Ben Affleck Movie:

Editorial Review:
To fully enjoy Reindeer Games, it must be approached properly: your disbelief must be checked at the door, as this John Frankenheimer film needs be taken with a liberal dose of pure faith in the magic of movie plotting.

Christmas approaches and all Rudy Duncan (Ben Affleck) can think about is the hot chocolate and pecan pie beckoning when he gets out of prison in a couple of days. But standing between him and his sated stomach is Ashley (Charlize Theron), an irresistible woman waiting for him upon his release. Without giving away any of the myriad twists of this thriller, Rudy falls for Ashley, thus becoming forcibly embroiled in a casino-robbery scheme helmed by Ashley's brother Gabriel (Gary Sinise).

Frankenheimer, who excels at devious plot machinations, à la The Manchurian Candidate, goes far enough here to stretch the patience of even his most loyal fans. The script relies a little heavily on bad Christmas jokes, and the film is overwhelmed with close-ups. The convoluted turns become outrageous to the point of ludicrous; yet it's all done in the spirit of fun, and once you get past the implausibility, Frankenheimer takes you on a rousing ride. While Affleck doesn't seem quite hardened enough to be a convicted car thief, he does a superb job with a thin script, and Sinise is as sinister as ever. Theron provides more decoration than acting due to the lightweight plot, but my, what lovely decoration she is. For a thought-provoking evening, stick with the earlier Frankenheimer films; for an adrenaline-pumping evening, Reindeer Games has all the violence, chases, and sex scenes for a night of entertaining diversion. --Jenny Brown

Reindeer Games Reviews:
Not in Santa's Bag
2009-07-05 - This film has great cinematography. We see images of the last few days before Christmas spent in a prison, a couple of cheap motels, and a small casino. There are a lot of good snow-covered winter landscapes and an interesting bit involving ice fishing.

But, simply put, this film is a joke! And it's supposed to be dead serious. It makes no sense. The plot is as shaky as the San Andreas fault.
The actors appear to follow directions and follow a script. But directions and script lead them along a loopy road indeed. It occurred to me that one way to get the most out of this film is to just turn off the sound and make up your own story.

Plus, it mocks the Christmas spirit. Imagine, Santa uses very bad words and fires automatic weapons at innocent people! A running joke is one character's repeated reference to Santa's "dwarves." Another character repeatedly corrects him and says it's Santa's "elves." At least, we learn something.



Funny action/drama ?
2009-02-03 - Wasn't sure what to make of this movie. What with the sinister plot hatched by Gary Sinise (Gabriel) and Charlize Theron (Ashley) using Ben Affleck (Rudy) as their pawn. And Rudy digging himself so much deeper into an inescapable dilemma, and also having to deal with the psychotic accomplices of Gabriel and Ashley. Especially the wacked-out "Merlin," played by Clarence Williams III, which hearkens one back to his equally psychotic character in Roy Scheider's 1986 movie: "52 Pick-Up."

That Rudy was actually able to concoct a plan of escape (and revenge) in so short a time, with all the odds stacked against him; was a minor miracle. But then again, it's the movies. There were some lighthearted moments in the movie that also brought on some real comic relief; which also broke some of the tension from the psychotic behavior of Rudy's adversaries. The "Santa Claus Shootout," was actually an exciting and well choreographed segment. A very funny, yet rewarding ending.

Video
2008-12-12 - This product arrived on time and in excellent condition. I would order from this seller again.

IT'S SO BAD, IT'S FUNNY...
2006-12-03 - One thing is to suspend belief, another is to suspend one's intelligence, which is what this movie requires. This movie is so bad, it is actually funny, at times. Replete with a bad script and bad acting, it revolves around a convoluted plot that has so many twists and turns, as to simply not be believable. The casting is bad, as well. Ben Affleck as a hardened convict? Come on...give me a break! He is simply not a good enough actor to play against type, charming though he be.

Rudy Duncan (Ben Affleck), a professional car thief who has just spent six years in the can, is looking forward to being released and returning to his family for Xmas. His cell mate of six years, Nick, is likewise looking forward to his own simultaneous release, so that he can join his beautiful girl friend and pen pal, Ashley (Charlize Theron), about whom he has talked to Rudy incessantly for years and to whom he has read all her letters. Unfortunately, two days before Nick's and Rudy's release, Nick is stabbed, ostensibly to death.

When Rudy leaves prison, he sees the beautiful Ashley waiting for Nick. Having heard all about her for years and feeling like he knows her, Rudy assumes Nick's identity, and hooks up with her. Unbeknownst to Rudy, Ashley has an evil brother (Gary Sinise). When Rudy meets him, somewhat unceromoniously, he forces Rudy to become part of a casino robbery, because he believe Rudy to be Nick and is counting on Nick's prior knowledge of the casino to help them plot the robbery. When Rudy confesses to not being Nick, Sinise does not believe him, and Rudy is forced to use his wits to stay alive.

The twists and turns continue. If you think the brother is evil, the viewer finds out that he has nothing on his sister, Ashley. Unfortunately, it gets so unbelievable, as to be ludicrous, and the movie spirals out of control. Like I said, it's so bad, it's funny. Rent it, Don't buy it.

Very Entertaining
2006-06-20 - "Reindeer Games" works on so many levels as an action film, it's damn near flawless. In fact, I think it is flawless except for the lame-brained twist that was thrown in at the end, but that didn't ruin it so I stick to my five stars. I'm going to have to start trusting Elmore Leonard a lot more, because his mini-review on the cover sums up everything well. "Reindeer Games Rocks! A High-Energy Thriller That Never Lets Go." He's more accurate than Stephen King has been about certain movies. Anyways, the movie stars Ben Affleck as Rudy; a prison inmate who listens to his cellmate Nick talk about his penpal. The penpal is Ashley (Charlize Theron) who waits for Nick to get out of prison. Rudy and Nick each get out on the same day (3 days) and discuss what they're going to do. Nick is going to meet up with Ashley, Rudy is going to get some hot chocolate. But then, Nick dies and Rudy assumes his identity and meets up with Ashley. Things click between Rudy and Ashley (she's under the impression he's Nick) but then things change again. Ashley's brother Gabriel (Gary Sinise) has read some of the letters and plans to use Nick to help him and his gang rob a casino. Explaining to them that he's not Nick, does Rudy no good and he ends up being caught up inescapably part of the plan. The movie also boasts an impressive cast that includes Dennis Farina (Get Shorty), Danny Trejo (The Devil's Rejects), and Donal Logue (TV's Grounded for Life). Now, besides the great plot and interesting twists; the movie is also fueled by some great performances. Affleck is believable as Rudy and Theron is perfect at going from good girl to deceitful b**ch. It's Sinise that really packs some punch though. This is Gary Sinise in top form and this is the role that he is meant to play. The long haired, bearded bad guy. Sinise truly delivers some great supporting work here. This is one of the most exciting action films I've seen in a long time and if you're not a big fan of action films, well there's a bonus...Check out Charlize Theron's nude scene (not a sex scene, but a pre-sex scene; You can count on seeing some t 'n' a though).

GRADE: A