I just finished watching season 1 of The Wire, and I am glad I stuck with the series. Crime dramas have always been hard for me to get into since there are so many areas of interest covered that I know nothing about; the main ideas never go over my head, but much of what the characters talk about comes out like a foreign language. Legal jargon and street-talk don't make very much sense to me, and that can be discouraging to viewers who don't know any of the characters yet. This is one of the reasons why I don't watch heist/drug/cop movies. You have to be patient to watch a show like The Wire, but it's more rewarding than any other drama I've seen in a long time, possibly ever. My only complaint is Dominic West's terrible American accent, but otherwise he does a good job as the show's lead.
In case you were curious: the American version of Funny Games is exactly the same as the Austrian original, except with English-speaking actors and cell phones and I think the kid was playing a PSP at the beginning. That's it. Same setting, same script, same shots, same score. It felt like I was watching one of my favorite movies all over again, except I wasn't reading subtitles. Was it superfluous? I'm not sure. Ultimately, I think not because from what I understand the original was Michael Haneke's response to American movie audience's thirst for violence so it could be that, if anything, we didn't need the original. Funny Games is, without question, one of the most disturbing major films ever made but having seen the original so many times, I didn't watch the remake with the same sense of terror and shock as I had so many years ago. I watched the new version as a fan of Haneke and his work, so I, perhaps to his chagrin, was largely entertained with the film and found the experience to be a delight. I certainly hope, however, that audiences new to Funny Games won't exactly feel the same way. In any case, I would recommend the English version to those who speak English and haven't seen the original and to hardcore Haneke fans such as myself. If you've seen the original and didn't think much of it, you won't think much of this one either.
I haven't been as depressed as I used to be (thanks to being so busy), but I definitely have less hope than I ever have. Sorry Obama 2008, ya'll can't save me now. (Just kidding: the elections are a joke no matter who wins). See what I mean?