Reindeer Games (Director's Cut) |  | Director: John Frankenheimer
Actors: Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise, Charlize Theron, James Frain, Dana Stubblefield
Studio: Dimension
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.99
Buy Used: $2.46
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Seller: superpawn
Rating:  97 reviews
Sales Rank: 27754
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Director's Cut, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 104 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6
MPN: D22395D
UPC: 786936151565
EAN: 0786936151565
ASIN: B000059HBA
Theatrical Release Date: February 25, 2000
Release Date: March 27, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
Product Description
Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 05/25/2004 Rating: R
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 97
 Not in Santa's Bag July 5, 2009
Elliott (L.A.)
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.
 One of Ben's BEST! June 6, 2009
Movie Fan
One of the best movies of all time with lots of twist and turns. Now that it's on Blu ray...I didn't think about it twice. If you own a Blu ray player, you owe it to yourself to get this movie...you will not be sorry.
 Funny action/drama ? February 3, 2009
Pat Nava (San Francisco, CA)
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 December 12, 2008
Karen M. Hooper
This product arrived on time and in excellent condition. I would order from this seller again.
 IT'S SO BAD, IT'S FUNNY... December 3, 2006
Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle)
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.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 97
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