Daniel, the Wizard (2004)

Overrated and overhyped

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

I approached this film with only a basic understanding of spoken German, enough to order at a restaurant, ask for directions etc. As it was, the version I found did not have subtitles, so I decided to try without. This was in fact not necessary, because this film speaks the international language of terrible film. The plot makes no sense, a fault so expertly delivered that no dialogue is needed to convey this to the audience. The acting is bad in any language, and then there's the real kicker: the editing and camera-work. It feels like something someone filmed for YouTube (back before professional YouTubers with high production values came along), the only hint that this isn't the case is the main character performing in concert venues. The sound quality, the picture quality and the slightly shaky picture betray that this was likely filmed on a home-video camera. The editing is virtually non-existent, with a general feeling most of the video clips were hastily stuck together in Windows Movie Maker. Overall, a must-see for lovers of bad film. It doesn't matter whether you speak German or not, you will still be able to enjoy this bombshell.

I have to write this to balance out the 10s. I just saw the movie in the original German. That eliminates the possibility of bad dubbing or a poor English edit. As a "movie" it definitely ranks as one of the worst ever made. It has the pretension of trying to be an art house film but fails miserably. I think to people giving it a 10 (meaning one of the greatest movies ever made!) are voting for the singer not the movie. His preen German fans are voting not as serious movie goers. I can't evaluate his singing talents (not my area of expertise ) but this voting should be confined to only the movie. This is definitely not worth seeing unless you are like me and trying to see all of the worst movies available (a touch of masochism ).

I don't know what this is, if it as documentary, a mocumentary or a fictional story, or maybe a bit of all three. The main character in the movie is the androgynous popstar and runner up of German Idol, Daniel Küblböck, played by himself. The movie showcases several of his performances which I assume to be real. So far it's more of documentary than anything else, then the fictional part breaks in with a wizard running around with a tuba in his hand, and a trio who hate Daniel and plan to kill him. Since these parts are shot in home-video style they might as well be part of a mocumentary about some idiots trying to kill a popstar. Confusion of genre apart, Daniel himself is fiercely annoying with his shrill voice and flamboyant mannerisms. Wikipedia tells us he was voted most annoying person in TV in 2004, and this movie really shows that side of him. A documentary, or whatever this mess is supposed to be, with focus on an incredible annoying pop star is not a niece experience. When the would be killers had Daniel at gun point around the middle mark of the running time, I was so glad we get rid of this awful guy, but they wussied out and as a result of which, I had to suffer through another 40 minutes of him and his grating voice.Since i saw the film in German, without subtitles, I will give it the benefit of the doubt, and award it one point.

I can't understand why this movie has such a bad rating. I have just watched it and I liked it very much. Acting, camera and sound is just beautiful. The use of horrible camera positions and incredible, awesome and wonderful performances of Küblböck itself are godlike. The acting of the wonderful Daniel Küblböck reminds me sometimes to the, maybe not that good, acting of Robert de Niro as Travis Bickel in Taxi Driver (In my opinion 8/10, Daniel 10/10). All I can say is that from this day, until the ending of the world, Daniel is my personal wizard, in fact he's my role model! To sum up the movie I can only say: No words can describe this wonderful piece of art. Watch it, enjoy it, watch it again.