True to the Game (2017) User Reviews

SMH

[beaujetto · 4/10 · 26 January 2018]

So many urban tales but only one gets some screen play and when you see it, it is so disappointing

Somehow intrigued .....

[theprobe-69975 · 4/10 · 16 March 2018]

I watched "True to the Game" last night for the first time. I like Short's role. I think he nailed it. People's seemed very natural and "sincere" in her role. Most of the other actors could have watched the movie instead of starring in it ... acting was poor. I think Short and his crew were too gullible for "skilled" drug dealers ... walking into traps etc. At the beginning of the movie, Short rambled too much and at one point I wondered if he was speaking English. The story line was shoddy and did not depict the book as it should. With all that said I was still captivated and intrigued enough to watch it to the end .... or maybe it was just Short that got me. ... lol

Too low of a budget for such a huge story

[bethany-jolene · 5/10 · 8 March 2018]

True to the Game trilogy is my favorite urban fiction collection, hands down. I had such high hopes for the film. Things I liked: Colombus Short surprisingly portrayed Quadir better than I initially thought he would. The clothing choice for the men was on point and stayed true to how I imagined them to look, based on the book. Qua's right hand man, Tyriq, was very convincing. I enjoyed his character. Jarell had some off moments, but I think his character was well-played and added the nemesis-type flair to keep it interesting. Things I didn't like: Gena is quite lovely as I imagined but her acting was sub-par at best, as was 95% of the cast! Rasun, Qua's other righthand, was absolutely unconvincing. Draya, Shirell, could've been left out of the movie altogether. She has no acting ability at all. Aubrey was not in the books at all. Her character was forced and she added no value to the movie in my opinion, just like Shirell.

Those are major components off the top of my head. I wanted to see a classic, to match the legend of the books. I watched it 3x in 2days to come to my final conclusion, but at best; I'd consider this a B-league film. An exponentially higher budget and a more experienced cast would have placed this film at the top. I believe TTTG would be mentioned with the likes of Goodfellas, Paid in Full, Dead Presidents, etc had it been given the proper resources and due diligence it deserves. Very disappointing. I would love to see it continue with the major escrow this one needed, maybe even scrapped and remade from scratch. The movie does the legacy of Quadir and Gena absolutely no justice whatsoever! Come harder next time, Miss Woods. We need stories like yours on the big screen!

Grossly disappointing movie, but great novel

[sjoye-42391 · 2/10 · 12 September 2017]

Surprisingly, I find myself agreeing with the LA Times and New York Times critics on this one. The movie is so terrible people left the theater before it was half over. To make matters worst, the novel was amazingly well done and seemed hard to mess up. The movie plot and story line are so nonsensical, and hilariously unconvincing, it's hard to imagine anyone but amateurs put any work into this film. With the exception of Columbus, and maybe one other person, the casting and acting are so horrible one wonders who was in charge of quality control. The special effects, to the extent they could be called that, seemed to be from the 70s, as the film is very low budget and wrought with cheap, almost invisible action scenes. Yet, it's packed with long meaningless conversations that left me longing for the next scene. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the movie is that it is so unbelievably boring, you're left thinking it has to get better and it actually gets worst until the credits appear. I found myself wondering who gave the thumbs up to such a poor movie and why such a great novel received such a low budget and obvious lack of cinematic support. The movie isn't worth purchasing on demand. I would recommend waiting for Netflix as it's not going to last in theaters much longer.

"The Game" Just Isn't Played Well

[travishouze · 2/10 · 24 March 2018]

I'll never be able to explain what keeps me coming back to urban dramas even when I've expressed my occasional distaste for many. Maybe it comes from the hope that as the years go by, there will be one urban drama that shakes up the genre and challenges old concepts and writing. However there are films like True to the Game that makes me believe the genre has gotten too comfortable.

The film, based on the based selling novel by Teri Woods, follows Quadir (Columbus Short), a well established street hustler. He began to have thoughts of stepping out of the game after falling for Gina (Erica Peeples) and receiving threats from others taking over his position.

Usually by this point, I try to say something positive about the movie, but frankly, I just don't have much to say at all about this. It's your typical run of the mill urban drama and no plot point or actor can elevate the material past that. While the movie does have some occasionally nice lighting, it's not long till almost every scenery looks artificial to the eye. The editing is even stranger, when it almost immediately changes scenes after someone is shot or a short time to react from a shooting.

The one thing that bothers me the most about the film is the lack of emotional impact. There's one scene in particular near the end of the film, that's supposed to be a emotional moment, but is so rushed like the rest of the film and the rest of the film slogs even further down a hole it can't crawl out of.

