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Mortgage rates-Compare current mortgage interest rates for todays home loans-Interest.com Compare Today's Rates | Mortgage Calculators | Mortgage Trends Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Purchase Refinance Fixed - 30 YR Fixed - 20 YR Fixed - 15 YR Fixed - 10 YR Fixed - 40 YR Fixed - Balloon - 5/25 Fixed - Balloon - 7/23 Adj - 1 YR - Treasury Index Adj - 1 MO - LIBOR Adj - 1 YR - COFI Adj - 3/1 YR Adj - 5/1 YR Adj - 7/1 YR Adj - 10/1 YR VA - Fixed - 30 YR VA - Fixed - 15 YR VA - Adj - 3/1 YR VA - Adj - 5/1 YR VA - Adj - 7/1 YR FHA - Fixed - 30 YR FHA - Fixed - 15 YR FHA - Adj - 1 YR FHA - Adj - 3/1 YR FHA - Adj - 5/1 YR FHA - Adj - 7/1 YR Inside Mortgages Pick the Right Mortgage to Avoid Winding Up House Poor Owning a house is the American dream. For some people, however, it can become the American... Daily Market Update Mortgage Rates Holding A stronger-than-expected report on Consumer Confidence released Wednesday put pressure on U.S. Treasury securities in the... In the Mortgage Blog: Jiggling Tea Leaves No drama-queen scenes from the Fed on Tuesday. It rehearsed its lines, followed the script and performed largely as-expected. The Federal What's your response? -- House Passes GSE Reform In a 331-90 vote, the House of Representatives has passed The Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005. .. Get Your Tax Paperwork Organized to Maximize Deductions With just a short time before we say goodbye to 2005, its never too soon to start gathering your tax papers so youll be ready before the April 15 federal filing deadline, especially if you bought or sold real estate during 2005. .. Handled Properly, I/O Mortgages Can Be Beneficial So-called non-traditional mortgages have been the brunt of many negative stories. .. More Information About The 'Stated/Stated' Loan I have received numerous calls since last month's column about the "stated/stated" loan program, people asking for more detail. .. First-Time-Buyer Program Nets Family's First Home ARLETA - Patricia Galleguillos will wake up this morning in a special place. .. The Mortgage Market: A Forecast for 2006 With a record-setting year drawing to a close, community bankers are girding themselves for an uncertain mortgage market in 2006. .. View More Mortgage Headlines First Time Buyers · Comprehensive Mortgage Terms · Common Loan Programs · The interest.com Bookshelf · Which Mortgage Is Right for You? Refinance Loans · Shop for the Best Refinancing Deal · Answers to common questions about refinancing · Advantages of a 15-Year Mortgage · ARMs Can Build Equity Faster Than Fixed-Rate Loans Government Loans · Search for the best deal on a government-backed home loan · Find a local government housing agency to assist your financial needs · FHA loans help home buyers shut-out by traditional guidelines · FHA 203(h) Loans Help Disaster Victims Get Zero-Down Mortgages Advertisement click here for a partial list of our Media Partners Mortgage Today's Rates Find Local Lenders Mortgage Calculators Mortgage Trends Lender List by State Reverse Mortgage Lenders Interest Only Mortgages Refinance Mortgages Mortgage Forms Real Estate Forms Legal Forms Real Estate Articles Mortgage Blog Auto Loans Auto Lenders Auto Trends Auto Calculators Credit Cards Credit Cards Credit Card Trends Calculators Home Equity Equity Rates Equity Trends Loan Calculator Bad Credit Find Lenders Loan Calculators Deposits Products and Rates Charts and Trends Calculators Subscribe for Free Mortgage Updates E-mail Newsletters Wireless/PDA Interest.com, as mobile as you are . - Free Latest News Feeds Mortgage Talk Forum-financial knowledge is a click away . All personal information collected by interest.com is processed by our secured server. For more information, read our Privacy Statement . Email Us | Lender Sign In INTEREST.COM is an independent information service and is not affiliated with any lending institution. All content © 2005 by INTEREST.COM Press Room | Job Postings | About Us | Disclaimers | Lender Services | Advertise | Help

Florida Real Estate

Punta Gorda Florida Real Estate - SW Florida Waterfront Homes and Property for Boaters. Home Punta Gorda Waterfront Real Estate The Andreae Group's Newest Addition The Andreae Group and www.liveonthewater.com will provide detailed information about the Punta Gorda area and its tremendous boating. For example, you can watch our video for a brief glimpse of the life awaiting you in Punta Gorda, Florida. Or, take virtual tours of all of our current listings. You can also view all property listings available in the area by searching the MLS directly from our site. Also, you can download area maps with all current listings highlighted on them. Punta Gorda is located in Southwest Florida at the confluence of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor. Charlotte Harbor is the second largest harbor in the state of Florida and offers 125 miles of pristine boating water. In addition to great boating, Punta Gorda has a lot to offer golf enthusiasts. