Comments on: Sundance Movie Review: Funny Games

By: Jackson.

Jackson. — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:49:40 +0000

This movie was indeed tasteless and stupid. I was ok with them not showing the scenes or violence of pretty much any sort (unless you count a slap to the face), I was even cool with Paul talking to the camera from time to time (which was down-right stupid), but the thing that completely ruined the movie for me was when he “rewound” the movie. That was just completely uncreative and stupid. The director still could have at least attempted to get his point across in another manner. And yes, I realize that this way it is even more of a slap to the face of American culture and lifestyle, but purely for the sake of making a remotely entertaining movie he could have been more creative or thought provoking with his choice there. In conclusion, there was absolutely no need to make this movie. And for all you people that think it is the best movie ever, why did you need a movie to mock you, ridicule the people of your nation (which yes, includes yourself), to tell you that violence and killings are not an entertaining part of life (which, up until now, I thought every person with a conscience already knew), and most of all waste the most precious resource we petty humans have, our time. I also agree that this movie, although makes a somewhat valid point, was no where near entertaining. There is no need to turn a lecture into a film.

By: » TrÃ¡iler “sin censura” y cuatro clips de Funny Games Â» Cinencuentro - Todo el cine del PerÃº

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:01:11 +0000

[...] quienes la defienden sencillamente diciendo que es un filme a la altura del anterior, y por otro los que hacen reparos en lo poco efectivas que pueden resultar algunas de sus ideas transplantadas al contexto y la [...]

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:20:01 +0000

i thought my comment was a fair criticism. I think it’s lame you took it off, but whatever.

By: richarddawkinsrules

richarddawkinsrules — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:50:50 +0000

Oh wow I was really hoping this movie was going to be good cause I wanted to buy the poster, its one of the sweetest posters I’ve seen. Petes review isnt going to deter me from seeing this flick but I will say that I have agreed with 85-90% of his reviews and I would think his 0 out of 10 rating must have some validity.
I am really bothered how people slam Pete and can’t accept that this director Mr Hanky or whatever his name is might have for once made a bad movie. Pete saw the movie and shared his feedback, all you Mr Hanky defenders are showcasing the original for ammunition not having seen this remake. That seems kinda unfair to me.

By: Peter Sciretta

Peter Sciretta — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:57:26 +0000

I swear on my life that I have only deleted comments that have bashed the site or someone’s opinion without providing an intelligent alternative viewpoint. I welcome you and anyone else to provide a counterpoint without unneeded hate speech. Notice all the comments above that provide a viewpoint alternative to mine, that have not been deleted.

By: Mike.

Mike. — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:46:22 +0000

Peter, it’s really cool how you’re deleting more than just comments that are “bashing the site”. The comment that I had put up in here was a response to another person’s comment. Hmm, way to handle a poor review. As if you don’t expect people to respond. I thought that was the whole point of having a comment system to each post…

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:40:10 +0000

Peter does great reviews, and this review is no different. So what if he didn’t like it or didn’t get it. It’s his opinion and his review. Why bash him for not liking a movie? Plus, hardly any of you have seen the remake, so you don’t know if it’s better, worse, or the just like the original.

Hunter, that Teen Witch clip was indescribable.

By: Luke

Luke — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:37:37 +0000

P.S.
If you give RAMBO 1 out of 10 I will never read this website again!

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:58:41 +0000

An opinion is an opinion. If Peter didn’t like the movie, then that’s perfectly ok. Movies like Saw or Funny Games (which I’ve read about before) present absolutely no cinematic value to me. I go to the theatre to be entertained, and I would never consider stuff like this entertainment. So I can see where this review comes from, and I’m fine with it.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:03:09 +0000

Sorry Peter I think your letting your emotions get the better of you!

Funny Games is one of the most gripping films I have ever seen, and that 5 minute shot of the mother was a thing of artistic brilliance. I have never been so impressed by a film as this. Yes its a bit bleak, but then it would just be a generic horror/thriller if it wasn’t. It takes the rule book and throws it out the window, it toys with the viewer rather than the characters and it does it so effectively. Compared to the emotionally light fare that mainly appears in cinemas this film makes you care and shows you the truth about the violence that normally you find entertaining is pretty damn horrific (ignoring the fact that only one violent scene is actually shown - everything else is off camera). Of course your entitled to your opinion and it is valued, but your being pretty damn harsh on a film which is transcending the media and trying to achieve something else.
Hope you liked Hidden/Cache! Coz that ace as well!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:47:02 +0000

I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I must say that Funny Games (at least the original) was one of the best films I have ever seen. I love Michael Haneke’s work and yes, it was frustrating to find out that he was doing a complete shot-by-shot remake of his own film. (Pretentious? Egotistical? Who knows?) However, I completely disagree with the review of the film on the basis that it wasn’t “cinematic” enough and the film overall was “boring and stupid.”

