I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
... View MoreThis is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
... View MoreJust intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?
... View MoreGreat example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
... View MoreA local priest is organizing the return to town of the original church bells sold off during the war. The preparations call for both a rock- and a brass band, a mens choir and little children dressed up as bells to visit him at home. Meanwhile is son Hille is trying to study for his exams. Also causing a lot of distractions is elder sister Sibylle (the redheaded sheep of the family), leading to many confusing flashbacks involving their ill tempered father. On top of this the whole town seems to be going crazy: striking garbage men spoil an adulterous woman's fun, while nearly all the animals at the local pet shop die over night. Does it have something to do with the water or are the nearby factories to blame?Shot documentary style with incredibly long and elaborate shots that would make even Brian De Palma jealous, we are constantly looking over peoples shoulders or even at their backs. Most scenes feature disconnected background noises like workmen in the street, alarms going off or church bells ringing (especially when our whiny narrator Hille interacts with girls talk about being obvious). It succeeds in giving the viewer a feeling of unease (the titular Unheil) and makes us expect something awful to happen at any moment. But the uneventful finale serves up more questions than answers. For aspiring steady camera operators and analyzing art house lovers only.4 our of 10 (for the camera work)
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