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked Punta Gorda #3 on their list of best cities for golf in the country. In 2003, MSN House and Home ranked Punta Gorda #4 on their "America's Best Places to Live" list. Money Magazine has also ranked Punta Gorda the #1 city in Florida several times in the last 10 years. Come see why Punta Gorda is the place to live and play in Southwest Florida. The Andreae Group has been practicing real estate in Punta Gorda for 21 years and has been the top-selling real estate team, year after year, for 17 consecutive years. We feature properties in the beautiful, waterfront communities of Punta Gorda Isles, Burnt Store Isles, Burnt Store Marina , as well as the gated, golf course community of Seminole Lakes . Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles are two deed restricted communities with all waterfront homes having excellent sailboat or power boat access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. Other neighborhoods in Punta Gorda include the greenbelt communities of Burnt Store Meadows, the growing Burnt Store Lakes and Deep Creek. Send us an email for more information Current time and temperature in Punta Gorda, Florida How good is the boating here? Take a peek at our video! For High Speed Connections For Dial-up Connections *Please contact us if you have problems viewing the video. The Andreae Group - The top-selling Real Estate team in Punta Gorda Things to do in beautiful Punta Gorda! Take a look at this section designed to let you see what Punta Gorda has to offer. Click here to see Nancy's Virtual Tours. How does Punta Gorda real estate compare to other Florida communities? Recent Additions The list of people that have recently chosen Punta Gorda, Florida as their place to live, retire, or vacation continues to grow.Find out the former hometowns of some of our new residents. Links to current listings in: Punta Gorda Isles Maps of Listings Houses Condos Lots Burnt Store Isles Maps of Listings Houses Condos Lots Burnt Store Marina Houses Condos Burnt Store Meadows Houses Lots Burnt Store Lakes Maps of Listings Houses Lots Click here for local mortgage rates! THE ANDREAE GROUP RE/MAX Harbor Realty, Inc. 1133 Bal Harbor Blvd. Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Phone: 941-833-4217 or Toll-free: 866-761-8138 Email: info@AndreaeGroup.com Please send us an email to receive more information; maps; brochures; or pictures of Punta Gorda real estate, homes and property for sale. Page last updated on Other Real Estate Related Websites New Hampshire and Maine Real Estate • Myrtle Beach Vacation Homes Las Vegas Real Estate • Miami Real Estate • Chino Hills California Real Estate Riverside California Real Estate • Austin TX Real Estate • Denver Real Estate Carlsbad CA & North San Diego County Real Estate • Naples Real Estate • Miami Real Estate Minneapolis Real Estate • Ocean Isles, Sunset & Holden Beach Real Estate Ulster County NY Real Estate • Las Vegas Homes MLS Search • Myrtle Beach Vacation Guide • Tuscon Real Estate Punta Gorda Information About Nancy Andreae Punta Gorda Boating Daytrips Area Attractions News & Notes Recent Additions Current Listings Rentals "For Sale" Maps E-mail Us Photo Gallery 1 Photo Gallery 2 Photo Gallery 3 Photo Gallery 4 Photo Gallery 5 Photo Gallery 6 Aerial Scenes

home equity options line

Countrywide - Home Equity Loans home equity home owners guide home loan glossary equity credit line process home ownership tips your credit report home equity options line of credit options quick approval options rates & costs home equity calculator loan advisor apply now call us: 1-800-825-4549 1-800-825-4549 contact us | site map | log in CFC home | about us | investor relations | business partners -- Learn: How much you can borrow. The difference between a Home Equity Loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit. The benefits of applying for a Home Equity Loan. Shop: Our rates for a Countrywide Home Equity Loan. Apply: Online now Homeowner Guide Learn about the process for getting a home equity line of credit. Plus, pick up valuable home ownership tips you can use right now. Home Equity Options Get help selecting the right line of credit for you, and discover ways we can speed up the approval process. Rates & Costs Find Today's Rate for our home equity program and learn your options on closing costs. Home Equity Calculator See how large a line of credit you can afford and your home equity will support. Loan Advisor Use this simple tool to find the best home equity loan or credit line for you. See The Benefits of Applying Online See a preview of our online application process where qualified borrowers can get an UpFront approval in minutes. Apply Now Jump start the loan process by taking a few minutes to submit your application online. Easy, Really. Home Equity Line of Credit ("HELOC") or Home Equity Loan A home equity line of credit is a lot like a credit card. You can continuously use it up to your credit limit. One of the best parts of a home equity line of credit is that the interest rate is typically lower than a credit card and the interest paid can be tax deductible (consult your tax advisor about your personal situation). Most home equity loans are simply second mortgages. They have fixed rates with longer terms over a fixed period of time. These loans are