Cool News
SUNDANCE ’08! A Brief Reaction To Haneke’s FUNNY GAMES Remake!
Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.
So we just premiered the new red-banded trailer for this one (and I’m sorry that the age verification thing pissed off or annoyed so many of you... it was required by the studio before the site could go live), and now we’ve got a reaction from someone who has laid eyes on the remake:
Hey Harry,
I am a local and Sundance Volunteer who got into the midnight screening of FUNNY GAMES last night. I have to admit off the bat that I am not familiar with the original, but I guess if it is scene for scene, I am familiar with it now. I have conflicting feelings about this movie; I tend to be an optimistic chap, so I went in expecting the family to come out on top. Obviously that is not the case. I did not really like the story because of how difficult it was to watch the terrible things that befall this seemingly nice family for no particular reason, however, I was not able to get up and walk out, I wanted to see where it would go. This morning, as I write in about the film, I find that though I found it disturbing, it actually was a very well put together movie, with fine acting and direction.
One of my favorite parts of the film was the cinematography, there was not a lot of cutting back and forth, the camera would seem poised on certain things for long periods of time. A great example is when there is something happening to one of the family members, and instead of focusing on that, we get to watch the Mom’s reaction. I felt that this added a sense of suspense which would not have been there otherwise.
The two villains in the film are great. The film honestly hinges on how well these two guys perform, and they pulled it off. You never quite know what is going on with them; you just know that you don’t trust them from the start. I guess I would have liked more back ground on the characters, but this is really not that kind of movie, and knowing less about these sociopaths make them that much scarier.
Over all, I did not really like the film that much, just not my type of movie. However, I would recommend that people check it out and make their own decisions on it. Love the site, keep up the great work.
Matt
-
+ Expand All
-
yup, stellar recommendation there.
-
to fuck your mother
-
I sense a whole Sluizer/Vanishing type-scenario coming on.
-
You know, recognising the fact that different people have different tastes and sensibilities.
It's kinda refreshing, actually. At least it makes a change from calling anyone who reacts differently to the movie a "sadistic torture pr0n fetishist."
Fuck it, I forgot I was in the talkbacks for a second. Get back to proving you're the cock of the walk (with emphasis on cock) by screaming your opinions loudest. -
aicn.. please.. i beg you.. START PUTTING SPOILER WARNINGS ON REVIEWS THAT GIVE AWAY BIG PARTS OF THE ENDING IN THE FIRST COUPLE SENTENCES.
-
You say that like it's a negative thing, it's meant to be disturbing, just like an Indy film is meant to be fun.
-
I intend to avoid anything by this hack Haneke.
-
of papers I've marked for my Intro to Film course. That didn't do well.
-
Hmm, how about you fuck off back to the zone where you can get involved in a pleasant circle jerk to the soundtrack of "WAAAH, Talkbackers are assholes, we're so much more civilised"? I was pointing out an example of the utter crapness of his review- not trying to be "cock of the walk". And recognising that people have different preferences is not empathy, and that isn't what he's doing. What he's doing is giving a very, very pitiful recommendation to a film he didn't like.
-
spoiler hurt bad
-
So many people have trouble grasping the concept that just because you don't like a movie, it doesn't mean it sucked.
It's something a lot of people on these talkbacks need to learn. -
The orginal is fine as it is.
Surely people can read subtitles and it's exactly the same -
i hadn't seen the original and I didn't know the family does not come out on top. thanks Mori.
-
"hacks". As if any of us have any credibility to even make that assertion.
-
on any review that flat out tells you the ending pisses me off to no end.
-
"I did not really like the story because of how difficult it was to watch the terrible things that befall this seemingly nice family for no particular reason, however, I was not able to get up and walk out, I wanted to see where it would go."--- Welcome to the point of the film, Matt. If you had got up and walked out, the horrible things happening to this family would have stopped. You're complicit to the onscreen violence because the narrative cannot play out without an audience to view it. The fact that you found it disturbing but had to watch it to the end speaks volumes about the ultimate point of the film. And don't take that as indictment against you...I watched the original all the way through, as well, even though I was as angered and disturbed by it as you as you were. Just not enough to turn it off.
-
Does it rhyme with spanky?
-
I understand that point- but again, that isn't what he was doing. It was a shoddy way to write a review, and the point could, and should, have been expressed far more coherently
-
So then do you recommend that I don't see this movie? Will this act save humanity or something? Or do I need to go, and then walk out?
