FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Funny Games [DVD] [2007]

Funny Games [DVD] [2007]
enlarge	Director: Michael Haneke Actors: Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt, Tim Roth, Brady Corbet Studio: Tartan Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£9.99~~ Buy New: £3.35 as of 21/11/2009 03:38 GMT details You Save: £6.64 (66%) New (19) Used (7) Collectible (1) from £3.29 Seller: em-g Rating: 29 reviews Sales Rank: 7993 Format: PAL Language: English (Unknown) Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over Region: 2 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 107 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5023965382825 ASIN: B0019BC386 Theatrical Release Date: 2007 Release Date: July 28, 2008 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Michael Haneke is a modern master, which his spellbinding films iCache/i and iThe Piano Teacher/i proved to an international audience. When it came time for a Hollywood remake of his ultra-disturbing 1997 picture iFunny Games/i, who better than Haneke himself to helm the new version? And indeed, the second iFunny Games/i bears the impeccable sense of control and technique that the Austrian version had: it is a horrifyingly precise account of a family terrorized by two psychopathic young thugs at a vacation home. For anyone who's already seen the '97 film, this new one--a nearly shot-by-shot transcription of the original--will seem superfluous, no matter how impressive the performances of Naomi Watts and Tim Roth are. (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet are suitably creepy as their menacers, too.) For newbies, the movie might be as infuriating and thought-provoking as Haneke intends it to be. That's because iFunny Games/i is an intellectual game itself, a direct rebuke to the audience that gobbles up gratuitous violence and cynical manipulation. Haneke sets up our expectations, and then refuses to provide the conventional catharsis... or the conventional anything. All of this was pretty bracing in the first go-round, but feels like gamesmanship in the remake. Even if you dig what Haneke's up to, this is a brutal movie-watching experience. i--Robert Horton/i

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next » A remake for the rest of us... June 17, 2008 simonpeggfan (Maidenhead UK) 5 out of 11 found this review helpful Yes - it's a remake, and like Van Sant's Psycho it's for all those people who didn't watch the original - or more sadly wouldn't watch a subtitled movie. br / br /There's no surprises for those who've seem that original - but plenty of surprises if you haven't - and a slap in the face of the Hollywood cliché. br /It is a testament to Haneke's ability to replicate perfectly his previous film shot-by-shot with equal effect, tension, and intrigue even as one knows what to expect. br / br /Haneke has said he considers the story culturally closer to American society - and that's a key reason for making this version. Who's being played with? December 8, 2008 Andrew D. Fletcher (Worcester, UK) 1 out of 2 found this review helpful Funny Games [2007]This is not a film to sit down and watch with some mates and some beers. Nor is it comfortable family viewing. Indeed, it's not any sort of comfortable. It's gripping, painfully intense and increasingly remorseless. br / br /The basic tale - the harrowing of a family (mum,dad,son) at their secluded holiday home in the Hamptons - is straightforward enough. The means chosen are far from straightforward. Haneke is almost entirely uninterested in action, preferring instead to concentrate on a forensic examination of the emotions of the two adults (Tim Roth and the - here - wonderful Naomi Watts)as they are toyed with and humiliated. br / br /But this is not the only set of emotions that Haneeke is interested in. At every stage he involves the viewer in the experience - even to the point of having the perpetrators discussing matters direct to camera. It would seem that his main objective is to lead the viewer to examine his or her own responses to the drama as it develops. br / br /I was impressed by almost everything about this film: the slow, careful pacing, the remorseless subject matter, the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) involvement of the viewer. The camera work is slow and measured. Shots don't change until there is something new to see. The acting is compelling. br / br /I have a few caveats. br / br /Just when matters are at their most intense, Haneke seems to lose his nerve. He has chances to confront his audience, to say 'Look - you think you disapprove, but you're not looking away, are you?', but occasionally ducks. I wonder, if this film were a new work rather than a remake, whether he would challenge us to look through his villains' eyes even more remorselessly. To ask even more bluntly, 'who are you rooting for, here? Yeah? Why are you so mesmerised by this bit, then?' br / br /Also, there are moments where our suspension of disbelief is directly attacked for what I felt was insufficient reason. I won't go into detail - watch the film and you'll see what I mean. br / br /These, however, are minor criticisms. It's a terrific piece of work by director and actors alike. I'm still not sure I enjoyed it, but I nevertheless consider the purchase price to be money wonderfully well spent. My favourite film of 2007 August 15, 2008 B. Rees (Newcastle, UK) 1 out of 5 found this review helpful I'd say you definitely have to be the right kind of person to enjoy this film. Personally, I thought it was fantastic. For those who enjoy anything a bit artsy, or a bit bizarre, this is for you. Give it a chance, I don't think enough people did. And if you enjoy it, it's worth seeing the original too. Very uncomfortable! January 23, 2009 Mrs. Sharon L. Lawson (London, England, UK) 0 out of 2 found this review helpful I caught this on Film Four last night and (not knowing it was a remake) the plot synopsis got my attention. br / br /Turned out a very good, gripping and chilling film! The moment the 'egg collector' appeared in the kitchen, I already felt unease at the awkwardness of the situation. It was superbly acted by all involved and is one of the most uncomfortable films I've seen since 'The Exorcist'. The utterly twisted mental/physical torture of the family was awful to watch, that's how good it was. br / br /I would definately recommend it to those who haven't seen the original or else it would cause you to make a comparison rather than simply enjoy it. br / br /Mind you, what added a bit of lightheartedness to the film was how the brothers both reminded me of the guy 'Tubes' from Sky TV's 'Soccer AM' Saturday morning programme! funny games April 2, 2009 K. Winter 0 out of 3 found this review helpful i really loved this film, it never ended how i expected it to,and i thought it was quiet scary to think it could happen to you and what would you do in that situation. Showing reviews 1-5 of 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next »

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