Rating: 
Summary: Gangster film with a touch of gay sex
Review: "Endgame" is an interestingly ambiguous story of how a kept London rent-boy seeks safety when his sugar daddy comes to a deserved bad end. Tom (played by Daniel Newman) is kept up in an opulent London apartment by wealthy George Norris (played by Mark McGann). While his family unsuspectingly lives the good life in Surrey, George deals drugs and blackmails in London, supported by a crooked detective, Frank Dunston (played by John Benfield). George and Frank inflict rough sex on Tom as rent, as well as create blackmail videotapes from Tom's tricking. One day Tom resists, and George ends up dead. Knowing that the police will be unsympathetic, Tom seeks help from some recent acquaintances, a neighboring couple from America (Max and Nikki Bergman, played by Corey Johnson and Toni Barry, respectively), who have just purchased a cottage in Wales. When Tom convinces the couple to help him flee, the three drive to the cottage. Crooked Frank has ways of finding things out, and the film moves to its climax.Although there was a variety of accents, attentive listeners should understand almost everything. The outdoor scenes in Gwynedd (north-west Wales) were very beautiful (and didn't need commentary or orchestral swell to make the point). There were many skin shots, mainly of Tom, a hottie. The acting was good, especially by the bad guys. Be warned that there is considerable violence shown in scenes of collecting money, interrogation, and in some sex scenes. One interrogation scene involving a car and a barber chair is far-fetched but riveting. The direction keeps the movie flowing at a brisk pace. The movie is ambiguous on a number of issues. Was George's death really an accident? Why were Max and Nikki so accommodating? What was the real dynamic between Tom and Nikki? Did Tom end up where he belonged? There is a plot hole or two as well. Viewers will interpret as they wish. The extras were the trailer to "Endgame" and to three other films. There was no director's commentary, making-of, behind-the-scenes, photo gallery, deleted scenes, or written list of chapter names. "Endgame" gives the viewer a good look at a kept boy who fell in with a very wrong crowd and needs a change. One can detect behind his coping defenses that he is cleverer than average.
Rating: 
Summary: Improvising An Escape
Review: "Endgame" is an interestingly ambiguous story of how a kept London rent-boy seeks safety when his sugar daddy comes to a deserved bad end. Tom (played by Daniel Newman) is kept up in an opulent London apartment by wealthy George Norris (played by Mark McGann). While his family unsuspectingly lives the good life in Surrey, George deals drugs and blackmails in London, supported by a crooked detective, Frank Dunston (played by John Benfield). George and Frank inflict rough sex on Tom as rent, as well as create blackmail videotapes from Tom's tricking. One day Tom resists, and George ends up dead. Knowing that the police will be unsympathetic, Tom seeks help from some recent acquaintances, a neighboring couple from America (Max and Nikki Bergman, played by Corey Johnson and Toni Barry, respectively), who have just purchased a cottage in Wales. When Tom convinces the couple to help him flee, the three drive to the cottage. Crooked Frank has ways of finding things out, and the film moves to its climax. Although there was a variety of accents, attentive listeners should understand almost everything. The outdoor scenes in Gwynedd (north-west Wales) were very beautiful (and didn't need commentary or orchestral swell to make the point). There were many skin shots, mainly of Tom, a hottie. The acting was good, especially by the bad guys. Be warned that there is considerable violence shown in scenes of collecting money, interrogation, and in some sex scenes. One interrogation scene involving a car and a barber chair is far-fetched but riveting. The direction keeps the movie flowing at a brisk pace. The movie is ambiguous on a number of issues. Was George's death really an accident? Why were Max and Nikki so accommodating? What was the real dynamic between Tom and Nikki? Did Tom end up where he belonged? There is a plot hole or two as well. Viewers will interpret as they wish. The extras were the trailer to "Endgame" and to three other films. There was no director's commentary, making-of, behind-the-scenes, photo gallery, deleted scenes, or written list of chapter names. "Endgame" gives the viewer a good look at a kept boy who fell in with a very wrong crowd and needs a change. One can detect behind his coping defenses that he is cleverer than average.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended, but with serious reservations
Review: ENDGAME (2001): A beautiful London rent boy (Daniel Newman) seeks the help of a sympathetic American couple (Toni Barry and Corey Johnson) when he accidentally kills the vicious gangster (Mark McGann) who's been acting as his pimp. They flee to a cottage in the Welsh countryside, pursued by a corrupt police officer (John Benfield) featured on a number of incriminating videotapes which Newman has taken with him... Gary Wicks' feature debut ENDGAME is both ambitious and compelling, yet also deeply flawed. Though economical in terms of budget and narrative scale, the film's production values are high, and the cast is a veritable who's-who of familiar British faces. McGann's seedy villain is a study in concentrated evil, obsessed with power and violence, and completely indifferent to human suffering, while Benfield (most recognizable to US audiences from his recurring appearance in TV's "Prime Suspect") exudes quiet menace as a debauched authority figure, desperate to reclaim his soiled dignity. Central to the film's success, however, is Daniel Newman, an elfin beauty who began his career as a child actor in TV dramas such as 15 THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PHILIP KNIGHT (1993) and "The Borrowers" (1993), supplementing his theatre and TV appearances with brief supporting roles in various UK-lensed Hollywood blockbusters (ROBIN HOOD PRINCE OF THIEVES, BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, etc.) until he became old enough to tackle the challenges of unconventional adult roles, such as the recalcitrant drug addict in JUNK (1999), and the troubled teenager who forms part of a bisexual love triangle in SPEAK LIKE A CHILD (1998). Here, his physical beauty is employed in a manner which renders him sympathetic and childlike, and his low-key performance anchors the entire film. Overall, the characters and pacing may be a little muted, and some of the the lapses in logic are too significant to ignore (Barry and Johnson's reaction to Newman's crime