Steamboat Bill Jr. 1928 I watched this one a little while ago because I missed Buster Keaton. Yes, that is right. I, Amanda, a self-proclaimed silent film cinema hater at the beginning of this journey, missed Buster Keaton. Not to be overdramatic, but I feel like I learned so, so much about silent films and gained such an appreciation for them. I also feel like Keaton is responsible for that, since his movies were the first that I liked. Oh dear, I am getting sentimental. On to the review!
This great film centers on Keaton who is trying to be as successful as his father. He ends up falling in love with his father's rival's daughter. Around seventy minutes later, after numerous daring stunts, Keaton ends up being the hero and not the screw-up (it reminded me of The Kid Brother).
And with that, we have the last Keaton film on the list. It definitely wasn't my favorite Buster Keaton movie (I think that title goes to Sherlock Jr. for me; or maybe Our Hospitality; I can't decide!) but he still went out with a bang. He is so much better than Chaplin and Lloyd in my book. I will miss you, buddy!
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
While I am writing this, I am listening to really dramatic music in the background which is adding fuel to my goodbye. Tearing up? No, I am not...
There is one stunt in the movie where a wall falls on Buster Keaton but he stands in one specific position so it misses him. The studio actually used a full-weight wall so if he was a little bit off he would have died. The studio was being shut down and Keaton had just heard the news so he said he didn't care if it crushed him or not.
Keaton shortly after signed a contract with MGM but they clashed on his independent ways. He got dropped, drifted into obscurity, and developed a drinking problem. Oh, Keaton.
There is a short wait on my Netflix list so the next review might be awhile. That is a good sign though for the next film, that a lot of people want it!
I actually saw a reference to the house-falling scene on one of my favorite shows, Psych.
Available on Netflix Instant or YouTube. Complete movie:
The General 1926 or 1927 (there seems to be some dispute over this) Wow. This "wow" is not directed at the movie itself but at the reaction it received. At first it was a total flop but now critics consider it to be the greatest comedy of all time! AFI ranked it at #18. #18! I mean, do you realize how many movies that means it beat?!? We are talking Titanic, The Godfather: Part II, Rear Window, even Sunrise! And quite frankly, I don't see what the fuss is about.
Now, if you have read my earlier reviews, you know that I am an avid Buster Keaton fan (and if you haven't welcome! I hope I am making a good first impression!). So I am not hating on this movie so much as praising his other movies. Sure this one has a nice plot and some pretty funny gags, but it I feel that it doesn't quite have what the others had. It isn't as daring as Our Hospitality, or as funny as Sherlock Jr. was.
This film is about a Southern man who can't get into the army for the Civil War. His girlfriend is a total bitch about it and says that she won't see him unless he is in uniform. His other great love, his train, (I don't blame him; she doesn't exactly sound like a peach) gets taken by those damn Yankees with his girlfriend inside it! He then spends the rest of the movie pursuing it.
This movie is definitely funny and there are a few good stunts. I would be interested to have a discussion with someone who ranked this movie so high, however. Why is it so special?!?
RATING: ***--(I feel pressure to give it more stars!!!)
Interesting Facts:
In typical Keaton style, this movie is pretty short (an hour and fifteen minutes).
Buster Keaton said it was his favorite too! Probably because it is all about trains; he seems to have a huge obsession with them.
This movie was AFI's #18 in 2007. Before that, it had never made it on the list. That is one fast leap. Gone With the Wind has been taking it slow and steady but this one just zoomed ahead!
The scene where The Texas crashes through the bridge is the most expensive shot in the silent film era.
Seven Chances Ah, Buster Keaton, you have the power to make everything right again. After pouting for awhile about how bad the last film was, I welcomed a comedy with open arms and I believe that this is one of the best Keatons we have seen up to this point.
When you watch this movie, it plays out just like a comedy you might see today. Keaton will inherit bucket loads of money if he marries someone on the same day he learns about the stipulation. Buster asks Mary, the woman he already loves, to marry him and she says yes. However, he makes the mistake of telling her about it and chaos ensues. I don't know if this is one of those women-are-hard-to-understand moments because I would have the exact same reaction if I were her. Of course, he is Buster Keaton and he does have a lot of money so maybe I would end up like one of women pictured above.
