By Markus Tschiedert
The scary film “Five Night’s at Freddy’s” continues to top the German cinema charts. But there is certainly a change coming this week.
With “The Marvels”, another comic book adaptation is coming to the screen – a guarantee for high viewership. But it’s also worth taking a look at the other reboots. The far more interesting stories can actually be found there.
“The Marvels” – female power in space
THE STORY: On a planet, villain Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) comes into possession of a bracelet that gives her power. She lacks the second to be able to dominate the universe. However, it is on the arm of young Kamala (Iman Vellani). She is an ardent fan of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), with whom she can suddenly teleport. So the teenager finds himself in space while the superheroine ends up in the children’s room. Astronaut Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) is also affected.
THE STARS: As Captain Marvel, Oscar winner Brie Larson (“Room”) brought over a billion dollars into the box office in 2019. Iman Vellani previously played her role in the series “Ms. Marvel” and expands it further here. Likewise Teyonah Parris, who first appeared in the series “WandaVision”.
Iman Vellan, Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris in the new Marvel adventure Photo: Marvel
THE DIRECTOR: Nia DaCosta has already celebrated success with her feature film debut “Little Woods” and the horror thriller “Candyman”.
BG rating: The computer-animated space battles are of course a blast. Unfortunately, that’s not enough for a completely successful superhero film. The characters remain pale and you can’t really follow the silly plot if you don’t know the series (105 min., free for ages 12 and up).
“A Whole Life” – A man and his fate
THE STORY: Even as an orphan, Andreas Egger (Stefan Gorski) experienced a lot of suffering. As an adult, he is an outsider but earns the love of a woman and a cabin in the mountains. But Egger is repeatedly struck by blows of fate. During the Second World War he was taken prisoner at the front. Only as an old man does Egger (August Zirner) reflect on his life.
THE STARS: Stefan Gorski, who lives in Berlin, comes from Vienna and began his career in the theater. After supporting roles in “Silent Reserves” and “Contra”, he passed his first leading role in the cinema with flying colors. August Zirner has been in the film business for over 40 years. Successes were celebrated with, among others, “City Talk”, “Bella Martha” and “The Fälscher”.
Impressive view Photo: Tobis
THE DIRECTOR: Hans Steinbichler already received a lot of praise and awards for his feature film debut “Hierankl”. In 2016 he filmed “The Diary of Anne Frank”.
BG RATING: A huge mountain drama has been created based on Robert Seethaler’s successful novel. You experience the wars and catastrophes of the 20th century from a human perspective. This is captivating and emotionally touching at the same time, making everyone think again about their own existence (116 min., free for ages 12 and up).
The special film: “Miss Holocaust Survival”
THE STORY: 12 women between the ages of 77 and 95 take part in a beauty contest organized for them in Haifa: they all survived the Holocaust. Some find it absurd, others understand what it’s really about. The competition is seen as worship. The older women should be celebrated, and with them survival and life itself.
THE STARS: Both Rita Kasimiv-Brown and Tova Ringer are highlighted. Both talk about the horrors of their childhood. Today Rita paints pictures, Tova, at almost 100, still trains in the gym every day.
THE DIRECTOR: Radek Wegrzyn was born in Gdansk, but grew up in Hanover and studied at the Konrad Wolf Film University in Babelsberg.
BG RATING: The camera is always there when the ladies talk to each other, get dressed up and walk across the stage. This works with a lot of self-irony. The moments are all the more depressing when the women talk about the past and their suffering becomes tangible with corresponding images (87 min., free for ages 12 and up).