AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Odelecol
Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
Portia Hilton
Blistering performances.
Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Jazzclub" is an 80-minute (without credits) movie from roughly 10 years ago starring Helge Schneider, directed by Helge Schneider and written by Helge Schneider. In terms of the script, he got some help from longtime collaborator Andrea Schumacher. Schneider turns 60 this year and there is a documentary in theaters right now about his life and work. When "Jazzclub" was made he was roughly 50 years old and had been in the film industry for about 20 years. His films usually have no big names in the cast, but rather actors who sometimes aren't even real actors, but share a long time of companionship and collaboration with Schneider, such as his band members.If you know his humor, you know that it is certainly not for everyone. Some will love it, some will not find it funny at all. I like it. He is an atheist, he does not drink tea. Pretty funny. As in most Schneider movies, he plays several characters, or at least changes costume frequently. Here he shows up as a jazz musician, a paperboy, a fish vendor and a doctor and probably more. In many of his films, female are played by males in drag, but this one not really. The female characters are also played by women. Apart from that, as the title suggests, there is lots of music in this one. After all, Helge Schneider is a gifted saxophone player himself. And at the very end, it becomes even a bit supernatural. The X-Files was already finished, but I guess aliens were a much bigger deal back in 2004 in movies than they are now. Anyway, solid movie. Recommended.
placebo99
Yes, even Helge calms down.. I can definitely recommend this film but would strongly disagree to call it the best film of Helge ever. The thing, that makes him and his art great is not the "silly stuff"(as it appears to many at the first glimpse), but it is improvisation. He talks and acts just like he is playing handling his instruments - free. He is a word-jazzer and this is what makes him unique and a very important. This films seems more planned and professional than the others, especially compared to Texas, where he is singing and playing guitar with the camera focused on him for nearly 10 minutes. But can we "accuse" him of that? Surely not. It's a film about music, more than his other works. Great jazz, lots of fun and a lovely contribution to "Ruhrpott's" - urban life. And sometimes you still feel the anarchistic notion, especially in the Alien scene with one of his most famous impersonations: Udo Lindenberg. In total, watch this film, but don't miss the others.
betwixt
I love the older films of Helge Schneider, but I think this one is the best. Although it is still low-budget, there are some excellent takes (like one closeup of his face where you see his hands playing piano mirrored in his sunglasses). To all who already love Helge, don't worry, he refers to his earlier films (for example there is a man bouncing a basketball ;)In this film Helge Schneider really shows that he is a genius concerning jazz. The gags of course are excellent as well.The film is a very strange and different mixture of "Monty Python" and "Bluesbrothers". If you like one of both the film is a must-see.
benji-32
i think this film is schneiders best. it is not just silly German comedy like the earlier movies (texas, 00Schneider or Praxis Dr.Haselbein). The first time schneider ads critical and dramatic peaces to his work and there is also for the first time a real story which is also timed properly.an other interesting point is that the female parts are played by real women and not in the Monty python-way by men and fat transsexuals. this picture is also photographed much better then the earlier pics. to make it short: the first real masterpiece of mr.helge schneider. he brings really new parts and sights into the new German cinema and of course in the kind of German humor which was not always a very good one. i am wondering what will come next.
