Russell, Kimberly

The Game

It's not quite as clever as it tries to be, but The Game does a tremendous job of presenting the story of a rigid control freak trapped in circumstances that are increasingly beyond his control. Michael Douglas plays a rich, divorced, and dreadful investment banker whose 48th birthday reminds him of his father's suicide at the same age. He's locked in the cage of his own misery until his rebellious younger brother (Sean Penn) presents him with a birthday invitation to play "The Game" (described as "an experiential Book of the Month Club")--a mysterious offering from a company called Consumer Recreation Services. Before he knows the game has even begun, Douglas is caught up in a series of unexplained events designed to strip him of his tenuous security and cast him into a maelstrom of chaos. How do you play a game that hasn't any rules? That's what Douglas has to figure out, and he can't always rely on his intelligence to form logic out of what's happening to him. Seemingly cast as the fall guy in a conspiracy thriller, he encounters a waitress (Deborah Unger) who may or may not be trustworthy, and nothing can be taken at face value in a world turned upside down. Douglas is great at conveying the sheer panic of his character's dilemma, and despite some lapses in credibility and an anticlimactic ending, The Game remains a thinking person's thriller that grabs and holds your attention. --Jeff Shannon

A self-centered businessman is enrolled in a \""game\"" as a birthday present from his brother, and soon finds everything he controlled slipping from his grasp.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 14-FEB-2006
Media Type: DVD

Sugar Hill (1994)

Roger Ebert tagged Sugar Hill as one of the best of 1994. Leon Ichaso's film is not an action flick; no, this stylish drama wants to be a small gangster epic. Call it Roemello's Way: a thoughtful drug lord (Wesley Snipes) wants to get out of his business but takes forever to do so. A Shakespearean tragedy slowly--far too slowly--evolves. While it has a definite street-smart sense, no new ground is covered. Snipes is worth watching, though, and Clarence Williams III (seen far too seldom on screen) is terrific as his doomed father. --Doug Thomas

A life of crime has earned Roemello Skuggs and his brother, Raynathan money, power and respect. Now Roemello, weary of the destructive world, wants to start a new life with a sophisticated woman from a respectable family. But Raynathan needs his help in a bloody war, as the mob tries to mob in on their territory. The harder roemello tries to walk away, the more he's pulled back into the only world he's ever known and the more determined he becomes to bury the past.

Ghost Dad

Prison of Secrets

A young mother unknowingly breaks the law and is sent to prison. She is confronted by degradation and horror as guards extract sexual favors in exchange for everything from toothbrushes to drugs. Inspired by actual events.

Hangin' with the Homeboys

Four Bronx buddies spend an evening cruising for girls and getting into trouble as they tool around the South Bronx. But as episodic and aimless as this film seems, it is built around strong performances by its four leads: Mario Joyner, Nestor Serrano, John Leguizamo and Doug E. Doug. But writer-director Joseph Vasquez gives each guy a distinctive personality and uses their various adventures to examine just how dead-end life seems to this quartet of black and Hispanic buddies--and which ones have a chance of breaking out. Leguizamo is particularly intriguing as a sensitive type who is looking for an actual relationship with a woman, rather than hit-and-run sex, while Joyner is solid as the voice of reason in the group. And Doug E. Doug has a jack-in-the-box comic energy that's undeniable. --Marshall Fine

Comedy about four young friends from New York who spend one crazy Friday night on the streets of Manhattan that quickly turns into a night they'll never forget.Running Time: 90 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 794043692628

The Game

It's not quite as clever as it tries to be, but The Game does a tremendous job of presenting the story of a rigid control freak trapped in circumstances that are increasingly beyond his control. Michael Douglas plays a rich, divorced, and dreadful investment banker whose 48th birthday reminds him of his father's suicide at the same age. He's locked in the cage of his own misery until his rebellious younger brother (Sean Penn) presents him with a birthday invitation to play "The Game" (described as "an experiential Book of the Month Club")--a mysterious offering from a company called Consumer Recreation Services. Before he knows the game has even begun, Douglas is caught up in a series of unexplained events designed to strip him of his tenuous security and cast him into a maelstrom of chaos. How do you play a game that hasn't any rules? That's what Douglas has to figure out, and he can't always rely on his intelligence to form logic out of what's happening to him. Seemingly cast as the fall guy in a conspiracy thriller, he encounters a waitress (Deborah Unger) who may or may not be trustworthy, and nothing can be taken at face value in a world turned upside down. Douglas is great at conveying the sheer panic of his character's dilemma, and despite some lapses in credibility and an anticlimactic ending, The Game remains a thinking person's thriller that grabs and holds your attention. --Jeff Shannon

Final Shot - The Hank Gathers Story

At age 23 Hank Gathers has escaped the ghetto to become one of America's top college basketball stars. With love and encouragement from his mother and his best friend he pushes himself higher and higher - then tragedy strikes.System Requirements:Runtime: 92 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 844628091503 Manufacturer No: DH9150

Ghost Dad

Ghost Dad/Bustin' Loose

The Game [Region 2]

It's not quite as clever as it tries to be, but The Game does a tremendous job of presenting the story of a rigid control freak trapped in circumstances that are increasingly beyond his control. Michael Douglas plays a rich, divorced, and dreadful investment banker whose 48th birthday reminds him of his father's suicide at the same age. He's locked in the cage of his own misery until his rebellious younger brother (Sean Penn) presents him with a birthday invitation to play "The Game" (described as "an experiential Book of the Month Club")--a mysterious offering from a company called Consumer Recreation Services. Before he knows the game has even begun, Douglas is caught up in a series of unexplained events designed to strip him of his tenuous security and cast him into a maelstrom of chaos. How do you play a game that hasn't any rules? That's what Douglas has to figure out, and he can't always rely on his intelligence to form logic out of what's happening to him. Seemingly cast as the fall guy in a conspiracy thriller, he encounters a waitress (Deborah Unger) who may or may not be trustworthy, and nothing can be taken at face value in a world turned upside down. Douglas is great at conveying the sheer panic of his character's dilemma, and despite some lapses in credibility and an anticlimactic ending, The Game remains a thinking person's thriller that grabs and holds your attention. --Jeff Shannon