Because I remembered this little known movie fondly from late-night cable years ago, I recently purchased and re-watched it on DVD. My overall memories were a little blurry, but I still like it a lot. It's a good, suspenseful thriller; well told, well paced and well acted. Particularly good is the acting of Eric Foster, who plays David, the young protagonist, as well as that of the actress who plays his sister, Kim Valentine, I believe. It's a little bit dated but remains a classic in its genera.
Really, it boils down to four reasons to watch or like a movie of this type: A good plot, storyline or concept. Good actors/good acting. Unique special effects. Lots of blood/action.
Grandmother's house has virtually no special effects or traditional slasher-type action, and very little blood, but these things are not needed here. I rate it five stars because it scores 100% in both remaining categories. Yes, there are a few weak moments in the film, as there are in any film; plot and acting, but overall the story is solid and the main actors do a very good job.
To me the only thing which can really make a suspense movie truly good is that it actually be suspenseful. The best feature of this film is that it keeps you guessing and uncertain right until the end, without lulling you to sleep along the way. The good acting is a bonus.
If you like horror/suspense movies, (emphasis on the suspense in this case) chances are good you'll like this one.

The hook is set right out of the chute in the harrowing opening scene, brilliantly enacted by both Bridges & young Mason Gamble. From there on it keeps you guessing. Right up to the end, you're guessing wrong. Repeated viewings are still enjoyable even once you know the twist. I like a movie that (for a change) you can't figure out.
This is a very good movie with a great cast, excellent acting in virtually all roles. Well written, well directed & put together.
I borrowed this movie from a friend, having never heard of it prior. I really didn't want to give it back. Since I have purchased my own copy. I highly recommend it and the several of my friends I've loaned it to have also enjoyed it.

I have seen the series but I must confess, I do not yet own the DVD. Even without whatever extras might be featured on DVD this is a very worthy view. They take 5 families, some with kids, and they all must live by the rules of a different era for nearly a year, in an isolated area of Montana. So for a year, all these families, these people from the 21st century, must live like pioneers. They build cabins, dig outhouses, chop wood, plant and tend gardens, raise and harvest animals & try not to starve to death. They can only go for supplies as time and money allows; these trips take a day each way and they shop at a recreated general store, only allowed to buy things possible to obtain in the 1800's. They follow them around with cameras, documenting their lives and struggles. Except for the cameras, everything else is pretty much authentically from the pioneer era. Also, perhaps best of all, in addition to the documenting cameras, each person involved is filmed in more private, confessional-type settings, and they often say whatever they want; personal opinions, feelings about other pioneer community members, all kinds of interesting things.
The reasons I like this: It seems to unfold in a very real and natural way, never seems contrived. You get to see first hand, get a first-hand feeling of being there without becoming soiled personally, in a more detailed, more personal way than ever before, how it must have been for our brave pioneering forefathers. It gives you a better understanding and a bigger appreciation for aforementioned forefathers. You get deeply inside these people's lives for a year, feel almost acquainted with them. Like with any show or movie with many characters, you choose favorites, discover one or two with whom you can relate, yet by the end you like even those you at first were not fond of, at least a little. These families struggle and grow as we watch, some growth is in ways that we might imagine and that we could all likely benefit from, other growth is in ways none of us could really imagine, ways none of us in this century are prepared to deal with; all grow stronger in sense of individual strength and discipline, family connectivity, and community values. You get to see these people transformed as you watch in the course of their year, and in some ways you are transformed right along with them. As they live for a year in the past, we watch as they struggle, squabble and form strong bonds with themselves and with one another. By the time they leave, even the worst enemies among them hug tearfully goodbye, and we are right there with them.
In the end a panel of experts on the era come in and evaluate each family, rate their chances of survival if they really had been living in that time and had to live through the coming winter based on how they had done so far and how much they had prepared. These are the same experts who were consulted right along, and who set everything up authentically. Their final findings are surprising, and eye-opening.
All in all an excellent view, which offers a little bit of everything. You get drama, comedy, suspense, some action. You get the struggles man faces when living in the wilderness, living as in an era gone by, trying to make it on his own, and all while trying to coexist in a small community not of his choosing or particular liking.
Good stuff.

I really liked this film. It's off the wall & quirky, with some fine amusing moments & plenty to think about. It works as pure entertainment & it works on another level---either perception or both it's a worthy rental or purchase. You could look at it symbolically or just watch for fun. A definate (not preachy) reminder that the way you look at things can change what things are, on the road of your life. See if you can spot all the cameos; I found myself wondering if I might have missed some.---After a second viewing (once I bought it) I like this movie even more. Don't let the slight cheeseness up front fool you. Once it warms up this is a great movie. A very entertaining story & a good reminder; the way we look at things effects what we see.

I think that perhaps the people who reviewed this film negatively simply don't see it the way I do. I don't claim to know what the director had in mind, but I know what I take from this movie. I am NOT a golfer, but this film leaves me with an appreciation for golf which I have never before felt. Bagger Vance was okay, but more an entertaining film than a study of golf. Nor is A Gentleman's Game all about golf. There's a lot going on here, some of it is about golfing, some of it deals with the inside, or other side of the game, the "loopers." Ultimately this movie is not about golfing, even though it chiefly centers on golfing and around a golf course. The overall story comes together with meaning greater than its several individual parts. Gary Sinise never dissapoints & the entire cast delivers wonderfully in this film, but Mason Gamble is the one to watch. A very talented young actor. I am reminded of Kevin Spacey in Shipping News, wherein Spacey virtually tells the entire movie with his facial expressions. Gamble does not quite have as demanding a role here as Spacey had in Shipping News, but he does remarkably well with what he's given---& considering his age that's all the more impressive. We easily know what his character, Timmy, is feeling at all times without having to hear any dialog. Mason Gamble has been around a while, & I'm sure will have no trouble remaining in the industry as long as he chooses to keep making movies. Look for him in the quirky Rushmore, or in the hook-setting opening scene of Arlington Road, & periodically thereafter throughout. I believe he was also Dennis the Mennace, & I'm sure he's done a few other films. I like gentleman's Game because it tells a story that centers around something I previously cared nothing about; now I at least have some appreciation for, and a much greater understanding of, golf. It's a good movie, and it's deffinately telling a worth while story. Plus it had the added bonus for me of coming as an unexpected surprise treat when I first saw it. (I had a cheap rental coupon & never hearing of it before, happened upon it while browsing in Hollywood Video) I reccomend this movie as a great one to watch and a good one to own.

Okay, it's admittedly (in some ways) predictable, contrived, & cheesey enough to need a second box of crackers, but it WORKS. It shouldn't, at least on some levels, but it manages to come through on all. I blame the acting. A pretty believeable ensomble even though a couple of the sceans are over the top. Great cast. Excessive praise for Jeremy Sumpter, who plays the easily likeable Skeeter & who was also quite likeable, despite his evil crazed beliefs, in Frailty. I look forward to future endevors by this very talented young actor. His acting ability was crucial to this film, as his character should have (would have) been unbelieveable if not for his talents. & if there's an occassional flaw in the acting or the script, you can easily forgive him due to his likeability. The entire cast comes off as quite likeable, (except of course for the evil surfers) a group you wouldn't mind hanging out with. This is a movie that makes you happy you watched it. It's got some very good surfing footage, a little bit of everything (humor, action, conflict, romance, storyline, etc.) & just the right amount of exactly what it needs. I like this movie all the better because I'd never heard of it before I accidently stumbled upon it as a rental one day. Now I own it. I reccomend that you see it. Surf setting aside, it's just a great movie, you don't have to like surfing to enjoy this film. BTW: Some swearing, but not overmuch of that. Also a bit of dope smoking, but this isn't presented in a positive way, so it remains family friendly. Nothing offensive beyond that. Suitable for the entire family, & likely enjoyed by all.

Gotta be my favorite book. I first discovered this book in the late 70's and since have read it at least 2 dozen times. An outrageous, laugh out loud, fun filled blast. A bit improbible, but never impossible, the story line sets the hook & keeps on reeling. Fun, funny, beliveable (however unlikely) and completely entertaining. You've got to read this book. Kirkwood's others are very good, this one is beyond great. I was thrilled to see that it's now back in print after so many years of being out of print. Buy it, you'll love it. You'll read it again & again & share it with your friends. The only other book throughout history that even comes close to making me laugh as much each time I read it & want to share it is Fup, by Jim Dodge.