Gamer (2009)

In a future mind-controlling game, death row convicts are forced to battle in a 'Doom'-type environment. Convict Kable, controlled by Simon, a skilled teenage gamer, must survive thirty sessions in order to be set free. Or won't he?

Directors:

Mark Neveldine (as Neveldine), Brian Taylor (as Taylor)

Writers:

Mark Neveldine (as Neveldine), Brian Taylor (as Taylor)

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Ludacris

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gerard Butler	...	Kable
Amber Valletta	...	Angie
Michael C. Hall	...	Ken Castle
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Gina Parker Smith
Logan Lerman	...	Simon
Alison Lohman	...	Trace
Terry Crews	...	Hackman
Ramsey Moore	...	Gorge
Ludacris	...	Humanz Brother (as Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges)
Aaron Yoo	...	Humanz Dude
Jonathan Chase	...	Geek Leader
Dan Callahan	...	Backup Geek
Brighid Fleming	...	Delia
Johnny Whitworth	...	Scotch
Keith Jardine	...	Mean Slayer

Storyline

Ken Castle is extremely rich, popular and powerful since he invented and started exploiting the virtual online parallel reality games, in which people can either pay as user or be paid as 'actor' in a system of mind-control. The ultimate version, Slayers, fields death row convicts as gladiators in a desperate dim bid for survival, which no-one made yet. The champion, John 'Kable' Tillman, was scheduled to die just before he'ld gain release, but he persuades his teenage 'handler' to hand over the reins so he can fully use his talents and experience. Thus Kable escapes to freedom, only to be chased illegally by Castle's men, yet fights back all the way to his HQ and challenges his evil hidden plans.

---

Plot Keywords:

convict | death | battle | mind control | role playing | 

---

Taglines:

In the near future, you don't live to play... you'll play to live.

---

Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for frenetic sequences of strong brutal violence throughout, sexual content, nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Germany]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Citizen Game

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque Studios - 5650 University Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,203,761, 6 September 2009, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$20,488,579, 4 October 2009

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,828,540, 12 August 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the album covers shown in Simon's music library is Antithesis from a Kansas death metal band Origin.

---

Goofs

(at around 1 min) In the scene showing the pyramids in Egypt, the word "Kable" is displayed backwards in Arabic letters. Since Arabic is read from right to left, the way it is shown in the movie, it would be read as "Lebaak".

---

Quotes

[Kable suddenly resists Castle's mind control, and lunges at him with a knife]
Ken Castle: What the hell was that?
Geek Leader: Someone on the outside is sending him commands.
Backup Geek: We're being broadcast live.
Ken Castle: Well, jam the signal! Jam the signal, you goddamn retards!
Backup Geek: Working on it.

---

Connections

Features Asteroids (1979)

---

Soundtracks

The Bad Touch
Written by Jimmy Pop (as James M. Franks)
Performed by Bloodhound Gang (as The Bloodhound Gang)
Courtesy of Republic/Geffen Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

About As Entertaining As Having Your Legs Amputated

I was really looking forward to watching this movie. The storyline was promising and i actually like Gerard Butler. After half an hour im thinking to myself ... OK this has GOTTA get better, but sadly it didn't, it got a whole lot worse tho. What started as a movie with a decent plot rapidly turned into an extended marilyn manson video, it made absolutely no sense, the characters were about as deep as a dwarfs bathtub and at one point i actually had to stop myself from gouging my eyes out with a rusty spoon. I, honestly, cannot think of anyone who would find this movie entertaining in any shape or form and can say with complete seriousness that I've had more fun at the dentist ... having a root canal