Movie Game

:For the TV Series of the same name, see .
The Movie Game or simply called Movie game is a quiz game that is popular for all ages and usually involves more than one person. Though some claim its origins came from internet forums, many have claimed to separately invent this game. For this reason many variations have evolved. It can sometimes be played in teams or in the more commonly played free-for-all manner.

Definitions
* Phase - This applies only to Selection format. A phase is a period when each player has not yet been selected. A phase ends once all players have been chosen or when a player receives a strike. Then the next phase begins and anyone can be selected again.
* Round - A round begins when a player names the first movie. The round is not considered over until a player receives a strike.
* Rotation - This applies only to Rotation format. The player who names the first movie of the round (Starting player) starts the rotation. The rotation is not over until it comes back to the starting player.
* Starting Player - The player who starts the round.

Gameplay
There is technically not a definitive rules set, however there are two general ways to play this game.

Rotation format
Rotation format is the more commonly and less competitively played variation.

The goal of the game is to eliminate each opponent until only one player remains. Players are elimintated by receiving three strikes. A player receives a strike by either failing to name an actor/actress or movie, naming an actor/actress that is not in the movie previously mentioned or naming a movie that the actor/actress previously mentioned was not in, or failing a "throw back".

The game begins by having a player name any movie. The next player clockwise to him/her will then have to name an actor/actress in that movie. The next player must then name a movie the actor/actress previously named was in and so on. Each player is given two minutes to answer (time may vary depending on what players agreed on). The same movie or actor/actress cannot be named in the same rotation. Players also cannot name the same movie or actor back-to-back-to-back, even if it is a new rotation. For example, if Player 1 says "Braveheart", Player 2 can say any actor in "Braveheart". Lets say Player 2 says Mel Gibson. Player 3 (even if it is a new rotation) cannot say "Braveheart" again. Same rule applies to actors/actresses.

If a player fails to name an actor/actress or movie, they receive one strike. Once a player accumlates three strikes they are eliminated. When a player receives a strike the round is immediately over and the rotation is reversed. For example, if a player receives a strike and the game rotation was clockwise it becomes counter-clockwise. If the game rotation was counter-clockwise it becomes clockwise.

The player who receives the strike, if not eliminated, then gets to restart and name any movie they want. If the player is eliminated, then the next player in rotation chooses a movie.

When only two players remain the rules change. See for more details.

Special rules:

Challenge - If a player feels the answer another player said was incorrect he/she may challenge their answer. In this event the internet or whatever other source is at hand may be used to verify or disprove the answer. Any player may challenge at anytime and as many times as they want. If the player whose answer is being challenged is incorrect, he/she receives a strike. Only the player whose answer is being challenged can receive a strike for being incorrect.

Throw back - Every player gets one "throw back" in the game. If a player cannot name another actor/actress (if the previous object was a movie) or movie (if the previous object was an actor/actress) then he/she may use a throw back. In the event of a throw back the previous player is forced to name another movie or actor depending on the situation. For example, if Player 1 says "Fearless" and Player 2 does not know anyone in "Fearless", Player 2 may say, "I throw back." Player 1 must then name an actor/actress in "Fearless". If Player 1 fails to name another actor/actress, he/she will receive one strike instead of Player 2. This is considered a successful throw back. If a player pulls a successful throw back, they do not lose their throw back ability and can throw back again. However, if the throw back fails and Player 1 is able to name another actor/actress in the movie then Player 2 will receive one strike and lose their throw back ability. The player being thrown back cannot repeat an actor/actress or movie that was previously mentioned in rotation. The same situation applies in the event of an actor/actress where the next player must name a movie that actor/actress was in.

Restart - If a new round is starting the player after the "starting player" may call an unlimited number of restarts until he/she can name an actor/actress in the movie. This eliminates the possibility of players who name obscure films to quickly give a strike to the player after them.

Selection format
Selection format is more competitive then rotation format.

The rules in selection format slightly differ from those in rotation format.

Instead of a set rotation any player may choose who they face next. A player may not choose the player who previously chose them unless that player is the starting player. Players may not choose a previously chosen player in the same phase. A phase is over once all players have been chosen or when a player receives a strike.

Everything else remains the same.

1 vs. 1 Rules
When it is a 1 vs. 1 game or only two players remain the rules change. The last two players must name an actor/actress and then a movie (in that order). Everything is based off the movie. In other words the player does not have to choice whether or not to choose a movie based off the actors/actresses mentioned. He/she must mention an actor/actress in the former movie.