As a child of the so-called torture porn era, I saw Funny Games as a smart, terrifying, and darkly funny (I feel like Haneke excels at injecting the smallest bit of humor into even the most horrific moments) critique on culture and the media in a way that I hadn’t really seen before. It called out films like Hostel before Hostel even existed. Personally speaking, Funny Games was one of the most intense film viewing experiences I have ever had and truth be told, it is one of the reasons why I decided to become a filmmaker.

Funny Games is frustrating, scary, tense, and unflinching. The film may have a lot of flaws but goddamn it, I can respect Haneke for knowing how to push people’s buttons and get the viewer to respond. Now, as for the remake, I’ll judge it when I see it.

By: Dylan McAvenia.

Dylan McAvenia. — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:59:06 +0000

a lot of people “don’t like tuh fuckin’ reed the mooovie they wahhhtch!”

but a lot of people went and saw all three “Fast and Furious” movies. Haneke made this originally as a statement, as said before, and since America is such an ignorant country, he’s nice enough to give you a movie that you don’t have to “fuckin’ reed!”

having said that, for all of the people who can’t handle subtitles, this movie is for you…Haneke made this to piss you off…and it worked.
swiiiiiiiish.

By: SadieG

SadieG — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:22:15 +0000

you obviously haven’t seen the original….

By: Zach

Zach — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:19:14 +0000

Honestly, they want to remake it for american audiences right? Why? The normal American movie goer isn’t going to enjoy this film at all, if it’s shot for shot, people will call it boring and stupid. The only people that are probably going to thoroughly enjoy this, are either the people that have already seen it, or the people who would enjoy this type of film, which also happens to be the same people who wouldn’t mind watching the original, or something with subtitles.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:14:10 +0000

“Torture Porn”

Gorno.

By: aritt

aritt — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:32:23 +0000

The only thing I see Haneke as good for is a way to fall asleep.

Cache and the original Funny Games are my major insomnia combators. Ten or fifteen minutes of either one puts me right to sleep.

I’ve taken film courses before, so don’t just call me ignorant american trash.

By: matthew

matthew — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:06:15 +0000

Wow. I thought the original Funny Games was one of the most thought-provoking, disturbing, yet expertly-made movies I’ve seen in a long time. With Naomi Watts and Tim Roth and the same director as before, I don’t understand how anyone knowledgeable about FILM could dislike this movie. I haven’t seen this iteration just yet, so I COULD be wrong. But for all that ask “why remake it”…the answer is pretty obvious: its mostly about AMERICAN movie audiences. Although, it applies to all audiences, too.

By: Dylan McAvenia.

Dylan McAvenia. — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:51:28 +0000

Alex pretty much ended any more trash talk on funny games. well done, captain.

By: Peter Sciretta

Peter Sciretta — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:28:27 +0000

Thanks for reading my review, I'm glad you guys enjoyed it :)

Alex: So if a shot by shot remake means the film is as good as the original, does that mean Gus Van San't Psycho is better than Hitchcock's? I'm also glad you're basing your view on my opinion based on one review (especially considering you had not read any of the others). Seems like the same decision making process that GWBush uses.

Dylan: I see movies to be entertained. I love films that challenge me, but only when they also entertain. Funny Games is anything but entertaining. The only thing Michael Haneke will pull over on anyone, is making everyone pay for the same movie twice (if I understand correctly, as I have not seen the original).

So who else other than me has seen this movie and cares to offer a conflicting review? Neil over at Film School Rejects gave the film a D. So I'm not alone in my dislike for this film.

Again, comments are for arguing intelligently. I'm not one for censorship, but it clearly reads this in the rules. So I have deleted all the offending comments. I welcome all of you to comment again by arguing the points, instead of just facelessly bash the review/site.

Thanks

Peter

By: sari

sari — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:22:40 +0000

wow people posting in the comments section have gotten quite angry and mean lately.

Anyways this statement:

Funny Games is not a movie I would wish upon anyone I care about. People complain about movies like Hostel and SAW, referring to them as Torture Porn, well then Funny Games is Psychological Torture Porn. And by that I mean boring, and stupid.

sums up my feelings about There Will Be Blood perfectly.