Changing the Game

One of the major keys to a great film, is a solid story directed by an able hand, since if the plot is delivered adequately the viewer is almost able to visualize internally without a screen. Fortunately in the case of the Rel Dowdell directed film, "Changing the Game," the viewer is granted the benefit of a well crafted screenplay (Rel Dowdell & Arron R. Astillero), delivered by an able cast, captured with entrancingly and captivating visuals, which echo back to such early independent classic black films as Larry Cohen's "Black Caesar" and Ivan Dixon's "The Spook Who Sat By the Door."

"Right now I'm on my way to your trough to eat your breakfast, since you don't have sense enough to eat it yourself." Templeton

Set in the colorful yet gritty North Philadelphia backdrop, Changing the Game begins with a young Darrell Barnes (Jakobi Alvin), adeptly reading the above quote from E.B. White's children's classic "Charlotte's Web" in front of his mildly attentive elementary class, while doting instructor Mrs. Davis (Suzanne Douglas) looks on admiringly. It is Mrs. Davis interest in Darrell's background, added with her compliment heavy motivation, which gives the sense that she was integral in shaping Darrell's early academic aspirations. Forward to the drug infused, crime ridden mid 1980s, Darrell (Sean Riggs) is now an accomplished and intelligent high school senior with intentions of attending college for business. It is at these formative beginnings, where Barnes's life and death circumstances and personality shaping people, such as his shrewdly tactical, highly ambitious, long time friend and street hustler Dre (Dennis L.A. White) as well as his morally influential and religiously devout guardian Grandma Barnes (legendary Irma P Hall), begin to give the viewer a more concise image of the potentially multi dimensional character Darrell may truly be.

I do not wish to give many of the plot details due to the fact that Changing the Game is a film that must be watched carefully in order to understand the nuances and depth of Darrell's and his surrounding character's roles in the story-line. I will only share that this is a not the typical cliché shoot em up, hood tragedy flick. Not only does it subtly touch upon the struggles and ills of a desperate impoverished ethnic community, it also ventures off into the social and political dynamic of higher learning institutions, the typically white male dominated American corporate boardroom and the more ethnically and culturally diverse international business environment. There is an interweaving of classical literature such as Machiavelli's "The Prince," which only embellish and compliment an already intriguing story about a not so common man, facing all too familiar circumstances with an intelligently creative and militarily calculated ambition. Those aforementioned qualities alone have made this a film that must be watched more than once to gain full appreciation of how dynamic Darrell Barnes' character is. 8/10

"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.

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 is probably the most accomplished and ambitious independent film that I've ever seen. If this film doesn't garner some significant acclaim or awards down the line, I feel there is no justice in the world. I came in seeing this film with really no expectations, but left out like I has seen and traveled the world with an African-American man whose life actually meant something not only to himself, but the lives that he touched. I was unfamiliar with the lead actor Sean Riggs, but am now very impressed with his wondrous talents. The entire cast is more than commendable, led by longtime matriarch Irma P. Hall, Sticky Fingaz, Dennis White, Munir Kreidie (breakout performance), and Suzzanne Douglas (from the show "The Parent Hood"). This no doubt was a very difficult film to pull off for the filmmaker, but the reward for all involved, especially the audience, could not have been greater. Kudos.

This was such a wonderful film with colorless and timeless messages. It could not have come at a better time. If you grew up as a suburbanite who was never exposed to urban America, or as one from Sweden who was privy and never for a moment growing up in the type of environment shown in this film, then this will definitely be like watching a foreign film without the subtitles. One has to know what it's like to overcome obstacles and succeed in life despite having everything against you to appreciate everything this uplifting film has to offer. Also, you have to be one who has someone in your life who has introduced you to having faith in a higher being to appreciate this film, like the grandmother (played by the incredible Irma P. Hall) did for the main character (superb newcomer Sean Riggs.) It is definitely not for the atheist. This film is SO much better than films like "Empire" which could never hold a candle to it. Changing the Game gets the highest of recommendations.