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

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 movie was so real, that it made me cry... It's all about knowing what's right & wrong. I give it 5 plus stars! It was so good that I watched it twice! !! The main character's grandma reminded me a lot of the conversations I have had with my 3 sons, and that's why I cried, it hit home run with me. THANK YOU GOD, for another awesome grassroots movie with substance, heart, and soul. No big budget here, but good acting and resources to quality scenes made you forget its grassroots. Fantastic beginning, middle, and end. And none of them predictable. And to top it off, the actor who played "Candyman," Tony Todd, played two very symbolic and memorable roles!

Changing The Game!! This movie most def changed the game!! It's not the typical type of movie, it's different it's original, it stands alone. There's not another movie that I seen that can be related to this movie. That's another reason why I loved it so much. All the characters were well developed. The actors/actress play their roles really well. The plot was put together very well... The movie contain the good, the bad, the sad, all had me sitting at the edge of my seat!

This is the type of independent film that I love.1st let me say, it was a hard time getting this film. Every time I went to red box it was (rented out) . Finally I was able to get my hand on it after a 2 week waiting period. The wait was well worth it. I watched the movie over twice!! Job well done!!!

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.