amortized - your monthly payment is applied to principal and interest. You receive the amount of money you borrow in one lump sum. For this reason, home equity loans can be ideal for longer-term financial goals. back to top Benefits of Applying for a Home Equity Line of Credit or a Home Equity Loan Home equity lines of credit or home equity loans, you've probably heard about using these types of home equity financing products to meet your financial goals. You can tap into your home's equity and use the money to consolidate your debts*, finance your remodeling projects, pay your children's tuition, buy a new car or a boat, or even take your dream vacation. Tapping into the equity built in your home is a wise choice that allows you to take advantage of lower interest rates. Furthermore, some of Countrywide's line of credit options do not even require an appraisal of your house. Interest on both a home equity loan and line of credit may be deductible (consult your tax advisor about your personal situation). back to top service guarantees | why choose Countrywide? | loan status | find a branch | current customers | home loans | log in loans en espaol | Countrywide's Full Spectrum Lending Division | we house america | banking | insurance | investments your accounts | contact us | site map | careers | about us | investor relations | privacy & security | licenses & registrations Equal Housing Lender. © 2005 Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. Trade/service marks are the property of Countrywide Financial Corp., and/or its subsidiaries. *UpFront Approval is subject to satisfactory appraisal and title review and no change in financial condition. If the rate is not locked or rate protection expires, any rate increase may lower the loan amount for which the borrower has pre-qualified. Some products may not be available in all states. Refinancing or taking out a home equity loan or line of credit may increase the total number of monthly payments and the total amount paid when comparing to your current situation. State Licensing . Privacy & Security.

House Rental 1-4 People

Vacation Lake House For Rent "The Best Kept Secret in Texas" Lake Rental Houses Breathtaking view from Silver Creek Resort If you are looking for a weekend retreat or a vacation on the lake, look no further. Our lake houses, located on the shore of beautiful Lake Buchanan in Silver Creek Resort, have everything you need for that perfect vacation. We have something for everyone: 2 lake rental houses that sleep up to 12 people each, and 9 lodges/cabins . We also have a swimming pool, fishing pier, boat rentals , houseboat rental , fishing guide service, fishing supplies, and gas on the water. Rent a Brand New Polaris Personal Watercraft and tour the lake. Spectacular boating, water skiing, jet skiing, and fishing on miles and miles of uncrowded open water make Silver Creek an ideal vacation spot for the whole family. Silver Creek Resort is on a peninsula and offers outstanding lake views in three directions. You can enjoy both spectacular sunrises and sunsets from our location. We can accommodate large groups for the weekend, week, or month. We have two lake houses for rent at Silver Creek, our Lake House and our Upstairs Lake House. Our Lake House: We rent a 2 bedroom, 3 bath lake house for your large group convenience. The two double beds in each bedroom and the two double sleeper sofas in the living room sleep up to 12 people comfortably. The lake house features an 8 1/2 X 3' bar separating the kitchen and living room. The covered front porch looks out to our grounds and the lake beyond. Views from the Lake House at Silver Creek Resort Living Room, Dining Area and Kitchen Living Room and A Bedroom The vacation lake house is also a great meeting room for small groups or businesses. If you are looking for a quiet, scenic place to have your next meeting or seminar, give us a call. Our Upstairs Lake House: We also have an upstairs lake house with one bedroom, two baths, and a full kitchen. It can also sleep up to 12 people. The upstairs house has a private 600 square foot deck with the best view on the lake. View from the deck and from inside the Upstairs Lake House Silver Creek Resort Pricing Number of Guests Weekday Rate Sun.-Thurs. Weekend Rate Fri. & Sat. Lake House Rental 1-4 People $160 per night $170 per night Upstairs Lake House 1-12 People $250 per night $250 per night Additional Guests - Add $7.50 per night for each person over four people on the Lake House, no extra charge for extra people on the Upstairs Lake House. Children Under Age 11 Stay Free Weekly rates are available during fall (Oct. & Nov.) and spring (Mar. & Apr.) Monthly rates are available during winter (Dec., Jan., Feb., & Mar.) All rates are subject to change without notification until verified. Please call for reservations. Additional Information: To make your stay as much fun and as comfortable as possible, John Pringle and "Max", the Resort Cat, provide 24 hour on site management. Well behaved pets are welcome for a small fee. Call for special weekly rates and winter monthly rates. We accept all major credit cards. Amenities of Silver Creek Resort: Click Here Things to do in the area: