By Markus Tschiedert
As expected, the “Minions” immediately climbed to number 1 in the German cinema charts with their second part. However, only with 450,000 tickets solved, which is far below expectations. The summer weather doesn’t keep people flocking to the cinemas.
“Thor” also has to worry about this week. The Marvel hero faces divine competition in his fourth solo feature film. Elyas M’Barek also wants to be a cinema god in the comedy “Liebesdings”, while old master Woody Allen quotes old classics in “Rifkin’s Festival”.
So this week seems to have something for everyone.
“Thor: Love & Thunder” – It’s hard to be a god
THE STORY: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) travels through space with the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to save worlds. But the son of the gods gets into a crisis of meaning that ends quickly when Gorr (Christian Bale) enters the scene. He wants to cleanse the universe of gods and also kidnaps the children of New Asgard, Thor’s new home.
THE STARS: For the ninth time, Chris Hemsworth embodies the Nordic god of thunder. In between he hunted racers (“Rush”), whales (“In the Heart of the Sea”) and aliens (“Men in Black: International”). Christian Bale was already a superhero (“The Dark Knight”) on the road before he received the Oscar for “The Fighter”. Natalie Portman (“Black Swan”), who rises to superheroine status here as ‘The Mighty Thor’, has it too, while Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”) shines in his role as Zeus.
THE DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi directed Thor’s third solo film, Day of Decision, which was so well received that it was brought back for Thor: Love & Thunder. In 2020 he received an Oscar for the screenplay for “Jojo Rabbit”.
BG RATING: With his anarchic humor, Waititi brought a breath of fresh air to the “Thor” universe in 2017. This time it falls on his feet. Many gags seem forced this time and even overshadow the dramaturgical highlights. What remains are the special effects when moving from one battle to the next. But even that tires you soon (119 min., free from the age of 12).
“Love things” – Elyas M’Barek is the biggest star in Germany
Elyas M Barek and Lucie Heinze do their “love things” Photo: Rental
THE STORY: Marvin Bosch (Elyas M’Barek) is Germany’s biggest film star. But his star threatens to sink after a press scandal. Chased by the gossip reporter Bettina Bamberger (Alexandra Maria Lara), he hides in a feminist off-theatre, of all places, where he falls in love with the director Frieda (Lucie Heinze).
THE STARS: Elyas M’Barek practically plays himself here. He already played the cool woman seducer in “Fack ju Göhte”, but also celebrated successes with “The Perfect Secret” and “Nightlife”. He was already in front of the camera with Alexandra Maria Lara for “Der Fall Colloni”. Lucie Heinze (“Mother Quits”) studied at the Ernst Busch Drama School and has lived in Berlin ever since.
THE DIRECTOR: As a screenwriter (“Keinohrhasen”), Anika Decker got a foothold in the German film business. In 2015 she sat down in the director’s chair for “Traumfrauen” for the first time. After “High Society” “Liebesdings” is her third directing work.
BG RATING: Setting a romantic comedy in a feminist-queer environment is definitely a good idea. It’s just a pity that the chemistry between M’Barek and Heinze isn’t really right (99 min., free from the age of 12).
“Rifkin’s Festival” – Woody Allen’s declaration of love for the cinema
Former film teacher Mort Rifkin (Wallace Shawn) and his young wife Sue (Gina Gershon) in the new Woddy Allen Photo: Filmwelt distribution agency
THE STORY: Former film teacher Mort Rifkin (Wallace Shawn) loves the cinema. His young wife Sue (Gina Gershon) is a PR agent assigned to promote a new film at the San Sebastian film festival. When she only has eyes for the director, Rifkin fears for his marriage.
THE STARS: In the 1980s, Wallace Shawn became known for films such as “Dinner with André” and “The Princess Bride”. He made several films with Woody Allen, including the films “Manhattan”, “Radio Days” and “Shadow and Fog”. Gina Gershon was at the peak of her career in the ’90s with Showgirls and Bound.
THE DIRECTOR: Woody Allen’s “Rifkin’s Festival” was created in 2020. After renewed allegations of abuse against his adopted daughter, the filmmaker ended up in the poison cupboard, but is now coming to the cinema, albeit only in the original with German subtitles. Allen (86) has been in film for 60 years, he was nominated 20 times for an Oscar, won it for “The City Neurotic” and “Hannah and Her Sisters”.
BG RATING: “Rifkin’s Festival” is a declaration of love to Allen’s great role models such as Bergman, Godard and Fellini. Shawn Wallace plays Allen’s alter ego, who doubts life and love. All this is not new. It seems Allen stopped evolving in old age (92 mins, accessible for ages 12+).
The special film: “Four Walls for Two”
Lola (Kiti Mánver) has “grown” with the apartment, a problem for new resident Sarah (Juana Acosta) Photo: 24 Bilder Film GmbH
THE STORY: Fed up with marriage, Sarah (Juana Acosta) is looking for her own home. A 100 square meter apartment in Seville has made the conservative business woman. The home is actually for sale, but with one condition. The previous owner Lola (Kiti Mánver) has negotiated a lifelong right of residence. Now the unconventional Lola is very old, but she doesn’t want to end her life anytime soon.
THE STARS: We know the Colombian Juana Acosta from “Carlos – The Jackal” and “The Abyss – On the Edge of Truth”. The Spaniard Kiti Mánver has often appeared in front of the camera for Pedro Almodóvar, including “Women on the verge of nervous breakdowns” and “Broken hugs”.
THE DIRECTOR: After several short films, the Spanish actor Bernabé Rico makes his feature film debut with “Four Walls for Two” based on the play “100 square meters” by Juan Carlos Rubio.
BG RATING: A lively tragic comedy about the approach of two women who couldn’t be more different. This results in dubious entanglements that put you in a good mood. Because in the end, joie de vivre wins (94 min., free from the age of 6).
Cinema for kids: “Alfons Zitterbacke – Finally a class trip!”
Alfons Zitterbacke (Luis Vorbach) has gotten bigger and older – but the problems with his fellow human beings are no less Photo: X Rental
THE STORY: Everything goes wrong in the life of Alfons Zitterbacke (Luis Vorbach). When the school trip is coming up, his mother (Alexandra Maria Lara) takes him to the bus almost too late, and then Alfons gets on in his pyjamas. He is secretly in love with Leonie (Leni Deschner). The laughing stock of the class, he has to come up with a few tricks to win her heart.
THE STARS: The now 16-year-old Luis Vorbach has already appeared in “The Little Witch” and “The Perfect Secret” and plays Alfons for the first time. Alexandra Maria Lara played the mother in “Alfons Zitterbacke – Das Chaos ist zurück” and is also in “Liebesdings” this week. Her husband Sam Riley (“Rubbeldiekatz”) also plays her partner here.
THE DIRECTOR: Mark Schlichter shot an episode of “Schimanski” with Götz George in 1998. In addition to other “Tatort” episodes, he made his cinema debut in 2004 with “Cowgirl”. In 2019 the first “Alfons Zitterbacke” movie was made.
BG SCORING: In the GDR, Alfons Zitterbacke was a cult figure who fortunately survived. Now we’re seeing him in his teens (hence the change in actors) with the heartache and fun of that age. A turbulent youth film was developed from this, which also makes older semesters smile (91 min., free from 0).
