Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Game of Pleasure Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 24, 2024

The world of virtual reality is explored in 1998’s “Game of Pleasure.” Well, perhaps the idea of virtual reality is a more accurate understanding of the feature, which doesn’t have interest in the technology, only its mysterious possibilities as it relates to softcore entertainment. Going where perhaps many B-movies have gone before, “Game of Pleasure” is a 62-minute-long, shot-on-video picture with roughly 15 minutes of actual storytelling, finding director Dale Frantz on a mission to construct a release almost entirely made up of padding. The endeavor deals with the temptation of computer realms and the oversexed activities of roommates, and while Frantz has designs on turning the effort into a horror experience, he mostly remains on horniness and emptiness, which isn’t appealing.

Michael (Kevin Summerfield) is looking to avoid responsibility, partnering with hacker pal/roommate Eddie (Wayne Reitz) as they make money by infiltrating corporate computer systems and exposing secrets. Michael is in a troubled relationship with Stephanie (Mandy Leigh), who has no patience for his antics, often catching him fantasizing about other women. Michael shows limited interest in his girlfriend, preferring to live in his own head, finally offered a chance to experience true temptation when he receives a beta CD-ROM for a game called “Pleasure.” This “cybersex extravaganza” allows Michael to connect with Vixen (Tammy Parks), who pushes the player to give himself in full to the lusty simulation. As the lines of reality start to blur, game publisher The Center sends out teams of armed enforcers to collect the virus-laden discs, aiming to permanently silence those who’ve played “Pleasure.”

“Game of Pleasure” takes a full ten minutes before anything resembling drama kicks in. For a movie that’s just a hair over an hour in length, that’s a significant amount of time, and it’s mostly wasted on a prolonged visit to “Pleasure” with a female player. There’s no explanation about what’s happening, just the visual of electric bolts shooting out of a computer screen, doing something to the user. There’s an extended main title sequence as well, which carries on for five minutes, clearly identifying Frantz as a director who couldn’t get his endeavor to a sellable run time, using whatever he can to extend the picture. This desperation is found throughout “Game of Pleasure,” which eventually tries to sell the dangers of the game and the panic of The Center, who don’t just issue a recall of the beta release, but seek to murder anyone who’s played it.

There’s a passable thriller to be made out of “Game of Pleasure,” but Frantz isn’t too ambitious with the project. It’s a low-budget production without a sense of adventure, mostly sticking to Michael and his wandering eye. Stephanie is a jealous woman, but, as we learn, she has every right to be, following Michael as he enjoys multiple opportunities to ogle other women, finding the digital realm filled with willing partners. Frantz attempts to fill “Game of Pleasure” with softcore sex scenes, which aren’t artfully executed, mostly serving as a way for Summerfield (who uses a pseudonym for his screenplay credit) to paw actresses. Carnal activities are pretty clumsy in the movie, and they add little heat to an effort in need of more story.

Game of Pleasure Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers an acceptable view of the shot-on-video production. A general appreciation of frame information is available, exploring the characters in various states of panic and undress. Locations are also adequately explored, visiting living spaces and a bar. Color is aged, securing basic primaries on lighting and visual effects. Skin tones are passably natural. Source is in decent condition.

Game of Pleasure Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix secures a basic understanding of dialogue exchanges, which do run into elements of age at times, and recording limitations are common. Scoring supports with an acceptable synth sound, which varies in dramatic emphasis.

Game of Pleasure Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Dale Frantz and producer/actor Kevin Summerfield.

• Interview (27:15, HD) is a lengthy discussion with director Dale Frantz, who recalls meeting Kevin Summerfield while working at a community television station. Their collaboration began with the movie "One Red Rose," inspiring the duo to aim bigger with their next production. Casting tales are shared, including the hiring of Tammy Parks, who was found at a convention and carried a brief connection to Donald Trump in the 1990s. Legal entanglements with another actress are also explored. Production tales are shared, with the low-budget endeavor dealing with limited resources, and the interviewee goes into graphic detail about the shooting of sex scenes. Post-production challenges, including the creation of crude CGI, are highlighted.

• Interview (12:31, HD) features writer/producer Kevin Summerfield, who shares his early interest in filmmaking, finding his way into production through community television, soon making "One Red Rose" with help from Dale Frantz. Looking to break into the business, Summerfield and Frantz found their way to "Game of Pleasure," trying to cash-in on the erotic thriller trend ignited by the release of "Basic Instinct." The interviewee details his experience with distribution woes, lacking the education in the industry to really maintain control of the endeavor.

• Interview (13:46, HD) is a chat with makeup artist Doug Ulrich, who learned about "Game of Pleasure" through connections, acquiring a job on the shoot. The interviewee discusses his efforts to influence makeup effects, initially dealing with an actress who was quickly recast. Technical achievements are highlighted, and Ulrich offers some tales from the shoot.

• "Behind the Pleasure: The Making of 'Game of Pleasure'" (22:38, SD) is an archival offering of production information, including interviews with director Dale Frantz and producer/actor Kevin Summerfield. BTS footage is also included.

• Image Gallery (12:24) collects BTS snaps, publicity shots, film stills, marketing pages, VHS art, magazine articles, production pages, and storyboards.

• Storyboards include "Bar Fantasy" (3:11) and "End of Eden" (5:34) are offered, with picture-in-picture mode available to compare with completed scenes.

• "The Making of Demon Vixen" (5:09, SD) offers time in the makeup room, watching an actress receive a monstrous makeover and put the ghoulish look to use on the set of "Game of Pleasure."

• Raw Footage (SD) offers "Vixen Alternate Takes" (44:32), "The Pool" deleted scene (11:13), and "Eddie Meets the Girls" deleted scene (53:51).

• Behind the Scenes (86:33, SD) details the shooting of a sexual event, exploring all the awkwardness, goofing around, and testicle concerns involved during the day of production.

• And a Trailer (:50, SD) is included.

Game of Pleasure Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Game of Pleasure" attempts to get fantastical with a few VR-related CGI animations, which are unable to sell the escape provided by "Pleasure." It also aims to offer a dangerous temptation in Vixen, the central figure of sexuality in the game, and she's more than just a host. Frantz and Summerfield don't have a full idea for a movie here, so they go the "Twilight Zone" way instead, looking to keep viewers disoriented as levels of reality are teased. It takes a lot more than loose characterization and extended scenes of amateur actors simulating sex to really create a brain bleeder, leaving "Game of Pleasure" wildly unsatisfying and often ridiculous.