duffyjanice The filmmaker did an amazing job showing the harsh reality of the streets and its similarities to the harsh reality of corporate America. Lies, deceit, lust, backstabbing and murder are not only found in the streets - its found in corporate boardrooms all over the world. Irma P. Hall's character moved me! I believe that when you give your children the right foundation, they will stay on the right path. Even if they go off path for a moment, they will find their way back. This film should be seen by all those looking for a creatively written and well developed plot. This film has a few surprises in store for the viewers. Many times I predicted one course of action and the film went in another direction. BRAVO Sean Riggs provides a convincing performance of the main character from the teen through adult years. This is not your typical independent film. I was pleasantly surprised by it.

geraldinejames996 This was such a wonderful film with colorless and timeless messages. It could not have come at a better time. If you grew up as a suburbanite who was never exposed to urban America, or as one from Sweden who was privy and never for a moment growing up in the type of environment shown in this film, then this will definitely be like watching a foreign film without the subtitles. One has to know what it's like to overcome obstacles and succeed in life despite having everything against you to appreciate everything this uplifting film has to offer. Also, you have to be one who has someone in your life who has introduced you to having faith in a higher being to appreciate this film, like the grandmother (played by the incredible Irma P. Hall) did for the main character (superb newcomer Sean Riggs.) It is definitely not for the atheist. This film is SO much better than films like "Empire" which could never hold a candle to it. Changing the Game gets the highest of recommendations.

Grady Perdue One of the major keys to a great film, is a solid story directed by an able hand, since if the plot is delivered adequately the viewer is almost able to visualize internally without a screen. Fortunately in the case of the Rel Dowdell directed film, "Changing the Game," the viewer is granted the benefit of a well crafted screenplay (Rel Dowdell & Arron R. Astillero), delivered by an able cast, captured with entrancingly and captivating visuals, which echo back to such early independent classic black films as Larry Cohen's "Black Caesar" and Ivan Dixon's "The Spook Who Sat By the Door." "Right now I'm on my way to your trough to eat your breakfast, since you don't have sense enough to eat it yourself." Templeton Set in the colorful yet gritty North Philadelphia backdrop, Changing the Game begins with a young Darrell Barnes (Jakobi Alvin), adeptly reading the above quote from E.B. White's children's classic "Charlotte's Web" in front of his mildly attentive elementary class, while doting instructor Mrs. Davis (Suzanne Douglas) looks on admiringly. It is Mrs. Davis interest in Darrell's background, added with her compliment heavy motivation, which gives the sense that she was integral in shaping Darrell's early academic aspirations. Forward to the drug infused, crime ridden mid 1980s, Darrell (Sean Riggs) is now an accomplished and intelligent high school senior with intentions of attending college for business. It is at these formative beginnings, where Barnes's life and death circumstances and personality shaping people, such as his shrewdly tactical, highly ambitious, long time friend and street hustler Dre (Dennis L.A. White) as well as his morally influential and religiously devout guardian Grandma Barnes (legendary Irma P Hall), begin to give the viewer a more concise image of the potentially multi dimensional character Darrell may truly be.I do not wish to give many of the plot details due to the fact that Changing the Game is a film that must be watched carefully in order to understand the nuances and depth of Darrell's and his surrounding character's roles in the story-line. I will only share that this is a not the typical cliché shoot em up, hood tragedy flick. Not only does it subtly touch upon the struggles and ills of a desperate impoverished ethnic community, it also ventures off into the social and political dynamic of higher learning institutions, the typically white male dominated American corporate boardroom and the more ethnically and culturally diverse international business environment. There is an interweaving of classical literature such as Machiavelli's "The Prince," which only embellish and compliment an already intriguing story about a not so common man, facing all too familiar circumstances with an intelligently creative and militarily calculated ambition. Those aforementioned qualities alone have made this a film that must be watched more than once to gain full appreciation of how dynamic Darrell Barnes' character is. 8/10

deeva1297 I had the pleasure to finally see a movie that I can appreciate in many ways. There is so much truth in "Changing the Game" that many have been afraid to admit, tell, or even identify. The challenges that this young man faced are so real. An eye opening film in so many ways. A young mans plight to succeed in addition to all the twists and turns kept me mentally involved as to what would happen next. I enjoyed the fact that nothing was obvious or predictable, and that each Actor went through different changes whether they were positive or negative.Great writing and Casting. From beginning to end, the Cast kept me engaged in the film makers story. Very Intriguing, and a must see.I look forward to future work from Rel Dowdell as his creativity and diversity in his films will be a refreshing addition to a viewers movie experience.