Click Here Winter Texans - Don't miss out. Call now for reservations. We are also booking 7-day stays (Sunday to Sunday) for summer 2002. Directions to Silver Creek Resort: Go 3 miles west of Burnet on Hwy 29. Turn north onto RR 2341. Go 12 miles. Turn left on CR 128 (Silver Creek Drive). At the Y go left. You will see our sign. "The Best Kept Secret in Texas" On Beautiful Lake Buchanan 512-756-4854 1400 CR 128 Burnet, Texas 78611 www.highlandlakes.com/silver Owner: Gary Haberer Manager: John Pringle 24 Hour On Site Management Cabin Rentals | Boat Rentals | Houseboat Rentals Amenities | Things to Do in the Area Wilderness Adventure | Home Page Silver Creek Resort has cabins for rent, a lakehouse for rent, RV spaces, RV park, rental boats, jet skis, Seadoos, fishing guideservice, houseboat rental, marina, fishing pier, lake rental house, vacation house,fishing house, and more. Check out our rental boats and houseboat. Spend thenight in our house boat. Need a fishing guide, call us. We have cabins andcottages on Lake Buchanan.

Buy House

Amazon.com: House of Games: DVD Your Store DVD See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Genres | Top Sellers | New & Future Releases | Television Central | Life & Learning | DVD Essentials | Blowout DVDs | Movie Showtimes | Used DVDs Search Amazon.com DVD Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . DVD Information Explore this item buying info editorial reviews customer reviews cast and crew fun facts Listmania! 10 top-shelf thrillers, after ... : A list by A. C. Walter "awalter" Add your List Ready to buy? Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . MORE BUYING CHOICES 57 used & new from $6.99 Have one to sell? House of Games (1987) Starring: Lindsay Crouse , Joe Mantegna Director: David Mamet Rating: See larger image Share your own customer images List Price: $14.95 Price: $12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details You Save: $1.96 (13%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Only 4 left in stock--order soon (more on the way). Want it delivered Friday, December 30? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details 57 used & new available from $6.99 Edition: Other Versions and Languages Other Versions (VHS Tape) List Price Price Other Offers: VHS Tape House of Games $7.95 18 used & new from $1.63 VHS Tape House of Games 2 used & new from $7.77 Better Together Buy this DVD with Oleanna DVD ~ William H. Macy today! Total List Price: $34.93 Buy Together Today: $30.98 Customers who bought this DVD also bought The Spanish Prisoner DVD ~ Campbell Scott Oleanna DVD ~ William H. Macy Things Change DVD ~ Don Ameche Heist DVD ~ Gene Hackman Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Video , and in Books Storyline Genres: Crime , Mystery , Thriller Tagline: Where the game is never over. Plot Outline: A psychiatrist's patient is in desperate need of money, so she agrees to help him. But... Plot Synopsis: A famous psychologist, Margaret Ford, decides to try to help one of her patients get out of a gambling debt. She visits the bar where Mike, to whom the debt is owed, runs poker games. He convinces her to help him in a game: her assignment is to look for "tells", or give-away body language. What seems easy to her becomes much more complex. Plot Keywords: Independent Film | Con Artist | Con Trick | Twist In The End | Neo Noir | Sting Operation | Psychiatrist | Seattle Washington | (Show all plot keywords recommended by customers) Product Details Actors: Lindsay Crouse , Joe Mantegna , Mike Nussbaum , Lilia Skala , J.T. Walsh , See more Directors: David Mamet Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Widescreen, Ntsc, Full Screen, Widescreen Letterbox Region: Region 1 ( U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats. ) Number of discs: 1 Rated: (Not for sale to persons under age 18.) Studio: MGM (Video & DVD) DVD Release Date: December 19, 2000 Run Time: 101 minutes Average Customer Review: Based on 54 Reviews DVD Features: Available Subtitles: Spanish, French Available Audio Tracks: English (Unknown Format), French (Unknown Format), Spanish (Unknown Format) From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: B00004ZBVL Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,515 in DVD Theatrical Release Information US Theatrical Release Date: October 11, 1987 MPAA: Production Company: Filmhaus USA Box Office: $3 Million Filming Locations: Seattle, Washington, USA Editorial Reviews Amazon.com David Mamet's 1987 directorial debut was this mesmerizing study of control and seduction between two kinds of detached observers: a gambler who is also a con artist, and a psychotherapist who is also an emerging pop-psych guru in the book market. The latter (played by Lindsay Crouse) meets the former (Joe Mantegna) when one of her clients is driven to despair from his debts to the card shark. Mantegna's character agrees to drop the IOUs in exchange for Crouse's attention at the seedy House of Games in Seattle, a mecca for con men to talk shop and hustle unsuspecting customers. The shrink gets so caught up in the arcane rules and world view of her guide over subsequent days that she observes--with no false rapture--various