InformationRap
This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
Portia Hilton
Blistering performances.
Billy Ollie
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
latashalorenzo
Hello, I have watched this film about 121 times. I truly have, I even have it saved under my DVR to watch when I need a Gary Sinise pick me up!! This is a great movie, I love the part GS plays and how hes this Gorgeous bad a.. along with his minor league trucking buddies trying to set a plan in place to rob the Casino.GS appearance in this film is superb. The dark Walmart clothing , the cut off tank top (revealing his sexy arms) LOL, and that sexy dang sandy blond shoulder length hair is all to sexy and a awesome change from his earlier and later films. Hes usually more a cut close type of guy but in this film hes got a nice diff look to him that makes my undies moist!! I love u GS!!The only reason I give this film a 9star is because GS DIES. NOT COOL. Great film.
NateWatchesCoolMovies
I really like John Frankenheimer's Reindeer Games. Which is a turnaround for me, because when I first saw it years ago I wasn't too impressed. Last year I saw it on vacation around the holiday season on TV though, and found myself enjoying it. It's not the greatest movie, and much of it is ludicrous, but it's packs a mean spirited, sleazy punch and keeps up a nice wintry atmosphere to keep you warm on a cold night, whether from the booze or the bullets. The film gets shat on a lot, especially by star Charlize Theron who famously said she only did it to work with Frankenheimer, but I think it's way more fun than people give it credit for. Ben Affleck back in the sordid chapter of bis career, plays a recently paroled convict who's on his way to meet his cell mate Nick's pen pal girlfriend, pretending to be him. Nice guy. She turns out to be a sweetheart in the form of Theron, and things look up for old Ben. Until, however, her volatile, psychotic gangster brother Gabriel (Gary Sinise) shows up with a pack of thugs who have a notion to rob a casino that Nick used to work at, using him as an inside man. Only, he isn't Nick, and has no idea about the casino, forcing him to think on his feet and stall his way through the dangerous predicament. Sinise is a guy I'm usually indifferent too, or bores me, but here he's a wide eyed, brutish lunatic and really has fun with the role. Theron is appropriately sexy and enigmatic, and there's standout work from three tough guy actors I really enjoy, playing Gabriel's henchman, sporting the delightful monikers Pug (Donal Logue), Merlin (Clarence Williams III) and Jumpy (Danny Trejo). They're like the three ill tempered elves to Gabriel's raving Santa, and steal the film. Dennis Farina plays loudmouth, dirtbag casino owner Jack Bangs, James Frain has a silly bit, and there's a demented cameo from Isaac Hayes ("monsters in the gelatin!!"). It's a loud, dumb flick and it knows it, but it also knows how to have a good time in style. Even when the third act erupts in a cascade of increasingly laughable double crosses and perplexing plot turns, it never stops having fun. Nothing says the holidays like jail time, casino robbery, backstabbing sociopaths, Santa suits and shotguns, and a little murder.
LeonLouisRicci
This Movie could be used as Exhibit A in the Case, Ben Affleck accused of impersonating an A-List Actor. He is at His best when he does not distract. In this one he almost single handedly destroys what is already a Film struggling to maintain any credibility.It is unsure of itself and too much emphasis is put on things that are boring, or unnecessary and not enough on those that should be definitive in a Witty Action Thriller. The early Love Scenes are unconvincing, as is the Plot of misidentification and nothing seems plausible as the Setup begins to unfold.This is not the Director's worst Movie, for that see (or don't) The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996). Highly removed from His best work, this is watchable, but the cleverness is clunky and there are too many things that just don't flow. It hiccups its way through a twist or two or three or too many to count, but it is all for not as things just don't add up and the ride getting there is hardly worth it.
Matthew McNaughton
For the most part, the "How Did This Get Made" guys (and girl) have been doing great with their movie choices, but for whatever reasons, I thought this movie was actually kinda good. I mean sure, it has a horrible plot, the acting is awful, and don't get me started on the tongue-in-cheek Christmas jokes. But once you fight through those, it's surprisingly funny, quick and dare I say enjoyable. Most of the cast are tolerable, but I liked Gary Sinise most. It's not a movie to take seriously, of course, but at least it will keep you guessing without you asking it to. Nothing makes sense, and that's the best part. (PS: Charlize Theron has great breasts.)
