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I must introduce my list by emphasizing the word 'inspired.' As many movie-going gamers know, the majority of the video game based movies take so many liberties that it is the basis for the most common critique. That being stated, I am not going to say it over and over again. In addition, there are so few good movies inspired by video games that my favorite 7 (read: 8 ... remember, my lucky number is 8) are all rolled up in a neat package because the most successful ones had sequels. What are your favorites?

DOA: Dead or Alive - As far as B-Rates go, DOA the movie was the best. The action filled flick based on the hit game series, Dead or Alive, did not have a strong plot but we dont play DOA for the plot, do we? Okay, maybe some people do but personally, the eye-candy in both the game and movie are aplenty. There are also very well known femme fatales as Jamie Pressly (My Name is Earl) and Devon Aoki (2 Fast 2 Furious and Sin City), B-Rate King, Eric Roberts, and pro-wrestler, Kevin Nash. The movie did better overseas than in the United States, which may have something to do with the fact that very little was done to actually promote the movie in the US. The movie definitely has a cult following and was fun to watch.

Hitman - This was a great action-packed movie starring Timothy Olyphant (Live Free or Die Harder) that enjoyed great financial success in the theaters and doing well thus far in DVD sales. I love to watch explosions, sexual tension, and creative assassinations. Okay, so, Rotten Tomatoes didnt like but, dammit, I did. My only disappointment occurred when I found out Vin Diesel dropped out of the film. I realize in some ways it failed to relate back to the game, but some things just dont translate well on screen and with the general public. I loved the action sequences and special effects in the movie. So far, there are hints at a sequel but nothing has been set in stone with regards to the return of Agent 47.

Resident Evil - My only regret; Michelle Rodriguez did not last as long as I think she should have. There are three movies so far in the Resident Evil series that include Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Resident Evil: Extinction. The three movies have all garnered box office success led by the heroine Alice, played by Milla Jovovich. Each movie takes liberties with the game often combining several elements from several games. I can honestly say I enjoy the movies more than the games and they always bring some great talent to the screen such as Ali Larter and Mike Epps. They have already begun discussions for Resident Evil 4 which is tentatively titled Resident Evil: Afterlife.

Mortal Kombat - When this movie came out there wasnt enough technology to support the effects necessary to make it what it could have been. However, this was favorite game of mine and I was partial to the movie as well. I loved that a Puerto Rican (Talisa Soto) was cast as my favorite character, Kitana. I wasnt the only one. The movie was a huge success and to date, is second to Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, as most successful video game adaptation movies. The second movie, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation was not as successful but it was still a pretty good movie. In my opinion, part of the problem was the almost entirely new cast for the second movie. Popular actors like Brigette Wilson who played Sonya Blade didnt return to reprise their roles. Either way, I must admit I am looking forward to the new one, Mortal Kombat: Devastation, scheduled to be released by 2010.

Tomb Raider - Everyone had to know this would top the list of favorites. Not only is the ethereal beauty, Angelina Jolie, the star but the movie (both of them) was well done and had great cinematography, direction, and special effects. They even included her girlie grunt when she bumps into something. My favorite scene is the fight scene when she hanging from the sheets - randomly beautiful. Tomb Raider still holds the title for the highest grossing video game based movie. I am sure casting Angelina Jolie helped out a bit. The sequel was (almost) equally as amazing to watch. Again, I am in the dissenting opinion. While the second eventually profited due to worldwide and DVD sales, it was not as amazing a success as the first installment. The studios blamed the game. Sadly, the third movie was halted and there are no talks of reprising the movie.

There have been many other video game based live-action movies but most have done so poorly in theaters. They only ones that share in similar success are the animated series of Pokemon and Final Fantasy. There have a tremendous numbers of bombs such as nearly any movie by Uwe Boll, but that is another article - although I have heard good things thus far about Postal. I will keep you posted.

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