Fictional and real horror scenarios, the urge for freedom and all of this held together by a new superheroine called “Madame Web”: National and international diversity is coming up in February. With the remake of “The Color Purple” as a musical and “Dune: Part Two,” potential Oscar contenders are also lining up.
The lives of Vera (Karoline Herfurth, 39) and Wolf Küper (Tom Schilling, 41) seem perfect. Two kids, good jobs and a great home. However, the supposed family idyll does not hold up to a closer look: the marriage is in crisis and both parents increasingly have the feeling that they are chasing after life instead of being able to enjoy it to the fullest. When one of their children is diagnosed with a developmental delay, this diagnosis sparks a radical lifestyle change for the Küpers.
Assessment:
The film is based on the book of the same name by Wolf Küper – it is about his real family story. Breaking out of your own comfort zone, out of the standardized system, may have been told many times before. However, in “A Million Minutes” he gets his own unique touch thanks to the autobiographical reference. An ode to escapism that could encourage some viewers to question their own (possibly entrenched) structures.
Even at a young age, Celie Harris Johnson (Fantasia Barrino, 39) has to endure gigantic torment. Her father abuses the girl and later forces her into marriage to Albert “Mister” Johnson (Colman Domingo, 54), who is also violent. It is only thanks to her close friendship with the two women Sofia (Danielle Brooks, 34) and Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson, 53) that Celie also feels joy despite all the suffering – and learns to rebel against injustice.
Assessment:
It has been almost 40 years since director Steven Spielberg (77) filmed the Pulitzer Prize-winning work by Alice Walker (79) – with Whoopi Goldberg (68), Oprah Winfrey (69) and Margaret Avery (80) in the female lead roles. The upcoming new interpretation by Blitz Bazawule (41) is based on the musical that premiered in 2005 – so it relies on numerous vocal performances as a powerful weapon in the fight against oppression. It remains to be seen whether the mixture of heavy themes and musicals will drive people to the cinema; The film definitely deserves it.
Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson, 34) is an ordinary paramedic in Manhattan until she discovers that she may have clairvoyant abilities – which puts her life-saving abilities to the test. When suddenly confronted with revelations about her past, she forms relationships with three young women who are destined for a powerful future.
Assessment:
Anyone who seriously thought that the Marvel and DC universes were gradually running out of comic superheroes will be proven wrong with “Madame Web”. Both franchises can still draw from an almost endless pool of heroes. In the film by S. J. Clarkson alone, in addition to the eponymous superhero, several versions of Spider-Woman – played by Sidney Sweeney (26), among others – appear. But is this female power enough to counteract the recently visible disillusionment with comic book films? At least the “Spider-Man” cosmos has so far managed to impress at the box office.
The saga continues: Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet, 28), with the help of Chani (Zendaya, 27) and the Fremen, sets out on a campaign of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Young Paul is faced with the choice between the love of his life and the fate of the entire universe. But he must use all means possible to prevent a terrible future – a future that no one but he can foresee.
Assessment:
It still exists, the mix of sci-fi and fantasy that has nothing to do with Disney’s “Star Wars.” In Denis Villeneuve’s (56) sequel to his “Dune” remake, which was released in 2021, the action will be more important than ever in addition to the imaginative visual values. While part one was primarily concerned with introducing the audience to the universe created by author Frank Herbert (1920-1986), the film ended with the great promise of an epic hero’s journey. For film fans it’s time to saddle up your sandworms and head to the cinema!
