Stromberg is a sort-of remake of the british show "The Office", but quite funny.

I'd advice, if you don't already have it:
Kleinruppin forever
Was tun, wenn's brennt?
Knocking on Heavens Door


Movies I don't personally know, but which seem to be good:
Der Untergang
Das Leben der Anderen
Das Parfüm

BTW: In which part of Germany will you go?

While I agree on "Der Schuh", I disagree on "Surprise". It has good CGI but like it's template (SW Episode 1) it lacks a good story.

"Goodbye Lenin" was not as funny as "Sonnenallee" IMHO.

Quoting katharsis:

Quote:
How about NVA, Was nicht passt wird passend gemacht, Blut der Templer, Der Tunnel, Der Eisbaer, Barfuss, Kampfansage, Kombat Sechszehn?

Blut der Templer is a very crappy TV production, don't even consider spending money on it

Der Eisbaer is my favorite of that list, the others are OK

Quoting katharsis:

Quote:

Die Vorstadtkrokodile,

Not available on DVD

23 (with engl. subs),

Not available with your desired subtitle track

Strassen von Berlin (mid to end 90s series of TV movies),

Not yet released on DVD, no mention of any plans to do so in the near future, either

Und tschuess... (Proll-Serie ),

See above

School's Out (90s teen movie about prom night and a band playing there, NOT that ridiculous horror flick)

Don't even know that one...

NVA,

IMO, overrated as is "Goodbye Lenin", if you like "Goodbye..", than you'll probably like this one, too. Although there are far better movies / comedies about the adventures of young men enlisting, for example the first part of "08/15", a classic b/w movie set in (pre)-WW II Germany.

Was nicht passt wird passend gemacht,

Not as good as "Bang, Boom, Bang", but from the same creative team. Better than "Goldene Zeiten", thoguh, also from the same creators. Great characters, and if you like Ralf Richter, get this one. There's also a TV-Series Box Set available, as this movie made it to a relatively succesful TV-Spin off.

Blut der Templer,

No Go

Der Tunnel,

OK, but not great

Der Eisbaer,

Haven't seen this one yet, although it's already old

Barfuss,

Supposedly good, although hard to believe, this being a Til Schweiger movie (I can't relate too well to his work. But his latest "Wo ist Fred?" is a more than decent comedy, with some truly hilarious moments. You should get "Wo ist Fred?" if you have to make a decision between these two...

Kampfansage,

Advertised as "the first German Martial Arts movie", it's really cheesy and trashy when it comes to acting, and dialogues, but the fight sequneces are IMO on par with good international productions. So, if you can look past the spoken words and concentrate on the grunting, it's a good pick. Also, it sells fairly cheap for a 2 Disc Limited Edition.

Kombat Sechszehn?

Don't know that one

Apart from these, don't go "Das Parfüm", the first 45 Minutes are very good, interesting and intriguing, after that, the movie gets very boring and carries on till complete after 145 minutes. Better read the book.

Also, try to get "Herr Lehmann", an awesome picture, very well written, extremely well played and very entertaining.

And you definitely NEED "Gegen die Wand", one of the best movies coming out of Germany in ages. Over the top acting, excellent story, fantastic characters and not for a second a bore.

"Der Wixxer" is an excellent choice if you're looking for good comedy, but it really helps if you know the old Edgar Wallace movies from the 50's and 60's. The second installment of the series should be out soon.

Also pretty big in the past years were the "7 Zwerge" movies, although for my taste, they're too stupid.

Also very nice is "Basta", but that one's originally from Austria. Still, a very good flic in my book, lots of laughs and crime.

I bet you already have the "Anatomie" movies, if not, the first is a must see, so is "Lola rennt" and "Der bewegte Mann" (both also available in the US, I think).

I also enjoyed "Antikörper", a thriller from last year. It got some bad reviews, but not really justified IMO.

"Kleine Haie" and "Echte Kerle" are also good comedies to pick up, and also moderately priced.

Better stay away from German made Action movies, too cheesy IMO. Same goes for a bunch of thrillers.

Obviously, German cinema is currently best at comedy and drama.

