Danny's Game

Moviecut—Betta Fish

source: Betta Fish

Danny's Game tries to be a talkie like one of Kevin Smith's movies, but fails grandly. I was playing online poker and trying to tolerate this garbage, when we got to the final table. Here, uber-idiotic psychotic character Alex decides to bring Danny's brother to the table. Duct-taped as a threat. Like the threats she/it has made throughout this garbage "movie." It's at this point that I turned the poop off, launched this scathing review, and started watching "Rounders." Again. Save yourselves! Never watch this toilet-water fraud. This movie helped set-back poker in America singlehandedly...

Brash gambling prodigy Danny Bishop (a fine and likeable performance by Joshua Ungaretti, who also wrote the compact script) gets sprung after serving three years in the joint and finds himself back in the game due to a large debt over his protection in prison. Danny cons his way into a high stakes poker game against his venomous arch rival Alex (well played with lip-smacking relish by Megan McNamara). Director Bill Copper relates the enjoyable and engrossing story at a quick pace, maintains a breezy hip tone throughout, further spices things up with an amusing sense of flip humor, presents a fun array of colorful characters, and stages the big poker game with flair. The sturdy acting by the capable cast keeps this movie humming: Ava Justin as sassy teen Lisa, Mike Bredon as Danny's fed-up older brother Arthur, Al Saks as shrewd mentor Merchant, and Brett Myrand as cocky card player Frank. Spot-on stirring bluesy'n'funky score, too. A cool little flick.

Lots of negative reviews so hopefully I can offer a different perspective. If you go into this movie expecting a high bankroll blockbuster, you'll be disappointed. If you go into it expecting a high-quality art-house film that suddenly becomes a blockbuster after a come from nowhere major award, you'll be disappointed. If you go into this knowing that it's a low budget, local, indie movie that also happens to be Ungaretti's debut as a leading man and writer, you will be entertained. Could the writing be better? Of course! Could the acting be better? Also a yes. Exactly what you'd expect from this type of film - people that are passionate about making a film and are putting their heart into it. Let them not be perfect and enjoy this film for what it is. The goal of a drama like this is to entertain the viewer and for me, it certainly succeeded in that respect.

DANNY'S GAME blends both its playful and serious sides well, making for an enjoyable and engaging watch. Over the course of the runtime, we get to meet a number of charismatic bad guys, all populating the small underworld of criminals in Danny's circle. The supporting actors seem to relish bringing out the idiosyncrasies in their characters, and this makes them fun to watch as Danny moves from one to the next, letting details to the plot unfold naturally with each new stop. Danny is also, by all respects, a bad guy by traditional definition. I stayed in his corner because the movie balances enlightening backstory breadcrumbs with a charismatic performance from the lead, which let me see him in a forgivable light. I was rooting for Danny in spite of some of his words, actions and spouted philosophies. DANNY'S GAME shares DNA with the Ocean's movies, Matchstick Men, and Rounders: The characters in these films do things society deems bad, but their outlaw style is romantic and fun to experience vicariously, and the same goes for Danny and his plight. I particularly liked the visual look of this movie - the angles and color were sharp and confidently executed - and the performance from lead actor, Joshua Ungaretti, who provides an unexpected honesty to the looks he gives and the lines he delivers.

Some pretty funny moments no doubt. It's definitely a low budget film. I like the cinematography the best. The little girl does a pretty great job especially. Interesting take on the poker scene. If you don't enjoy it, just make a drinking game out of everytime the lead actors looks into the camera

I made a user profile, just to warn you about this movie. I almost poked my eyes out during the movie, and after I wanted to jump in front of a train og drink lava to ease my internal pain.

Not sure if this is a movie. Bored story. It's should me rate 0 star.

A movie with poker theme, so I think it would be interesting, like watching WSOP tournament, but the poker itself only maybe around 20 percent of the movie. The poker tournament is not like a poker tournament in this movie. If you hope to watch a poker movie like watching WSOP tournament, don't watch this movie. The dramatic scene it too much compared to the poker scene.