Haneke's FUNNY GAMES (remake) discussed on Late Review

[TedGoranson69]

Haneke is just another prude moralist, only instead of wearing the clothes of a religious zealot he wears the clothes of a secular liberal. I enjoy violence in film and I will continue to enjoy violence in film, and Haneke can wag his finger at me all he likes, but I really could care less what someone who's willing to film an actor actually killing an animal and put that footage in his film thinks of me.

Haneke strikes me as a closet sadist, anyway. All of his films are fixated on suffering.

[SirMoebbelsKerr]

lol @ at all the furious fanboy comments

[dvg87]

I think Haneke tries to get rid of any redemption whatsoever towards violence in any film, since even in films where there´s no good guy or anything (and these are in my opinion the best ones) and after just having one hour and thirty minutes of slashin´and slicin´, we still can seat back and enjoy and watch the next film, this time with Bruce Willis, and forget about violence entirely

[fitzy098]

The genius with the original Funny Games was that the violence was very much implied. It also forewent convention by having an interactive element with its audience to heighten the impact of the violence being perpetrated against the family. This remake was a totally unnecessary retread and felt more akin to a home invasion movie; rather than a commentary on people's complacency with violence in the mainstream.

[kralle7611]

fuck remakes. 

[TheCandyHole]

@kralle7611 fuck Dawn of the Dead or the Hills have Eyes remake? Most are bad but Funny Games didn't do the original injustice

[korrekterelfer]

"and then when the really awful thing is happening you rewind it - Oh, grow up!" This woman is stupid ^^ -

There is all this torture and when finally, you see the killing and blood you have desired but not were able to see all the time in this movie - then it gets rewinded and the satisfaction derived from your own bloodlust for revenge is suddenly diminished! It is so pointless to make a movie unsatisfying like that - oh. grow up!

It worked as it should. You didnt notice it, little girl. ;)

[terratrema]

@korrekterelfer

I've always been wanting to ask this of someone with your opinion:

What exactly is wrong with wanting those two murderous psychopaths to get blown away with a shotgun. Why does that qualify as "bloodlust for revenge", which is clearly a bad thing in your view.

Why? Why?

[gwain30]

FUCK OFF YOU RETARD REVIEWERS YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR ON ABOUT THESE "PROFFESSIONAL REVIEWERS SUCK BALLS" THEY ALWAYS GO AGAINST THE PROPER FILM FANS THAT LOVE CINEMA FOR WHAT IT IS RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG­GGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[69fasterpussycat]

that one broad doesn't know shit. a 'daily mail film' my ass!

[Matthew9818]

As far as Horror films go this is one good film. very simple, Very Tense, Hardely any music. No glorifying violence, good use of the fourth wall! and a good twist aswell. This film is genius. A true horror film!!!!!

[Matthew9818]

Their very harsh on it I feal! this movie is very unique with the concept! And as far as horror films go this is a pretty horrifying idea! It,s not a fuking remake of benny,s video! and who wants to see a old woman stripped!

[axl77]

Well, i think Funny Games U.S is uncomfortable viewing. I didn't see the original so i come without prejudice. I thought Naomi Watts was terrific, i disagree that she was miscast, it's almost as if the woman involved in this round table discussion review suggests that just because Naomi Watts has a great body, somehow that would be less humiliating. Oh yeh she's been naked in Mulholland Drive. Oh well that's really taken me out of the moment. You grow up!

[MrTarpband]

HA! Funny Games a remake of Bennys Video.. No

[Shardok1]

It might have been good if it was not boring.. The third act has to be the longest and most boring part in any movie ever.. No climax, no anything. Just watching the two main characters dick around with a phone and sitting. Not to mention all the long house, wall and floor shots. Yes this movie is realy good.. The intentions might have been intresting, but the product was shit.

[alexrempel12390]

Jesus that girl was brutal. I absolutely loved this movie. It was brilliant. I hate prissy critics that beat down a movie in comparison to other movies and this and that. It's a fantastic movie, take from it what you want. It's brilliant.

[megalosauru]

Violence is worthless? LOL, it's not. How naive it is to say that it is.

[DropProps]

This review is bullshit, they dont even understand the film, or the points which every scene makes.

