Why are German films often so formulaic even though Germany...

Here is a list of some (by no means all) German movies that are considered Classics (and a few that should be, in my opinion):

I have seen some very good German movies. It is not that they don't exist, but they hardly ever achieve much fame. Especially since people have been accustomed to the dominance of US popular culture.

Metropolis

NYC woman found a phone buried in her lawn — and police say it’s a new tactic thieves use to spy on homeowners - AOL.com

Lola rennt

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Besides these, there are some really good children's movies: More recently, the Bibi und Tina series as just one example. Looking back into the 80s and 70s, as well as into the present, I would even say that movies for children are what the German Film industry excels at. There is much less screaming and cake throwing and slimy monsters and much more discussing of matters that affect children in real life (even in phantasy plots) than in most US children's movies as far als I know them. The GDR was particularly well known for excellent children's movies but the west was and is good at it, too.

Is it appropriate for parents to discipline their child in public if the child is being rude, disrespectful, and unruly towards them? Why or why not?

In Wirtschaftswunder times, most Western German movies were junk but the GDR produced some very good ones, e.g. Western movies and Spur der Steine; in the 70s Paul und Paula. I definitely recommend both!

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

In jenen Tagen

Does eating bread before bed make you fat? If so, why?

Didi - alles im Eimer

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Man spricht Deutsh

Why am I not getting any atheists to debate with? Are they scared?

Die Feuerzangenbowle

And many I can't think of at the moment.

What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.

Why do girls in Indian top colleges wear shorts?

Nackt