I haven't read the book to True to the Game, but I feel the movie gives me the feeling I'm not missing much at all. While I commend them trying to make material with a very small budget, it doesn't make up for lazy writing, unengaged acting or the lace front beards almost every male has on.

Gread Movie, Bad Accent

[queen_candace01 · 7/10 · 8 July 2018]

To be honest, Lorenzo Eduardo aka 'Winston's' Jamaican accent was a joke. Bloodclaat joke a tel yuh. Shame.

Should have been on BET or TV1 just saying

[moniek-08384 · 3/10 · 12 September 2017]

Compared to the book this movie isn't what I hoped for while the book left you wanting more while the movie fell flat and tons of things were left out (with that being said I understand they have a budget & have to put so much in a certain time frame but DAMN) & whoever did the editing & frame shots SMH this would be better off on TV1 or BET but def not movie theater material Columbus Short as Qua did a good job as a couple of others that were casts such as Jamaar Simon as Rasun Qua's right hand man was well played, Nelsan Ellis as Tarik which could have had more scenes but did a great job, Aundra Fuller as Jerrell played the hater/wannabe they all played their parts but some of the other cast mates could have stepped it up a bit more Sahirah played by Nafessa Williams did a good job as the average gold digging hood chick looking for the next come up even Gena's little cousin Bria (played by Iyana Halley) was more convincing & believable than Gena's character there wasn't enough emotion or life to her she was dry (SORRY just my opinion) but hey it is what it is I do think this film could have been as big as Juice, Paid in Full or Boyz in the Hood (which are Urban Classics I might say) with the right people behind it I hope that if there's a possibility of a sequel that they have a bigger budget & a better production team because I was highly disappointed 😔

Good Movie

[myproviderproductions · 8/10 · 10 September 2017]

I have read the book, True To The Game and the others in the series which I enjoyed. As a serious reader and writer of my own novels, it was very refreshing to hear this book was being made into a movie. I saw it last night at a theater in Vegas and I must say, it was good. The sound, story line, DP, soundtrack, and acting was good. Many independent film projects do not receive the attention they should. And this film had new faces as actors and actresses which were great. It is boring to continue to see the same faces in movies. Very few urban fiction books make it to main stream movie theaters and this one was a pleasure to sit back and watch. Go see it. If you desire to see more independent films in theaters, then support the one that do make it. I like this movie and it inspires me to remain focused on my own book to movie film project. I could watch this movie again.

An Exciting Film from Start-to-Finish

[Uriah43 · 7/10 · 19 September 2022]

This film begins with a young woman named "Gena Rollins" (Erica Peoples) being invited out to a club by her best friend "Sahirah" (Nafessa Williams). While there Gena gets noticed by a wealthy drug dealer named "Quadir Richards" (Columbus Short) but, having had a bad experience with a boyfriend who also dealt drugs, wants nothing to do with him. At least, not initially. This changes, however, when Quadir manages to convince her that he is honestly trying to make an effort to get out of the illegal drug business once and for all. Unfortunately, as it often happens, there are some people who don't want him to retire just yet because of the money they think they can amass through his connections. And one such person is "Jerrell" (Andra Fuller) who has both a psychopathic muscle man by the name of "Rich Green" (Stanley R. Atwater) and an extremely loyal female companion named "Aubrey" (Annika Noelle) who are willing to do whatever it takes on Jerrell's behalf. Now, rather than reveal any more, let me just say that I have not read the book the film is supposedly based upon and as a result I cannot say how true the movie is to it. What I can say, however, is that I found it to be quite enjoyable based in large part on the overall plot and the performances of the actors mentioned above. They all did a good job in my opinion. Admittedly, this film is probably not for everyone due to the coarse language and the violence depicted throughout the course of the film. But, that aside, the movie kept my attention from start-to-finish and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

The only thing good about this movie is the title

[sviwarriorscholar · 1/10 · 16 September 2017]

It's not cool to use a title from a well known book about "the game" and make a movie this bad. What's the number to the refund hot line? I am not joking. This movie should have never been released unless it was on YouTube. I thought about giving it two stars because Columbus Short did a decent job with the little he had and the music wasn't bad. But I can't. it's a joke. This nonsense has to stop.

Loved it

[kashburne · 8/10 · 14 March 2018]

Other than the ending I really enjoyed the movie. Columbus Short is sexy as HELL. He pretty much made the movie for me. He NEVER had this much swag in Scandal!

True To The Game.

[muskq · 6/10 · 17 March 2018]

I've read the books & unless they are going to make a part 2 & 3 it falls a little flat at the end. If they choose not to I suggest read the books to find out the True ending.

