Rating: 
Summary: Roller Coaster Ride
Review: Despite the film's flaws, I found it visually stunning. The opening sequence with the dead Santa Clauses from an aerial view is orignial; and the film then rewinds in flashback. The snow-filled scenes of December are well-shot. Ben Affleck as Rudy Duncan is a well scrubbed prisoner who seems neither worldly nor criminal. When he tells Ashley, "I had better sex in prison," one sees neither the experience nor the emotional scars. I saw the film in theatrical release and was firmly convinced that the movie starred Ashley Judd. I was about 45 minutes into the picture when I said to my wife, "That's not Ashley Judd; that's the woman from 'Sweet November.'" Charlize Theron is beautiful. Her ability to deceive only comes clear as the plot unfolds; we don't really sense the a deep mysterious layer; so it doesn't all hang together, for me. But I loved the moment when Rudy is on his knees in the snow, about to be shot, and he tells her how Nick (prison mate) loved her. She looks at him knowingly and says something like, "Who wouldn't?" It's at that moment that we can hate her. The problem, of course, is who do we like? James Frain as Nick is sensitive and seems also out-of-place in the prison, plus hard to believe in the ending. It was nice to see Mod Squad's tv show Clarence Williams III as a bank robber. Gary Sinise was good as the bumbling villain. Dennis Farina as Jack Bangs the casino owner has great moments laying bloodied on the table keeps repeating, "I can't go back to Vegas." The fact that he's been beaten, laying on a table at gunpoint, and still worried about his job security is humorous at an unlikely moment. Ehren Kruger's script is so full of plot twists and turns that it is like a roller coaster ride in that you're never sure what's coming next; however, the roller coaster does seem to get off track a bit. While not classic, this is visually well shot with great pacing. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't remember Frankenheimer for this!!!!
Review: John Frankenheimer just passed away recently. It's a shame that his last movie is a not so worthy one at all in Reindeer Games. It's about crooks who use a recently former convict (Ben Afflick) who they think was a former employee at a casino they want to rob. They have a plan to rob the place dressed like a bunch of Santa Clauses on Christmas eve which is the only reason it's even called Reindeer Games. Well anyway the films a mess. It's the only film I can think of where the hostage in Afflick gets lose but only to find out a big twist in the plot and to rush back to tie himself back up. The late John Frankenheimer has made much much better movies, check out Black Sunday where a madman plans to blow up the Super Bowl with a Blimp. Another good one is his most recent film before this, Ronin with Robert DeNiro so check those out over this. Besides those he's had a very fine director career and is the biggest lost to Director's chair since Stanley Kubrick. R.I.P. John Frankenheimer!
Rating:
Summary: a thrilling flick
Review: Ben Affleck is Rudy, a man just released from prison after 6 years for grand theft auto. Right before he leaves, his best friend James is killed in abrawl. He goes to tell James' new girlfriend Ashley, whom James met via pen-pal relationship and she has never seen him. Ashley comes in the form of Charlize Theron, so Rudy tells her he is James and they start having sex. Thus Rudy's lust has him embroiled in a theft plot by Ashley's brother (Gary Sinise) and thus ensues a crime laden with all that is tacky about Christmas. The movie is gruesome at times, but it is entertaining. Theron does well as the both good and evil Ashley. And of course Affleck's character manages to have no psychological scars from his time in prison -- so that's annoying, but then, it's a Ben Affleck film, it comes with the territory.