BTW, do you have "Christiane F."? If not, get that one, too.

As to where to buy: try Saturn and Media Markt for local stores, also (if available) Müller is a good place to check out. Try Weltbild as well, but better check that one online, their selection in the stores isn't too big, but they're cheap sometimes.

Hope I could help.

I'm living in Essen, about 45 mins from Cologne, if you need a scout, holler...

about the Müller stores, they are a very good choice for shopping but they are hard to recognize if you don't know them

Here's the website, look out for their logo. And don't be worried if the store looks like a drugstore, their dvd department is usually on the 1st/2nd-Floor.

http://www.mueller.de/

Quoting katharsis:

Quote:
School's Out (90s teen movie about prom night and a band playing there, NOT that ridiculous horror flick)?

Sadly not available on dvd.

I would have to second the tip on GEGEN DIE WAND. as well as GOODBYE LENIN

A truly great film.

I also liked DER TUNNEL.
If you are interested in History I'd also check out SOPHIE SCHOLL and DER NEUNTE TAG

LOLA RENNT is also worth owning esp. since you should be able to pick it up for about 5€

SOWEIT DIE FUSSE TRAGEN and STALINGRAD are classics that might be interesting as well (both are available for under 10€)

DAS EXPERIMENT is also interesting
You will have to be careful about subtitles if you need any. Many of the ones I mentioned only have german subs (or none).

HTH

Quoting Darxon:

Apart from these, don't go "Das Parfüm", the first 45 Minutes are very good, interesting and intriguing, after that, the movie gets very boring and carries on till complete after 145 minutes. Better read the book. 
Yeah, seems like a lot of people I asked about this one said the same thing, I'll probably wait for a proper US release and give it a try as a rental.

Also, try to get "Herr Lehmann", an awesome picture, very well written, extremely well played and very entertaining. 
Been highly suggested to me and sounds really good.

And you definitely NEED "Gegen die Wand", one of the best movies coming out of Germany in ages. Over the top acting, excellent story, fantastic characters and not for a second a bore. 
Really enjoyed this one, the US release is titled Head-On.

"Der Wixxer" is an excellent choice if you're looking for good comedy, but it really helps if you know the old Edgar Wallace movies from the 50's and 60's. The second installment of the series should be out soon. 
Love those old Wallace movies and have actually been thinking about picking up the boxsets, anyone know if there is a complete Masterworks collection or something similar? They seem to be split in so many different sets, which is odd.

Also pretty big in the past years were the "7 Zwerge" movies, although for my taste, they're too stupid. 
Not a big Otto fan, so probably pass on this one.

Also very nice is "Basta", but that one's originally from Austria. Still, a very good flic in my book, lots of laughs and crime. 
Basta - Rotwein oder Totsein, is that the title?

I bet you already have the "Anatomie" movies, if not, the first is a must see, so is "Lola rennt" and "Der bewegte Mann" (both also available in the US, I think).
Will check out the der bewegte Mann, own the first two.

I also enjoyed "Antikörper", a thriller from last year. It got some bad reviews, but not really justified IMO.
Seems pretty good as well

"Kleine Haie" and "Echte Kerle" are also good comedies to pick up, and also moderately priced.

Better stay away from German made Action movies, too cheesy IMO. Same goes for a bunch of thrillers.

Obviously, German cinema is currently best at comedy and drama.

BTW, do you have "Christiane F."? If not, get that one, too.
Bought the US Version a while back, but the sound quality was really bad mono transfer and I found a better R2 release.

As to where to buy: try Saturn and Media Markt for local stores, also (if available) Müller is a good place to check out. Try Weltbild as well, but better check that one online, their selection in the stores isn't too big, but they're cheap sometimes.
Saturn, Media Markt are my usual stops, picked up a couple for really cheap at Pro Markt last year.  Just found a Mueller in the area, never heard of before and will check Weltbild online.

Hope I could help. 
That was lots of help! Thank You so much!

I'm living in Essen, about 45 mins from Cologne, if you need a scout, holler...
Been to Essen several times for concerts, Zeche Carl, Konzerthalle etc... great locations, although a longer drive, much better than the venues in Cologne though!