Andie's Rating: One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor
Andie's Review: Drinking Games is a little known movie that I discovered one night while working at Blockbuster. See, I was chosen to go clean the Comedy section, which is about the highest honor I that could've been bestowed upon me, and here I am, cleaning along in the D section when *BAM* all of a sudden I see this movie called Drinking Games. Now, at first I was merely intrigued by the title, but I read the back of the box and it looked pretty good. So I rented it. And I loved it. Then I bought it. Now I own it.

Okay, so it's kind of got the whole Big Chill thing going on (there's actually a reference to The Big Chill in the movie) because a girl, Tara, whom we never see, kills herself. And the movie picks up at a house where a few of her friends live. A group of her friends have gathered there after the funeral. They start drinking the brew and the night goes on from there. They play a few games, they talk about life, they puke and go to the bathroom, and most everybody gets a piece of ass. It's a good night.

Basically this movie is about how these 20-somethings deal with the suicide of their friend and the emotional baggage that they carry around. It's funny, touching, and very entertaining. And if nothing else, you'll have some drinking games that you can play at parties. So go rent it, I love it.

Justin's Rating: Lookin' for my lost shaker of salt
Justin's Review: In my experience, indie films are either forays into zombie bashing or films where characters talk alot while doing nothing in particular. Drinking Games has no zombies. Following a friend's suicide and funeral, a group of friends sit around, drink like the prohibition restarts tomorrow, and discuss everything non-important. Talking movies, to me, have to have very interesting characters. I need to be in love with some or all of them by the movie's end, and it just didn't happen here. While none of them are outright loathable, their one-dimensional character traits (aspiring rock star, drunkard, meek girl, tramp, ambiguously gay guy) just left me kind of lukewarm toward their story.

In fact, I always like the movies where a group of highly charismatic friends make you wish that you could be one of them (and you sort of do, by revisiting their fairy land over and over). But this group shows particular hostility toward outsiders (said somewhat-gay guy gets a frosty reception) and don't seem all that inviting. Also, some of the acting borders on wooden/forced (as with many indie productions), and combined with a few off-center sections of dialogue, just doesn't feel natural. Of course, this is my own life many times, and I wish I had a better scriptwriter.

All that's left for Drinking Games to succeed in is either the audience's love of massive quantities of alcohol (yech), or some rather playful conversation. Understand this, I'm not outright trashing this film, because after I got past the unlikable characters, I did get into some of the conversations and games they were participating in. They talk about sex, reincarnation, and (my favorite) bizarre ways to commit suicide. When their conversation is light and fun, the movie is at its best. When they delve into dealing with their friend's suicide, well, now's a good time to take that bathroom break and leave the film running.

What really struck me as hilarious came at the end of the film. For all their sex talk, you knew someone was going to do the funky chicken by the movie's end. But the filmmaker's must have been a little too into the idea of making their characters have sex, because (note this) EVERY SINGLE PERSON GETS LAID. There are no leftovers in the house, everyone pairs up like some sort of kindergarten dance. The thoroughness of the sexual activity left me laughing incredulously... it would have been more believable if at least one or two people refrained from coitus. But what are friends for, huh?

With a bit more polish, Drinking Games could've been really cool. As it is, it's worth checking out if you're in the mood for what it offers (see above: alcohol and talk). Probably the best reason to rent this is if you get the DVD (see below).

Didja Notice?
The mystery roommate, Michael, is played by the director.

The Movie Store!
Drinking Games: Movie [VHS]
Drinking Games: Movie [DVD]

Intermission!
Entire movie was filmed in a house in Portland, Oregon

Groovy Quotes

Whitney: He seems pretty interested in me, don't you think?
JC: Yeah, only so he can get into your closet and borrow some of your clothes.

Alex: Bad news guys-- these are the last 2.
JC and Scott: Beer run!!!
[car won't start]
Scott: Looks like we're walking. Relax, it's stumbling distance.

[the 3 girls are playing "I Never"]
Alex: Okay, I've never.....uh.....I've never......had Heather!
[Heather drinks]
Whitney: Wait, why are you drinking?
Heather: Well, I've had....myself.
[lots of laughs]
Whitney: Oh wait, you guys. I was having myself the other day and I told myself I just wanted to be friends.

Scott: Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas. I hear you've all been naughty this year, so instead of presents, I brought you beer!

If you liked this movie, try these:
The Ice Storm
The Big Chill

DVD Review
The best reason to get this disc is for (a) the encyclopedia of drinking games that you can peruse through, and (b) the drinking game you can play during the movie Drinking Games. You pick a character (each character has a different drinking level, from featherweight to heavily drunk) and drink along with them (a symbol flashes to cue you in case you're not paying attention).

Soundtrack Review
The songs in the movie are cool, but I don't think there's an actual soundtrack available.