Changing the Game

This film was one that was one of the most pleasant surprises I've seen this year. I really did not know what to expect. What I got was one of the most ambitious and satisfying journeys in film that I have seen in a very, very long time. Protagonist Darrell Barnes takes us on a journey from childhood to adulthood where he learns that the unforgiving streets of North Philadelphia and the corporate private rooms of Wall Street are cut from the same corrupt cloth with many memorable characters in between. The film, for an independent, is truly ambitious in every regard. The cast is eclectic and consummate, and one scene in particular brought me to tears with its realism and heartfelt emotion. I also commend the chutzpah to pull of that very clever surprise ending. Kudos to the filmmaker and the entire production team from top to bottom for not being afraid to venture into unchartered independent film territory and pull it off so well.

All the wonderful reviews posted here are obviously planted. No one in their right mind could call this movie excellent. It very obviously a low budget movie made by aspiring but as yet unskilled actors, writer and director. It is more like something an aspiring high school movie maker would make if he could find any funding. Think of taking a paint by numbers craft project and trying to pass it off as art. The script is very loose and predictable and the acting awkward and stiff.

I regretted spending time watching this but I did learn a lesson. Do not trust ratings for movies with a relatively small number of reviews. It is to easy for those who must have obviously been involved to stuff the ballot box.

The only reason to watch this home made movie would be if you are the odd sort of person who occasionally enjoys sitting through bad movies just so you can get a kick out of laughing at it's many flaws.

If you are truly looking to be entertained look elsewhere. Watching this thing is painful if you expect to be truly entertained.

This movie was so real, that it made me cry... It's all about knowing what's right & wrong. I give it 5 plus stars! It was so good that I watched it twice! !! The main character's grandma reminded me a lot of the conversations I have had with my 3 sons, and that's why I cried, it hit home run with me. THANK YOU GOD, for another awesome grassroots movie with substance, heart, and soul. No big budget here, but good acting and resources to quality scenes made you forget its grassroots. Fantastic beginning, middle, and end. And none of them predictable. And to top it off, the actor who played "Candyman," Tony Todd, played two very symbolic and memorable roles!

"Changing The Game" really surprised me. The characters instantly won my heart. I found myself crying within five minutes of the start of the film. That does not happen every day. Love and compassion for humanity jumped off the screen from the start. The film was well written and the cinematography was exceptional. The tone was properly set at the beginning. I must commend the writer on a job well done. The characters were well developed. People from all walks of like should be able to relate to them. I was able to follow the film, but was unable to predict what was going to happen. The film made me reflect on societal issues and the roles we play. It gave me hope in knowing we have power to change the game. Everyone should see this film and celebrate those who dare to dream.

The filmmaker did an amazing job showing the harsh reality of the streets and its similarities to the harsh reality of corporate America. Lies, deceit, lust, backstabbing and murder are not only found in the streets - its found in corporate boardrooms all over the world. Irma P. Hall's character moved me! I believe that when you give your children the right foundation, they will stay on the right path. Even if they go off path for a moment, they will find their way back.

This film should be seen by all those looking for a creatively written and well developed plot. This film has a few surprises in store for the viewers. Many times I predicted one course of action and the film went in another direction. BRAVO Sean Riggs provides a convincing performance of the main character from the teen through adult years. This is not your typical independent film. I was pleasantly surprised by it.