Saw THE GAME yesterday (Tuesday September 9th) and liked it quite a bit. But as usual I'll tell ya about my day, to establish where my brain was.

I had to wake up at 8am (this was torture, I usually get up about 1pm) for an AP photo shoot and interview, for publication next Wednesday, I believe. It was a real quick photo shoot, but the interview ran about 3 hours. A really great interview, I have no idea how it'll translate to paper, but I had alot of fun with it. Favorite question and answer: AP dude, "Have you felt the impact of Studio's tightening their grip on information about their films?" Harry responds with, "I think Princess Leia said it best, 'The more they tighten their grip, the more film news will slip through their fingers.' of course that's paraphrased and changed!" I liked that answer. Of course it's pathetic, but I thought it was real clever at 9am. The interview wrapped up, and I went into my room and went to bed. Sleep that is. A strange word I haven't been seeing much of recently.

Well onto THE GAME. I have had a video print of this film for about 3 or 4 weeks due to a leak at the studio level, heh heh heh heeeeh. But it was a work print. I had really enjoyed it, though I must admit I was quite distracted by interruptions, eating, and Glen's screaming baby (who I completely sympathize with, I mean seriously, who wants to be locked up asleep when there is a movie showing. Not I) I say sit your kid down in front of the TV and put on film after film, until they fall asleep or die. That's what my parents did, and look how I turned out. Ok ok, maybe you shouldn't. :)

The film was screening at an excellent theater in town, THE GREAT HILLS 8, a General Cinemas theater, so I went expecting to see the cannabilistic computer candy people with the ejaculating popcorn head. I get there, and sure enough, THE LINE PEOPLE are there!!! Gotta love the line people. Anytime there is an advance screening, the Line People are there. Not all of them this time. Apparently there is another screening in town this night, thereby dividing the flock. In the lobby is this gigantic damn display standee from STARSHIP TROOPERS, my god that sucker was big. But dammit, no bugs!!! Don't they know, we don't want to see people, we wanna see big cardboard bugs attacking the lobby. Giant inflatible Starship Troopers Bug on the roof of the theaters. That would be cool. I'd sit outside of the theater staring at it all night, of course this is counter- productive to me actually sitting in the theater watching the film. But it did get me licking my lips in anticipation for the film.

My little sister, Dannie, had her little flock of sea scum with her. Dante, Gary, Melody and a new chick with a Janis Joplin t-shirt. I guess she's cool. But the rest are a waste of skin, and I mean that in a fond kinda loving way. You know, big brothers are required by law to act like Bill Paxton in WEIRD SCIENCE!!! Words to live by.

Then Eric, the Bowie kid that interviewed me showed up to take one of the extra tickets I gave him, in return he buys me a big drink. Ahhhhhhh, thanks buddy. My mouth cooled, my brain properly hydrated, then my super cool buddy boy who hooked me up with a bajillion passes for this year shows up (Paul) to take his place in line, actually on the bench we found, and time passed easily.

We enter the theater and after a while I'm joined by RoRo, yall remember him, he's the guy who loved KULL THE CONQUEROR (NOT) And of course Dad was there. Ahhhh an actual entourage of cool people. Of course the coolest people were the line people that told me they could get me into the showing of LA CONFIDENTIAL tomorrow (it was tonight, and turned out the be THE EDGE)

The CHRONICLE representative (that's the local paper in town that gave out the passes) came out and tried to give a speech of some sort, but noone could hear her because of the loud music being played, and her soft spoken voice. When hiring people to do promotions at movie theaters, one must hire someone with a LOUD MOUTH. I know several candidates, and personally would love to do it. Just the chance to screw with the minds of a theater full of film fans, to ask real trivia to earn prizes. Ahhhhhh, the potential would be grand!!!!

Then with no warning, the screen and theater goes dark, and the film starts. No cannabilistic candy, No trailers (god I hate it when I get no trailers at advance screenings) and no THX or Digital test. Man, this sucks, the ritual is broken!

THE GAME

Boy does this film play great to an audience. This film is what I call a "MIND FUCK" film. You know the type. I won't go into spoilers, but suffice to say, GO SEE IT. It's alot of fun. Directed by David Fincher, oh you know he directed a film called SEVEN, which I understand a couple of you people have seen.

The amazing thing is that here is a action/suspense style film where Michael Douglas doesn't "do" a girl from the rear. A real growth film for him. I mean AMERICAN PRESIDENT and this restore Douglas in my mind as a cool as hell actor again. Of course one of the things I like is the films are soooooo different. But I love em both.

This film is alot (yes, I know it's two words, I just refuse to bow to convention and stay between the lines.) of fun. It has soooo much going for it. This isn't a great film (like I consider SEVEN) but it is a what going to films is suppose to be about. About surprises and twists, about never knowing what is around the next corner. Ahhhh, I love this type of film. And on a second viewing I began noticing all these subtle clues hidden throughout.

You'll never not pick up a key again. It'll make you paranoid and suspect everyone in your home and at work. A real paranoia film. Fincher has created one hell of a ride, which spawned a thirty minute film discussion after the film was over, in front of the theater. Of course you know a film is great, if it spawns an all nighter at a bar/coffee house/or your house involving endless speculation about this and that. About how great this was or that was. Ahhhh, I love a great film, but this will do for the time being. I'm hoping that LA CONFIDENTIAL does it for me.

One note. Sean Penn is fun in the film, but he really doesn't have that large of a part. He is very much a supporting character. This film caused audible gasps from the audience and really shook the audience at other moments, it received alot (there I go again) of applause afterwards. Like I said, it plays real well to an audience. Go to a crowded showing, this is a fun audience mystery/suspense film. Go, have fun, it's one of the better Michael Douglas films, though my favorite is still CHINA SYNDROME, but then I remember seeing the movie, and two weeks later watching 3-Mile Island have a nervous breakdown. One of the best, art predicts reality circumstances I have seen.

Enjoy THE GAME, to some it'll be a profound life experience. One of my sister's scum bunch thought so. The people I took to see it, actually stopped me, shook my hand and looked me straight in the eye to say thanks. That's pretty damn good. Usually it's a wave and, "See ya at the next one!" Hallenbeck labeled it the second best "almost a movie" movie of the year. It's better than that, but it certainly isn't the BEST MOVIE this year so far, which I feel is IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, which I saw 3 times back in March of this year, before I was writing reviews. I strongly reccomend you see that film. It's mean as hell. Great movie.