Gamers

I picked up this movie in the hope it would be similar to the hilarious "The Gamers" by Dead Gentlemen Productions (which is highly recommendable, by the way). Boy, what a disappointment! The movie is shot in this fake documentary style made famous by the office but it fails to deliver. The reason is partly the stiff acting but mostly the writing and directing. True, it can be funny to use every singe cliché there is about role playing games, but here it is done in such a way that it becomes extremely predictable. Already at the beginning of each scene you know what the "joke" will be about. But maybe the biggest problem is that everything is depicted way over the top. There is no subtlety in this movie, if there would be captions "LAUGH NOW" or a cheap 80s-style fake-laughter track it would not make much difference. With some scenes you can't help to think "Yea, I get why they thought this would be funny" but the way it is executed takes all momentum out of the possible joke.

Wow! I saw the first screening of this movie and think it's amazing! I can't wait to see it again! Writer/director Christopher Folino has brought the seemingly underground world of RPG gaming mainstream. No need for any previous knowledge of the subject - This movie will thoroughly entertain everybody from those who have never even heard of role playing games all the way to the Dungeon Masters.

Did I mention it's absolutely hilarious!!!? Not just funny, but choking on your popcorn and spraying Dr. Pepper out your nose kinda funny! Gamers pushes the envelope as far as what some sensitive viewers may find offensive, but Folino and company found a way to make the audience laugh so hard at it that nobody cared. I was worried the funniest parts might have been used up in the preview... Well if that were the case, the preview would have to be 83 minutes long!

I could have sworn this movie was typecast. But I checked it out and these are real actors with REAL resume's. Most indie films aren't acted this well. If I were to knock anything I might suggest washing the windows on the cars for those scenes (even if it IS a "mockumentary" style film) and it needs a couple of minor audio fixes.

Outside of that, I thought it was funnier than anything I've seen, including the blockbusters The 40 Year Old Virgin and Wedding Crashers both - only with no dead spots for you to leave and use the bathroom. You're likely to already have peed your pants by then anyhow!

~Tom

P.S. I had no part in the making of this movie and gain nothing, financially or otherwise, for writing this. It is truly a great film!

Yea, this movie is one of those that you have to have in your DVD collection. Listen up ... if you liked Office Space ... then stop what you are doing and get this DVD ... BUY IT and you will want to watch this over and over again. FUNNY as all get out. You will laugh so hard, beer will come out your nose. I never laughed so hard at a film when you get a group of guys together (nerd fest) and place in some crack humor ... good times. William Katt couldn't be any cooler then when he gives his "The sucks all on you" speech. Reese .. oh my God .. Reese ... this guy will have you calling your ex-girlfriend over the phone and ... well, you'll just have to see it. This movie is 5 out of 5 stars, 2 thumbs up ... way the frig up.

butterfingers

This is absolutely not a terrible movie but you do need to be somewhat of a tabletop RPG fan. Further it helps if you have been around RPG enthusiasts, to help understand some of the social stigma that goes along with. The jokes are a bit goofy and some are just downright idiotic but you will laugh if you let yourself.

I gave it a 6 out of 10, a vote it deserves. Its not a carefully edited comedy, written by an army of comedy writers. Its a B film comedy produced for a niche market. Take it for what it is. There are some wonderful appearances by classic 80s actors and actresses. My gaming group and i have probably watched it three times together.

Christopher Guest need not worry, his supreme hold on the Mockumentary sub-genre is not in trouble of being upstaged in the least especially not by this extremely unfunny jab at RPG-gamers. The jokes are beyond lame. Not enough substance to last the typical length of a (particularly rancid) SNL skit, much less the 87 atrocious minutes I waisted watching this drivel. The great William Katt (Greatest American Hero, House) deserves much MUCH better. One thing and one thing alone makes the fact that I saw this worth it in my mind and that's posting about it on here so hopefully just hopefully I'll save someone such a bad experience.

My Grade: D-

DVD Extras: 2 Audio commentaries; 7 interviews with various cast members; 4 deleted scenes; & theatrical trailer

DVD-Rom extras: 2 Wallpapers

Easter egg: Highlight the eye in the picture on the main menu for a short scene