Changing the Game (2012)

An epic tale about a supremely intelligent young African-American male who rises from the ferocious and oppressive streets of North Philadelphia to being a shining star in the lucrative ... See full summary »

Director:

Rel Dowdell

Writers:

Aaron R. Astillero (screenplay), Rel Dowdell (screenplay)

Stars:

Jakobi Alvin, Suzzanne Douglas, Thomas Staten

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jakobi Alvin	...	Young Darrell Barnes (as JaKobi Alvin)
Suzzanne Douglas	...	Mrs. Davis
Thomas Staten	...	Young Andre 'Dre' Newell
Karen Issac	...	Ms. Brown
Summer Valentine	...	Angelina
Irma P. Hall	...	Grandma Barnes
Dennis L.A. White	...	Dre as an Adult (as Dennis LA White)
Sean Riggs	...	Darrell as an Adult
Shannon Dorsey	...	Nichole
Tony Todd	...	Curtis the Diabolical / FBI Agent
Kendia Jones	...	Reba Jones (as Kendia R. Jones)
Ernest Butts	...	Troy
Sticky Fingaz	...	Craig (as Kirk 'Sticky Fingaz' Jones)
Nicoye Banks	...	Goldie
Brandon Ruckdashel	...	Marty Levine

Storyline

An epic tale about a supremely intelligent young African-American male who rises from the ferocious and oppressive streets of North Philadelphia to being a shining star in the lucrative world of high finance at Wall Street's most prestigious firm. However, he soon finds that the white-collar world is filled with crime and death just like the drug-filled hood he left behind. His only chance of survival is to fully integrate a mysterious gift from a slain childhood friend fully into the fabric of his character.

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Taglines:

When the game changes, so does everything you thought you had seen.

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Genres:

Action

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, some drug content, sexuality/nudity and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 2012 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Emotional, Unique, Smart, and with a TON of HEART!

Now this is what I call a SURPRISE!!! I went into this film with no expectations and only decided to go because of the tile of the movie 'Changing the Game'. I thought maybe there would be some very funny irony that I could post if the film in fact did not "change the game". But as I started watching I realized I was witnessing something truly remarkable... a multidimensional, multicultural, mind-enhancing spectacle of entertainment and inspiration. I really don't want to give away any plot because it is filled with many major twists and turns that need to be experienced firsthand. I believe it is always better to see a movie with an "unframed" mind. What I mean by unframed is not allowing others to shape your expectations and understandings before you see it for yourself. That being said.... I love the characters (especially Irma Hall and Riggs), I LOVE the plot, and I love the overall uniqueness of the film. The cinematography detail is excellent as camera shots and character movement seemed to evoke unforced natural emotional cues that enhanced character dialogue and overall character development. BTW, the dialogue is awesome as every word seems to power the plot instead of depleting it with clichés. I feel like I am getting too technical so let me just say that this is a MUST SEE. The only knocks are that it could use some bigger budget polish and I felt like I wanted to see more interaction between the kid versions of (Darrel and Dre) because their childhood history and interaction is kind of bare. But this does not hurt the movie overall in any way. When I first came I had pretty low expectations but by the end not only did it blow my negative expectations away and turn them into positive fulfillment it made me want higher expectations for myself. That alone is priceless. I guess it's time for me to start changing myself in this game of life we all play.