stings in progress inside and outside the club. Mamet's story finally becomes a fascinating study of two people protecting and extending their respective cosmologies the way rival predators fight for the same piece of turf. The psychological challenge is compelling; so is the stylized dialogue, with its pattern of pauses and hiccups and humming meter. Mostly shooting at night, Mamet also gave Seattle a different look from previous filmmakers, turning its familiar puddles into concentrations of liquid neon and poisonous noir. --Tom Keogh Customers who viewed this DVD also viewed Spartan DVD ~ Tia Texada Glengarry Glen Ross (Special Edition) DVD ~ Jack Lemmon State and Main DVD ~ Michael Higgins The Grifters (Miramax Collector's Series) DVD ~ Anjelica Huston Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Books Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 17 of 18 people found the following review helpful: A STUNNING PSYCHOLOGIAL THRILLER... , August 25, 2001 Reviewer: Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews This is an absolutely mesmerizing film. A wonderful addition to that genre known as "film noir", the movie is superlative in every way. In his directorial debut, David Mamet shows a keen understanding of the concept "less is more". The two main characters in the film are a well known psychiatrist with a best selling book, Dr. Margaret Ford, played with chilly determinism by Lindsay Crouse, and a slick con man, known only as Mike, brilliantly played by Joe Mantegna with a sinister, charismatic charm. She is stiff and formal. He is casual and seemingly easygoing. Each is involved in a field of endeavor that requires a keen understanding of human nature. They meet by virtue of what each of them does for a living. Dr. Ford is treating a young patient, who claims to be despondent over getting in over his head financially, while gambling at a disreputable and seedy locale known as the House of Games. She is worried about her patient's potential for suicide, so she decides to go to the House of Games to see if she can straighten out the whole mess. There, she meets Mike, the person to whom the debt is owed. From the moment they meet, there is a latent, sexual tension between them and an aura of danger and seduction that permeates the air. Intrigued by him, she is drawn into his world, where things are not always what they seem. There are many twists and turns in this most unusual film, which deftly manipulates the viewer. The film is tautly crafted, and the dialogue itself is highly stylized with its own peculiar cadence. This serves to add to the air of mystery and suspense which infuses this film. There is an excellent supporting cast whose strong performances contribute to the overall quality of this multi-layered film. There is even a small cameo by William H. Macy. It is with good reason that this film was touted by critics as one of the best films for 1987. It meets the high standards set for this genre of film by the late, great director, Alfred Hitchcock. It is simply a stunning tour de force. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 5 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 4 Stars for the FILM, 1 Star for the DVD , September 2, 2005 Reviewer: Ziad R. Hakim (Beirut Lebanon) - See all my reviews Of course the movie deserves 4 stars, however I wish I could say the same for the DVD. What does it take for DVD company to release each DVD enhanced for 16x9 TVs? Nothing! Recently I bought a laptop with widescreen display and I have a collection of over 600 Dvds. I learned now about "Enhanced for 16x9 TVs" and how important it is, I did not care about it or even know about it since I own a standard TV, however all my Dvds are Region 1 and in widescreen, I never buy fullscreen Dvds. So I did an inventory on my collection and realized the following: Out of 600+ Dvds, 42 are NOT enhanced for 16x9 TVs and they really look horrible when I played them on my PC. Anyway, according to my inventory, MGM and Touchstone are the worst! Universal, Columbia, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner are the best and Paramount ranks in between. Here is some details: - 3 of the 42 are Universal (Please note that many of my Dvds are Universal so 3 of them, included Tremors, is not a big deal) - 12 of them are from Touchstone (such as Ransom, The Rock, What about Bob, Good morning Vietnam etc) Which is a high number compared to my small Touchstone collection. - 2 out of 42 from Warner Home Video. Note that I have around 100 Warner Dvds. The only negative thing about Warner is most of the DVDs come in digipak. However, the latest "2-Disc Special Edition" rate among the best in terms of quality and extras. - 14 of them are from MGM. Sadly, some of my favorite MGM movies are among them such as "A fish called Wanda", "Misery", "Graduate", "Prizzi's Honor", "No way out" etc. MGM Europe has released all those DVDs (Region 2) 2-Disc in special edition including 5.1 surround, widscreen enhanced 16x9. I hope one day soon MGM USA releases them in Special edition like they did with "Fargo", "Rain Man" and "Usual suspects". - 6 out of the 42 are from Paramount including good movies such as "Breakdown", "Ghost and the darkness", "Primal fear", "Private parts", "Coming to America" and "48 Hrs". The reason why they don't release every DVD in widescreen enhanced for 16x9 is beyond me since soon Widescreen Tvs will replace standard ones. Amazon should add in the description if the DVD is enhanced from 16x9 Tvs. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: You can't bluff someone who's not paying attention. , November 27, 2005 Reviewer: A. Gyurisin "good friend, damn fool" (The Flatlands of Illinois) - See all my reviews When I first began House of Games, I hated it. I hated the language, I hated the characters, I hated the tone, but then something changed. Mamet finally took control of this film and pulled the audience in by tricking all of us into thinking this was a film about a young love and the darkness of the world, when instead it was all about something deeper. If you go into this film expecting the classic 1980s clich of woman meets man, man is a criminal, woman changes man thus leading to a sloppy wet ending, you will be utterly disappointed. This structure is initially how I envisioned this film, and with the first half an hour filmed the way it was, there was no doubt in my mind that I had been suckered into just another average crime film. Then, midway through the picture, the tones and themes dramatically change. I didn't even see it coming, but when you least expect it, like the "con" performed in this film, it will blindside you quicker than a deer on the highway. House of Games leaves you with this perfect example of just how dark David Mamet is. This is a film that most will either hate or love. The reason that I say this is because the language of the film is extremely "stagey". Before this film, David Mamet had found his success with his plays. The power of his characters, the unjustness of his plots, and the vile of his villains were key elements to packing his plays full of patrons. In House of Games he attempts to bring the stage to the screen without any changes. You can literally hear the beats between the characters when they are talking. The language that they use feel and sound as if they are acting in front of a live audience, not just for the camera. This makes the words a bit stale at times. You can visually see this film as a play because of the language that is used. Again, some will hate this about the film, while others will see it as nothing short of classic Mamet. For me, I hated it at first, but as the film developed, I began to see the logic behind it. The quickness of the conversations between the characters gave more definition to the "con" that they were trying to perform. I always felt as if they were quickly getting something by me. About the middle of the film, I began listening to every word said afraid that I would miss a key element that would unravel this tight plot. I began waiting for scenes where Margaret (Crouse) would stumble on her words, change the meaning, thus allowing us to develop the evil that was within her. Slowly and steadily this "stagey" language worked for me, and it gave just a small addition to the characters. For anyone that has ever seen most of Mamet's film versions (and some of his stage performances) you will notice that he is notorious for using the same characters throughout. I like this quite a bit. Christopher Guest uses the same technique. While I have talked to some that think that it only shows the repetition of his originality, I think that it gives Mamet definition and substance. I loved watching this early film of Mamet's and see a young William H. Macy in a scene and his use of my favorite J.T. Walsh. It is fun to watch these actors grow in Mamet's films. Many of them you can see in State & Main and Heist. Does that mean that they are necessarily good actors then? I don't think so. While I liked the continual use of the same characters, some (more than others), have trouble with the characters. For example, in House of Games, it was obvious that Lindsay Crouse did not have control over her character. She seemed fake in her scenes, and did not counter will with Mantegna (who gave a great performance). She seemed on a different beat compared to the others in this film, and I think it hurt House of Games somewhat. She wasn't the strongest actress that Mamet could have chosen. While I loved the "con" throughout the film, I did feel as if the ending was a bit on the weak side. Without giving it away, it started to feel used before it was over. I knew deep within me where it was going, but I kept waiting for the big "hurrah", but alas, there wasn't any. That is where Mamet missed his mark. The ending needed to be stronger. I loved watching this simple woman transform into evil and the entire themes that went along with that, but I needed more. I loved the anti-romantic notion of this film, but I needed more. I loved the character interactions in this film, but I needed more. That was exactly how I felt about this film. I loved House of Games, but I needed more. Mamet ended the film without giving us closure, and while the rest of the film was exciting to watch, this ending just left me soured. Overall, I loved it, but I don't think that I could