For example, if Player 1 is the Starting Player and says "Minority Report", Player 2 could say "Tom Cruise, Days of Thunder" then Player 1 can only choose from actors/actresses in "Days of Thunder" and not movies Tom Cruise was in. So Player 1 could say "Robert Duvall, Open Range" and then Player 2 could say "Kevin Costner, Waterworld" and so on. The last two players may never name a previously named actor/actress or movie in the round. Once the round is over they may name anything again.

The Weinger-Parsons Project
In 2004, two former business interns, Alex & Justin, devised a new version of the Movie Game.

Game-play
The game begins by having a player name a movie. The next player in the rotation must then name another movie that contains an actor/actress that was in the previous movie. The game is designed to have as many players as desired. Part of the key strategy is knowing when to bluff an opponent. If you are stuck on film that you either do not know, or perhaps cannot think of another film that any of those actors/actresses has starred in, then you can simply name any movie of your choice, or make up a film name altogether. This tests the true skill of your opponent, as they then must decisively figure out whether or not to call your bluff. Likewise, if you are not sure whether or not your opponent is bluffing, you have the option of calling that person out, or simply continuing to connect movies at your own discretion. If the player is called out and found to be bluffing then you win that challenge, however if the connection was legitimate then the player that called their opponent on the bluff loses that round. The distinguishing factor between this version on the movie game and others, is that you connect movies to movies, and not actors/actresses in the movies, you simply use them as a background connection to link the movies together.

Special rules
*There aren't any specific time limits on turns, that is up to the discretion of the players.
*All movies must be listed on www.IMDB.com, and all actors/actresses must be listed in the cast.(please note that all actors/actresses are valid, even extras)
*The person to start off the round is the "Server", and the person to receive the first movie may ask to be "Re-Served" as many times as necessary, as the cardinal rule is that the first movie cannot eliminate a player from the game.
*Sequels may be used, but either the original movie or one of the sequels may be used, you cannot use both in the same round.(e.g. Either Rocky or Rocky II can be used, but only one or the other from any player in the same round) Likewise, a movie may only be used once in the same round, after the round is over you can go back and use it again.
*All movies, made-for-tv movies, dvd movies, are valid connections!
*If playing online, use the IMDB Random Movie Selector to generate the first movie of the game. The game can be played in person, or via email.

Esko High School Fan Bus version
The students of Esko High School have a different version of the game they play on long bus rides to various events (Field trips, fan buses, away games, choir trips etc.)

Game-play
The game is similar to the other versions, but instead of linking movies by actors they featured, movies are connected from last to first initials. For example if Player 1 said Batman Returns, Players two would have to name a movie the begins with the letter R. If the movie is a single word, for example Poseidon, the next player must name a movie with beginning with the letter P. If a title begins with or ends in a number, it is taken if it were spelled out. 8 Mile would start with an E, from being spelled out "Eight Mile". If Someone said Lethal Weapon 4, the next player would have an F, for four. If movies is not a fun enough category, others can be used. The game originated by using NBA players. All major sports can be used depending on what kind of fans you are. The longest lasting category was Caucasian athletes (The game lasted over a 2 day basketball tournament).

Special rules
Some rules can be ajusted by whoever is playing. "The sequel rule" is that if one movie is said, a numbered sequel cannot be named. For example if a player says Spider-man, nobody else can say Spider-man 2. "The Subtitle Rule" is that a movies subtitle can either be used, or not used(Example: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, or Babe 2: Pig in the City). A special rule gives double points for Disney Channel Original Movies .The player must either say "Disney Channel Original Movie" or its acronym, "D.C.O.M.", followed by the title. These points mean nothing towards the game, but respect from your peers. Any kind of grouping can be used, depending on what is popular in your circle (Movies by a certain actor or director, or movies that were originally made for a t.v. channel). The point of this game is to pass time on long, boring, bus rides.

Elimination
When a player cannot think of a movie for his letter after two minutes (more or less depending on what players agree to), he is eliminated. The player gets an audible countdown of ten seconds before his deadline. A term known as "J-Rocking" is prohibited. "J-Rocking" occurs when another person (usually a player already eliminated, or a non-player) gives a player answers. "J-Rocking" is punishable by elimination, or insults if it is a non-player.

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See Also

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