Getting in the Game – A DVD Box Set Quest

Rainbow Sangria, mixed by Tipsy BartenderThe life of my military homecoming film “ABYSS: The Greatest Proposal Ever” must go on after its Red Cross run, if this movie stands any chance at growing an audience.

I wonder if repackaging the DVD into a bundled experience of sorts would make it more appealing to men and women who have a hard time wrapping their head around supporting a 20-minute, low-budget buddy drama, produced by an indie writer/director who they never heard of until now.

So I’m toying around with the idea of making a boxed gift set that contains a drinking card game featuring questions about friendship, weddings, relationships, jobs and conflict, all based on themes in my movie. I picture this game serving as a good ice breaker during social gatherings while also providing opportunities for people to discuss funny and even hot topics while learning about, and hopefully understanding, the perspectives of those in their inner circle.

On the most basic level, players in my movie game would pick a card from the pile, read the question on that card aloud, and then guess what the other person’s answer is to said question. If the answer is incorrect, then he or she must drink one shot but if it’s correct, then the other person must do a shot. Seems simple enough, right?! What I’m having trouble figuring out, however, is whether the questions on these game cards should be in multiple choice or yes/no form.

Would you loan money to your best friend, for his or her wedding plans?

Would you loan your car to a friend for 9 months?

Would you pay to bail a friend out of jail?

If you joined the military, in which branch would you serve?

G is for Guessing GamesOne of the reasons for going the gaming route for creating a DVD box set also comes from an understanding that casting a smaller, yet targeted, net might be more beneficial than trying to promote my movie to every Tom, Dick and Harry who enjoys home entertainment.

If I do this card game thing, I figure the film’s ideal market could include groomsmen who are planning bachelor parties, people hosting surprise birthday parties for their besties, and summer BBQ gatherings.

Oh the joys of trying to get more (or find the) people to watch indie films! *sigh*

Which types of questions do YOU think are better suited for game play, yes/no OR multiple choice?

What was the last drinking game YOU played?

A Wale inspired Movie Dialogue Game #atozchallenge

“I need something to hold, fuck that passive aggression and when I’m back from off the road, don’t ask me no questions please...girl, let me get them ooh, ahhs, then I gotta catch my plane. Say you miss me and you wishing for some private time, girl how can we get that way”

“That Way” by Wale (also featuring Jeremih and Rick Ross) is one of the most entertaining rap songs that I’ve been listening to for a few months now. I don't know what this song is about or if it is even supposed to have a meaning or inspiration behind it at all. Based on the lyrics and music video, my take on the tune is that it chronicles traveling, sex and cheating.

There aren't many movies that come to mind at the moment that encompasses all three of these subjects, except for maybe "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" starring Larenz Tate and Halle Berry. I can, however, think of another movie that Larenz Tate also headlines -- "Love Jones" that has that whole "Whenever Wherever Whatever" by Maxwell feel to it and just so happens to sorta touch on traveling, sex and cheating within its storyline but still suggests a happy ending.

Nina: How do we do this?

Darius: I don't know.

Nina: I live in New York!

Darius: I don't care.

Nina: As usual, your timing couldn't be worse. You always want what you want when you want it. Why does everything have to be so damn urgent with you?

Darius: Let me tell you something, this right here, at this very moment, is all that matters to me. I love you. That's urgent like a motherfucker.

What does this "Love Jones" dialogue have to do with anything, you ask? Well at the time of this writing, I wrote most of it from memory and despite owning a VHS copy of "Love Jones" (currently collecting dust in my apartment), I haven't watched this movie in at least one year. So, while I may not be entirely accurate with what Nina and Darius said to each other in this particular movie scene, I'm pretty sure that I've come damn close to it. Could YOU do the same? Better yet, challenge guests at your next dinner party to try this quick and easy party game that can be setup with little to no fuss, for fun.

Are you familiar with that Fox TV show called “Don't Forget the Lyrics?” Well, let's play a game of Don't Forget the Movie Lines. Finish the dialogue from the following movies that contain some form of sex, traveling or cheating:

Sex: Bruce Willis in "Perfect Strangers" - Show me a beautiful woman and I'll show you....
Answer:  ______________________________

Traveling: Tom Cruise in “Top Gun” - I feel the need....
Answer: ______________________________

Cheating: Kate Winslet in “Titanic” - I’d rather be his....
Answer: ______________________________

Also, I favor Maxwell's "Whenever Wherever Whatever" song moreso than Wale's track but Maxwell didn't make the cut for today’s post because he was already highlighted in an earlier A to Z Challenge post of mine -- for Letter M: Matrimony & Wedding Movie Party Games.

Can YOU finish any of the Sex/Traveling/Cheating movie lines featured in today's post?

Quiet Storms amidst Brad Pitt's Sack of Troy #atozchallenge #atoz #music #movies #games

"...can kill me but they comin' wit me. How about that, send the Queen bee to attack, only a fly b**ch like that can leave em and laugh. Rock 'em to sleep, make 'em think the drama is dead. Yo, I smile up in your face, though I'm plottin' instead."

“Quiet Storm (Remix)” by Mobb Deep featuring Lil’ Kim is a hip-hop song that gets fewer plays on my playlist than many other tunes mentioned in previous A to Z Challenge posts. Still, I find it to be an entertaining track that you kinda have to be in the mood to listen to -- You can rock out to it in a nightclub, at a house party or even bump it in your car.

Since I’m not gangsta, I don’t really read much into the lyrics but I had no idea that this song is from the soundtrack for the crime drama “In Too Deep” starring Omar Epps, Nia Long and LL Cool J. The movie is about an undercover cop who develops a close relationship with a local drug lord whom he is supposed to bust.

I never watched “In Too Deep” but am almost certain that it’s somewhere on my Netflix list. The only quiet storm that comes to mind where movies are concerned is the scene in “Troy” starring Brad Pitt, where the Spartans invaded Troy during the Trojan War. The Spartans were mighty clever with their sneaky little approach to overtaking their enemy, by dressing something up as a gift or friendly gesture of peace. Now, that’s what I call a quiet storm!

Sack of Troy:

So the next time you’re at a birthday party or having guests over for a casual dinner, host an activity based on “Troy” that will bring people together instead of tearing them apart.

Create a matching game where guests in your household have to match the Greeks, Myrmidons and Trojans with the corresponding photos that depict scenes from this movie (*example: Photo of Brad Pitt is accompanied by multiple choice Greeks/Myrmidons/Trojans and each player must circle only one of the three for each actor or character's name on their game sheet), similar to my movie themed baby shower game but maybe more challenging because players in the “Troy” game would have had to pay attention to this movie whenever they watched it.

*If any of you reading this want a visual example of the “Troy” game, let me know and I’ll add one to this post, over the weekend.

Until next time, in the words of the great Achilles.....

"Is there no one else?"

Do YOU think the sack of Troy cruel of the Spartans or simply a case of one side doing whatever it takes to make sure that they are not defeated?