Rating: 
Summary: Quality isn't part of the game
Review: I was extremely disappointed with 'Reindeer Games'. With its good cast, I was hoping that the film would be much better. The plot was weak and implausible, but what really made me hate this movie was the excess of violence, killing, and sex scenes. I'm an avid fan of action/adventure/suspense movies, but this film isn't worthy of that categorization. This film used murder, violence, and nudity solely for shock value, NOT because the plot required it. I sincerely hope that the actors and director make better choices in their futures. The time I spent watching this film...that's an hour and a half that I'll never get back.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Ben's Mild Ride
Review: After trashing "Pearl Harbor" last year and "The Sum of All Fears" this year, I felt the pangs of guilt telling me I was picking on local boy Ben Affleck. Therefore, to appease my conscience, I decided to review a Ben Affleck film I enjoy - John Frankenheimer's "Reindeer Games". "Reindeer Games" is just about the most unremarkable, low-stakes thriller you could ever expect to see, featuring all the obvious twists, all the obvious turns, and set in locations and in pursuit of prizes that do not exactly get the viewer buzzing with excitement. What makes the film work, in its own modest way, are the director and the cast. Frankenheimer is covering old territory here, but it is like watching a veteran baseball player at the plate or in the field - you've seen it a thousand times before but it is still fun to watch. Frankenheimer knows how to edit his films just right, and he always gets a kinky, dark edge out of all his scripts. "Reindeer Games" is no exception, and one of the DVD bonus features regarding differences between the film and this director's cut really lays out why Frankenheimer should be allowed to present the material as he sees fit. The film has just enough jarring moments that, even though you've seen the typical twists and betrayals before, Frankenheimer keeps it compelling and interesting. The cast, too, rises above the pedestrian heist plot, tackling the film enthusiastically. The movie does not ask them to do too much, so they have fun with what they have. Ben Affleck goes into smartmouth mode, familiar territory, but puts it to amusing use as a criminal roped into doing a job he wants no part of. One of the more amusing repeat gags involves his quest for some pecan pie, either a subtle nod or lift of Bruce Willis' cappucino quest in "Hudson Hawk". Charlize Theron is alternating sweet and petulent as his would-be girlfriend. Gary Sinise, Clarence Williams, and Danny Trejo are good, menacing fun as the heavies. Perhaps the biggest fun is Dennis Farina hamming it up as the casino manager who brings Vegas-style class by operating a bar that offers both Coke and Pepsi. A film like "Reindeer Games" moves along quickly. It has to or the inertia will allow the viewer to realize just how silly the film is. Frankenheimer keeps the film busy enough to keep the viewer curious and engaged, while the cast does a good job of providing enough quirks and quality performances so that the film isn't forgotten two seconds after the credits start rolling. "Reindeer Games" is not deep, ambitious, or original, but it is a comfortable and quality cover of heist films past.
Rating: 
Summary: Go Ben , Love Your Movies
Review: This was a great movie, I saw it in the theatre and was thrilled when it came out on VHS then I happened to pick up the directors cut one day had to buy it and that was terrific. That's the only one I watch now it is such a good movie that keeps you on your toes guessing who did what. The first time I saw this movie it was such a twist. Of course I like Ben, he is such a good looking young man so I would watch anything he makes. I watch this movie at least once a week, along with Bounce and Pearl Harbor. Looking forward to his new movie Changing Lanes next week.
Rating:
Summary: An odd, slightly demented crime thriller
Review: Reindeer Games is similar to the gritty, cynical thrillers that Hollywood made for several years after W.W.II. This group of movies came to be called film noir. They were less about good guys and bad guys than they were about survivors, and often all the characters had a shady past. Generally there was one character at the end who forced himself or herself to finally do the right thing. These movies were not sexist. The women were at least as cunning and calculating as the men. After all, in nature the female is frequently better than the male at catching her prey. Ben Affleck plays Rudy Duncan, a small time thief who is just finishing up a prison sentence. His cell mate and best friend has been corresponding with an attractive woman named Ashley [Charlize Theron], one of those people who like to write to inmates. The relationship has gotten hot and heavy - on paper, that is. Ashley is to meet him when he and Rudy are to be released. Just days before getting out, Rudy's buddy is apparently killed in a melee in the prison cafeteria. When he gets out Rudy sees Ashley outside the prison. Against his better judgment, he walks up to her and allows her to believe he is the dead friend. A passionate love affair soon begins, and all is well until Gabriel [Gary Sinese], Ashley's evil and dangerous brother, shows up with some of his partners in crime. With Ashley screaming in the background, they rough Rudy up and demand that he help them rob the casino he used to work in. The problem is that he never worked there. They think he's the friend. If he helps them, he's in trouble because he doesn't have the information, but if he convinces them he's not who that think he is, he's in even bigger trouble. What follows is an elaborate cat and mouse game. Rudy is not the only one who is not who he appears to be. The plot is most improbable, but veteran director John Frankenheimer, who helmed the fantastic spy thriller The Manchurian Candidate in 1962, knows how to keep the suspense up and running. The thrills and surprises overcome much of the story's deficiencies. Gary Sinese is perfect as Gabriel. This talented actor gets into the part so much that it's hard to recognize him at first. Charlize Theron is good as Ashley, a woman whose special talent lays in manipulating men. Ben Affleck is comfortable in a role much like a couple of others he has played in the past.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent............................
