GAMER

Rated R

Time: 1:35

What is it? In the future people play video games in which real living humans – convicts who volunteer hoping for an early release – become pawns in life-and-death scenarios.

Why didn’t Lionsgate show it to the press? The studio has a longstanding policy of not screening most of its exploitation and genre titles for critics.

Why we’d see it: We’re big fans of Scottish actor Gerard Butler (as one of the prisoners who gets wrapped up in the game) and Michael C. Hall (TV’s “Dexter,” as a sinister game designer).

Why we wouldn’t: Writers/directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor made the high-energy, low-content “Crank” films. This looks like more of the same … and we’re looking for something more substantial.