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The Game (1997)
Released By: PolyGram Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: PolyGram Video
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: David Fincher
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Deborah Kara Unger, Michael Douglas, Sean Penn
Published ID: 7125
UPC: 044004783521, 025192244728, 025192791420,
Plot: Director David Fincher followed the success of his dark and atmospheric crime thriller Seven (1995) with another exercise in stylish film noir, this time lifting the pallid atmosphere a notch to indulge in a fast-paced trip through the cinematic funhouse. Michael Douglas plays Nicholas Van Orton, a Scrooge-like San Francisco investment banker following in his father's Scrooge-like footsteps. On Nicholas's 48th birthday (the age at which his father committed suicide), his younger, free-spirited brother Conrad (Sean Penn) blows into town and gives Nicholas a special gift for the man who has everything -- a ticket to CRS (Consumer Recreation Services), a company that constructs games custom-fit for each participant to provide, as CRS salesman Jim Feingold (James Rebhorn) cryptically puts it, whatever is lacking. Nicholas's secure life begins a downhill slide as CRS masterminds a series of elaborate pranks, harmless at first, that quickly become malicious and life-threatening. Stripped of financial resources and convinced that he can trust no one, Nicholas begins to wonder if CRS is a front for a more covert operation, and if the game is in fact an attempt to steal his fortune and leave him for dead. Determined to fight back alone, Nicholas infiltrates CRS in order to pull back the curtain and meet the wizard. ~ Anthony Reed, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
six excellent reasons to check out THE GAME and one ?
Added 11/14/2009

1. ALIEN 3 (flawed but worthy) 2. PANIC ROOM (thrilling , worthy) 3. ZODIAC (riveting , worthy) 4. SE7EN (FREEMAN was born to play SOMMERSET , horrific , worthy) 5. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BEJAMIN BUTTON (sensuous , a celebration of women , worthy) 6. THE GAME (riviting and thrilling , worthy) 7. FIGHT CLUB (surreal , compelling , should be nc-17 , flawed , ?)
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Mystery Suspense Thriller-Worth Seeing
Added 11/9/2009

I have reservations about this film which involve matters which cannot be discussed without taking an edge off it. Suffice to say that, despite my reservations, I can recommend it with little qualification. Michael Douglas is good as the central character, the others do what they are supposed to do competently. The creative and directorial staffs did a good job of creating the game plan but quite visible flaws remain nonetheless. These will probably influence one's aftertaste but not much the pleasures of the film. See it if you can.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Mind Over Matter and No Excuses
Added 6/27/2009

Here is my take on an older movie that already has over 200 reviews - I have seen it twice because it is worthy of that acknowledgment:

Nicholas Van Orton lives a cold, sterile life, haunted by the suicide of his father which has indelibly marked him as a child who witnessed it - he can't get it out of his mind.

His birthday is coming up, another one of them he doesn't see any use for. Everyone wishes him well, from a distance, because that is what is required of anyone who knows him. His estranged little brother, Conrad, the exact opposite of himself in personality, but who also had personal issues he had to deal with, calls him, posing as an old friend, Seymore Butts - because he obviously thinks that's the only way the invitation will be accepted since his social standing has suffered in comparison with his successful, distant older brother - requesting his presence at dinner. This does draw a sort of smile from the cast iron face of Nicholas, and he sets it up through his secretary. A painful dinner conversation ensues, and the roguish little brother presents Nicholas with a gift - a gift certificate to play a reality game, although nothing is known or revealed about it. He thinks it's a bunch of hooey, but it's paid for, so he decides what the heck.

Things happen rapidly from there on and it is best to not reveal the plot, mainly because it's impossible. But there is a message if one wants to look for it through the fray.

My Summary: It was an action flick with an embedded message: Life is what you make it and you need to live it while it is in front of you rather than using crutches or casting blame for things you cannot control. That may be easier said than done but the concept is a truth. You don't need drugs, alcohol or psychiatrists because real life is a trip of it's own if you have the nerve to go for it - no excuses, and the devil take the hindmost. But you DO need to live it and enjoy it; you DO need love and your own people around you or the whole thing is for nothing. And sometimes that should be worthy of a self-analysis before it's too late.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
One of my top 10 favorite movies
Added 6/2/2009

I really like Michael Douglas, & he doesn't disappoint in this suspense thriller. If you love movies that keep you on the edge of your seat this movie delivers!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
The Movie Is Great..However...
Added 3/27/2009

First of all, "The Game" is an awesome and exciting thriller of a movie. I highly recommend checking it out.

However..I purchased this movie for a hearing impaired relative of mine based on the fact that Amazon's Product Details description CLEARLY states..

Subtitles: English, Spanish.

There are in fact NO English subtitles, but only Spanish. And my relative now has a movie that is totally useless to her!

I think Amazon needs to print their product details based on correct facts so that other buyers won't make the same misinformed mistake.

3 out of 5 people found this helpful.
six excellent reasons to check out THE GAME and one ?
Added 11/14/2009

1. ALIEN 3 (flawed but worthy) 2. PANIC ROOM (thrilling , worthy) 3. ZODIAC (riveting , worthy) 4. SE7EN (FREEMAN was born to play SOMMERSET , horrific , worthy) 5. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BEJAMIN BUTTON (sensuous , a celebration of women , worthy) 6. THE GAME (riviting and thrilling , worthy) 7. FIGHT CLUB (surreal , compelling , should be nc-17 , flawed , ?)
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Mystery Suspense Thriller-Worth Seeing
Added 11/9/2009

I have reservations about this film which involve matters which cannot be discussed without taking an edge off it. Suffice to say that, despite my reservations, I can recommend it with little qualification. Michael Douglas is good as the central character, the others do what they are supposed to do competently. The creative and directorial staffs did a good job of creating the game plan but quite visible flaws remain nonetheless. These will probably influence one's aftertaste but not much the pleasures of the film. See it if you can.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Mind Over Matter and No Excuses
Added 6/27/2009

Here is my take on an older movie that already has over 200 reviews - I have seen it twice because it is worthy of that acknowledgment:

Nicholas Van Orton lives a cold, sterile life, haunted by the suicide of his father which has indelibly marked him as a child who witnessed it - he can't get it out of his mind.

His birthday is coming up, another one of them he doesn't see any use for. Everyone wishes him well, from a distance, because that is what is required of anyone who knows him. His estranged little brother, Conrad, the exact opposite of himself in personality, but who also had personal issues he had to deal with, calls him, posing as an old friend, Seymore Butts - because he obviously thinks that's the only way the invitation will be accepted since his social standing has suffered in comparison with his successful, distant older brother - requesting his presence at dinner. This does draw a sort of smile from the cast iron face of Nicholas, and he sets it up through his secretary. A painful dinner conversation ensues, and the roguish little brother presents Nicholas with a gift - a gift certificate to play a reality game, although nothing is known or revealed about it. He thinks it's a bunch of hooey, but it's paid for, so he decides what the heck.

Things happen rapidly from there on and it is best to not reveal the plot, mainly because it's impossible. But there is a message if one wants to look for it through the fray.

My Summary: It was an action flick with an embedded message: Life is what you make it and you need to live it while it is in front of you rather than using crutches or casting blame for things you cannot control. That may be easier said than done but the concept is a truth. You don't need drugs, alcohol or psychiatrists because real life is a trip of it's own if you have the nerve to go for it - no excuses, and the devil take the hindmost. But you DO need to live it and enjoy it; you DO need love and your own people around you or the whole thing is for nothing. And sometimes that should be worthy of a self-analysis before it's too late.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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