Review: THIS IS A MUST-HAVE MOVIE IT HAS SO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS YOU CAN'T LEAVE THE ROOM FOR A SECOND OR YOU'LL MISS ALOT.BEN AFFLECK IS A GREAT ACTOR,AND I ALSO LIKE CHARLIZE THERON.GARY SINISE IS A GREAT VILLAN.THIS IS ACTIONED PACKED SO BE READY THE ACTION STARTS 10 MIN. IN AND HARDLY SLOWS DOWN.I RECOMMEND THIS TO EVERYONE.I GIVE IT "TO THUMBS UP!
Rating:
Summary: Action doesn¿t get any worse than this
Review: Ben Affleck is trying to destroy humanity. After he made a movie this lousy it must be official. If the commercials didn't tell you enough of the story of "Reindeer Games", then the first 10 minutes of the movie will give you more information to know the plot (plot? What plot?) of the whole insidious film. Basically, its just another for "hot young stars" Ben and Charlize Theron. Why can't hot young stars make good movies? Anyway, a case of mistaken identity (not really the word for it, but who cares) lands Ben in the arms of Charlize. Charlize is some kind of red neck prison wife in training, by writing some guy named Nick love letters in prison. Nick, Ben's best friend, is actually killed in prison and Ben takes over the role of his friend when it comes to meeting the girl. I know. This is stuff that sounds like it came from a chimp, but one who is only moderately intelligent. The best part is, that's not even where the movie gets really God-awful. Then, a brother of Charlize (as you might have noted, I don't name them by the characters because you should not get attached at all) barrages in and expects Nick (remember him) to get him into some casino to pull some scam to break into it. Sound confusing? Not really, because it is the same story to all of these action movies. While I like a few of these movies, the only way these movies are made good are by the plot twists (all predictable here), chemistry (ha, please!), special effects (I fell asleep so I don't know) and/or likeability of the characters (please again). I think I have already put way too much time talking about a movie that really shouldn't have been made for any reason. I have a theory that studios might make bad films like this for tax right offs or something to that effect. They can't possible believe that people will really view this as some kind of great artistic masterpiece. Hell, it is not even a good dumb action film. It's basically cliché after cliché, from predictable surprises to the worst one liners ever put onto motion picture. Ben Affleck has this running joke rant for "Some hot chocolate. And how about that pecan pie" that makes an intellectual individual question the meaning of life when people like this exist on the planet. Maybe this film is suppose to have some humor in it, but it really fails to be funny or charming at all. With "Mr. Ripley" ... maybe there was something I didn't see that made is a hit with people, but in this case, I know I'm right. Must be something about Ben Affleck and Matt Damon I just don't get (I will give them credit for any appearance they have done in Kevin Smith movies though). Unless you're an absolute glutton for punishment or have an IQ of less than 6o, avoid this film and feel better about the world.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Ben Affleck!
Review: My parents rented this on VHS and I didn't really wanna watch it becuz it didn't seem like my kind of movie. But I watched it anyway, and I loved it. (This was when I had no idea who Ben was) The next day I watched it again and again. The next week my parents bought it on VHS for me. I watched it so many times the tape turned out to be so scratched up. With my own money I went to the local video store and bought the DVD of Reindeer Games. Without knowing, I had bought the Director's Cut and when I was watching it I was like, "Whoa! This is new." I like the Director's Cut better becuz you see Ben's great tattoos, he gets hit with 5 darts instead of 2, and Ben gets a bigger attitude towards Charlize in the movie. He hecka yells at her! I was laughing at that part. I love this movie. Both the original theatrical and the Director's Cut! On the Director's Cut, they even show the original scenes as Bonus Material. So you still have the other scenes. I love this and I'll probably end up ruining the DVD too, but Ben's worth it.
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