is simply not credible), but Wicks succeeds in generating a mood of operatic tragedy, helped in no small measure by attractive location photography (by David Bennett) and a memorable music score by Adrian Thomas. The film is hideously violent in places, but most of it is suggested rather than shown, despite what you may have heard elsewhere. But, for all its grandeur, the movie is compromised by an unnecessary plot development which seems calculated to provoke outraged disbelief: From the outset, Newman plays his character with gestures and mannerisms that clearly define him as a young gay man, and Wicks (whose resumé includes an executive producer credit on MOMENTS WITH JOHAN [1996], a softcore ode to European porn star Johan Paulik) makes a virtue of Newman's exquisite splendor, presenting him either shirtless or naked in every other scene and directing Bennett's camera to savor (almost) every inch of Newman's glorious, sculpted body. But all of the gay sex scenes involve violence and coercion, during which Newman is brutalized and dominated by McGann and his disgusting cronies, while the only sexual tenderness he experiences is with a woman (Barry), who takes pity on his loneliness and fragility! This, despite the fact that it's Barry's husband (Johnson) who invites Newman into their lives, paving the way for an altogether more believable storyline in which Newman's character could have experienced his first moment of romance with another man. The fact that it happens with a woman is both inappropriate and offensive, and it suggests nothing more than a sop to commercial fortunes, skewing the film towards a gay audience whilst simultaneously appeasing potential straight viewers, an approach which satisfies no one and defies all narrative logic. That said, however, the plot is reasonably engaging and the performances are superb, while the fetishization of Newman's fabulous torso provides more than enough compensation for the movie's thematic shortcomings. Recommended, but with serious reservations. TLA Releasing's all-region DVD - which runs 113m 5s - presents the movie in full-screen format only, unmasking an amount of 'dead space' at the bottom of the frame and opening up the original 1.85:1 image gathered in the upper portion of the screen, so viewers with 16:9 TV's can simply zoom into the image and scroll to the top of the picture for an approximation of the original theatrical experience (an accompanying trailer is appropriately framed at 1.85:1). Picture quality is excellent, and though a letterboxed version would have been preferable, TLA's full-screen presentation offers a more revealing view of Newman's nude scenes than the theatrical print, particularly during a memorable slow-motion shower sequence which positively revels in his nakedness. The 2.0 stereo soundtrack is OK for the most part but seems a little muffled in places, possibly due to an inexcusable downmix from the original 5.1 Dolby Digital theatrical version. There are no captions or subtitles and, aside from the aforementioned trailer, no extras (an audio commentary from Wicks explaining the creative decisions which led to Newman's relationship with Barry rather than Johnson would have been more than welcome), except for previews of other TLA releases, including Miles Swain's THE TRIP (2002), which looks like a lot of fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Stylish & Sadistic
Review: For those of you unaware, "endgame" is a chess term. After the opening encounters and tactics of a game, it's the final plan a player has to finish off his or her opponent. And such is the concept of "Endgame" a stylish, sexy and sadistic British crime thriller, although with a few minor flaws had me on the edge of my seat and at times my stomach in my throat! There are some brutal and graphic scenes of rape and torture, which may not suit everyone's taste. Yet it's directed with such visual flare by Gary Wicks that you cannot help but watch. There's a brutal fight and beating in a bar scene and as the music played it reminded me of a scene from a "Clockwork Orange". The scene, among many, is twisted and dark for sure, but very well done. Daniel Newman who plays Tom is convincing as a male prostitute who's on the edge and John Benfield who plays Dunston is one of the most vile villains I've seen in quite some time and it drew to mind Ben Kingsley in "Sexy Beast"! Outstanding performances! The premise of the story centers on Tom (Daniel Newman) who is a "rent boy" and turns tricks around London for his sick, psychotic "sugar daddy" George Norris (Mark McGann). Through a series of flashbacks we learn of Toms past while he tries to deal with the present and his future. And the future looks bleak. Regularly raped, and brutalized sexually by Norris he also endures the verbal abuse from Norris's driver. He's made to turn tricks, one regular being that of Dunston, as well as help George perform his dirty mob deeds. Without giving to much away things take a turn, when a twist of fate releases Tom from his violent "keeper" and with the help of some American neighbors, Max (Corey Johnson) and Nikke (Toni Barry) he flees the city to their remote cottage in the country with Dunston close behind. The story fails a bit in the relationship between Tom and the Americans and vice versa and a few scenes that seem thrown in for the sake of erotica but in general I thoroughly enjoyed the story and it was nice to see a thriller featuring a gay/bi lead role. I recommend this highly. The DVD doesn't feature any extras but the audio and video were nice and clear for an independent feature.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best films i've ever seen
Review: i started watching this movie with quite a deal of skepticism, because what i'd heard of the plot (male prostitute gets wrapped up in london's gang-land) sounded more like the plotline of a porno than a proper movie. but from the moment i started watching it, i was completely entranced. the plot and dialogue are extremely well written, the acting is superb, the editing, the music, everything was amazing. what i liked best about this movie was that it didn't succumb to any stereotypes. while the main character was gay, and did show quite a fair share of skin, but all the nudity (well... semi) was justified, and his homosexuality was not the center point of the movie or the character. and, unlike a good portion of gang-oriented movies out there, it portrayed the utter brutality of some of the characters without unneeded gore. i wish i could say more, but i don't want to ruin the plot for anyone. but, if you do watch this movie, be warned, it is a very heavy, very tragic movie, and there is no happy ending. content, maybe, but not happy.
