By Markus Tschiedert
Martin Scorsese’s screen epic “Killers of the Flower Moon” has landed at number 1 in the German cinema charts! This week Michael Fassbender is in the running as “The Killer”.
It remains to be seen whether it will reach the top of the German cinema charts. Because with “New Stories from Pumuckl” one of the most popular cartoon characters returns, which could attract entire families to the cinema.
“The Killer” – killing is his business
THE STORY: In Paris, a nameless contract killer (Michael Fassbender) waits patiently for his victim from the building opposite. But the shot misses. Back in the Dominican Republic, he finds his secret home trashed and his girlfriend in the hospital. Now he wants to hold those responsible accountable. The killing becomes personal.
THE STARS: Michael Fassbender was born in Heidelberg in 1977, the son of a German father. He demonstrated his knowledge of German in “Inglourious Basterds”. Tilda Swinton (“Doctor Strange”) appears as a rival killer.
THE DIRECTOR: David Fincher achieved cult status with the thriller “Seven”. His last film “Gone Girl” was nine years ago. He then made several series and the feature film “Mank” for Netflix.
BG RATING: “The Killer” was also created in co-production with Netflix, but was shown at the Venice Film Festival and is being shown in cinemas in advance. The plot, based on a comic book, is not new, the only interesting thing is the killer’s thoughts spoken off-screen. The climax is a fight – the only action scene in the film (119 min., free from 119).
“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” – The Run for Life
Scene from “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” Photo: Constantine
THE STORY: When Harold Fry (Jim Broadbent) learns that an old friend is dying, he writes her a letter. On the way to the post office he decides differently and just keeps walking. He wants to meet her in person and walks more than 1000 km. His wife (Penelope Wilton) remains behind. The media celebrates Harold as a hero.
THE STARS: In 2001, Jim Broadbent won an Oscar for his role in “Iris.” He filmed several times in Berlin (“Around the World in 80 Days”) and Babelsberg (“Cloud Atlas”). In “Harry Potter” he played Professor Slughorn. Penelope Wilton is known from “Downton Abbey” and she also appeared in “Iris”.
THE DIRECTOR: Hettie Macdonald made her film debut in 1996 with “Beautiful Thing”. After that she worked exclusively for television (“Dr. Who”). Now she made her second film.
BG RATING: A very touching film has been made based on Rachel Joyce’s novel. The British weirdness often makes you smile. But above all, Jim Broadbent is convincing as a man who fights his own demons through his journey (108 min., available for ages 12 and up).
Cinema for kids: “New stories from Pumuckl”
Pumuckl looks like it did back then: Here with Florian Brückner as Master Eder’s nephew in the new series Photo: dpa
THE STORY: Hurray, the Pumuckl is back. But only Florian Eder (Florian Brückner) can see him. Finally, the young carpenter took over his deceased uncle’s workshop, where the little Klabautermann still lives. When visitors come, he makes himself invisible again and cooks up cheeky pranks.
THE STARS: Florian Brückner essentially takes on the role of Gustl Bayrhammer (1922-1993), who played Master Eder in a TV series. Florian appeared alongside his brother Maximilian Brückner in “Räuber Kneißl” in 2008. Pumuckl’s voice comes from Maxi Schafroth (“Whoever believes it will be blessed”), which was adapted to that of Hans Clarin (1929-2005) using AI speech synthesis.
THE DIRECTOR: Marcus H. Rosenmüller wrote “Robber Kneißl” and “Whoever believes it will be blessed”. The Bavarian most recently staged “Trautmann” and “Beckenrandsheriff”.
BG RATING: Attention, these are the first three episodes of a new TV series that will be shown on RTL from December. Nevertheless, going to the cinema is worth it because you are very interested in the old TV series, which dates back over 30 years. Adults will feel nostalgic, children will have great fun (77 mins, free from 0).
The special film: “The Theory of Everything”
“The Theory of Everything” is shot in black and white Photo: New Visions
THE STORY: In 1962, several physicists met for a congress in the Swiss Alps. Johannes Leinert (Jan Bülöw) and his doctoral supervisor (Hanns Zischler) also arrived. At the hotel, Leinert meets the pianist Karin (Olivia Ross). When she disappears and a congress participant is found dead, Leinert believes she is on the trail of a conspiracy.
THE STARS: Jan Bülow is a native of Berlin but lives in Vienna. He became known for “Lindenberg! Do your thing,” where he played the young panic rocker. Hanns Zischler has already worked with Steven Spielberg (“Munich”) and Claude Chabrol (“Dr. M”).
THE DIRECTOR: As a film student, Timm Kröger already attracted attention in 2014 with his graduation film “Zerrumpelt Herz”. He also works as a cameraman (“The Impossible Picture”) and makes documentaries (“Dog Soldiers”).
BG RATING: A mystery thriller made in Germany that stands out with its powerful black and white images and a puzzling story. You have to be very careful to capture all the details. In the end, questions still remain. Maybe you should watch the film several times? (118 mins, free from 6).