Run Lola Run (1998)

 

I remember liking this film a lot more 25 years ago. Watching it again, I found myself annoyed at the editing. We get it, Lola runs!! The novelty at seeing three overlapping timelines isn’t enough to compensate for the lack of story development. 

Rating: C

I’m Your Man (Ich bin dein Mensch) (2021)

 

German lady takes a robotic companion for a test drive to study the ethics of introducing AI-lovers into society. It’s actually pretty charming. 

Rating: C+

Winter Sleepers (1997)

An early Tom Tykwer film released before Run Lola Run. While his potential is evident throughout the movie, I wasn't moved like I was in his other films. My least favorite of his so far.

Rating: C-

Our Daily Bread (Unser täglich Brot) (2005)

A German documentary without any narration or commentary. Stylistically interesting, but sometimes a bit confusing because you weren’t sure what was happening on screen. For those few of us that are fascinated with where our food comes from and how it’s processed, this is a film worth seeing.

Rating: C

The Reader (2008)

A frisky German indie for the literate crowd. Kate looks terrible in this, but she's fantastic as always. The movie was alright.

Rating: C

Pina (2011)

I’m simply not that into dance, so this documentary about German choreographer Pina Bausch wasn’t that interesting to me. In fact, I fast forwarded through most of it. There was some nice music, and I can appreciate the set designs, but I’m not the target audience for this kind of thing.

Rating: D-

Bandits (1997)

This is a German film about jailed girl rockers on the lam. It's entertaining at times, but looks like it was cheaply made without enough attention paid to the script. Go see Prey For Rock & Roll with Gina Gershon instead.

Rating: C-

North Face (Nordwand) (2008)

An authentic, gritty film about German climbers attempting a first accent on a nearly unscalable mountain face. Why people do this I'll never understand. Very tense and believable. Almost painful to watch at times. Well made.

Rating: B-

The Tunnel (Der Tunnel) (2001)

Apparently this was a made for TV movie, but I would never have known unless I looked it up online after watching the film. A tense and emotional story based on real events and people who escaped from East Berlin under the Berlin Wall. It could have used a bit more trimming in the editing room, but overall it was very well made. I enjoyed it.

Rating: C+

The White Ribbon (Das Weiße Band) (2009)

I don’t usually go out of my way to watch black and white German films about small villages, but this one received rave reviews, so I gave it a shot. The story builds slowly, with developed characters and subtle clues to the mystery at hand. I sometimes forget how I can get pulled into a film through quality storytelling, without the use of eye popping color and booming sound effects.

In the end, things are left unexplained, which is especially frustrating to me. I like plots tied up in a bow before the credits roll. I’m a completionist. Despite some unanswered questions, I can’t deny that it was a powerful film crafted by a very competent hand. Still, I would rate it higher if I felt completely satisfied at the end, but I did not.

Rating: B-

Downfall (Der Untergang) (2004)

A historical German film about the final days of Hitler and the Nazis. Very well done. Adolf and his followers were a bunch of loonies. Kind of fun watching his dreams crumble to pieces all around him.

Rating: C+

The Lives Of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) (2006)

A lot of hype surrounding this German film, and I have to say, it lives up to it. Slowly you will find yourself caring way more than you ever thought you would about a Stasi interrogator. A very good historical drama.

Rating: B

The Princess and the Warrior (Der Krieger und die Kaiserin) (2000)

Another film from Tom Tykwer, of Run Lola Run fame, starring the same red headed actress. Having seen two of his previous movies, I think I can safely say this guy is fantastic. His camera work, editing, and direction are so unique and creative. He has a way of sucking you in and messing with your emotions.

Rating: B-

Nowhere In Africa (Nirgendwo In Afrika) (2001)

A remarkable German film set in Kenya that succeeds in telling a compelling story as well as showing the beauty of Africa. Absolutely gorgeous cinematography. Acting is top notch. A must see foreign film.

Rating: B+