The Gold Rush

Title: The Gold Rush
Year: 1925
Country: USA
Director: Charles Chaplin
Producer: Charles Chaplin
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 80 minutes
Viewed: May 20, 2012

Review: Charles Chaplin is amazing, simply put. He is a genius, there are not many who can effectively direct, produce and star in a movie. I was confused by the upbeat music not matching what was always happening during the movie. There were a few times where I laughed pretty hard. The first is the roll dance. It is classic and so funny. The second is when the house is about to tip off the mountain. The behavior between the two actors is perfectly done and makes the comedy of the situation even greater.

Rating:
2.5 Shamrocks (While there were a couple good laughs, I'm not sure I want to re-watch because silent films are just not my thing for the most part)

Movie 28 down... 973 to go!

Bronenosets Potyomkin

Title: Bronenosets Potyomkin - The Battleship Potemkin
Year: 1925
Country: U.S.S.R. 
Director: Grigori Aleksandrov & Sergei M. Eisenstein 
Producer: Jacob Bliokh
Genre: Drama & War
Runtime: 69 minutes
Viewed: May 20, 2012 

Review: What to say about this movie? There are two scenes specifically that I probably will always be able to recall. The first is when the men raise the red flag in protest and the second is the child bleeding from his head on the stairs. As a viewer, I had to read more about where the Director was coming from to understand the film. I definitely sided with and felt bad for the men at the beginning when they are showing the rotten meat. I am torn on how to feel about the film as a whole. I don't quite understand the necessity in the stair scene because up to that point you are angry with the men at their leaders and then you become confused as to why they are taking out their anger on the towns people. I am not sure ultimately how I felt about this film. But the ending is a good one. 

Shamrocks: 
2 Shamrocks 


Movie 27 down... 974 to go!

The Phantom of the Opera

Title: The Phantom of the Opera
Year: 1925
Country: USA
Director: Ruper Julian & Lon Chaney
Producer: Carl Laemmle
Genre: Horror 
Runtime: 91 minutes
Viewed: May 20, 2012

Review: This is actually the second time I have seen this film. The first time I watched it with a good friend, but ended up enjoying her company more than I paid attention to the film. So, I thought in order to give a proper review I had to watch it a second time. I have never seen the any of the Phantom of the Opera movies nor have I seen the play, so it was nice to start with the original. While I was not fully captivated by this movie there were a few scenes in particular that caught my attention. The first is the scene where the chandelier falls to the ground. That scene was well done for the time period it was produced in. The second scene in the film that I enjoyed was where the Phantom comes out in his red outfit. The way the movie was shot going specifically to a color sequence at this part was brilliant. Over time the mask the Phantom wears has clearly changed from the fuller face mask in this film to the half face mask used currently. It would seem with time the film has also become less horror and more romance, from my understanding. The grotesque face of the Phantom when it is revealed in itself allows this movies genre category to be horror.

Rating:
3 Shamrocks

Movie 26 down... 975 to go!

Seven Chances

Title: Seven Chances
Year: 1925
Country: USA
Director: Buster Keaton
Producer: Joseph M. Schenck & Buster Keaton
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 56 minutes
Viewed: December 29, 2011

Review: This movie was pretty good. The concept is pretty funny, a man who only inherits his millions (left from his grandfather) if he is to marry by his 27th birthday, which of course happens to be that day. As Keaton's last movie I watched, there is a lot of comedy which makes the movie entertaining. There are plenty of parts in the movie that are funny and for the most part it will keep your attention. Buster Keaton definitely had a lot of talent whether that be in acting or directing. It is clear why this movie was listed in the book.

Rating:
3 Shamrocks

Movie 25 down... 976 to go!

Der Letzte Mann

Title: Der Letzte Mann - The Last Laugh
Year: 1924
Country: Germany
Director: F.W. Murnau
Producer: Erich Pommer
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Viewed: December 28, 2011

Review: The positive? The film has been restored wonderfully. It has one of the clearest pictures thus far. The meaning of the movie is decent. A man finds self worth in his job and once he loses it he finds himself in a downward spiral. Not far off from many people's feelings and thoughts today who have to take jobs they would rather not be doing. The scene in the film where they tell him he has been demoted due to his "age and frailty" reminds me of a certain store (shall remain nameless, but I'm sure you can figure it out) that allows old people to have a job but really just greet you as you come in and leave the store. The negative? I thought the film was long for the story. It would appear the films that I rather enjoy are short while the ones I would prefer end swiftly go on for days. I know I'm in the minority on the fact that I thought it was long because I read many reviews saying it was a great film and not too long. However, I'd have to say it did not keep my attention for more then maybe about 30 minutes, if that. The other hour was me trying to focus but knowing already what was going to happen in the film.

Rating:
1.5 Shamrocks - While I did not enjoy it, I can see why film enthusiasts would.

Movie 24 down... 977 to go!

Sherlock Jr.

Title: Sherlock Jr.
Year: 1924
Country: USA
Director: Buster Keaton
Producer: Joseph M. Schenck & Buster Keaton
Genre: Comedy, Family, & Short
Runtime: 45 minutes
Viewed: December 28, 2011

Review: Okay, so far this is by far my favorite movie. It is full of comedy for the whole family. I watched this with my (reluctant) seven year old nephew and he was just as captivated as I was. The banana peel on the floor is classic and here's where it all started. I was saddened by the fact that it was so short. This is one movie that I wish would have been longer, but looking at the list I can completely understand why more films by Buster Keaton are listed. Funny, captivating, and easy to watch is the best description I can give this movie.

Rating:
4 Shamrocks

Movie 23 down... 978 to go!

Greed

Title: Greed
Year: 1924
Country: USA
Director: Erich Von Stroheim
Producer: Louis B. Mayer
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 140 minutes
Viewed: December 26, 2011

Review: Let's start with the fact that finding this movie with English subtitles seemed impossible, I stumbled upon it eventually though. While watching silent films is something that I am still not a big fan of, my attention was kept by this film. It is simple to say that regardless of the year, the act of greed is something that can devastate someone's life, which is depicted well in this movie. It does not matter if you have a lot of money or no money, the goal to keep, hold on to, and gain more can eventually subdue your life. There were a couple of things specifically that I enjoyed about this movie, first the flashes of color (yellow) when the birds, gold, and tooth are shown. The second part of this movie that I really enjoyed and thought was done creatively was the fact that when the main character plays the accordion the music matches the song that he is playing. It may just be my opinion but I thought that if Will Ferrell was an actor in 1924 he very well could have been Gibson Gowland, looks wise.

Rating:
3 Shamrocks

Movie 22 down... 979 to go!