Smh

[jpierrevil · 3/10 · 22 March 2020]

How many time they gonna mention they're from philly??? We get it... 10 mins in and they mentioned it 15 times

Do not watch

[azariacameron · 2/10 · 20 January 2019]

This movie was garbage nothing like the book, they should be ashamed.

This Movie Is Really Upsetting

[iigammeroblox · 4/10 · 10 April 2018]

I watched this. and like it messes with your feelings, so if your watching this movie with friend I suggest not..It starts of great with couple meets, then her best friend dies, then her husband died and hes partner like I said really upsetting but overall it was pretty good.

Familiar storyline. Good acting chemistry

[bless1 · 7/10 · 16 September 2017]

Even if you haven't read the book by Author Terri Woods you will enjoy this Urban Drama. Columbus Short and Erica Peeples play their roles exceptionally well as with Andra Fuller and the on screen chemistry was great. While some may agree that Vivica A. Fox's role in the movie is rather irrelevant its always good to see her in a film. This one is packed with female eye candy from Basketball Wives LA's Draya Michelle, to Real Husbands Of Hollywood's Nafessa Williams and even My Wife And Kid's Jennifer Freeman. The cinematography by Matt Wise is absolutely amazing. Popping with color, especially in the club scenes and Short's wardrobe was fantastic. Not a bad film at all but only a familiar urban drama storyline. Well directed by Preston A Whitmore II who's last big screen movie was the holiday comedy This Christmas.

Ok

[cassiebrode · 3/10 · 22 June 2021]

I didn't like this movie, I just wasn't feeling it at all. Especially when you've read the book.

Excellent movie

[mslill · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

I really enjoyed this movie, great story line with great acting columbus owned that role. I just wish it didn't end the way it did.

You can't make any money trading bullets.

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 27 November 2020]

Gina (Erica Peeples ) studies English literature at college in Philadelphia. She meets Quadir Richards (Columbus Short) an extremely charismatic business man and drug King. Things go great for the couple until an upstart group wants in.

It was a decent film with an even flow caused by the smooth characters.

Guide: F-word. Sex. Nudity

Only giving it three stars....

[rfreemanrf · 3/10 · 1 November 2020]

Because of the of the late great Nelsan Ellis. Everything else about this movie was trash.

Amazing Honest acting, Better Urban Crime Drama Film

[DjCharliiOne · 9/10 · 17 September 2022]

The movie is really Great, i like it, story is Natural Urban Crime Drama, and the actors, including Columbus (From Scandal) nailed, his chemistry with Erica Peeples is amazing. She has been as more honest as hse could, and thats just mesmerizing.

Its true the ending was not that satisfying, but all in all the film gets you how real it is, in a very urban unique way.

NB: i have always got bored with so many crime drama films, only few are really enjoyable, including this one.

For all bad reviews, who are expecting this one to win an oscar, too ad for you, but for everyone else who want to enjoy 108 mins of your life, please watch it and you'll thank me later.

I'll never stop watching it again, and again, and again..

Good Movie Sad Urban Come Up

[icekkgip · 6/10 · 6 March 2018]

The movie was entertaining, bling bling, message throughout typical because you know, to live that kind of life, it's going to end the way it did probably even worse...Critics and people who review throw words & negatives around like it's nothing when this movie production was everything, good acting...R.I.P Nelsan Ellis...Most folk who in my opinion in some cases have no idea how hard it is to screenplay a successful movie, While I would never want to sell my soul for love of money with this for certain predictable tragic end, this movie was good and I give this 6 conservative stars!

Sadly, true to expectations as well...

[dawb-40897 · 4/10 · 3 March 2024]

The script is standard urban crime/romance fare; hustler falls for girl uninterested in the lifestyle, girl realizes he's "different" and falls for him, friction as girl must deal with consequences of hustler's said background. The dialogue doesn't have much punch to it, and the film itself doesn't offer much from the freshness or originality side of things other than a few people you wouldn't expect dying off. Even then, the film lacks a much needed emotional punch due to immediate scene shifts right after a character is killed. Acting is solid, nothing outstanding. There's unfortunately no real chemistry achieved between the two lead performers, however. The film is VERY solid across the board on the production value side. Camerawork, clothing, hair/makeup, music/score, sound, visual editing seemed to have been top priority for this filmmaker. Decent but being based on an urban fiction classic could've been so much more.

Bad ending to this movie

[dlove-32684 · 28 October 2018]

This movie ended so horrible, The bad one at the end of the movie, are supposed to lose. In the end of the movie the bad won. If the lead actor in this movie were to come back and avenge The Killers. It would have been a great movie.. even in low budget