-
Go watch it and make up your own mind what response you should have. But believe me, you will definitely have a response. You will not be indifferent to this film. Some art isn't designed to simply entertain or titillate. Some art is designed to teach, some to repulse, and some is designed to do both and hold a mirror up to the viewer. If you can't bring yourself to stop watching, then what does that say about you? And as a reminder, since I already stated that I didn't turn the film off, I include myself amongst those who should ask themselves that question. It's actually hard to discuss the film without getting into spoilers and I'll try to be a bit vague about certain details but let's just say that there is a single moment in the film where, not only does it point out that it is in fact a film and acknowledges the viewer, but also snatches away the one moment designed to satisfy the audience. It's both cruel and a dare. Because in doing so, Haneke reminds the audience of the ultimate power they have over these two psychopaths. Yes, it is a film, and you have the power to turn it off. I didn't. I sat there watching and experienced both shock and repulsion. I cheered at a certain moment of the film and then had it turned against me and became outright angry. I became hostile toward it. And I think that is exactly what that moment is designed to do. So why then did I continue to watch? Why, indeed.
-
"I went in expecting the family to come out on top. Obviously that is not the case."
I believe that in scientific circles, this phenomenon is called a SPOILER.
Oh well, I guess I don't need to pay ten bucks to see a film that will no longer have any tension in it. Thanks I guess... -
I think unfortunately that the human race finds cruelty fascinating
-
...I'm shocked that this has been remade and is going to get a wide release. I'll be hitting the theater opening night just to watch the reactions to the film.
-
Jan 21, 2008 1:33:37 PM CST
man, that made MiraJeff and MidolGirl look like good writers
by spandau belly
I gained absolutely no sense of:a)the film's style or storyb)the reviewers actual feelings about itc)I didn't even get some goofy rambling personal story like how Harry tells us what he had for breakfast before seeing a film and his experience waiting in line etc.
-
See, Xavier, this is what I really disliked about the film. It's a message pretending to be a movie. And it's a misguided message. It's a cautionary tale about the power of narrative and the complicity of the audience in what happens on-screen. But again, if you're aware enough to know that film manipulates you, you already KNOW THIS. And if you're not aware enough to know this, then this film isn't going to help you or open your eyes. Because you're just going to feel ripped off. So he's talking over the heads of his intended receivers and talking down to the rest of us. Which doesn't make it a poorly-made movie. On the contrary, I think it's quite well-made. And I think it's clever. But it's too clever for its own good because nobody who "should" get it WILL get it. And it's condescending. The attitude of the villains says it all. It's a "you're all a bunch of sheep" sneer.
-
but your argument that the film says that the audience is complicit because it could stop the psychopaths by turning off the film fails by its own logic. If I accept the premise that it's just a movie and I can make the bad men stop by turning it off, I am also aware that there are no bad men in front of me, and actually no real violence. Just a bunch of presumably well-paid actors who probably had a good time working together. Which is why I suspect that this movie is an example of what happens when filmmakers try too hard with too little skill to make a "point."
-
God damned, don't you fuckers have something better to do than responding day in-day out to guys that talk about movies you probably weren't planning to see anyway ? WHO GIVES A FUCK ! Some pathetic persons on this site, fuck you all, you stupid assholes.
-
They save you some time by not watching this film. The original is one of the biggest cop out and bullshit films of all time. As soon as the one guy winked at the camera I lost what little care for all characters in the film.
-
That's sort of ironic considering the Nazi brouhaha in the other Funny Games talkback.
-
Has this film PEGGED. He understands it. The few 4th wall breaks, the whole 'voyetor' angle, all add up to what X says.
But the trailer looks like it's a shot for shot remake. Sets and all. Only real changes are the language, and a hotter MOM. Gotta love Naomi. The film is all about the VIEWER being COMPLICIT in the horror. -
"voyeur".......sorry
-
I hope I forget that I read this when I catch this in the theaters. Fuck.
-
Han-ah-Key.
I certainly hope this does well so I can finally dress up as one of the guys for Halloween and people will know what I'm on about. **easy costume**
-
Jan 21, 2008 10:34:16 PM CST
What Nerds Do When They're Done Beating Off to Hayden Panettiere
by heywood jablomie
Wipe off their digits, sit down and write the words, "That guy who wrote about what I wrote about what you wrote about what I wrote about Michael Haneke's dolly movements is a douche, and if he were here, I'd punch him in the balls!"
-
Why should i watch the remakes? I´ve seen
the real thing. -
Cause the original is such a masterful mind fuck and leaves you stunned.
It's a film I haven't watched again since I saw it a few years ago because it's such an uncomfortable film to watch. Harsh and unflinching. But I recommend it to everyone I know. -
It's only a mindfuck if A) you've never thought of the whole "complicity" angle B) you've never seen a film break the 4th wall C)you've never seen a movie with omnipotent character/s. Lucky for me I'd already been exposed to A, B, and C through narratively superior films. Funny Games is a mindfuck for the uninitiated. That being said, if you've never been exposed to these ideas, Funny Games is a well-crafted beginning. Just move on to less heavy-handed material.
-
What movies are you talking about? I want to watch them.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 209 total posts 207 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 97 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 144 total posts 77 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 68 total posts 68 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 67 total posts 67 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 64 total posts 60 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 480 total posts 55 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 53 total posts 50 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 118 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 182 total posts 27 posts