watch it again. Mamet is one of the greatest writers of our generation providing us with some very "cult" anti-Hollywood cinema, but this first film was a rough-cut. It was smart, intelligent, and overall a stage version of his play onto film. A stronger transition was needed from stage to screen. The characters were somewhat developed and the plot was sensational. The darkness by the end of the film caught me unprepared. I liked this film, but a second viewing is not in my future. I love David Mamet's work and cannot wait to submerge myself into more of his films later. Grade: *** out of ***** Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 6 people found the following review helpful: One Psychiatrist In Need Of Heavy Duty Medication And Therapy!!! , September 24, 2005 Reviewer: John Baranyai "Book Nerd And Ex High School Geek Member Of The Chess Club" - See all my reviews This is a sorry excuse for a movie which stars Lindsay Crouse in a very wooden performance playing a psychiatrist who gets involved with a con man played by Joe Mantegna.These two argue about wether they had Consentual Sex or Rape because Joe took Margaret under false pretences which is a pretty dispicable thing to do to a woman. I personally consider it to be a very cowardly rape .This should give you some idea of Mantegna's character in this movie.There are then a lot of twists and turns until Ms. Crouse becomes a Compulsive Kleptomaniac which just goes to prove my Theory that most psychiatrists are more "messed up" (that's the polite word) than their patients. I give this movie 5 stars because I have always liked Joe Mantegna even though he plays a very unlikeable character in this movie. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Con Games Within Con Games, And Nicely Done , September 10, 2005 Reviewer: C. O. DeRiemer (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews On one level, House of Games is a fascinating con game, complex and convoluted. On another level, it's a little cold-blooded. Whether you like it or not may depend on your tolerance for having the wool pulled over your eyes and your willingness to get involved with people you probably won't care for. Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) is a psychiatrist who decides to provide some direct assistance to a patient who has a big gambling debt. Late one night she goes to the House of Games, meets Mike (Joe Mantegna), who holds the markers and tries to talk him into doing the right thing. He eventually agrees, but only if she'll help him in a high stakes poker game. He wants her to keep an eye on a particular player's "tells," the give-away body language that will help Mike take the guy to the cleaners. She does...and finds herself in the world of cons within cons. We find ourselves in the same place. "The basic idea is this," Mike tells her later. "It's called a confidence game. Why...because you give me your confidence? No. Because I give you mine." She's fascinated and decides to write a book about how conning people works...the psychology of it. "Everybody gets something out of the transaction," Mike says one evening when he has demonstrated how to get a mark to give him money. "I gave that guy my confidence. I asked him for help. And what he gets...he feels that he's a good man." She's hooked despite herself, and soon finds herself drawn not only to Mike but to working with him to con a big take. But is Mike conning her? She wrote a best selling book, she's got money, and she obviously is drawn to the excitement and challenge. "I gave you my trust," Margaret says at one point. "Of course you gave me your trust," Mike replies. "That's what I do." There'll be no spoilers here. The cleverness and the fun of the movie, and the surprise of the violence, depend on the cleverness and surprise of the plot twists. Let's just say that, as Mike puts it, "you shouldn't trust nobody." This was the first movie David Mamet directed, and he did a fine job. While Lindsay Crouse may not be the most versatile of actresses, Joe Mantegna more than makes up for it with a performance that is tough, interesting and full of indirection. In small parts are a young William H. Macy and J. T. Walsh. Mike Nussbaum as Joey, an associate of Mike's in the con racket, and Ricky Jay as another, are both first-rate. This is a movie that you have to stay with for awhile before it kicks in. The last 40 minutes, however, pack a punch. The DVD picture looks fine. There are no extras. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: House of Games: another and evil purpose , April 6, 2005 Reviewer: John Galvin (Cincinnati,OH) - See all my reviews Margaret Ford is cool, detached, removed-an observer-traits that are the basis for her success as a psychologist and writer of well-paying pop-psychology. One of her patients, a gambler, is in debt to a fellow gambler and hustler named Mike. Confident in her powers to persuade others to act contrary to their immediate best interests, Margaret offers to talk to Mike. It is, of course, an act of hubris, an act of self-appraisal wanting correction--an act of pride inviting a fall. So that night, she makes her way to the House of Games, a seedy little bar in a dark, desolate corner of Seattle where Mike and his crew gather to play cards in a dark still--in an atmosphere resembling her own office. Mike is cool, detached, removed--an observer--traits that are the basis for his success as a gambler and con man. He makes a rather extraordinary offer: he will tear up the IOU's if Margaret will help him in the execution of his present hustle. Mike talks close, talks in a low knowing whisper. She's either in or she isn't. Then he gives her a glimpse of his method--he shows her how he watches for "tells"--little tics, twitches and hiccups, as it were, in the body language of his victim-unconscious signaling of what someone is thinking, what someone knows, what some had meant to hide from others. It must seem frighteningly familiar to a psychologist--but so very intriguing when applied to another and evil purpose. She accepts; and so begins a series of twists and turns that oblige you to wonder, till the very end, at which point the con actually began. The language of this film is characteristic of Mamet at his best. It is highly stylized, an endless succession of ellipses, faints, and echos. Every statement seems suspect, delivered in heavy quotes. There may only be a single additional second between sentences, but it seems so long, so otherworldly. Outwardly ordinary-looking statements seem busy with other meaning, with mystery and possible misdirection. It is a language befitting both psychologist and con man--observers who ultimately seek control over others, though admittedly for very different ends. But as the film gradually unfolds, you may find yourself laboring to discriminate between a con man who manipulates and controls and a psychologist who steers and directs. In the end, they only succeed in conning themselves, having forgotten that they are dealing with human beings who, possessed with powers of reason tempered and bent by emotions, often skid, slip and spin down unexpected, unintended and sometimes unlovely cul-de sacs. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 54 customer reviews... Listmania! Great Movies with a great endi... : by "willrocks" 10 top-shelf thrillers, after ... : by A. C. Walter "awalter" Women Who Kill : by "reelgood" So You'd Like to... get to know the best 'conspiracy theory' movies : by Grouchy Smurf , Couch Potato Surrender to the BIZARRE!!! : by Zoogz Rift , Groovy dadaist and legendary underground rock rec... Watch Hidden Movie Gems : by jlstu9 , Movie Watcher Fun Facts from IMDb.com: Awards Click here to see more Awards London Critics Circle Film Awards: ALFS Award for Film of the Year, Screenwriter of the Year Venice Film Festival: Golden Osella for Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Nominations Click here to see more Nominations Golden Globes, USA: Golden Globe for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture Trivia Click here to see more Trivia The numeral 187 appears in the film in different instances. A license plate reads "HSX 187". Also it is the number of the airport locker used at the end. 187 is the police code for murder. The hotel room that Mike takes Margeret to is room #1138 which is yet another reference to George Lucas's THX 1138. Goofs Click here to see more Goofs Towards the end of the film, Margaret Ford returns to her private office and cuts herself. Several drops of blood fall on the cover label of a dossier lying on the desk. In subsequent shots, the blood stain jumps down the label and finally ends up on the back cover, leaving the label clean. Movie Connections Click here to see more Movie Connections Remade as: Qian wang qing ren Quotes Click here to see more Quotes Mike : I'm from the United States of kiss-my-***. Mike : Oh, you're a bad pony. And I'm not gonna bet on you. For more information about "House of Games" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Look for similar items by category Browse similar items in: DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( C ) > Crouse, Lindsay DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( J ) > Jay, Ricky DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( M ) > Macy, William H DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( M ) > Mantegna, Joe DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( N ) > Nussbaum, Mike DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( S ) > Skala, Lilia DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( T ) > Taylor, Meshach DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( W ) > Wallace, Jack DVD > Directors > ( M ) > Mamet, David DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > By Theme > Cons & Scams DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > By Theme > Mind Games DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Crime > Con Artists DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > General DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Mystery DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Neo-Noir DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Suspense DVD > Genres > Mystery & Suspense > Thrillers Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. 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