Hmm how about Video Games and Movies?

So my last blog was about how movie makers sell the rights to their movies to the video game companies, who usually make some crappy rush job game from it (my own opinion of course). As i was writing that blog i started to think about the opposite in which writers are making movies based off video games. This is an interesting new genre for movies, and they usually fall into the broader genres such as horror, drama, or action based on the type of video game. I feel like this adds another aspect to the film world.

 

Just like my opinion on how video games made from movies such, i feel the same way for movies that are made based off video games. Every one that i have seen has been cheesy and usually low budget. Video games are sweet, and movies are also very sweet, however the mixture of them together just does not seem to come out very well. I do have to say that one of my favorite game series is Halo, and i have constantly been hearing about a movie being made for it. Despite what i said and my opinion i am extremely excited to see Halo the movie when it finally comes out. I hope maybe that film will change my opinion.

Movies and Video Games

So this is a topic that i have not heard much about. Video games have exp loaded in popularity within the last couple decades. This has also added another element to television and movies. Most popular movies have a video game made around the same time as the film. I specifically remember when the video game for the second Lord of the Rings came out before the film did. The video game had clips from the movie throughout the game that were approved for the game and it was exciting playing through the game before the movie came out and seeing all these clips.

 

I would say that i am a video game fan as much as i am a television fan. My personal opinion however is that most games made from a movie or show are terrible. There has not been many games based off movies or shows that i really liked. Most of them are cheesy and it seems like the movie makers are just trying to get as much as they possibly can from the film including selling the video game rights. I don't really like to end on a negative note as i have many times before, so i will say that one game that i really liked was the Simpsons game on Xbox360. I love adventure type games and i was laughing as i was playing the whole game with the funny character quotes throughout.

Better Off Ted

So as the semester is winding down ism feeling really overwhelmed and i seem to have trouble coming up with blogging topics. I decided to talk a little about this show that is new to me. It's called Better Off Ted and i started watching it about three weeks ago or so. I halfway through season 2 and  i have to say i am really liking this show. The show centers around a number of different characters and their experiences working at a research and development department at the company Veridian Dynamics. The show is completely fictional, from the characters to the company in the show. What i would call the main character, Ted, narrates the show as he acts. He will at certain points address the camera, which is usually a funny moment.

 

Right after i started the show i instantly started to get attached and interested in the characters. So far in the show there hasn't really been much character development compared to shows like the Walking Dead or Sons of Anarchy, however in a way it makes the show easy and relaxing to watch. I can expect the same funny attitudes, while there are always new things going on with every episode. It's one of those shows i like to watch after a long day where i don't have to think much or try to keep up with the show. As much as a i love shows like Sons of Anarchy, you have to keep up with and it can sometimes be work. I'm sure other people can relate. Well i'm about to put on and episode of Better Off Ted and get some sleep, peace

The Walking Dead

Ahh what is going on in this show?? I instantly jumped right into this show. the first episode caught my attention right away and has kept it throughout the episodes. The plot line is basically that the zombie virus has gotten out of control and the world is completely different. Man has lost control and are put into the survival mindset as they struggle to keep their group together and find food and shelter. I fell in love with the characters and their progression as new challenges constantly come up to the group of survivors. I stopped watching halfway into Season 3 because i got so busy with work and school this semester, however i really want to get back into this show.


I was honestly reminded of this show because i read another class members blog talking about it. This has been an amazing series so far in my opinion. The blood and gore and violent zombie action really drew me into the show. Right from the start the characters were blowing zombie heads off. I feel like there is a really solid story line as well. Every time i watched an episode i could not wait to see what happens in the next one. I started watching the show with my sister and brother-in-law and we would stay up late nights on end chasing episode after episode. Once school slows down i am going to get right back into this show and i cannot wait!

2000's TV Structure

So one thing that i really noticed in the last decade or so is the structure behind many popular television shows. Like we read in our book there are many different types of genres. Throughout time the genres usually follow the same structure. We had a lot of examples in our book of how directors would make different films, but the genres always followed a similar structure even though it may even be different stories or characters. This structure for television shows is something that i have noticed different trends in.

 

One popular television structures right now is reality tv. Shows like this have been around for some time now and have proved to be successful. We have shows for home improvement (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), young parents (16 and Pregnant), and even drama (Jersey Shore). These shows, even while all about different topics, all follow a similar structure. Another type of show that is really popular right now is the talent show, at least that's what i call it. By this i mean shows like American Idol or America's Got Talent. I see so many of these shows, and apparently they are popular because more and more keep popping up.



I would also like to use this space to say that the new Batman films that have been coming out the last couple years, not a big fan. I didn't want to waste a whole blog talking about this because it's not that important, however i am just not that entertained by the new films. they bore me to be completely honest and it annoys me how much people obsess over them. Not to leave on such a negative tone, but i'm out!

Netflix

So i never actually signed up for Netflix until this year. I watched as Netflix started by mailing dvd's to your house, and then evolve into watching a large selection of television shows and movies online and even through gaming systems like Playstation 3 or the Xbox 360. This company has definitely done an awesome job innovating among all the new technology we now have. As technology evolves Netflix also evolves to keep up with it. It's so convenient just throwing the tv on and powering up my xbox and having such a large collection of television shows and movies available.




I jumped right into Netflix and over last summer spent many afternoons with my face buried in my computer watching season upon season of different tv shows. I jumped into it so quickly that Netflix is something i really take for granted. There is so much available through Netflix's website it's amazing they seem to have everything. I find myself jumping around between tv show binges, there are so many different genres of movies/tv shows its crazy. Sometimes i'll feel like watching a relaxing documentary and then i'll jump to a new action movie and then jump to standup comedians. I wouldn't know what to do without Netflix!

6 Days to Air

So I'm sitting here thinking what to write for my blog entry and i have complete writers block. i have no idea what to write about. Then i just got this image in my head of Trey Parker and Matt Stone sitting in the writers room at their office brainstorming ideas for the new south park episode airing in 6 days. That's how the South Park creators/writers feel every week, to a much higher extent. The amount of stress is much less for my blog compared to preparing a 30 minute television show in a week. Parker and Stone do most episodes in a week, sometimes even more. For the Obama vs McCain election Parker and Stone created two episodes to air right after, one with Obama as president, and the other with McCain as president.


It is amazing how the writers can make episodes so quickly. from brainstorming ideas at the drawing board to animation to recording the characters voices and putting it all together is done every week for a season. The writers normally don't write their episodes ahead of time, which is completely different then most other shows on television. I have seen every episode of this show and it is crazy how much stuff gets packed into each show with such a short time.