This does not have the same amount of daring stunts we are used to but like all Keaton films, it is modern and hilarious. I almost spit out my drink when the wanted ad for a bride came on the screen. I frantically checked, and there are more Keaton films to come so I do not have to say goodbye just yet. Thank goodness!
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
There was some light racism. The sad thing is I am kind of getting used to it in older films. It still depresses me everytime I see it though.
I have been reading about the movie and apparently there is a remake called The Bachelor. It is supposed to be simply awful, which means I will probably watch it just to get upset.
This was Keaton's least favorite movie of his. Don't be so hard on yourself BustKeat!
Sherlock Jr. When I first saw this movie in the book, I performed an amazing, over-the-top eye roll. I LOVE Sherlock Holmes (I have read every story I could get my greedy hands on) and I was positive this would be some spoof that would disgrace Holmes. However, I should have just trusted Buster Keaton. This movie was by far my favorite so far. It was funny, impressive, and entertaining.
This film is simply amazing. First of all, it is only 44 minutes. I felt like I was watching an episode of an extremely funny show. This movie felt really modern and not just because of the amazing stunts performed by our favorite badass, Buster Keaton. There are very little title cards and when they are there, there are there for jokes, not to move the story along. Buster Keaton is incredible at being awkward and adorable and provides the perfect lovable lead. I am absolutely baffled at how they pulled off some of the stunts (wtf??????). It is also really cool that the jokes are still funny after almost 90 years.
The movie centers around Keaton, a man who desperately wants to be a detective (who doesn't?) but in reality projects movies for a living. He is accused of stealing a guy's watch. While he is asleep, he dreams that he is the greatest of detectives and solves the crime (I initially thought he had died and I was freaking out!). Unlike other silent movies I advised you to watch, this will not take over your life for a day. Hurray for short silent films!
RATING: ****- (I would give it five but that is reserved for my top favorites. I don't think a silent film will ever cut it because I think dialogue makes a movie.)
Interesting Facts:
Buster broke his neck and didn't even know it in this film. It is weird that he always is so awkward in his movies around women but he is like the biggest daredevil. I really need to stop falling in love with dead guys (Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Buster Keaton, etc.).
I am enjoying the streaks of Keaton films so much more than I enjoyed the streaks of Griffith films.
If you go to this page, a lot of his tricks are explained.
I did not even have to worry about spoofing Sherlock. The title was more of a joke on how bad of detective Keaton was. I thought they were making Holmes have a son or something (whoosh!).
You can watch this on YouTube or Netflix Watch Instantly. Since that would be easy enough to find, I included a short video I found that contains funny clips from the movie just to give you a preview:
Our Hospitality FINALLY! A COMEDY! I was so excited to finally watch one after the uplifters earlier on the list (Within Our Gates was hilarious!:P) that I think I was more susceptible to laughter during this movie. This film is very Romeo-and-Juliet-esque. I initially thought that that was this movie was based on but it is actually based on a real life feud between the McCoys and the Hatfields which you can read more about here. I found this incredibly interesting because it does not seem like something like this would actually happen in real life (and by the way I am so on the McCoys' side). This movie stars Buster Keaton (who bears a remarkable resemblance to Elijah Wood in this movie) as Willie McKay who returns to his hometown to look after his late father's estate. He falls in love with a Canfield, the McKay's mortal rivals, and shit happens. The comedic aspects of the movie are subtle and not in your face, which is what I enjoy in comedies. Definitely check it out!
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Buster Keaton had a few close calls on the set. During the waterfall scene he inhaled so much water that he needed first aid. The cable also broke when he was in the rapids, and he barely managed to cling to a branch in order to be rescued by the crew. You can actually see when it breaks in the movie!
I want to ride that train!!!!
I think anyone that rides that bicycle in the beginning of the movie looks like a total douche.
My jaw literally dropped at some of the stunts (Buster Keaton did all his own).
The whole movie is available on YouTube. Here is the famous train scene:
