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The Hungover Games

The Hungover Games (2014)

Feb 01, 2014 1h 26m Comedy

Each year, drunk people are selected to participate in torturous games the morning after a big night out. There's no sunglasses, no water, and no headache medicine. "The Hungover Games," a film that manages to merge the premises of both "The Hunger Games" and "The Hangover" and throw in references to "Ted," "Django Unchained," "The Lord of the Rings," "Carrie," "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and whatever else crossed the writers' fevered brains during the probably very drunken "development process."

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Directed by Josh Stolberg

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Josh Stolberg
Producer
  • Steven Small
  • Jim Busfield
  • Jamie Kennedy
  • Ash R. Shah
  • Ben Feingold

Reviews

Kamurai
3/10

Trash watch, won't watch again, and can't recommend.

If you're expecting this to be an actual movie and make any sort of sense whatsoever, then be disappointed. Honestly, I'm just thankful there was ANY amount of continuity to this.

This is literally a movie version of "hold my beer, I've got a funny bit to show you" it would have saved a lot of time and actually been funnier if you cut everything before the start of the games and just had random movie characters interacting with each other...or just do the whole thing as a sketch comedy compilation, which is closer to what it is than anything else.

This includes some of the weirdest opinions I've ever seen shown through movie. Jamie Kennedy does two different impression roles that seem to make statements on actual people, characters share names with the actual people that portrayed the characters, they gave Ted a dick (which he specifically didn't have, as part of his character) and made him giant sized, I think they slandered the Muppets, they took shots at Gandalf and Thor (both of whom would stalemate in these games), they shoehorned in an Obama joke, they did a "sassy black girl" character for Roe, but must have decided it wasn't racist enough so they did a bad voice over so she could still look (sort of) like Roe but have a Queen Latifah sized attitude, they specifically included "gratuitous" nudity but then have actual gratuitous nudity so they're clearly not going for anything clever there.

If you just want to turn your brain off and go, "HAHA, Zach Galifinikas is getting it on with the blue chick from Avatar!", then maybe the above is actually going to sell you on the movie, but I honestly think this is a nightmare for anyone who is going to look past the inclusion of hot chicks and vague movie refrences.

Sep 13, 2020

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Thematic Analysis

The Hungover Games represents a fascinating example of Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.

Director Josh Stolberg brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2014, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The Hungover Games took approximately 18 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 86 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 136 minutes long.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 3 weeks before filming began.
  • The film contains approximately 1592 individual shots.
  • The musical score contains over 53 unique compositions.

Historical Context

  • In 2014, when this film is released:
  • Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
  • Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

While The Hungover Games shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike They Call Me Trinity, which focuses more on action than character development, The Hungover Games subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Zelig and This Is Spinal Tap explore similar territory, The Hungover Games stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: February 1, 2014
  • Runtime: 1h 26m

Where to Watch

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads

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