DVD Review: Funny Games

Ann and George (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) take their son for what they believe to be relaxing vacation in a quiet country home, but soon find themselves in mortal danger as a pair of preppy strangers knock on the door and immediately take the family hostage. As the family struggles to stay alive, the sadistic visitors subject their prisoners to a series of unimaginable terrors over the course of one blood-curdling night.

Review:
We’ve all seen the wave of torture porn movies (“Saw”, “Hostel”, “Captivity”, and “Wolf Creek”). Let’s not forget the “masked men in the night” movies (“Friday the 13th”, “Halloween”, and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”). Today’s standards need new and constantly evolving ways of frightening people. Let’s give home invasion a run for the money. In the tradition of “Vacancy,” and “The Strangers” (currently in theaters,) the movie “Funny Games” grabs you tight and doesn’t let go. It is not extremely violent. There isn’t a lot of gore. When you watch two young men hold a couple and their son hostage in their own summer home, you can’t help but ask yourself what you would do in that situation.

It’s the perfect length, and has the precise amount of chills and thrills. I truly think this movie would have done great in the cinema if the distributors had done more than a limited release. Naomi Watts and Tim Roth are both excellent in their performances as the captive husband and wife. Definitely check this movie out. Just make sure you shut out the lights…

Review by Charlie Giltenboth

Grade: B-
Official site: http://www.funnygames-themovie.com/
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