[xoGorilla]

I agree, Naomi really was not a good choice. She is a product of Hollywood, everything Haneke's films seem to be going against. Even her acting style seems completely out of place.

[bhoysinlisbon67]

Critics? They really don't have a clue. Seriously!  Blah Blah Blah

[Raymint]

Mark Kermode's word was the only one that mattered in this circle. the rest had absolutely nothing to say.

[MajesticJac]

I think the purpose to Funny Games is one of the most obvious things ever and the way these people talk about it makes them come of quite unintelligently. Except that the dude with the red tie seems to try to level with it a little bit more than the others...

[Supenmanu]

WRONG... he didn't want to make an ENGLISH remake - he specifically wanted to make a U.S. remake since the whole idea of the movie is to show the absurdity of U.S. Horror films.

[TheYorker123]

one of the best horror,disturbing movies.......ever ever ever ever.....

[mymarty23]

I don't agree with most of what was said here, however, they have an interesting position but incorrect.

[robwilko]

I don't agree that it is "telling us off" for wanting to see violence... I thought it was meant to deliberately piss me off, by playing to my expectations of the genre... I literally punched the air when Naomi shot one of the guys... And then when it re-wound, I was very pissed off, and I think that was the whole point.

[OldPotion]

Good lord these people are awful. Sooo awful.

[zombiedude1411]

these people dont know a good movie when they see it

[piggy978]

Kermode is the only one talking sense

[ScorseseKubrick]

Michael Haneke is a genius, but yes, his film aren't for everyone.

[ReginaChick]

Honestly, I think these reviewers are entirely missing the point of the movie. I have never heard such vacuous comments. One woman in particular completely misunderstood what she was watching. Some people never learn. I for one thought the remake was well done and perfectly casted.

[geezpleez]

The point of Funny Games is that it forces you to to address your relationship to movie violence: why is violence in a film only valid if it's thrilling or offers you some sort of redemption at the end? Funny Games gives you neither of these payoffs, so to call the film "senseless" is actually more of a compliment than an insult; it proves how effective the film is in delivering its central message: violence is worthless.

[mousehead2000]

@geezpleez i disagree. Haneke makes his career from such films so to him are not worthless at all. The argument about whether violence is worthless or not is paradoxical. Someone always benefits whether it's the perpetrator or the filmmaker or even the audience if a lesson has been learnt.

[davidnguyen81]

@mousehead2000 I see your point but you might be reading too much into my use of the word "worthless". It could be a poor choice of word from me, but I only meant that Haneke obviously thinks conventional attitudes to movie violence are either narrow-minded or just invalid (or having little "value"). This provocation or variations of it seems to be at the heart of all his films, so I would agree that he's made a career – and benefitted – from violence one way or another.

[bobethe]

@geezpleez I couldn't stand the remake cuz you can't do better than the original, but to say it's in bad taste or has no redeeming value, what? I love how they talk about "the audience" -- i'm an author, I have never thought of any AUDIENCE, this is MINE - the reason this is so disturbing, the original and has profound EFFECT iis becasue it's SO REAL, no one gets saved, they don't kill the bad guys at the end, it shows you a realistic event that could happen in a real way, see, REAL IS SCARY

[acousticology]

@geezpleez

"Why is violence in a film only valid if it's thrilling or offers you some sort of redemption at the end?"

Because otherwise you end up with "Funny Games".

[onearmkill]

@geezpleez But this isn't a new or interestingly delivered message. Kermode mentions Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a much better film which also sees nothing titillating or "thrilling" about violence. The same is true of numerous horror films; it's simply not true that you can group "violent cinema" together as Haneke and the fans of Funny Games want to. It's a redundant lecture.

[MrKeepitunderyourhat]

@geezpleez But there are plenty of films that raised the same themes in much more intelligent, subtle and original ways. So not only is it like being shouted at by Haneke for two hours, it's not even an original concept.

[kanudoss]

Veru stupid to remake this film.

[lamentate07]

the whole idea of questioning our relationship to violence on screen or in the media is not a new idea. in fact, it's quite redundant really. And it's difficult for a film maker to pull it off without looking likea total hypocrite in the process.

the only Hanneke movie i really liked was The Piano Teacher.

