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Game Movie Reviews
To See or Not To See
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The Crying Game (1992)
Directed by: Neil Jordan
Written by: Neil Jordan
Rating: R
Stars: Forest Whitaker, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Rea, Adrian Dunbar, Breffni McKenna, Joe Savino, Birdy Sweeney, Jaye Davidson

Irish writer and director, Neil Jordan, explores truth, sex, gender, justice and loyalty in this critically acclaimed 1992 IRA thriller.  Fergus (Stephan Rae) is an IRA gunman, who goes into hiding after screwing up a mission. After Fergus holds hostage, and eventually befriends, an English soldier (Forrest Whitaker). When the soldier is murdered,  Fergus is driven to find the soldier's girlfriend, Dill (Jaye Davidson), to tell her the news. Unexpectedly, Fergus finds himself falling for Dill, a woman who isn't quite what she appears to be, and Fergus is left to deal with a shocking, strange and dangerous reality.  

War Games (1983)
Directed by: John Badham
Written by: John Badham
Rating: PG
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, Ally Sheedy, Barry Corbin, John Wood.

For those of us who can remember back to 1983, this flick is sure to stir some memories. Think back to when the threats of nuclear war, communist takeover and duck and cover were part of the greater collective consciousness. Mathew Broaderick stars as David Lightman, the computer geek that accidentally hacks into the Department of Defense's database. Lightman innocently thinks he has found a new game, where he can play nuclear war for fun. But in a traditional sci-fi manner, the computer takes on a mind of its own. Consequently, Lightman finds himself having to overcome the reality that he has just created -- World War III.

The Game (1997)
Directed by: David Fincher
Written by: John Brancato and Michael Ferris
Rating: R
Stars: Michael Douglas, Deborah Unger, Sean Penn, Peter Donat, James Rebhorn, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Carroll Baker, Anna Katarina, Spike Jonze

The Game is a roller-coaster thriller that is entertaining enough to rent. Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a single, successful, wheeling-and-dealing businessman about to turn 48. Nicholas' brother, Conrad (Sean Penn), gives his brother an invitation to play an interactive game with a mysterious company, Consumer Recreation Services. After a series of physically intensive tests, Nicholas begins to play the Game and numerous life-threatening twist and turns take place. While the film has several implausibilities, the plot is strong enough to keep viewers glued. If nothing else, you'll want to stick it out until the end to find out what the hell is going on.

Dangerous Liaisons (1998)
Directed by:  Stephen Frears
Written by: Adapted from Christopher Hampton's 1996 play
Rating: R
Stars:  Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman

Dangerous Liaisons is a film about the game of conquest. Glenn Close is a bored and wealthy widow challenging the promiscuous John Malkovich to seduce a young, beautiful bride played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Taking place in the 18^th century among French aristocrats, Dangerous Liaisons explores love and its relationship to seduction. Filled with wit, humor and drama, the movie follows two of the players as they fall in love. Tragic bitterness ensues in an enticing plot.