Rating:
Summary: Gangster film with a touch of gay sex
Review: I would like to recommend this film, although one cannot catagorise this film as being totally gay. This is a English film about a cute rent boy Tom (Daniel Newman) who is hired and kept in a loft house in London by George Norris (Mark McGann), a rough, tough, domineering, sadistic gangster who likes nothing rather than sexually abusing Tom to get pleasure and uses him to serve his clients, including crooked cop Dunston (John Benfield), for his dirty trade, such as drug and money laundering. All the sexual activity between Tom and George's clients are taped with a hidden camera for blackmailing. Tom befriends an American neighbour, Max (Corey Johnson) who lives downstair. After having dinner with him and his wife, Nikki (Toni Barry) one evening, Tom accidently kills George when George forces him to have sex. He then turns to Max and Nikki for help. They flee to Wales and hide in a cottage. The complexity of Tom's life begins to reveal. Meanwhile, Dunston, the ruthless cop, begins his hunt for Tom as he holds the crucial evidence against Dunstion. The movie centres on the importance of love. The movie starts with Tom sitting alone in the dark in the loft. He is neglected and used as a sex tool to please George's clients. He reminisces the happy time he used to have with his family throughout the movie. While staying with Nikki in the cottage in Wales, he tells her how much he yearns for love. Then he feels to be loved by Nikki who seems to understand him.
Rating: 
Summary: the suckiest suck to ever suck
Review: no, i'm not kidding.
the only reason to watch this movie is to think up all the ways it could have been a good movie.
some of the scenes seem like leftover cinematography from 1985.
the gangster plot it not satisfying and the relationship between the rent boy and his "American" friends is completely unrealistic and badly conceived. They know him for all of a week and suddenly they are helping him hide out after he tells them clearly that they have no idea what they are getting into. And instead of going down the conceivable plot line that the "American" husband is somehow interested in the rent boy (as the plot as been leading us to believe from the beginning) instead the highly effeminate prostitute finds his joy and redemption in the arms of the wife?!?!
This movie is truly bad and only good for a laugh. And the duck faced midget rent boy does indeed have a nice little body. But it hardly worth the pain of watching this movie or the expense of even renting it. Get a cheap thrill in better movies!
Rating:
Summary: Why you must watch this
Review: This is an excellent movie, but as others have warned... don't look for the "cookie cutter" ending. In an earlier review someone complain that the relationship between the prostitute and his new American friends was not realistic; I disagree; the writer shows the American couple were having major questions about their life, their marriage and where they were... the crisis of the prostitute gave them an out without having to do it on their own. The reviewer also wrote it was more conceivable for the American man to have a thing for the prostitute; how cliché would that have been. This movie had me on the edge of my seat and when it was over I was angry and wanted more; but I won't get into those details. If you don't appreciate a dramatic thriller; go elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Why you must watch this
Review: This is an excellent movie, but as others have warned... don't look for the "cookie cutter" ending. In an earlier review someone complain that the relationship between the prostitute and his new American friends was not realistic; I disagree; the writer shows the American couple were having major questions about their life, their marriage and where they were... the crisis of the prostitute gave them an out without having to do it on their own. The reviewer also wrote it was more conceivable for the American man to have a thing for the prostitute; how cliché would that have been. This movie had me on the edge of my seat and when it was over I was angry and wanted more; but I won't get into those details. If you don't appreciate a dramatic thriller; go elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Why you must watch this
Review: This is an excellent movie, but as others have warned... don't look for the "cookie cutter" ending. In an earlier review someone complain that the relationship between the prostitute and his new American friends was not realistic; I disagree; the writer shows the American couple were having major questions about their life, their marriage and where they were... the crisis of the prostitute gave them an out without having to do it on their own. The reviewer also wrote it was more conceivable for the American man to have a thing for the prostitute; how cliché would that have been. This movie had me on the edge of my seat and when it was over I was angry and wanted more; but I won't get into those details. If you don't appreciate a dramatic thriller; go elsewhere.
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