[jonjonmcjonjon]

One of the few intelligent comments in this inane sea of butthurt Haneke fanboy knee-jerking.

[IantheLiberal]

I watched the original and was simply floored by its senselessness; perhaps the worst piece of shit I've ever seen. Commenting on violence and the media by making a film with endless shots of an inexplicable home invasion? The only thing the director did to combat violence was to make it ceaselessly boring

[Bigmac79]

Go and watch Transformers you cunts.

[iwillcontrolyourmind]

good comment.

[hymen0callis]

Seconded! Do those guys talking actually consider themselves critics?

[slappymccrecken]

Why did i just watch this clip? It's utterly pointless. These people are just pratts! Haneke is GREAT!

[bubbleraver]

Thank God, these people exposed this pretentious piece of crap for what it is!

[srjmaybank]

"like cache or like hidden"......?same thing mark

[euclidxxx]

"I don't want Michael Haneke telling me off for occasionally liking violent films..."

I don't watch it often, but this is probably one of the worst reviews I've seen on this show (Newsnight Review).

I haven't seen the American version, but I thought the German original was quite funny - well, mildly amusing... It's only uncomfortable if you actually enjoy watching gratuitously violent films, probably...

[WankstaProductions]

that girl who was talking about naome naked is retarded

[DavidGruwez]

@WankstaProductions Agreed 100%

[robwilko]

@WankstaProductions

I get what she was on about... when the guys are saying "i bet she has jelly-rolls", you can tell she won't have anyway.

[thedahmerkid]

television trying to marginalize something so much greater than itself.

[campLCS]

LVishere captures the sour taste left in my mouth by the bland looking lady PERFECTLY.

[PINUPEXTRA]

i totally agree with most of the comments made here - what on earth is this show? Its very very embarrassing...the 'goth' lady should be ashamed of herself, id much prefer a show where there are actual critics on it.

[bobjimtheawesome]

Yeah, she has no idea what the film is about. She really needs to brush up on her skills at analyzing films.

[rossdamo]

Brilliant film, I don't recall being so shaken by a film and I'm grateful that it was able to do that

[Termite700]

I always thought the movie depicted violence in ways we are unaccustomed to seeing. For instance it it rare to see a dog killed in a movie, let alone a kid. We expect them to pull through the situation and survive but the deaths were blunt inevitabilities we aren't used to seeing in movies. At least thats what I got out of it.

[screwball82]

Watts was cast because she is good, not because we can somehow avoid the fact we've seen her body before. That comment was ridiculous....and talk about miss the point. Once again, Kermode is the only person who really seems to know what he's saying

[BeyondAbc]

I agree with that. This pseudo critic shows just how childish and brainwashed by todays media she is when she says that it would be more humiliating if someone fatter or older had to strip. It doesn't matter what we see, it just matters how it's done and that's what makes it humiliating.

I agree that this film is shocking and a bit of a torture. But why on earth should every film just be a beautiful hollywood movie. I think this torture is essential in order for us to learn something.

[screwball82]

You hit the nail on the head. In thinking on it, what this woman says is actually quite offensive.....so somehow, it's not as humiliatiing to this person....because she's what we think of as "beautiful"??? It's like when someone dies and we say, "aww, so good looking too!"....like if they weren't, it wouldn't be tragic??

[ivdsc1]

they're missing the whole point of the movie, you're not supposed to ask yourself "why are you watching THIS violente movie?", but "why are you watching violent movies in general?"

The only difference between Funny Games and other violent movies is that Haneke's movie doesn't show violence as entertaining, beautiful or desirable

[RocknRollErickStoll]

You all sound like idiots while talking about this film.

[LVishere]

fuck you.

[Benesyed]

Goth lady is dumb

Her criticism, senseless

Should stick to goth stuff

[Undiddley]

"grow up" and "gutless", said the rather gutless and oh, quite so petulant movie critic.

[WeThinkWeRFast]

wow that chick is such a downer

i bet shes a feminist

[jeffreed04]

Funny Games was royally screwed by the "proffesional" movie critics, why?

