Lammbock

I don't think it is justified to diss Lammbock because of a) "toilet humour" or b) low moral standards. It's a funny movie, which demonstrates the problems of growing up instead of making a pure comedy out of it. There may be some harsh scenes, but in no way are they dominating the film. instead the movie treats its characters with honesty and doesn't sell them for a cheap joke, which you can see in so much "growing-up"-comedies: it has a certain warmth at his heart. It is indeed a german attempt to make an "earnest Tarantino-style" -movie but Lammbock doesn't even try to hide these facts - it is in some way a homage to Tarantino-style dialogues.

I have to admit, guiltily, that I quite liked Lammbock, even though it manages to serve up cinematic gaffes faster than McDonald's soggy hamburgers: plenty of silly dope-induced jokes aimed at a very immature audience, cheap rip-offs from Kevin Smith, Roger Avery and Quentin Tarantino (... etc.) 's oeuvres, totally improbable subplots that lead nowhere fast, pointless and -- even worse -- unentertaining violence, underdeveloped characters; in short, a movie that doesn't quite gel. Still, the director Christian Zübert seems to know how to handle actors and consequently there are some great performances (notably from Lukas Gregorowicz, Marie Zielcke, Julian Weigend, the ever- dependable Moritz Bleibtreu, and the underrated Elmar Wepper) despite the somewhat deficient script. Heck, there are some great, memorable scenes as well, only they are outweighed by others that that are born dead. I would suspect that the film's problems are mainly due to the directors lack of experience, which in turn would have required an experienced producer, who should have known when to step in and call the shots.

I will be on the lookout for Christian Zübert's next film, and overall I enjoyed watching his film -- on the telly. Had I seen it in the theatres I probably would have been disappointed.

You don't have to be into smoking (weed) to find what is going here funny. This comedy goes above and beyond what others do. Our two main protagonists do stuff ... well, it's a good thing they are so likeable. And after all it is a movie, so no harm, no foul (in reality). The actors in general ... so good. I usually am very critical when it comes to German actors ... I can not fault them! And that elevates the movie more. I feel really bad now that I have not watched this before/earlier.

But my missing out on this aside, I could watch this back to back with the sequel, which while it ain't as good as the original still has quite the flavor to it. If you are too sensible you may feel offended of course, by this and even more by the Remake. If you find it on yourself I would urge you to watch this and have fun with it. Take the ride the characters offer you and just have a good time. The movie is set up to offer you that - without having to take any drugs

Lammbock is a very special comedy, as I have never seen it before from a german director. He doesn´t try to impress the audience with brilliant pictures as in our days most of the german directors do in order to show how german movie has developed. No, this movie lives from its brilliant dialogues. Moritz Bleibtreu shows once again, why he is one of my favorite german actors. In some scenes I had the impression that this conversation happens just now, "live". In my opinion Bleibtreu had the chance, to improvise in some scenes.

Of course Lammbock is a Low-Budget-Production if you compare it to Tarantino´s works for example (who deals with the same kind of humor) but it works and it is good enough to compare it.

Great Actors, Great dialogues, great soundtrack - great movie! 7/10

This film breaks the boundaries of the 'typical' German film, creating a whole new genre for the German speaking film. It is a film full of catchy lengthy dialog, which is dominated by the very funny character Kai. The film deals with the issue of being cool, and how you present yourself towards others. Kai is very observant of this fact, constantly judging other peoples actions and commenting on these. Whilst doing this he comes up with new wild theories, which are highly entertaining ranging from Baywatch actresses breast implants, to golden goal theories.

His partner in crime is fed up with his lax attitude to life and the aimless life he leads. He himself though is also never happy with what he is doing, always complaining that he's wasting his valuable time doing nothing, but never realises that this is his own fault. His attempt of studding law seems pretty vague and half-hearted and remains a grey area throughout the film whether he is ever going to complete it.

Spun into these issues of the main characters, the film shows their new innovative and highly lucrative business plan of distributing cannabis products through their own pizza delivery service: 'Pizzaria Lammbock'. This business of there's goes extremely well allowing them to lead a relaxed and carefree life. In their new found 'paradise' they become careless and too trusting, ultimately letting in an undercover cop in their little secret. Turning their environment and that of their friends into a hostile terrain. The two weed mongers don't find out what kind of mess their in until its all too late, and the undercover cop comes out of the closet!!! What follows then after is a desperate fight to come clean of their deeds which are now not only drug possession with intent to distribute, but also a lot of other things have heaped up on their shoulders. Yet the serious situation the two main characters are in and how they manage to deal with it, by no means lowers the entertainment level, varying from extreme laughter to suspense and surprise.

Whether their encounter with the police, leaves them behind bars, or just makes them turn over a new leaf, or indeed leave them unchanged remains the little incentive to learn German and then find out for yourselves!!!