of the best trilogies of the contest, and ended up becoming a forum hit. After a successful precursor run that nabbed Parker a Golden Globe, the film placed #7 of the month and won Oscars for Original Character and Tagline.
Ryne: Cigarette Burns was the perfect way for Ben Miller to begin his Hollywood Sucks trilogy. Its a quirky comedy with some of the best characters of 2006. Mary-Louise Parker is near perfect casting and truly one of the best performances of the contest. Personally, my favorite part is Ian McShane's role as the director. I love Deadwood and think he would be great in that comedic turn.
(#93-CIGARETTE BURNS, WRITTEN BY BEN MILLER)
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#92
Chris P: I really liked “The Last Page”. The cast is great and the story is very spooky and imaginative, Glenn Close was sensational in her part, and I can see why she won the Oscar that month.
Announcer: When an author's book changes to become the point of view of her dead daughter's, the author embarks on a supernatural journey to find answers about her daughter's life.
Ryne: “The Last Page” is definitely my guilty pleasure bait. Its weird and quirky and great in my eyes. Its one of the only baits that actually left me in a state of suspense for the entire bait. I only wish Maia would tell me the ending cause I'm dying to know
Announcer: Released in June 2007, Maia's bait was one of the month’s sleeper hits, with good praise and word of mouth helping it become #14 of the month. However, it was Close’s Oscar winning performance that gave it the push it needed to be a lasting favorite.
Bryce: Maia took a risk with this bait and it paid off. She was able to give us one of the most successful supernatural dramas of the contest, with a bait that had a great crew, and a compelling story.
(#92- THE LAST PAGE, WRITTEN BY MAIA)
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#91
Ryne: “Rush” truly shows us what a great author Ross could have been had he stayed in the contest. With a great original story line, and an outstanding performance by Heath Ledger, I feel it far surpassed any bait that month. The casting is great and the choice of Michael Mann is one of my favorite directing choices of the contest.
Announcer: Released in May 2007, “Rush” follows a photojournalist who travels to India only to be caught up in a natural disaster, where the nuclear reactor leaks causing a city to go through some tragic times. However, when he goes missing, his editor hires a mercenary to venture in and recover him.
Bryce: One of the best Michael Mann baits ever written, Ross is able to keep the audience guessing to what is in store for the main character, and provide for us a story that is very intriguing and entertaining.
Announcer: Upon release, “Rush” became one of the most talked about bait's of the month. Thrilling audiences with its intelligent plot, fast pace and terrific cast led by Russell Crowe and the late Heath Ledger, the bait easily earned #3 of the month while also winning Oscars for its cast and Michael Mann.
Chris P: Man, when I think about this bait it just makes me know how great Heath Ledger would have been in a role like this. His performance is really what stood out for me and the story was very baity and intriguing as well.
(#91- RUSH, WRITTEN BY ROSS)
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Zgamer: And thus that concludes tonight’s ceremony. Don’t worry, our staff at I! is working double-time to make sure the next installment is up and running ASAP. We will make sure to inform you all about it when the time comes. So until next time, we leave you with a recap of the night’s inductees:
::100. Under Fire, written by Ryne::
::99. Reminiscence, written by Tony::
::98. Wicked (March 07), written by Al::
::97. The Great Fitzgerald, written by Tom Houseman::
::96. Little Miss Murder, written by Matt::
::95. iLife, written by Brian Erickson::
::94. Freakshow, written by Tony::
::93. Cigarette Burns, written by Ben Miller::
::92. The Last Page, written by Maia::
::91. Rush, written by Ross::
Thursday, August 14, 2008
August Igloo Award Winner!
