Movie Man
When film critic Will Pfeifer isn’t watching movies, he’s reading about movies, talking about movies, thinking about movies or dreaming about movies. Now he shares that unhealthy obsession with you. From Hollywood hits to Japanese obscurities, from Oscar night to the summer season, he’s got movies on the brain — and on this blog.

Archive for March 21st, 2008

Not ‘Funny’ ha ha, ‘Funny’ strange

4 comments March 21st, 2008

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Today, FUNNY GAMES opens in Rockford (at Colonial Village Art, specifically). It’s a remake of a 1997 Austrian film by the same director (Michael Haneke) and features the same plot (mom, dad and son are tormented by two young men wearing white) and look (most of the violence occurs offscreen). The only difference this time is the presence of a few name actors (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth play mom and dad; Michael Pitt plays one of the young men) and the fact that it’s in English.

It’s also one of the strangest movies to come to a Rockford theater in a long, long time. I haven’t seen it, but I know the plot and, more importantly, I know the plot twists. Anyone who strolls into this one thinking they’re going to sit back and see another SAW is in for a surprise. A big one.

So here’s my request: If you see FUNNY GAMES, whether you love it, hate it or are indifferent, stop by this site and post your reaction in the comments. I’m dying to hear what people think. Also, even if you don’t see it, let me know what the strangest movie you’ve ever seen in a Rockford theater is — something miles away from the usual COLLEGE ROAD TRIP, SEMI-PRO, DRILLBIT TAYLOR fare. I remember watching THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER at Colonial Village way back in 1990 and having a hard time believing what I was seeing on the big screen. Good movie, but odd. Darned odd.