Despite the spring weather, the cinemas were able to achieve respectable success. “The Batman” is still enthroned at number 1 in the German cinema charts. The best newcomer was the animated film “Die Gangster Gang” in second place, followed by the adventure “Uncharted”.
The most promising candidate for making the top 3 is certainly Michael Bay’s action storm “Ambulance”. The German comedy “JGA: Jasmin. gina Anna.” could have a chance with appropriate word of mouth. All other newcomers are more likely to conquer the art house cinemas.
“Ambulance” – never-ending chase
THE STORY: In order to pay for surgery for his seriously ill wife, Will (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) needs financial support. His adoptive brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) talks him into a bank robbery that goes terribly wrong. The brothers kidnap an ambulance being pursued by the police across Los Angeles.
THE STARS: Jake Gyllenhaal was already in front of the camera as a child (“City Slickers”) and made his breakthrough with Roland Emmerich’s “The Day After Tomorrow”. As a villain, he already convinced in “Nightcrawler” and “Spider-Man: Far from Home”. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Watchmen”) was last seen in the SF film “Matrix Resurrections”, which was shot in Babelsberg.
THE DIRECTOR: Michael Bay is known for lavish action scenarios and battle scenes like “Bad Boys”, “Transformers” and “Pearl Harbor”.
BG RATING: “Ambulance” starts out promising. The driving sound and the unleashed camera completely captivate the audience up to the bank robbery. As soon as the gangsters flee through LA in the stolen ambulance, the chase just doesn’t want to stop and a number of logic holes open up (136 min., free from the age of 16).
“JGA: Jasmine. gina Anna.” – Three girls falling down
THE STORY: Jasmin (Luise Heyer), Gina (Taneshia Abt) and Anna (Teres Rizos) booked a trip to Ibiza for their friend shortly before their wedding. But the bride cancels, which doesn’t stop the three from going anyway to really let it rip. But they are pursued by misfortune. Money gone, suitcases stolen and a lot of fake guys.
THE STARS: The Berliner Luise Heyer has already demonstrated her comedic talent in “Generation Relationship Unable”, but also convinces in serious roles (“Close-up”). Taneshia Abt (“Nightlife”) is also from Berlin. Teres Rizos (“Dahoam”) from Munich is also a cabaret artist.
THE DIRECTOR: Alireza Golafshan landed a hit in 2019 with his first feature film “Goldfische”. He also wrote the screenplay for “JGA” himself.
BG RATING: What initially feels like a silly teen comedy turns out to be very different. Funny twists and three good-humored leading actresses guarantee fun that goes deeper and repeatedly negotiates true love (119 min., free from 12).
“Jujutsu Kaisen 0” – In the kingdom of evil spirits
THE STORY: Ever since Yūta witnessed the death of his friend Rika, who was the same age, as a child, she has accompanied him as a kind of cursed spirit. In order to free himself from this, he is admitted to the Jujutsu Academy in Tokyo. Because the world is full of powerful curses, and there are evil magicians who want to awaken and abuse them for their own purposes.
THE STARS: For the German dubbing, Daniel Zillmann could be engaged as the speaker of a panda. The Berliner is also successful in film (“The Kangaroo Chronicles”) and in the theater (“A weak heart”, Volksbühne). Charlotte Uhlig has specialized in dubbing roles and is the voice actress for a number of manga series such as “Parasyte” or “Haikyu!!”.
THE DIRECTOR: Seong-ho Par has contributed to the television series of the same name in 2020. He ventured his first directing steps for “Pokémon Generations”.
BG RATING: You have to be an admirer of Japanese manga to go here. An abstruse fantasy world with innumerable creatures that is not accessible to everyone. An often even violent cartoon that is definitely not suitable for children (105 min., free from 16).
The special film: “Tove”
THE STORY: Her father thinks she’s a failure, and Tove Jansson (Alma Pöysti) doesn’t think she’s a gifted draftswoman either. But when the Finn painted little hippos called Moomins in 1945, they became a huge success. But that’s not enough for Tove, especially since she doesn’t know what to do privately either. She loves both a man and a woman.
THE STARS: In 2014, Alma Pöysti already took on a speaking role for the animated film “The Moomins on the Rivera”. In Germany, the Finn has already been seen in the TV film “Vuosaari”. Co-star Krista Kosonen previously starred in Blade Runner 2049 and is currently on the series Beforeeigners.
THE DIRECTOR: After several short films, Zaida Bergroth made her first feature film in 2009 with “Skavabölen pojat”. With “Tove” she reaches German cinemas for the first time.
BG RATING: A cinematic memorial to the Finnish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson (1914-2001), who was rather unhappy about having had success ‘only’ with the Moomins. A sad life in itself – sensitively staged and touching the heart (107 min., free from the age of 12).
Cinema for kids: “C’mon C’mon”
THE STORY: As a radio journalist, Johnny (Joaquín Phoenix) travels the United States and asks children about their wishes and dreams. To help his sister, he offers to look after their son Jesse (Woody Norman) for a while. Johnny takes the nine-year-old on his next trip. A trust develops that is otherwise only found between father and son.
THE STARS: Since his Oscar for “Joker”, Joaquin Phoenix has had almost the freedom to fool himself and has opted for a much quieter film with “Come On, Come On”. Woody Norman, now 13, previously played Benedict Cumberbatch’s son in Edison.
THE DIRECTOR: Mike Mills began his career with music videos for Moby, Sonic Youth and Yoko Ono. At the 2005 Berlinale, he presented his first feature film, Thumbsucker.
BG RATING: A film of good feelings that strives for authenticity, but dramaturgically falls a little short. One marvels at the beautiful black-and-white photography, one enjoys listening to the intimate conversations, but in the end everything is too nice to get more out of it (114 min., free for ages 6 and up).