Reviews

The Birth of a Nation (1915) was the biggest and most technically

innovative film to emerge during the middle of the silent period. D.W. Griffith utilized and developed many film making techniques that are still

being used today in movie making. The content is very questionable and is

not for those that can easily be offended. But despite the images and overt racism it's still an interesting film.

The film takes place in three parts. The beginning is the pre-war

activities of the people in the Union. The second part deals with the

American Civil War, The final part deals with the country's reconstruction. D.W. Griffith stages some amazing actions scenes and the costumes and

armory are close to authentic. The sets are impressive as well.

Now for the faults of the movie. The film was based upon a play called

the Klansman and you can imagine what kind of content is depicted in this

movie. If there wasn't any of the racist content anywhere in this movie

people would still be singing the praises of this one. But you cannot

change history or disembowel a work of art trying to be politically correct. The entire cast for the most part is played by white actors. None of the

major parts were acted by African-Americans. The way the actors

portrayed the slaves is downright silly and some people will find it

offensive.

If you love silent cinema or a film buff I advise you to check out this

movie. It's one of the essentials. Watch it and you'll see why people call

this one of the greatest films ever made.

Highly recommended.

A+

Broken Blossoms (1919) is a sad tale about a Chinese man who falls for a down trodden girl. The poor guy does everything he can to cheer up the

girl. Her mean father and a nosy man put a wrench into the budding

relationship between the girl and the Chinese man. Beautifully shot and

very well acted. D.W. Griffith has taken a lot of flack for Birth Of A

Nation because of it's racial content and depictions (despite the fact the

movie is a work of art). Sadly in this film Mr. Griffith still uses white

actors in the roles of ethnic characters (but it's not as overtly

stereotypical). The main character plays his role with such emotion and

heartfelt angst. I enjoyed this movie very much. If you're a fan of silent

cinema I'm sure you'll appreciate this film as well as I did.

Recommended.

A

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) was an interesting movie. Not only was it one of

his more dangerous films to work on, but he shot most of the movie near

my hometown of Sacramento. The river is supposed to be the Mississippi

but it was shot on the Sacramento River. I've been down that river on

many occasions. Back to the movie. Keaton plays the son of a famous

steamboat operator. Keaton wants to be like his father but he just doesn't

have what it takes to be a steamboat driver. Until one day when fate

strikes!

A fun film that's a mere showcase for Buster Keaton's talents as a director,

stuntman and comedian. The action is shot flawlessly and the pace is right

on target. One of Keaton's classic films. A fun mix of comedy and action. Highly recommended for Buster Keaton fans and loves of the silent cinema.

Enjoy!

A+

College (1927) was an interesting film that Buster Keaton made during the later days of the silent movie period. In "College", he plays a student who tries all kinds of school sports just so he could impress a girl he's fallen head over heels for. As usual the film is a showcase for Buster Keaton's talents as a stuntman, comedian and director. A little known film but it's one of his better ones. If you're a fan of the silent cinema or a Buster Keaton fan I advise you to pick up a copy of "College". A nice little film that has a "sweet" ending.

Recommended.

A I don't know how many different running times there are for this movie.

The one I saw clocked in at a little over an hour.

Battling Butler (1926) was a funny film by comedian/director Buster

Keaton. This is one of his lesser known films that he made before the

classic The General. Keaton plays a soft "mama's boy". His father decides

that his son needs to toughen up. So he does everything he can to make a

man out of his son. Meanwhile, Buster finds true romance with a nice girl. Can Keaton become a man and win the girl or will he always be a weakling?

A fun film from Buster Keaton. The usual stunts and prat falls are in this

picture. Old stone face can take an average storyline and breath some life

into it. The direction is executed very well and the film has a very quaint

ending. Not a classic by any means, just an entertaining film.

Recommended for Buster Keaton fans.

B+

Horse Feathers (1932) was a bizarre comedy from the Marx Brothers. All

four of the performing brothers play their roles with a manic zest. The

story takes place in a university. Groucho stars a dean who's more

concerned with his own personal affairs than those of the school, Zeppo

co-stars as his dim-witted son, Chico and Harpo play two shady characters

who are enlisted by Groucho. They're "recruited" by him to play for the

school's football team. When the three get together madness abounds!

Zeppo is once again plays the straight man whilst his brothers run amok.

The movie is little over an hour long and is very padded out. A couple of

musical numbers are inserted to make the film close to a feature length film. Despite the "plot", the movie is an excuse to see the Marx Brothers in

Action (and boy they sure in the hell don't disappoint). A funny film

that's worth watching (except the musical numbers are quiet boring). But

Groucho and company will keep you highly entertained.

A+

Animal Crackers (1930) is a sequel of sorts to their first film The Cocanuts. Like the last film, Animals Crackers is nothing more than a showcase for

the Marx Brothers. Groucho, Harpo and Chico display their comical

talents whilst Zeppo plays the straight man. Not as great as their later

films with Zeppo but a must for any Marx Brothers fan. Watch Groucho

put on a one man show as he zings the stuff shirts with one-liners and

witty comebacks. This was the start of the Marx Brothers reign as one of

the best comedy team.

Recommended.

B+

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) was one of the first sound films

widely produced by a major film company. The film is also a classic

example of an anti-war film. Based upon a popular German novel,

A.Q.O.T.W.F. follows the lives of several school age German kids who

volunteer to serve in the army during the beginning of W.W.I. Sadly these kids learn first hand the true horrors of war. A depressing tale that

truthfully documents the tragedy of war. from the first reel until the last, you'll be captivated by the drama on screen.

