In the US gangster comedy “Wolfs” by Jon Watts (42, he directed the last three Spider-Man films), everything depends on George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The two exchange cool dialogues and glances – and in one of the best moments they pull out their glasses at the same time because otherwise they cannot read an important address. The two play two cleaners who remove corpses and are competitors. Unfortunately, they are both called to the same corpse in a hotel – and have to get along with each other, which is funny in itself for two men with enormous egos. As the film progresses, they discover unexpected drugs that they have to get rid of, as well as the corpse, which at some point is no longer a corpse but a young man who runs half-naked through New York, is followed and finally even protected by the two cleaners.
From intimate drama to wild action chases, this buddy film has everything, including strong night scenes – but also one major flaw: the now graying superstars have beards, which makes them look even older, and you have to wait more than 100 minutes before they finally show what makes them so charismatic – their irresistible smiles. (Apple, TV, expected in cinemas from September 19).
Is a neo-Nazi in America and wants to overthrow the US government: Nicolas Hoult as Bob in »The Order«:Photo: Michelle Faye
America again: Not today, but in the 80s: Because the young neo-Nazi Bob in Idaho doesn’t think the right-wing terrorist anti-Semitic organization Aryan Nations is radical enough, he sets up his own group, “The Order.” There are only a dozen men, but they rob banks, buy things with the money, start killing people and have declared war on the US government. Here, Jude Law is the star, the FBI man who gets closer and closer to Bob and his team after they have just killed a Jewish radio presenter.
As far as the radicalism and brutality of Bob and other young men are concerned, the competition film “The Order” by Australian Justin Kurzel (50) delivers one shock after another. The bad thing about this hard, exciting thriller is that it is unfortunately very close to today’s reality in the USA, this also applies to hesitant FBI agents and the slogans of the stormers of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. (No German cinema release yet).
Sex at work: Nicole Kidman as boss and Harris Dickinson as intern.Photo: Miss Gabler Porduction
America again: Romy, the successful managing director of a large company, a happy family woman with a husband and two children, is apparently so bored that she starts an affair with a young intern who catches her with his eyes. Worse still: she submits to his sexual wishes, initially hesitantly, but then happily. The competition film “Babygirl” is an erotic thriller for long stretches, albeit a rather tired one, which is not due to Nicole Kidman, who still looks great naked (if it’s real), but was simply better in other films of the genre such as Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut”, with a more convincing story.
It is only when she finds out that the intern is also sleeping with a young, up-and-coming employee at her company that Romy gets a little more excited – and angry. But that doesn’t help; if the whole thing gets out, she could lose her job, especially since the other woman is also approaching her and wants to be promoted. The film was conceived by a woman, the Dutch Halina Reijn (48), and you can tell because everything is told from a female perspective, but you only see that #MeToo has come along in the meantime at the not entirely unexpected end. (Theatrical release: January 16, 2025)