Best Picture
The Film Club
Best Director
Guillermo del Toro, La Bella Y La Bestia
Best Actor
Gaspard Ulliel, Chateau Marmont
Best Actress
Mary Steenburgen, The Drifter
Best Supporting Actor
Paul Schneider, American Hollow
Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt, Cry to Heaven
Best Original Screenplay
American Hollow
American Hollow
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Film Club
The Film Club
The Andrews Author Award
Brian
Brian
Best Ensemble
Chateau Marmont
Best Performance of the Month
Chateau Marmont
Best Performance of the Month
*TIE*
Emily Blunt, Cry to Heaven
Gaspard Ulliel, Chateau Marmont
Emily Blunt, Cry to Heaven
Gaspard Ulliel, Chateau Marmont
The Sunshine Bait (Bait With The Best Feel)
The Film Club
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The August I! Award Nominations
Best Picture
American Hollow
American Hollow
Chateau Marmont
Cry to Heaven
The Film Club
Trick
Best Director
Cameron Crowe, The Film Club
Francis Ford Coppola, American Hollow
Milos Forman, Cry to Heaven
Christopher Nolan, Blackbirds
Guillermo del Toro, La Bella Y La Bestia
Best Actor
Hank Azaria, The Film Club
William Dafoe, Sands of Mars
William Dafoe, Sands of Mars
Nick Stahl, American Hollow
Luke Treadway, Cry to Heaven
Gaspard Ulliel, Chateau Marmont
Best Actress
Blythe Danner, No One Knows Her Name
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chateau Marmont
Tang Wei, Losing Xaing
Mary Steenburgen, The Drifter
Julia Stiles, Trick
Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, American Hollow
Peter Facinelli, Cry to Heaven
Andrew Garfield, Chateau Marmont
Emile Hirsch, Blackbirds
Paul Schneider, American Hollow
Anton Yelchin, The Film Club
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, Cloverleaf
Emily Blunt, Cry to Heaven
Marie-Josee Croze, Chateau Marmont
Janeane Garofalo, The Film Club
Natalie Portman, Sands of Mars
Best Original Screenplay
American Hollow
Blackbirds
Chateau Marmont
The Drifter
Trick
Best Adapted Screenplay
La Bella Y La Bestia
Cry to Heaven
The Film Club
Sands of Mars
Sweetest Girl
The Andrews Author Award
Alex S. and Chris M.
Brian
Douglas Reese
James Somerton
Tony
Best Ensemble
American Hollow
Chateau Marmont
Cry to Heaven
The Film Club
Trick
Best Performance of the Month
Emily Blunt, Cry to Heaven
Robert Duvall/Nick Stahl, American Hollow
Peter Fonda.Paul Schinder, American Hollow
Gaspard Ulliel, Chateau Marmont
Anton Yelchin, The Film Club
Anton Yelchin, The Film Club
The Sunshine Bait
American Hollow
La Bella Y La Bestia
Chateau Marmont
The Film Club
Sands of Mars
August Bait Reviews
American Hollow- While, not quite the masterpiece I was expecting...the ensemble does live up the hype. A fantatstic way to start of the month, but most of the writing seems stale. I do love it, but the writing leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I don't like revealing the ending in this case. B+
La Bella Y La Bestia- Previously Reviewed
Blackbirds- The use of time bothers me, it seems unrealistic, and there are many grammer errors, including i instead of I, which gets on the nerves because it is written in first person. I like the director choice, but DiCaprio seems off to me, though the Hirsch casting makes up for it. Could have been better. C+
Chateau Marmont- Great Garbo? TYPO, sorry had to point it out. Ambitious, yes and a bloated cast, but overall I really enjoyed it. Ulliel, is my favorite Actor performance so far and the press section is wonderful. Parts are confusing, but the main idea wins me over. Great job! A-
Cloverleaf- Ehh, not my favorite, but there are supporting acting performances that I can see myself enjoying. The writing is interesting, but nothing really grabs my attention and makes me want more of the bait. Not your best D.W. B-
Cry to Heaven- I really loved this bait, because I think in all of its unbaityness, it is ultimately baity. Emily Blunt is amazing in her role, and the ensemble seems strong. Forman/Hare are fantastic choices, and it keeps me interested. Great job! B+
The Drifter- A lot better of a bait than I was expecting. Steenburgen is an inspired casting choice in a role that is great for her. The setting kind of throws me, but its alright because by the end I'm rooting for the characters and invested in the story, something I rarely find in baits. Great job! B+
The Film Club- The best bait of the month, a fact I am quite sure of. While, I don't agree with the Azaria casting, the story is to great to ignore, and the characters are ones to love. A real gem, that I could almost argue is the best bait of the year. A triumph in Bait an Oscar, and a brilliant piece of work. A
High Times- While this could potentially be an entertaining movie, Bait an Oscar isn't the right place for it. The cast is extremely bloated, and seems a bit unrealisitc, and the press section not quite up to par. Not the best of the month, I was expecting more... C-
Neverland- My bait.
No One Knew Her Name- I don't understand what the title has to do with the bait, but Blythe Danner has a great role. However, the story is sappy and unoriginal, it could have been brilliant, but unfortunately it fell short. I do applaud you for casting Anna Faris though, I love her a ton. B-
Losing Xiang- Why was this almost thrown out of the contest? One of the great mysteries of Bait an Oscar, but this isn't the greatest bait in the contest either. The story is long and drags in places, but don't be surprised when Wei starts gaining nominations for her role. Nothing spectacular, but not horrid by any stretch of the imagination. C+
Lost Soul- Previously reviewed.
The Rural Juror- I think this is one of the better comedies this month actually, not sure Mirren was the perfect choice, but I like this bait a lot more as a comedy. A gem in my mind that I think is terribly overlooked. B
Sands of Mars- I really like this bait, but I'm not sure I like the del Toro pick, it worked better for Bella. Dafoe and Portman stand out in there roles, and this is something I could see myself actually enjoying on the big screen. Good job! B
Sweetest Girl- I applaud the casting of Akon, because I don't really think of him as an actor, but this isn't the only area where the bait fails. I wasn't very entertained, and it seems like its been done before. Not your personal best, nor the months best...at all. D
Trick- The surprise of the month. This is a brillaint bait that shouldn't be ignored, while it reminds me of Wackos, it is different enough that it doesn't really matter to me and it make me laugh quite a few times. A surprisingly strong ensemble makes this bait one that you can't miss. A-
A Twisted Family History- Previously Reviewed
La Bella Y La Bestia- Previously Reviewed
Blackbirds- The use of time bothers me, it seems unrealistic, and there are many grammer errors, including i instead of I, which gets on the nerves because it is written in first person. I like the director choice, but DiCaprio seems off to me, though the Hirsch casting makes up for it. Could have been better. C+
Chateau Marmont- Great Garbo? TYPO, sorry had to point it out. Ambitious, yes and a bloated cast, but overall I really enjoyed it. Ulliel, is my favorite Actor performance so far and the press section is wonderful. Parts are confusing, but the main idea wins me over. Great job! A-
Cloverleaf- Ehh, not my favorite, but there are supporting acting performances that I can see myself enjoying. The writing is interesting, but nothing really grabs my attention and makes me want more of the bait. Not your best D.W. B-
Cry to Heaven- I really loved this bait, because I think in all of its unbaityness, it is ultimately baity. Emily Blunt is amazing in her role, and the ensemble seems strong. Forman/Hare are fantastic choices, and it keeps me interested. Great job! B+
The Drifter- A lot better of a bait than I was expecting. Steenburgen is an inspired casting choice in a role that is great for her. The setting kind of throws me, but its alright because by the end I'm rooting for the characters and invested in the story, something I rarely find in baits. Great job! B+
The Film Club- The best bait of the month, a fact I am quite sure of. While, I don't agree with the Azaria casting, the story is to great to ignore, and the characters are ones to love. A real gem, that I could almost argue is the best bait of the year. A triumph in Bait an Oscar, and a brilliant piece of work. A
High Times- While this could potentially be an entertaining movie, Bait an Oscar isn't the right place for it. The cast is extremely bloated, and seems a bit unrealisitc, and the press section not quite up to par. Not the best of the month, I was expecting more... C-
Neverland- My bait.
No One Knew Her Name- I don't understand what the title has to do with the bait, but Blythe Danner has a great role. However, the story is sappy and unoriginal, it could have been brilliant, but unfortunately it fell short. I do applaud you for casting Anna Faris though, I love her a ton. B-
Losing Xiang- Why was this almost thrown out of the contest? One of the great mysteries of Bait an Oscar, but this isn't the greatest bait in the contest either. The story is long and drags in places, but don't be surprised when Wei starts gaining nominations for her role. Nothing spectacular, but not horrid by any stretch of the imagination. C+
Lost Soul- Previously reviewed.
The Rural Juror- I think this is one of the better comedies this month actually, not sure Mirren was the perfect choice, but I like this bait a lot more as a comedy. A gem in my mind that I think is terribly overlooked. B
Sands of Mars- I really like this bait, but I'm not sure I like the del Toro pick, it worked better for Bella. Dafoe and Portman stand out in there roles, and this is something I could see myself actually enjoying on the big screen. Good job! B
Sweetest Girl- I applaud the casting of Akon, because I don't really think of him as an actor, but this isn't the only area where the bait fails. I wasn't very entertained, and it seems like its been done before. Not your personal best, nor the months best...at all. D
Trick- The surprise of the month. This is a brillaint bait that shouldn't be ignored, while it reminds me of Wackos, it is different enough that it doesn't really matter to me and it make me laugh quite a few times. A surprisingly strong ensemble makes this bait one that you can't miss. A-
A Twisted Family History- Previously Reviewed
Monday, August 11, 2008
August Preview: Early Oscar Predictions
Here are our predictions... in July we went 4/8 once the nominations were announced, and this month we decided to have full Big 8 predictions before the baits were released, hopefully we can keep this going...
Best Picture
American Hollow
Blackbirds
Chateau Marmont
Cry to Heaven
**The Film Club**
Best Director
Francis Ford Coppola, American Hollow
Cameron Crowe, The Film Club
Milos Forman, Cry to Heaven
Christopher Nolan, Blackbirds
**Guillermo Del Toro, La Bella Y La Bestia**
Best Actor
Hank Azaria, The Film Club
Leonardo DiCaprio, Blackbirds
Peter Facinelli, Cry to Heaven
**Nick Stahl, American Hollow**
Gaspard Ulliel, Chateau Marmont
Best Actress
Blythe Danner, No One Knows Her Name
Helen Mirren, The Rural Juror
Ellen Page, High Times
**Mary Steenburgern, The Drifter**
Tang Wei, Losing Xiang
Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, American Hollow
Emile Hirsch, Blackbirds
Timothy Hutton, The Drifter
Paul Schneider, American Hollow
**Anton Yelchin, The Film Club**
Best Supporting Actress
**Emily Blunt, Cry to Heaven**
Marie-Josee Croze, Chateau Marmont
Janeane Garoffalo, The Film Club
Natalie Portman, Sands of Mars
Uma Thurman, Neverland
Best Original Screenplay
**American Hollow**
Blackbirds
Chateau Maramont
The Drifter
Neverland
Best Adapted Screenplay
Cry to Heaven
**The Film Club**
La Bella Y La Bestia
The Rural Juror
Sands of Mars
Best Picture
American Hollow
Blackbirds
Chateau Marmont
Cry to Heaven
**The Film Club**
Best Director
Francis Ford Coppola, American Hollow
Cameron Crowe, The Film Club
Milos Forman, Cry to Heaven
Christopher Nolan, Blackbirds
**Guillermo Del Toro, La Bella Y La Bestia**
Best Actor
Hank Azaria, The Film Club
Leonardo DiCaprio, Blackbirds
Peter Facinelli, Cry to Heaven
**Nick Stahl, American Hollow**
Gaspard Ulliel, Chateau Marmont
Best Actress
Blythe Danner, No One Knows Her Name
Helen Mirren, The Rural Juror
Ellen Page, High Times
**Mary Steenburgern, The Drifter**
Tang Wei, Losing Xiang
Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, American Hollow
Emile Hirsch, Blackbirds
Timothy Hutton, The Drifter
Paul Schneider, American Hollow
**Anton Yelchin, The Film Club**
Best Supporting Actress
**Emily Blunt, Cry to Heaven**
Marie-Josee Croze, Chateau Marmont
Janeane Garoffalo, The Film Club
Natalie Portman, Sands of Mars
Uma Thurman, Neverland
Best Original Screenplay
**American Hollow**
Blackbirds
Chateau Maramont
The Drifter
Neverland
Best Adapted Screenplay
Cry to Heaven
**The Film Club**
La Bella Y La Bestia
The Rural Juror
Sands of Mars
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Is Pat back?
check out the 4th post of this thread.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/503528/thread/1218342434/last-1218389051/Inglorious+Bastards
is it pat?
http://www.network54.com/Forum/503528/thread/1218342434/last-1218389051/Inglorious+Bastards
is it pat?
Friday, August 8, 2008
August Preview: An Inside Look at the Festival
"The festival this month was not very good," reports Chris Perkins, head author of The Bait Spot, who also served as a panelist for the Festival this month. "Overall, there just weren't to many that really stood out...I had a tough time making a ballot..." he added. The Film Club, American Hollow, and Cry to Heaven seem to be the early favorites to rule the month said author Joshua, in a recent conversation. "I believe Blackbirds, Neverland, Sands of Mars, and Cloverleaf have a shot as well." he commented in the Chat Room.
Many panelists agreed that there were many contenders for the "Razzie's" this month, but the Oscars may be a bit of stretch for most hopefulls this month. The most widely agreed upon fact however is that the Best Actor race is extremely crowded. "Azaria, Stahl, Ruffalo, and Di Caprio were all my favorites," said Joshua. American Hollow seems to be the frontrunner for Best Ensemble as many have pointed out, everyone in the cast are great. Many authors are starting to predict The Film Club and American Hollow are already locks for Best Picture, with one of the two battling it out for the gold; many have also pointed out that there are many baits that have yet to be read that could be amazing as well, most pointing to the highly anticipated Alex S./Chris M. bait. as well as August: Osage County straight from Broadway thanks to Alex.
Nominations for the Igloo Festival are expected to be posted tomorrow, so stay tuned for the official I! reaction.
Many panelists agreed that there were many contenders for the "Razzie's" this month, but the Oscars may be a bit of stretch for most hopefulls this month. The most widely agreed upon fact however is that the Best Actor race is extremely crowded. "Azaria, Stahl, Ruffalo, and Di Caprio were all my favorites," said Joshua. American Hollow seems to be the frontrunner for Best Ensemble as many have pointed out, everyone in the cast are great. Many authors are starting to predict The Film Club and American Hollow are already locks for Best Picture, with one of the two battling it out for the gold; many have also pointed out that there are many baits that have yet to be read that could be amazing as well, most pointing to the highly anticipated Alex S./Chris M. bait. as well as August: Osage County straight from Broadway thanks to Alex.
Nominations for the Igloo Festival are expected to be posted tomorrow, so stay tuned for the official I! reaction.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
August Preview: Evan's A Twisted Family History
In this twisted story involving a lot of death, deception, and "love", Evan certainly proves that he can come up with an interesting story. With a somewhat good cast (I question the choice of Keri Russell, even though I love her) and a good crew, A Twisted Family History doesn't seem too wierd until you get to the brilliant tagline, which hints that this could be one of his best ever, however the synopsis lacks in areas. Parts are definately hard to understand, yet over the story is compelling, but the ending is revealed, a mistake on Evan's part. The ending itself is weak compared to the rest of the story, and isn't really nessecary considering you basically find out the ending in the first line, however the press section is good, but it's not a typical Evan bait. With a strong campaign, this could easily be one to look out for, but in a strong month, it wouldn't stand out.
Grade: B-
Sunday, August 3, 2008
August Preview: Douglas Reese's La Bella y la Bestia
The classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, has a bit of a new look now thanks to Douglas Reese's August bait. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, the bait has some great things about it, including a near perfect director choice. The bait seems to tailor to Del Toro, and as of now, he is a lock for a nomination in my opinion, but the bait lacks in a few areas. The story, while captivating, is a bit out there sometimes, even for Del Toro. The descriptions, create a vivid picture in the brain, that didn't really work for me at all times. Many characters are not present in this version that are in the classic Disney film, such as the fun loving objects around the castle, yet Douglas makes up for it with a talented cast, and an interesting adaptation. The press section is definatley weaker than the rough draft synopsis, and doesn't really seem like a review at all IMO, yet it didn't really bother me all that much. The synopsis needs to be shortened (which is likely considering this is a rough draft) and has a few childish writing moments, but hopefully all this will be gone. The crew is extremely large however, and Douglas campaigns in a few wrong areas, plus the Mexican feel to it isn't much my taste. I do miss the comfort of Disney but, you get a suitable story, good cast, and a strong bait, sounds good to me!
Grade: B
August Preview: Pierre's Lost Soul
Pierre's August bait, Lost Soul, is the story of acclaimed singer/performer Marvin Gaye, played here by Laz Alonzo. The cast is extremely bloated with such stars as Sharon Leal, Alfrie Woodard, and Denzel Washington, but the crew leaves me interested with Spike Lee as director. The writing overall could be a lot better with numorous grammar errors, as well as feeling like I'm reading a Wikipedia page about Marvin. The awards campaign isn't very well written either, and the actors that are campained leave a bad taste in my mouth. This could easily have been a gem, but it feels like the early days of Bait an Oscar, bloated casts, bad grammer, and simply unbelieveable.
Grade: D
Friday, August 1, 2008
July Oscar Watch: I! Reader Results
After conducting polls to see which baits/actors were the favorites, here are the reader predictions for the month of July...
Best Picture
Winner- The Violinist
2nd Place- In the Land of Eden
3rd Place- Tuskgee
4th Place- After the Fall
5th Place- The Monster of Florence
Best Actor
Winner- Jack Nicholson, After the Fall
Spoiler Alert- Derek Luke, Tuskegee
Best Actress
Winner- Julie Christie, Neighbors
Spoiler Alert- Sigourney Weaver, After the Fall
Best Supporting Actor
Winner- Ian McKellan, Hale's Inferno
Spoiler Alert- Tom Sturridge, The Violinist
Best Supporting Actress
Winner- Sophie Okonedo, After the Fall
Spoiler Alert- Angela Bassett, Tuskegee
Best Picture
Winner- The Violinist
2nd Place- In the Land of Eden
3rd Place- Tuskgee
4th Place- After the Fall
5th Place- The Monster of Florence
Best Actor
Winner- Jack Nicholson, After the Fall
Spoiler Alert- Derek Luke, Tuskegee
Best Actress
Winner- Julie Christie, Neighbors
Spoiler Alert- Sigourney Weaver, After the Fall
Best Supporting Actor
Winner- Ian McKellan, Hale's Inferno
Spoiler Alert- Tom Sturridge, The Violinist
Best Supporting Actress
Winner- Sophie Okonedo, After the Fall
Spoiler Alert- Angela Bassett, Tuskegee
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