A brilliant film that's well acted and directed. After starring in this film, Lew Ayres became a devout pacifist. The movie was also released in a

silent version (for theaters not equipped for sound). Many of the

battlefield scenes were replicated (in great detail) in southern California.

I highly recommend this film, it's one of the essentials!

A+

The film is followed by the sequel "The Road Back". A couple of familiar

faces from All Quiet on the Western Front appear in prominent roles.

The Great Train Robbery (1903) was the first true motion picture. Whilst other films of this era were nothing more than a collection of scenes and staged events in front of a static camera, the G.T.R. was the first to use many of the basic film making and cinematography techniques that are still used today. The short film documents a train robbery in action. A great film that had a tremendous influence on the industry. Can you imagine if this film was never made? Imagine what films would be like today if the film makers of The Great Train Robbery never utilized their talents.

Highly recommended for all film buffs and inspiring film makers everywhere.

A+

Voyage to the Moon (1902) was one of the earliest films. It was based

upon a story by Jules Verne. The film was one of the first sci-fi films and

it's one of the most influential pieces of cinema. From the camera work

right down to the special effects, the results are pure genius. A short film that was a huge success in America when it was illegally obtained by

American movie exhibitors who made a mint off of this picture. Despite

the antiquated staging and special effects it's still a beauty to watch. You'll never see anything like this film.

Highly recommended.

A+

City Lights (1931) is not only the best film Charles Chaplin has ever made

but it's one of the greatest films ever made. I wasn't sure about that until I saw this movie many years ago. I was amazed by the heartfelt warmth and

compassion I felt from this movie. It's an amazing piece of work. I have

been a fan of Chaplin and I have seen most of his films, this has to be the

best of them all.

Chaplin wrote, starred and directed this gem. He portrays his alter ego, a

lonely tramp who does whatever he can to try and survive in a cold and

cruel world. One day during his many travels he comes across a beautiful

blind woman who sells flowers. The tramp is smitten and begins a

friendship with the blind woman. Whilst he courting the blind girl, he saves a wealthy drunk. After fishing him out of the water the man is ever

thankful. The two develop a very bizarre relationship that has to be seen to

be believed.

What makes this film one of the greatest is the ending. It is so powerful

and emotional, if you're not moved by it you must have a heart that's black

as coal. A truly remarkable work of art. City Lights has earned it's spot as one of the best movies ever made.

Highly recommended, one of the essentials!

A+

The Circus (1928) is a lost gem of a comedy from actor, writer, director

Charles Chaplin. I found this film to be highly amusing and emotionally

charges as well. An excellent film that ranks behind City Lights (1931). Chaplin's alter-ego The Tramp finds himself hanging around a small circus. He earns a job with them after a minor scuffle involving the local

authorities. The owner of the circus gives him a job as a clown after a very strange

incident that occurred in front of a live audience. He befriends another

performer, a female horse rider who's constantly being harassed and

belittled by her boss. He feels sorry for her and soon the two strike up a

friendship together.

Like I said this is a forgotten classic that's an absolute blast. You'll laugh and cry. The Circus is a must for any Charles Chaplin fan or a lover of

silent cinema. Sadly Mr. Chaplin never received any accolades for this

film. After all of the hard work he put into this film (he even suffered a

mental breakdown) it was a critical and box office failure. But today it's

regarded as one of his best works. I hope you will do the same.

Highly recommended.

A+

The General (1927) was the film that defined the career of legendary

Comedian/Director Buster Keaton. He took many risks (monetary and

physical) to get this movie made. During his day The General was both a critical and box office failure. Today however it is viewed as classic cinema and one of the greatest films of it's era.

The story revolves around the life of a train engineer (played by

Keaton) who is moved by his fellow Southerners to fight against the Union.

Sadly he's rejected by the local militia, nut with his trusty locomotive "The General", Buster finds away to help the cause! He also has to balance out

the two loves in his life, his fiancée and "The General". Can he find true

love and save the day?

I found this film to be an outstanding work of art. The stunt and

secondary direction by Buster Keaton is outstanding. His work was very

innovative and ahead of it's time. He risked his safety on many occasions

and the bridge stunt was the most expensive set piece during the silent era.

Much maligned in it's day but today The General is looked upon as a true

cinematic treasure.

Highly recommended for silent movie fans and film history buffs.

A+

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) was a showcase for the great Lon

Chaney Jr.'s makeup and acting techniques. He was ahead of his time with

his knowledge and application of movie make-up. The Phantom of the

Opera is his most famous role. The way he portrayed the Phantom is

unforgettable, he defined the role. History will remember him for two

things, his nickname "The man of a 1,000 faces" and as the "The Phantom

of the Opera". Many actors have tried to emulate him but a very few have

even come close to his screen presence or his mastery of movie make-up

magic.

The film is about a sinister figure who lives within the confines of an opera house. A grand performance is about to take place but the star actress

disappears before the curtain call. Who or what as taken her away?

The production on this film was very elaborate and well staged. But all of

this is upstaged by the performance and stage presence of Lon Chaney Sr. His "Phantom" has to be one of the creepiest and most frightening of any

"villain" I have ever seen in a silent horror film. His role is more than

enough to recommend this movie.

Highly recommended, one of the essentials.

A+