[jeffreed04]

These kinds of people were the reason why this movie bombed in the box office. Furthermore, these people were the reason why so few people have even heard of Funny Games. Who cares that it was remade shot for shot, I don't. Actually, now that it has been shot in the English language I can focus on the entire environment within each scene, subtitles be damned. It's one thing to not like the movie because it is so disturbing, but that shouldn't scew their opinion on the quality of the film.

[emilythe11emo]

douche bags thatmovie is good...dicks...i dont like that chick she's a bitch

[hellview666]

I must say that I wasn't a fan of this movie, but only because it was advertized as a popcorn thriller of the late 00s. In terms of its taboo of breaking cimeatographic rules (breaking the 4th wall), its point works well - but a lesson is learned here...

If you break teh rules, don't expect the mass audience to understand it, because they're going to the movies for entertainment, not moral questioning.

[ivdsc1]

i agree, but mass audience needs to get slapped once in a while

[xThisxCharmingxManx]

i duno why there making it sound good

it was an awful movie

[drgeckokid]

these people are prats! i don't think it was a great idea for haneke to remake the film, but these idiots don't know what they were watching.

[sewerface]

Seriously worthless opinions.

[TasteMouth]

Its really funny to me how this film is discussed. The core of the film is an attack on the system of violence in bourgeoise society (basically our western world). It's concrete little devices of alienation (turning to the camera, etc.) are really, in my opinion, ways to shift the film from being simply an indulgent entertainment of cathartic violence. It implicates the system of contemp "egalitarian" attitudes (which hide class), proposing that subtle or not violence is just below the surface.

[sylvainthefrenchman]

Ratings disabled? I wonder why... oh yeah, because these people don't know what they're talking about and this video deserves 0 stars. There isn't even someone there to counter argue with them! They're all just upset cause they didn't get their fix of senseless, no message violence...

[manwithaplan999]

Ratings are now possible - knock yourself out ;-)

[sylvainthefrenchman]

Sweet... kudos for putting ratings back. I'll give a star cause the critics' accents almost made them sound convincing, haha.

[HALEterSkelter]

@sylvainthefrenchman the whole point of the movie was to make the audience FEEL like they are an accomplice in a MURDER!!! He wanted the film to be uncomfortable and he wanted to make this to make torture porn movies look bad. He succeeded.

[jacktalbot]

@sylvainthefrenchman funny games does have a meaning

[sylvainthefrenchman]

@jacktalbot I didn't say funny games didn't have a meaning.

I said the critiques in that show were upset that the film didn't have any meaningless violence.

Read carefully before posting.

[jacktalbot]

@sylvainthefrenchman duly noted

[Affenzunge]

@sylvainthefrenchman Oh man sh...... u.....!

[korrekterelfer]

@sylvainthefrenchman

The guy wearing a tie understands it. And is aware that the others there dont. Discussion is useless. Either you get it or you are too frightened to accept what it is telling you. He is totally right when he says that people able to understand it would have been satisfied with seeing the original already. The brunette is the opposite, furiously whining about naivity she sees in it - confronted with her own immaturity in watching violence. She just doesnt want to accept it

[Velvetrevolver1993]

Fuck these people are stupid, they don't understand it at all.

[screwball82]

Jesus, that woman is a moron! You don't choose Watts based on her looks, you choose her because......oh that's right, she's great! At least Mark isn't a complete idiot and looks at it constructively

[madcrazydopeson]

these people suck, this movie is brilliant

[TulseLuper]

The only thing I agree with is the casting. They're all considerably weaker than Arno Frisch, the late Ulrich Muhe, etc. And although I see what Kermode is saying vis a vis Haneke going backwards but I still think the film is brilliant no matter what language it's in. You're not supposed to enjoy it, that's not the point. Haneke wants to turn us on to our own bloodlust in films and how desensitized it has made us. That is the essence of Funny Games.

[TheGreenHillZone]

I liked this movie, it was so disturbing without a lot of gore. It doesn't fall in the "torture porn" category like lot of movies do nowadays. Some scenes that people found "Boooring" i think you missed the whole point of the movie. That's my opinion now if you don't like it the go watch some torture porn :)

[trexonian]

you\r a terrible choice

[gothtigger92]

I still love how it makes you feel like you're part of the movie. It's almost like it's fun to watch but disturbing at the same time.

