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Reviews
People I Know (2002)
Superb !
Honestly I stumbled across this movie in our video store. Great names! Great actors! And never heard of it? Well that got my attention- The movie was not really American -no happy ending - open racism and full of real life virtues. I understand why everyone tried to stop this movie to come to the big screen. It has a potential of annoying people and hurting peoples feelings- but hey! Real life is just that way! And if you have the feeling this movie does not lead anywhere- where does life leads us? I have never seen Al Pacino and Kim Basinger in a better display of talent. And Mr. Schiffer gorgeously plays the Jew who owns half Manhattan. The black people shown in this movie may also be seen as inappropriate- so we have this Al Pacino figure building bridges between cultures, hatred and disillusions- and how is he rewarded? Well this movie is as much real life as it gets- And for those US citizen who love popcorn and cola movie nights it is a real pain. But for the rest it is an Oscar worthy movie, bet your house on that.
Der Eisbär (1998)
Pulp Fiction on steroids...
"Der Eisbar" is by far the greatest surprise in german postwar film production. Directed by the emerging Mr. Till Schweiger, who usually plays the protagonist in many european movies (like the upcoming Star Trek, Star Wars bashing satire from Bulli Herbig after Manitou´s Shoe) Imagine Brad Pitt doing a great road track movie... This work feels like "PULP FICTION" on steroids- Cramped with german TV and movie stars this movie blows a heavy punch. It has everything from satire, jokes below the belt -absolutely political incorrect, fast cut scenes, a furious and hilarious plot (the killing of the "Minister of Health" -the mafia mob boss). Anybody outside Germany will have dramatic problems understanding those jokes due to the appearance of well known german faces (like the american diner boss -the star comedian Tom Gerhardt and the country song idol Peter Maffay). Even if you are not acquainted with the star parade, the story is wonderfully told. The whole thing resembles a half breed- Altmans "Short Cuts" and Quentins "Pulp Fiction" We wish there would be a chance for a second or a third Eisbär Movie...