Aguirre1
As this film is only available in German, most of the interested people will already know that Helge Schneider isn't only an actor or producer, but also a greatly gifted jazz musician. He is touring all-around the German language area with his combined jazz/comedy shows. In this movie the element of jazz plays an essential role concerning the story and in the background music. With Jazzclub, you have quite a good access to the artist as a whole and not "only" to the comedian. On the other side, this is probably the reason why the film is somewhat disputed by a lot of people who liked his movies so far. But in my opinion, there is no reason for that. Even if you don't like jazz, it is still one of the funniest Helge Schneider movies. As always, you love it or you hate it. I, for my part, love it.
C H
I think this film is schneiders worst. Of course, this depends on what you expect of a Helge movie. As a Helge fanatic for years i am used to the kind of humor of the preceding movies - loving the sometimes senseless, sometimes daffy but mostly with a subliminal critical and ironical undertone between the lines style of this intelligent musician and comedian. But this one is really different.I was really looking forward to see the movie. When i went out the cinema, i was really deranged and couldn't really believe what i saw. There might be the thin storyline of the club, Helge and his fellows playing jazz at, being closed and Helge is forced to ensure his subsistence and so on. But in my opinion this is not enough even for this relative short movie of 84 minutes. The only thing happening is the band jamming at their jazz club, Helge selling fish and Helge carrying out newspapers. Additionally visiting the bum under the bridge and bearing his wife.I think Helge just didn't want to miss the chance making a movie with his temporary band mates Jimmy Wood and Pete York but without really having an substantial idea of a story - so this really boring movie came out.Nevertheless the music being played at the movie is still of high quality as we are used to from Helge. Furthermore there are indeed some funny scenes like Helge trying to get the newspapers under control in the hurricane or the alien-scene at the end of the movie.
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.
DoctorKay
I love Helge Schneider. I know that he is a brilliant musician, his jazz concerts are amazing and I've seen him live on stage where he combines jazz and classical music with comedy in a perfectly funny way. But this movie, although it contains brilliant jazz music, was simply boring. It does not contain any kinds of hints of a story, the whole film is about jazz, well done jazz, I have to admit. But if you like his music you should better get yourself one of his CD's. Helge once used to be hilarious, but those times are apparently over. This work was not worth watching it. But I don't care, I still love Helge Schneider!!!
AD