[iaresloth]

"this is just an exploitation film." wow, british people are fucking useless.

[moonshiner00]

I'm sorry but what gives you the right to stereotype a whole country (yes, my country) just because of someone elses opinion? I'm British and I thought this film was awesome.

[gyptqaz]

the sickening fact that ANYONE actually finds this "movie" entertaining is a comment on the hopelessness of humanity.that we are FUCKED UP enough to allow this excrement as anything but an alqeida or C.I.A. training film is proof of our foolishness and inhumanity.eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow--we DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HVPinc]

You are a fool imo. This movie does not actually show any violence except for blood stains and if any thing its a psychological torture film.

Also, the entertainment is not in the torture but the characters actions. Watching people pushed to there limits and then some.

Imo this movie was boring with absolutely NO payoff at the end. There were a couple of funny/tense moments like when they stare at the screen but over all it was a movie with a message and no pay off.

To bad...

[jjfyke]

sarajoyx: "also saddening that you didn't actually SEE anyone die.."

Wow, I guess that kind of proves the movie's point right there.

[vianello185]

First of all allow me to get my childish side out the way, What a bunch of fucking cunts! How can they sit there on what looks like a tacky Trisha set and discuss movies as if they are the fucking gods of it. Question...Is it three men or two, I got confused?

The film, in my opinion, was just a version for those sad, uneducated humans that can not, or just simply can't function or understand subtitles. The film was amazing, I am not saying anymore because I don't want to.

[kblixt]

I love both even the remake is basically same movie.

[moonshiner00]

It is a really good idea, but I guess it would have ruined Michael Haneke's whole point to the film.

[lukepalmer8]

now this movie was good i loved the ending. Spoiler alert, how at the end he goes up to the people and he says could you help us out with some eggs. Another part i liked was that there wasn't actually alot of music in the movie to give it's terror there was like one screaming song i don't no the name but it was kind of like no country for old men which is my favourite coen brothers movie.

[Joyhal23]

this movie is awesome!! the thing is that there's no need to see the deaths, just because you can imagine it, I mean the terrifying of this movie is the premonition of somenthing bad that it's going to happen but you don't get to see it, it just terrifies you during all the film!! amazing, I left the cinema with my friends horrified and fascinated at the same time!

[johnnysrusso]

sarajoyx

you mostly just proved Michael Haneke's point by your comment

when ann picks up the shotgun and shots peter...the audience feels relief and happiness that finally the good guys got back at the bad guys...but when paul picks the remote up and rewinds, that just shows the audience that the way they want the movie to go is not going to happen and there is not a happy ending...

sarajoyx...you are very close minded and this film was most likely not for you...

[sarajoyx]

eh.. the movie wasn't good at all, i REALLY hated the remote rewind sceen and even moreso hated the looking into the camera and talking to the movie watchers bit even more.. but the PLOT and IDEA of the movie is AWESOME. also saddening that you didn't actually SEE anyone die..

[thehillproduction]

It's so nice to see unsuccessful filmmake...oops sorry I mean film critics cast away something they don't understand simply for the reason they don't understand it. Applauds are in order!

[skardar1]

Glad to hear that the majority of people here can recognise the genius that is haneke unlike the wannabe intellects in the clip. long live haneke!.. lol

[BakedWalnut]

That is, wannabe "intellectuals", rather than intellects. Shame you have not been endowed with the same prodigious ability in grammar that you have in film analysis.

[skardar1]

Thank you for your correction and please do not hesistate to correct any other mistakes in my grammar if this is what fulfills you.

[BakedWalnut]

Aw shucks, thanks a bunch...:D

[CentipedeSisters]

Funny Games was amazing. These people suck dick.

[GetintheBag32]

Haneke's work has always been misinterpreted, in my opinion. I didn't feel that Funny Games was criticizing the horror loving audience. The fact that this movie holds so much tension ,and respect for what makes good horror good, proves that he is a horror fan himself. But what he may have actually tried to do was make us simply question our separation of what we want from reality and what we want from film. Otherwise, we may become manipulated by film to make buffoonish decisions.

