hareck Reviews

The Lives of Others (2006)

Excellent

[10/10 · 20 May 2006]

I do agree with all the other positive comments, and just need to add that this is the very first movie about the former GDR I saw that is not something like a comedy. Flicks like "Sonnenallee" or "Good bye Lenin" definitely were great and funny, but unconsciously left myself (a West German) with the impression that the GDR has been a sort of "Mickey Mouse State" full of stupid but charming characters, not really to be taken seriously. After seeing "Das Leben der Anderen" this impression shifted quite a bit: there actually was suffering, killing desperation and a terribly claustrophobic atmosphere behind that wall. This might well be the most realistic depiction of the dark side of the former East Germany. Thanks to the Producers, actors and director for making this movie. 10 out of 10.

Mutterseelenallein (2005)

This is tough stuff

[7/10 · 9 April 2006]

A mother is confronted with her son being suspected of having murdered a girl on a garbage dump. First she reacts with denial and refuses to accept the accusation. These days are filled with despair and helplessness but also with confidence and hope. But sooner or later she realizes that she herself became an outlaw, being abused and misused by their neighbors, former friends and the media. At the end she realizes that she has failed in her obligation towards her son and completely ruined his life and also hers.

I saw this movie at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2005 more or less by chance, and I still am not sure if I regret it or not. This is a dangerously well done movie, but definitely not for someone sensitive like me. It succeeds to show the complete downfall of a woman in a mesmerizing and very well directed way. I have never seen a more depressing and utterly painful movie, and left the theater feeling physically sick, the top notch directing and acting (nine stars for that) just added to this effect. So the question remains: why on earth would anyone write a screenplay like this? So if you like to get masterfully sucked into a psychological hell from which you will not be able to look away from, this movie is for you. If not, better go for Ice Age or whatever.

Vitus (2006)

Lovely Movie

[9/10 · 16 February 2006]

Wonderful movie with a great storyline and good actors.

Vitus, a little swiss genius, starts reading books in kindergarden, drives his schoolteachers crazy with his unbeatable wit and turns out to be a piano prodigy at the age of 5. His mother is very keen on not wasting any time for him becoming a star, but Vitus has different plans and knows how to put them into reality. And how he succeeds in following his own path, becoming a star in the end anyway and manages just by the way to solve the financial problems of his whole family, is really worth seeing.

9 out of 10 for two hours of clever and heartwarming entertainment.

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)

No great cinema, but despite a few flaws the message is worth it.

[7/10 · 12 December 2005]

Do not watch this film, if you:.

• want to know more about Quantum Physics.

• look for a great cinematic experience.

• cannot stand a little bit of American superficiality.

• do not like the fact (or the idea), that one of the commentators is actually channeled by a medium.

This movie is not about physics, it is about psychology. It is about the fact, that we change our body and our reality by our thoughts and beliefs. And about the fact, that the main hindrance to using this process creatively is our own disbelief in it. So, if you are ardently convinced that matter is the root of everything and you cannot change your life by your own efforts, then probably you will not like this film.

But for everyone who believes in and has experienced the power of the human mind and looks for some inspirations in that area, this is a worthwhile and even at times funny and witty way to spend an evening.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)

Documentary Masterpeace

[9/10 · 16 February 2005]

I saw this little gem at the Berlinale film festival in Berlin, with the director and the producer present. It is about the life and work of Daniel Johnston, a US singer/songwriter/painter with a manic depressive condition. In opposite to the director and many of the people participating in the movie, I do not regard Daniel Johnston as a genius, but he still is a very interesting character, and some of his songs and paintings are very moving. The film is very well done, quite uplifting and entertaining, with a big love for the main character and at the same time a nice and unoffensive sense of humor. I definitely recommend it, whether you are a fan of Daniel Johnstion or not. 9 out of 10.

Dogville (2003)

bloody well directed but utterly depressive and confusing

[8/10 · 25 April 2004]

No doubt that L. v. Trier is a directing genius, he knows how to pull an audience into a movie, his way to set up the stage with only outlines of the buildings and streets of Dogville is highly innovative and effective. The performance of every one of the actors is top notch as well. BUT....I am really happy that I do not share Trier's philosophy, which seems to be: leave a group of pretty people somewhat isolated from society and justice and they will automatically turn into stupid beasts, every single one of them. Perfect direction and acting actually makes this message more intense and therefore even harder to bear.

SPOILER ahead. At best this movie could have been a good tragedy, but it isn't, because it fails to offer a real catharsis, instead we get a fake one. The decision of Grace to kill all the villagers in the end is the weakest part of the plot and only adds to the impression that the director just wants to slam his negative outlook into the faces of the audience.

10/10 for acting and sheer technical brilliance, 1/10 for poor, unreflected cynicism.

Poem: I Set My Foot Upon the Air and It Carried Me (2003)

Incredibly strong movie

[10/10 · 21 December 2003]

You have to watch this film, if you

• like (German) poetry. As the title says, "Poems" is about poems, about 9 or 10 of them, each of which is the heart of an episode of the film. And these are amazing poems.

• like movies. The episodes are extremely well directed, they vary from being quite minimalistic, like just some impressive actor reciting the particular poem, to absolutely hilarious, even outrageous scenes which still fit well to the poems. Cinematic art to the highest extent, excellent soundtrack.

• started thinking seriously about life. This film explores the dephts of our being, life, death, aspirations, motivations, and does it in an extremely powerful way, without ever becoming cheesy or overly intellectual. The means are always fully justified by the end (again: the poems).

• are alive at all. I cannot imagine anyone to be left cold by this movie. If you are open- and somewhat brave-hearted, artistically and philosophically interested, you'll probably love it, otherwise you're going to hate it, but afterwards you will know why.

Well, what more to say? I can't remember being moved like that by a film for years, sitting 90 minutes on the edge of my seat and shivering (and usually I'm not the overexalted type). 10 out of 10.

(SPOILER ahead)........and when you think it's over, far from it...(-;