THIS YEAR FOR VALENTINE'S DAY (2010) MY MOM GAVE ME THE BOOK 1001 MOVIES YOU MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE. I HAVE A PASSION FOR MOVIES, MAINLY IT STARTED WITH BUYING DVDS IN EXCESS. BUT NOW I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A MISSION AND MY GOAL IN AS SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AS POSSIBLE IS TO WATCH EVERY MOVIE IN THE BOOK, READING THE DESCRIPTION, AND WRITING MY OWN PERSONAL REVIEW.
Title: The Unknown Year: 1927 Country: USA Director: Tod Browning & Waldemar Young Producer: Irving G. Thalberg Genre: Horror & Romance Runtime: 60 minutes Viewed: January 17, 2015 Review: Well, I need to start by saying that the rendition I viewed, if I read correctly, had the music redone. This was by far the most captivating (silent) movie I have watched so far. It is twisted and with the music it just captures your attention from start to finish. Lon Chaney will draw you in with the different faces he makes and of course the fact that he primarily uses his feet throughout the movie. I am happy the music wasn't coming from the actual film since I can't imagine Lon could actually play the guitar with his feet. I definitely would watch this movie again, which I'm not sure I would watch any of those previous. Lon is extremely talented, I wish we could see him in a modern day film and see how he does. But like I said, he brings your attention to the movie and will keep you entertained. That being said, this movie is twisted. I'm not sure it would be considered "horror" in today's society, probably more of a thriller. The plot itself is crazy, a woman who doesn't like being touched so Lon's character is perfect for her because he "has no arms," until she starts to actually care about him and he realizes she will notice he has arms eventually. I'll let you watch the movie if you so choose to see how that turns out. It is really interesting, I'm not sure how someone even comes up with the concept for this film, but well done. Rating: 4 Shamrocks Movie 33 down... 968 to go!
Title: The General Year: 1927 Country: USA Director: Clyde Bruckman & Buster Keaton Producer: Buster Keaton & Joseph M. Schenck Genre: Comedy, Romance, & War Runtime: 80 minutes Viewed: July 17, 2015 Review: So, obviously if you are following my journey you will notice that I took a bit of a hiatus. It wasn't intentional, but life got busy and I hate sileny films. The combination of those two scenarios makes for the perfect storm. I actually watched this movie back in August of 2014, but failed to 1) pay attention and 2) blog about it, so I rewatched. I enjoy Buster Keaton, he is a funny guy. However, it doesn't change my opinion that I really wish there was audible speaking parts. I know, I know, film wouldn't be where it is today had we not gone through this phase of cinema, but I am grateful we are where we are instead of stuck in silent films. Now, the movie itself, it definitely is a comedy. The book stated that it, "may be counted among the finest (and funniest) in cinema's entire comic output." I am not sure I would necessarily agree, while I did chuckle a few times, it didn't have me rolling on the floor. It is very much what I was raised to understand "slap-stick" comedy, reminds me a lot of The Three Stooges. Buster Keaton is of course his silly self, just as we have come to love him previously. He has two loves, a woman and a train. I think my favorite parts of the movie were when he is being pushed by the train trying to get a piece of wood out of the way of the track, when he is sliding down the mountain to try to get back to his girl and train, and lastly, my favorite of all was when he has his uniform on and is standing so proud and goofy looking. I imagine that if it were today he would have said something about how swag he looks. This is definitely a family safe movie, if your kids can sit through a silent film. There is enough I think to keep probably 4 and up entertained. I should let my nephew (if you remember him from one of the other reviews) watch it and see what he thinks. As a side note and I'm honestly surprised I didn't see this earlier, how much do Buster Keaton and Jimmy Fallon look alike?
I have two blogs, depending which one you are looking at this is either the blog reviewing the movies that I randomly watch and review. Or this is the blog that will review my adventure through the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die book with me, Meghan, the first movies were also reviewed by my friend Sarah Drake, known throughout the blog as Drake. In order to rate each movie I will be giving the movie a certain number of shamrocks, 1 shamrock is not good 5 shamrocks you found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Drake will be rating each movie with soccer balls, again 1 being the least, 5 the best. Reason behind the rating system, I'm Irish thus shamrocks seem appropriate, Drake loves soccer thus the soccer ball rating. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
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Title: The Unknown 
