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Reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Magical, fabulous, and wonderfully old fashioned
I can only recommend it to those young, and the young-at-heart. If you like classic Fantasy - from the likes of Tolkien, Lloyd Alexander or the very Mr. C. S. Lewis - you must not miss it. Not only is it quite true to the book's words, but it is IMHO also true to it's spirit. There are two or three minor changes, but they really are so minor they do not affect the story or your viewing pleasure. The cast is very good, the FX are precisely there when they are needed - and only then. The dialog seems at times a little bit modernized, but not so much as to spoil the 1940's/1950's feel. Without spoilers, I cannot say much more. See for yourselves.
Die letzte Schlacht (2005)
The last days of Berlin, 1945
MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS (DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU CALL SPOILERS...) This Docutainmentfilm was aired on German TV in the wake of "Der Untergang (Downfall)", but it does not stand in the bigger production's shadow. Instead, it delivers a more, how can one put it, overall view of the last days of the battle for Berlin. The Führer is only shown once or twice, but that doesn't matter. "Die letzte Schlacht" is more about the fate of ordinary people anyway. You have acted scenes juxtaposed to interviews with the "real" people portrayed. We have Berlin women, telling of the arrival of the Russian troops, including some of the atrocities they committed as well as pointing at the decent Russians, who treated the defeated Germans well. We have one German Jew, who joined the Red Army and came back to Berlin as a Lieutenant, and another one, who luckily was released from the SS Prison shortly before the Battle ended. The film ends with some of the actors telling us about what became of the people they portrayed.
All in all, quite interesting, and an excellent counterpart to "Downfall".
You Don't Know Jack (1995)
You think you have the answers to everything? Wrong!
YDKJ is the kind of game the world really does not need - but precisely because of that, it is so much fun. You are one of one to three guests of a virtual TV-game show, hosted by a guy called "Cookie". By answering up to 21 questions, you earn virtual money and - provided you are good enough - enter the high score list. The questions are about quite a lot of stuff, from biblical curiosities to Star Trek trivia. A lot of questions are about sexual "oddities", so players should be 16 years or older.
If you are good at this game - well, you know a lot of otherwise useless stuff, and if you are not good, well, you don't know jack ;-)
Der bewegte Mann (1994)
Funny and enjoyable, regardless of sexual orientation
This movie is an example of how good comedy made in Germany can be. Young actors (back then the upcoming new German stars), funny, yet believable situations and characters which have not been overdone or seem crude. No matter if gay or straight, if you are not biased against German comedy (or maybe even if you are, and rightly so), watch this one. If you liked "In And Out" and "The Birdcage", you will surely like "Der Bewegte Mann". Maybe it's not as glamorous or exalted like it's US counterparts - after all, we are conservative here ;-) - it's still worth watching. My rating: 8.5 out of 10.
Kidnapped (1978)
Well done, good family entertainment
The intriguing story of a young man in search of his home through Scotland during English occupation. Young David Balfour travels through the Highlands to get back what's his, all the time hiding from the English and meeting all kinds of people. The series includes a remarkable piping contest - quite funny - which leads me to the musical score: The title melody is hauntingly beautiful. It reminds you of great Celtic folklore, songs like Amazing Grace or Danny Boy. If you get the chance: watch it, it's truly worthwhile.
If you like it, I'll recommend "Matt and Jenny" from about the same time. A Canadian TV production about two children in search for their parents through Canada.