Spieleabend

Putting aside the early 2000s and its heap of cringey German comedies, I’d say Germany has finally cracked the code on making decent comedies. Ever since Fack ju Göhte, they’ve really leaned into likable, fresh characters and easygoing humor that may not be laugh-out-loud but still makes for a chill, relaxing watch. I went into Blame the Game hoping it would follow that same vibe despite some mixed reviews, but, unfortunately, those reviews were pretty spot on. It’s a comedy with a few solid moments that feel like today’s German comedies at their best—though sadly mixed with some truly awkward scenes that the cast couldn’t quite rescue. (30.10.2024)

I only watch German comedies when I want to masochistically deepen my depression. German porn and German comedy share one common trait: they miss the mark. The former doesn’t excite, and the latter doesn’t amuse. Jimmy Carr once said that performing in Germany is like doing missionary work for a comedian, and every German comedy supports his claim. Once again, I endured a lot of German "humor" without so much as a twitch of my lips. The whole affair strongly reminded me of the time Gaylord Focker was meeting his fiancée's parents. All that was missing was an instant grandma. The worst part was realizing that with a bit of effort, this could have been at least a decent average comedy. Instead, the creators squandered all potential, and the highlight of humor remained repeated splashing in a puddle of vomit. My rating isn't a reward for what I saw but a sad sigh over what could have been. / Lesson learned: Feeling downtrodden? Become the king of the elves. (15.07.2024)