Thanks for the discussion about Funny Games. I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before I watched it. In fact, I'd never even seen a the trailer. So, all I had to go on was the DVD case, which meant that my context was "most terrifying movie I've ever seen" and "profoundly disturbing." Admittedly, I was expecting lots of disturbing images and shocking scenes. After the dog was killed I knew that the movie was not going to be that. Other directors would have taken that opportunity to roll the dog's head through the door (e.g. Fear) or have some other sort of graphic image. Funny Games merely has quiet and an un-hit golf ball.
Of all the DVDs that John lent to me, this one seemed most palatable to my sister. While I am not a fan of thrillers or horror movies at all (though I'm still looking for the rare gems in the genre if you know any), she does like them. This movie was so unlike the Saw series, which are some of her favorites, that she really was put off by it. I kept looking for something but in the end found the movie to just not be that fun.
However, viewing it from the context you place it in, I can appreciate it more. I did enjoy when Paul addressed the audience. I also loved the scene in the boat when he kisses the wife and dumps her overboard. Ironically, it brought a smile to my face. Is that sick? My expectations were constantly defied at every turn.
As far as Funny Games goes, I would not say that I hated it. I mentioned previously that I did enjoy some of the things going on in it. However, I feel like I should be on board with you and your love of the movie...but I just can not. I do not necessarily look for movies to have a "point" or to be "moralistic" either. There is a certain beauty in telling a story just for the sake of telling a story. Though, of course, this movie probably does have a point...even if it is just to be subversive and challenge audiences expectations. Sorry for that rather reductive and amateurish analysis but I am not sure how else to put it.
I am a bit curious about something else you mentioned. Not to put you on the spot but what do you mean by you are more Nietzschean? Especially, how would that inform your movie-watching and the films that you enjoy? Are there certain films that you think are "Nietzschean?" I ask because I am genuinely interested in this. I am currently going through a bit of a crisis relating to my future (don't worry, this is something I do on a semi-regular basis) and the PhD program I might be heading into this fall is looking less and less appealing than, say, the Philosophy, Interpretation and Culture program at BU (or some similar interdisciplinary program elsewhere).
Also, I think the Haneke film that I'm most interested is Time of the Wolf. And I've been meaning to watch Inside Job for a while now but I think I'm still a little mad that it beat out Gasland at the Oscars, which would have been huge for raising awareness of a really important issue. Not saying that Inside Job doesn't deal with an important topic but I feel like Gasland could really have an effect on people and that this is still something we can stop if enough people get angry about it.
Also, I think the Haneke film that I'm most interested is Time of the Wolf. And I've been meaning to watch Inside Job for a while now but I think I'm still a little mad that it beat out Gasland at the Oscars, which would have been huge for raising awareness of a really important issue. Not saying that Inside Job doesn't deal with an important topic but I feel like Gasland could really have an effect on people and that this is still something we can stop if enough people get angry about it.
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Lisa:
I have had The Vicious Kind in my NWI queue for a while but still have not watched it. Adam Scott is great and he looks pretty awesome with that beard. After reading what you wrote, I can't decide if I should watch it or not. I kind of want to but I also fear that I might just have the same reaction as you. Much like you I love to watch indie films though I have not been seeing many lately. I think that you will probably change this.
Have you seen any of these?
I have had The Vicious Kind in my NWI queue for a while but still have not watched it. Adam Scott is great and he looks pretty awesome with that beard. After reading what you wrote, I can't decide if I should watch it or not. I kind of want to but I also fear that I might just have the same reaction as you. Much like you I love to watch indie films though I have not been seeing many lately. I think that you will probably change this.
Have you seen any of these?
- Fish Tank
- Starting Out in the Evening
- The Exploding Girl
- Tiny Furniture
- Crashing
- Incendiary
- Good Dick
- Wendy and Lucy
- Dakota Skye
- Ink
- Flannel Pajamas
- We Don't Live Here Anymore
- The Tracey Fragments
- 9 Songs
I thought that (500) Days of Summer was pretty good. I know that Jeffrey included it in his Top Ten of 2009. I'm not sure I would venture that far but Zooey Deschanel is just so adorable that I can't fault him for it. Have you seen The Go Getter? How about Gigantic?
And don't worry, now that the first post is done, it gets easier.
4 comments:
About the Nietzschean comment. I just meant that personally I am not a nihilist. I have a more Nietzschean attitude towards morality, meaning, and value. Like Nietzsche, I believe in creating my own values, instead of just negating all value. That comment had nothing to do with how I view movies or art, it was just a personal clarification. I didn't want you to think I was a nihilist haha.
I'm glad you like certain parts of Funny Games, but I can understand your not being in love with it.
You should watch Time of the Wolf and let me know what you think though. I like it. It will probably challenge your expectations just like Funny Games.
Ok, I see what you mean. I probably read a bit of something else into it.
Time of the Wolf will eventually get watched. Unfortunately, it is not available on NWI, which puts a serious time-lag on when I can get to it. Right now I have The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie at home. I know that's one of your favorites.
Awesome. I love the Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. It's really amusing. If you enjoy absurdity, you'll probably like it too.
Also, I forgot to mention that I totally agree about Gasland. That is also a critically important film that deserves as much attention as Inside Job.
And, are you fan of Nietzsche? Is that why you asked more about that? I think he's great, but I would have no idea how to describe a film as "Nietzschean." That would be difficult and could mean anything. It's an interesting idea though, and it is something I should think more about.
I read a lot of Nietzsche as an undergrad. I was a Philosophy and PPL major at BU - though, oddly enough, all my Nietzsche was consumed outside of class. I would consider Thus Spake Zarathustra an incredibly important book in my life, especially at the time that I read it.
I did a quick search for Nietzsche and film. This was the first hit:
http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0013.html
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