The biggest summer blockbusters have already arrived in local theaters since July in the form of Die Odyssee and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But August also brings some exciting potential box office hits: The sixth installment of the extremely successful Insidious horror franchise, the now tenth quirky-charming Eberhofer crime film, and a brand-new apocalypse with a star ensemble.
Steckerlfischfiasko, August 13
The local grilled fish king lies stone dead on the newly constructed golf course of Niederkaltenkirchen. The case doesn't come at an inconvenient time for village sheriff Franz Eberhofer (Sebastian Bezzel, 55). Together with Rudi Birkenberger (Simon Schwarz, 55), he begins the investigation. The two have every reason to throw themselves into their work, because chaos reigns in Eberhofer's newly built home ever since Susi (Lisa Maria Potthoff, 48) is fighting for the mayor's office and Grandma (Enzi Fuchs, 89) is at a health spa - and things are even bleaker at Birkenberger's home.
Assessment:
It's been 13 years since Bezzel and Schwarz performed their Dampfnudelblues and went on their first criminal hunt. The Eberhofer crime films haven't lost any of their Bavarian charm since then, as the tenth cinematic romp Steckerlfischfiasko proves. Fans of the series can look forward to the familiar quirky-lovable characters, whom even the temporary behind-the-scenes dispute couldn't harm. Author Rita Falk (62), on whose novels the film series is based, had been critical of the character portrayal in the ninth installment Rehragout Rendezvous. But sometimes, it seems, a little quarrel does some good - who would know that better than the duo Eberhofer and Birkenberger?
Insidious: Out of the Further, August 20
Young mother Gemma (Amelia Eve, 34) is raising her daughter in the same house where she grew up. There she discovers that she can travel to the so-called Further - that place where lost souls spend their eternity. When something evil hunts her there, Gemma discovers an ability that changes everything: She can not only enter the Further, but also bring back what exists there into the real world.
Assessment:
It's no surprise that the Insidious universe has reached six installments within 15 years. After all, despite its low budget, the horror franchise has already raked in over 730 million US dollars at box offices worldwide. While the minds behind Insidious liked to shuffle the chronology within the series, Out of the Further can now be understood as a reboot. The story of the Lambert family officially ended with part five called Insidious: The Red Door, now new characters take center stage. And yet fans don't have to completely do without their favorites - once again Lin Shaye (82) is part of the creepy proceedings in her iconic role as medium Elise Rainier.
Das Ende der Sterne, August 27
Pilot Hig (Jacob Elordi, 29) has created an isolated, functional home together with survival expert Bangley (Josh Brolin, 58) in a destroyed world. When a mysterious radio transmission reaches him one day, Hig sets off on a dangerous journey into the unknown - searching for hope and the humanity he still believes in despite the collapse of civilization.
Assessment:
While the film title predicts the end of the stars - it ushers it in with plenty of star power. For his new film, based on the novel Das Ende der Sterne wie Big Hig sie kannte by Peter Heller (67), legendary director Ridley Scott (88) assembled an illustrious ensemble that includes, in addition to Elordi and Brolin, Margaret Qualley (31), Guy Pearce (58), and Marvel star Benedict Wong (55). Originally, Paul Mescal (30) was supposed to play the lead role, with whom Scott had already successfully collaborated on Gladiator II. But in the person of Elordi, an at least equally powerful audience magnet was secured.
