Thanks for the memories!

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This story is in two parts. The first part deals with a poorly developed friendship between Darell (Sean Riggs) the smart kid and drug dealing Dre (Dennis L.A. White). This loosely sets up the second half where Darrell obtains his business degree and gets involved in some bad investments using the drug money. For some reason because it was his money, he is being investigated because his hedge fund investor (Brandon Ruckdashel) lost it. Go figure.The setting is in Philadelphia with broken dirty streets. The film likes to use and quote Machiavelli in order to look intellectual, because the acting and directing wasn't going to hack it. The acting was especially sad. They called it in.What was with giving Tony Todd two different roles, one as disfigured pimp and another as an FBI agent? Didn't Ed Wood think we would notice? The plot had continuity issues especially at the end.The film tries to go deep, but doesn't achieve. Brarality J. Dowdell, wrote and directed this film. It is his first attempt from his cushy college days.Recommend "Life of a King" or "Money Matters" instead.Parental Guide: F-bomb, N-word, brief sex, side breast nudity..

I had the pleasure to finally see a movie that I can appreciate in many ways. There is so much truth in "Changing the Game" that many have been afraid to admit, tell, or even identify. The challenges that this young man faced are so real. An eye opening film in so many ways. A young mans plight to succeed in addition to all the twists and turns kept me mentally involved as to what would happen next. I enjoyed the fact that nothing was obvious or predictable, and that each Actor went through different changes whether they were positive or negative.Great writing and Casting. From beginning to end, the Cast kept me engaged in the film makers story. Very Intriguing, and a must see.I look forward to future work from Rel Dowdell as his creativity and diversity in his films will be a refreshing addition to a viewers movie experience.

I saw this movie in New Jersey along with many people from my church and would like to encourage everyone to go see it. Now, I am a person who usually falls asleep in movies in a heartbeat (keeping it real), but this movie was great enough to hold my attention the entire time. Love the storyline. Love the realness. Love the ending. When I told my 17 years old son about it, he went to see it. I was thrilled when he called to say, "Mom, it was AWESOME!" If you asked for one word to describe it, I would have to say, like my son, AWESOME. It is a movie that everyone should see (at least twice). It is a movie for all mature audiences. Way to go writer/director and cast!

I just saw this film at the Magic Johnson theater in Harlem and I felt like I went on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I am learning more and more that it is independent films that make me feel like I've been on a real cinematic journey. The last time I felt like my emotions ran the full gamut was when I saw "American History X." Every character in "Changing the Game" goes through a dramatic change because of the decisions they make, for the the better of for the worse. Another big asset for this film was something most African-American films rarely try, and that is the surprise ending this film pulls off so well. In simplest terms, this film is "Changing the Game" in many ways and I hope people support it and tell others to also. This is the rare film that you need to see more than once to fully appreciate all it has to offer.