[haasxaar]

that woman with the red hair is the usual pseudo intellectual spouting nonsense

[PrestoKey]

Fuck them. They seriously have no clue what there talking about. Close-minded hacks. Its like making a show about the moon landing, and then saying "Wasnt it fake?" "Oh yeah, because the flag is blowing and blah blah". They seriously have no clue. AT ALL.

[siempreviva]

TOTAL WANKERS! they would`t recognize a good movie even if it hit them in there heads.

[skutari]

Benny video is a great movie,btw.the fact you turned it off proves how much effect it had on you.Some people can't handle too much due to their psychosomatic constitution.

[boybandmassacre]

students,you guys amuse me no end..

[MintySpunkBubble]

Oh no! Students look out, Paul Calf is about!

[boybandmassacre2]

Funny games is meant to show us that we are totally sensitized to violence in cinema.By shoving our face into a real torture scenario(which happens every day through rape,murders and tortures) we get to see what violence actually represents.Noble in a way but I feel all it does is condescend movie makers(we're not stupid) and give columbine worshipping sucicidal fucked up brats ideas.

Better than Bennys video though which I turned off out of disgust.

[BakedWalnut]

I must admit I'm intrigued by the film's premise, and having loved "Hidden" would be willing to give it a go, however Kermode's arguments are often very convincing...

[skutari]

The woman with the red hair and british looking guy next to her are the biggest morons i ever heard.Go get a job as a clerk,don't waste your time with something you can't understand!!!

[angrydead]

I can't say I was a fan, it seems a little draconic and questionable to make an entire based upon the assumption that you've never questioned your enjoyement of voilence in the media, frankly it seems unfair that i had to watch a film who's purpose was largely obsolete in anyone who activly considers their own actions. The re-wind scene and the breaches in forth wall didnt help since it ironicly gave it a sense of unreality which is the opposite of what the film was going for.

[rykkominutesoup]

L'un des 3 plus grand film de toute l'histoire du cinéma. L'adequation parfaite de la forme et du fond. Magnifique.

[mannyposh]

I saw this film last Saturday and went into the cinema with no pre conceptions about what it would be like. I thought it was a pretty good film. Rather refreshing to have a bad ass ending where no one goes skipping off into the sunset. 2 couples actually walked out halfway through the film whispering 'This is Shit!' Basically they couldnt handle it!

[kockykunt]

i thot FG was absolutely stunning. i just hope the re-make doesnt destroyed the original masterpiece.

[wolfgar45]

it's not in any theater here in new york.

[bashthebandello]

why are they laughing at guy ritchie? is he not talented?

[Razstar]

"why are they laughing at guy ritchie? is he not talented?"

excellent

[bbjunho]

The original is amazing and I'm quite anxious for this american version! As for this video, the red haired lady should work on her dictation, and find another job since it seems she just sayd the stupidest things you could ever hear regarding the movie and the whole subject!

[twoheadedboi]

I really liked this film, and I'm starting to think I might be the only one, hah...

[brettjm3]

GhostManOnSixtieth

you are dead on. thank you. finally someone who has the same opinions as me on this movie.

[GhostManOnSixtieth]

this movie targets the human mind's wickedness. it makes you want to see what you know is wrong but never shows it:violence, nudity, etc. when the woman with the darker hair in this video calls the rewind part childish...ughhhh...she's an idiot. that scene shows that we want to see her fight back, to kill, in essence. it portrays just how real seeing someone being killed in a film is compared to real life. is one more hurtful than the other? is one more real than another? we still see it, right?

[HaydenCWillBeMine]

the movie is good but around when the guys leave the family to go get whatever they have to get, it does start to become boring. when they finally come back to kill the rest of the family it started to get good again.

[EnterKip]

this movie was so bad ass, i didnt make me feel uncomfortable like people said, it did make you wish someone might of livid but...it was totally worth it and i would see it again, i love it

[dionne0114]

superb movie

[purelypolyester]

Trailer is genius. Movie is garbage. Just awful!!!! Torture to watch-- and not in the way Haneke intended!

[TheShadyPenguin]

top 3 worst movies i've ever seen

#3 The Wild

#2 The Hulk

#1 Funny Games

[shug6009]

The film's meant to piss you off.

[kingizo]

movie is garbage...dont say i didnt warn you!

[nobodycares345]

looks like a pretty good movie i wanna see it